Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen began service on October 1, 1964, connecting Tokyo and Osaka just before that year's Tokyo Olympics, making it the world's first purpose-built high-speed rail line. It initially ran at around 210 km/h and became the model that later inspired high-speed rail systems in France, China, and elsewhere.
Record no. MRB-2026-005600
World's First High-Speed Rail System
Reference Record – Not Certified
This record is compiled from publicly available sources for reference. It has not been examined or certified by The Book of World Records.