The Hello Kitty Shinkansen

Published on : 04/04/2018
by : Japan Experience

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From Shin-Osaka Station to Hakata Station with a Japan Rail Pass

In March of 2018, JR West introduced the Hello Kitty Shinkansen, a special bullet train featuring motifs and imagery of the iconic Sanrio character!

Ride the Sanyo with Sanrio!

In March 2018, JR West announced the introduction of a special Shinkansen bullet train: the Hello Kitty Shinkansen!

Since summer 2018, a 500 series Shinkansen, has been running from Shin-Osaka to Hakata Station (Fukuoka) as the Kodama. Note that you'll be stopping at every station on the line, so you can take your time to savor the adorable interior of the high-speed train.

For a short trip, the Hello Kitty Shinkansen option is one-of-a-kind, especially if you're a fan of the Sanrio Universe.

Departure from Hakata: 6:42 (Kodama 730)
Hiroshima : 8:13
Okayama : 9:57
Himeji : 10:39
Shin-Osaka: 11:13

Departure from Shin-Osaka: 11:29 (Kodama 741)
Himeji : 12:02
Okayama : 12:38
Hiroshima : 13:55
Hakata : 15:38

Good news: as a Kodama bullet train, the Hello Kitty Shinkansen is covered by the Japan Rail Pass!

In car 1, dubbed "Hello Plaza!", you won't find any seats, but you'll be able to buy cakes, drinks, bags, plush toys and other Hello Kitty merchandise to fill up on kawaii-tude. Hostesses wearing uniforms with Hello Kitty themes are on hand to serve you and take your picture in designated areas.

Car 2 is a room that all Japanese pop culture-lovers will appreciate, with a bright pink interior adorned with Hello Kitty decor! Car 2, also features a special area that makes a magnificent backdrop for your photos, with Hello Kitty dressed in the JR West uniform and the different regions the train passes through on the wall. There's plenty of space for luggage and free-access seats, so you can get up close and personal with Japan's emblematic cat.Cars 3,7, and 8 are non-reserved seat cars. Cars 4,5, and 6 require a reserved seat ticket with assigned seating.