Connecting Tokyo and Osaka (500 km or 320miles) in about 2 and half hours, Shinkansen is a very reliable and fast and comfortable transpiration even when you compare it to the airlines. Jets fly from Tokyo to Osaka in about 50 minutes, but you need to take train, bus or taxi to get to the downtown area whereas Shinkansen gets you to the middle of the city. That is all good.
But there is one drawback I have to mention. Because Shinkansen has no competitor, the price is fixed and it is rather high. Unless you buy airline ticket at the last minute, airlines offer cheaper transportation between Tokyo and Osaka.
One more thing. Shinkansen have not accident since it started operation back in 1964. That is over 53 years without an accident.
Since 1996, Japanese-Online has been provided as a free service from PSPinc with the purpose of providing resources to individuals interested in learning about the Japanese Language and culture.
Japanese-Online has content suited to varying levels of study, including lessons for beginners as well as lessons tailored for those who need grammar and writing resources. Lessons are best suited to those who have basic understanding of hiragana and katakana alphabets before moving on to the more advanced grammar and particle lessons. Grammar lessons focus on learning about writing and creating more complex sentences and most lessons will not use romaji (Japanese sounds written with roman letters). Kanji is used in the lessons with hiragana and English translations provided.