Japan is developing the L0 Series, a magnetic-levitation (maglev) train expected to reach speeds of up to 603.5 km/h, making it the fastest train ever built. The project is being led by Central Japan Railway Company and will run on the new Chuo-Shinkansen line.
At those speeds, travel time between Tokyo and Nagoya would fall to about 40 minutes, with a future extension to Osaka cutting the Tokyo–Osaka journey to roughly one hour. For comparison, Europe’s fastest services such as France’s TGV or Italy’s Italo operate at around 300–350 km/h.
The L0 Series achieves its speed through magnetic levitation, lifting the train above the track to reduce friction. However, this technology is expensive and infrastructure-heavy. The project has already cost about £52bn (€60bn) and has been delayed, with an expected opening now pushed to 2034–2035.
While the idea of such a train excites rail fans, experts say it would be difficult to replicate in Europe. Maglev trains cannot run on existing rail lines, require extensive tunnelling, consume large amounts of power, and carry fewer passengers than conventional high-speed trains. In addition, European rail travel often prioritises comfort, capacity and scenic journeys over extreme speed.
As a result, while Japan’s L0 Series may redefine rail travel at home, its chances of appearing on European tracks remain slim.
