If you’ve ever dreamed of zipping across Japan at breakneck speeds, the Shinkansen (a.k.a. bullet train) is your ticket to adventure. My family and I recently hopped on this sleek marvel of engineering, hurtling from Tokyo to Kyoto (and back) in a blur of excitement.

The Shinkansen is Japan’s pride and joy, a fleet of high-speed trains that crisscross the country. The Tokaido Shinkansen, in particular, connects Tokyo with Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka. At almost 200mph, it sliced through the landscape like a samurai’s katana.

Early in the morning, we drove in excitement from our hotel in Minato City, Asakasa, to the Tokyo Station in Marunouchi, Chiyoda City. Tokyo Station is the major railway station that serves as a hub for the Shinkansen.

We boarded the Nozomi, the speed demon of the Shinkansen family. With just four stops between Tokyo and Kyoto, it’s the Usain Bolt of trains. The journey was around two and a half hours long, leaving me wide-eyed and exhilarated the entire time. The fare is a bit pricey but worth every penny, especially when it’s your first time.

Inside, the Shinkansen is a blend of efficiency and comfort. It feels like riding a roomy airplane, if there ever was one. And these trains are incredibly punctual, they experience only half a minute of delay on average. Impressive!

A little bit of history: The Shinkansen story began in 1964, just in time for the Tokyo Olympics. Imagine the buzz as the first train hurtled from Tokyo to Osaka. Since then, it’s been a saga of innovation. The Hikari, Kodama, and Nozomi trains weave their way through the heart of Japan. But what blows my mind is learning that there was not a single fatal accident in all those years. Talk about putting safety first!

As we approached Kyoto, the beckoning of ancient temples, Shōgun and matcha tea was evident. Here we go! Arigato, Shinkansen. See you again at the end of day.