The Japanese bullet train, or Shinkansen, is very much real and remains the global gold standard for high-speed rail in 2026. Since its debut in 1964, it has expanded into a massive network connecting almost all of Japan’s major islands. These trains travel at speeds up to 320 km/h (200 mph) and are world-renowned for their impeccable safety record: in over 60 years of operation, there has never been a passenger fatality due to a derailment or collision. They are also famous for their extreme punctuality, with the average delay per train often measured in seconds. In 2026, Japan is also making significant progress on the Chuo Shinkansen, a maglev (magnetic levitation) line designed to reach speeds of 500 km/h (311 mph), further solidifying the "bullet train" as a cornerstone of modern Japanese infrastructure and a must-experience marvel for any visitor to the country.