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Amazon has announced that the company is now utilizing Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed trains for package transportation. This initiative aims to shorten delivery times and reduce CO₂ emissions.
Packages are transported in unused passenger space on three routes: the Tohoku Shinkansen, the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen. These routes connect Amazon locations in the Greater Tokyo area with central and northern Japan. The collaboration is taking place in partnership with the Japanese railway companies JR East, JR Hokkaido, and JR West.
Efficient use of infrastructure
The Shinkansen trains, which reach speeds of up to 320 km/h, are known for their high punctuality. This enables Amazon to offer faster and more reliable deliveries to the regions of Hakodate, Aomori, and Kanazawa. By utilizing high-speed trains, it is also expected that CO₂ emissions will be reduced compared to road transport in the long-distance package delivery sector.
Kohei Shimatani, Vice President for Japan at Amazon, commented on the initiative:
“We are excited to launch package delivery with the Shinkansen. This unique initiative utilizes unused passenger space for package transport and enables faster deliveries, symbolizing the continuous evolution of Amazon’s operations.”
He added that the use of the Shinkansen network contributes to further decarbonizing Amazon’s transportation network.
The new package delivery system began operations in March 2026 on the Tohoku Shinkansen and the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen, while the Hokuriku Shinkansen followed in May 2026.
Diverse delivery methods worldwide
The use of high-speed trains is not unique to Amazon: JAL Cargo, the cargo division of Japan Airlines, has also started utilizing rail transport this year. Amazon, in turn, is pursuing additional creative approaches to deliver packages quickly and sustainably. Worldwide, the company has adopted various innovative delivery methods tailored to the specific conditions and needs of each region.
In European cities, for example, compact e-cargo bikes are used to enable emission-free deliveries in congested neighborhoods. In the USA, drones are employed for package delivery, while in other regions, traditional methods such as motorcycles, boats, and even horse-drawn carriages are utilized.
On Mackinac Island in Michigan, where motorized vehicles have been banned since the 19th century, the approximately 500 residents rely on horse-drawn carriages for their deliveries. In Venice, on the other hand, last-mile deliveries often occur by boat along the city’s famous waterways.
