Witness History: Archive 2014 - Japan's Bullet Train

Download Japan's Bullet Train

On 1 October 1964, the fastest train the world had ever seen was launched in Japan. The first Shinkansen, or bullet train, ran between Tokyo and Osaka, and had a top speed of 210km per hour. Witness speaks to Isao Makibayashi, one of the train's first drivers.

(Photo: Shinkansen, or bullet train. Credit: Keystone/Getty Images)

Published on Thursday, 2nd October 2014.

Available Podcasts from Witness History: Archive 2014

Subscribe to Witness History: Archive 2014

We are not the BBC, we only list available podcasts. To find out more about the programme including episodes available on BBC iPlayer, go to the Witness History: Archive 2014 webpage.