At its core, Hako-Bun is a high-speed logistics network that uses the Shinkansen to move regional products to major cities faster than ever before, while maintaining a level of quality that traditional transport often struggles to match.

By taking advantage of the Shinkansen’s defining strengths of speed and precise scheduling, JR East has made it possible for peak-season food from across Japan to reach Tokyo on the same day it is harvested or caught. What was once limited by distance and time is now arriving in urban markets almost immediately.

For travelers, this means that even without leaving the city, it is becoming easier to experience regional flavors at their freshest, whether at department stores, specialty shops, or station-area markets.

Why Shinkansen Transport Is Gaining Attention Over Trucks
So why is freight carried by the Shinkansen drawing so much attention compared with traditional truck transport?

With high-speed Shinkansen transport, seafood caught in the morning and freshly harvested produce from regional areas can reach store shelves in major cities such as Tokyo on the very same day.

According to a seafood retailer using the service, being able to sell regional seafood in Tokyo on the day it is landed adds clear value for customers and has been very well received.

For travelers, this means you do not need to leave the city to enjoy peak-season regional ingredients. Tokyo department stores, specialty food shops, and station-area retailers are increasingly able to offer products that reflect what is truly in season across Japan.

Hako-Bun is also being adopted by industries that require strict transport standards, including medical manufacturing, where consistency and handling quality are critical.

Because the Shinkansen offers smooth operation, high speeds, and stable conditions, it can provide a level of transport quality that is difficult to achieve with conventional road freight. Power supplied inside the train also makes temperature-controlled transport possible, allowing refrigerated and other sensitive products to be moved safely.

Compared with commercial freight vehicles such as trucks, the Shinkansen produces significantly lower carbon dioxide emissions when transporting goods.

While travelers enjoy moving around Japan by rail, Hako-Bun is working in parallel to address broader challenges facing the country’s logistics industry, including labor shortages and environmental impact. By shifting some freight from roads to rail, the system helps reduce pressure on long-distance trucking while supporting a more sustainable transport model overall.

The next major step for Hako-Bun arrives in March 2026, with the launch of Japan’s first Shinkansen designed specifically for freight operations.

From March 23, 2026, JR East will begin operating a converted E3 Series train dedicated entirely to cargo transport, marking a significant shift from earlier models that shared passenger space for limited freight use.

JR East is converting a single E3 Series Shinkansen trainset, consisting of seven cars, into a train devoted entirely to freight transport. All passenger seats are being removed, and the floors are being replaced with flat steel plates treated with non-slip coating. This setup allows cargo to be transported safely while still loaded on roll cages.

As a result, the train can carry up to 17.4 tons of freight, or roughly 1,000 boxes, in a single run. This represents a major increase in capacity compared with earlier approaches that used only part of a passenger car on limited services.
For travelers, this change will be largely invisible at first glance, but it reflects a significant shift in how the Shinkansen is used. The same sleek trains seen racing across the countryside will also be moving large volumes of regional products behind the scenes. The lead car is planned to feature large designs highlighting representative cargo, while intermediate cars will be wrapped with visuals showcasing local products from across Japan, turning the train itself into a moving introduction to regional specialties.

Another important part of the Hako-Bun system is the introduction of automation to improve efficiency.

Automated Guided Vehicles, or AGVs, are being introduced inside Shinkansen rolling stock centers to handle cargo movement. These vehicles automatically tow roll cages and are designed to move smoothly even along slopes or through narrow internal routes.

By reducing the need for manual handling, this technology helps address labor shortages while improving consistency and safety. Although travelers never see this process, it plays a key role in maintaining the speed and reliability that define Japan’s logistics network.

The evolution of "Hako-Bun" is not limited to Japan.

From mid-January 2026, JR East will launch a new service called JAL de Hako-Bun in partnership with the JAL Group.

This service combines high-speed Shinkansen transport with international air cargo, creating a one-stop system that moves products from regional Japan to overseas destinations. Goods are first carried quickly by Shinkansen to major airports, then transferred to JAL aircraft for international shipment.

Initial overseas destinations include Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Taipei, and Hong Kong.

For travelers, this means regional products from Japan will increasingly appear overseas in better condition and closer to their peak season. Even outside Japan, access to fresh, high-quality Japanese food and specialty goods is set to improve as this system expands.

For travelers, one of the most visible outcomes of Hako-Bun will be a new market opening inside one of Tokyo’s busiest transport hubs.

In spring 2026, JR East plans to open a Connected Direct Market at Ueno Station. The market will make use of Hako-Bun’s high-speed logistics to bring in freshly harvested produce and seafood from regional areas, including items caught or picked earlier the same day.

Ueno Station already serves as a major gateway for visitors, with nearby attractions such as museums, Ueno Zoo, and Ameya Yokocho. By adding a market focused on regional, peak-season products, the station itself is positioned to become a place to experience Japan’s food culture, not just pass through it.

For travelers with limited time, this offers an easy way to encounter flavors from areas such as Tohoku and Shinetsu without leaving Tokyo. The market is expected to showcase regional stories through food, making it a natural stop at the beginning or end of a trip.

JR East’s Hako-Bun initiative and the launch of a dedicated freight Shinkansen represent more than a change in how goods are moved. Together, they point to a broader effort to rethink how regional Japan connects with major cities and with travelers.

By supporting local industries, improving distribution efficiency, and reducing environmental impact, this system helps bring regional food and products closer to where people actually encounter them. For visitors, that translates into better quality, greater variety, and more opportunities to experience Japan’s regional character, even within large urban hubs.

Fast, reliable, and environmentally conscious rail logistics are quietly delivering some of Japan’s best flavors and craftsmanship to places travelers already pass through.

The next time you ride the Shinkansen, it may be worth remembering that it is carrying more than passengers. It is also moving the stories, seasons, and future of Japan’s regions, waiting to be discovered at stations like Ueno and beyond.

(Source/Main Image: PR Times)