Hello Kitty Shinkansen: The Most Kawaii Bullet Train in Japan
Ride the cutest bullet train in Japan, the Hello Kitty Shinkansen!
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Did you know that in Japan you can ride the cutest bullet train ever, a Hello Kitty themed Shinkansen?
If there is something that Japan has, it’s that it’s the country of “kawaii”-cute culture. In your daily life, wherever you go, you will find at some point (or several) an adorable design of something. A new drink at the convenience store, a collaborative cafe, etc.
So no wonder they even have a Hello Kitty bullet train! The Japanese bullet trains are known as Shinkansen, and operated by Japan Railways. They cover almost the entire main island, reaching speeds of up to more than 300 km/h. They are undoubtedly the best way to travel within Japan, without having to go through security checks or arrive 2 hours early.
Are you a fan of Hello Kitty and do you want to travel Japan in a lovely and magic train? Check all the details in this article to make sure you have all the information you need to know before your trip!
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
Hello Kitty Shinkansen
Covered in pink and ribbons, this Hello Kitty shinkansen it’s undoubtedly the cutest bullet train in Japan! In addition to ribbons, the design features 8 different Hello Kitty, one for each of the regions in eastern Japan through which the bullet train stops (Osaka, Hyogo, Okayama, Tottori, Hiroshima, Shimane, Yamaguchi and Fukuoka). Each one is an original and exclusive design, that is holding a popular dish or product from each prefecture, like takoyaki for Osaka, strawberry for Fukuoka, momiji for Hiroshima and apple for Tottori.
The Hello Kitty bullet train belongs to JR West, and covers the route from Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) to Fukuoka (Hakata Station) on the Sanyo Shinkansen line. It’s a Kodama model train, the slowest on the line, and stops at all stations. Its only runs one train per day (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) so if you miss it you don’t have another chance until the next day.
▶︎Book now your Shinkansen tickets!
Boarding the Hello Kitty Shinkansen
Not only the exterior, the interior has also been fully decorated with Hello Kitty motif. Experience an overdose of cuteness with this super pink super adorable train!
Hello! Plaza
Car 1, called Hello! Plaza is a merchandise and souvenir store, with special exclusive Hello Kitty Shinkansen designs. In addition to the 8 different designs for each of the regions, there’s also a special design of Hello Kitty dressing as a staff member of Japan Railways.
It also has a small cafe, an area with a giant screen where movies are shown, and a photospot.
Kawaii! Room
Located in car 2, the Kawaii! Room is the only carriage on the train where the interior also has an exclusive Hello Kitty design. At the entrance, there is a specially decorated photo area, and the luggage space is also Hello Kitty themed! Even the seats are purple and pink, with seat covers and sales covers with special Hello Kitty designs.
Official Website: https://www.jr-hellokittyshinkansen.jp/en/
How to Book Tickets for the Hello Kitty Shinkansen
In order to board the Hello Kitty bullet train you have to book the Kodama849 which departs at 11:37 from Shin-Osaka station. As mentioned above, there is only one train per day, except Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when the Hello Kitty shinkansen doesn’t run.
The train goes all the way to Hakata, but you don’t have to go all the way. You can do for example Shin Osaka-Hiroshima, or even Shin Osaka-Himeji if you don’t want to go that far or spend a lot of money.
There is also an early morning train from Hakata to Shin Osaka, but because of the way the bullet train system works in Japan, getting tickets for this train is quite complicated. There is a possibility that you may not be able to get on, so we do not highly recommend it.
So the best option is take the one that departs from Shin Osaka. However, please note that this Shinkansen is highly popular and tickets tend to sell out quickly.
Secure your ticks online with Japan Bullet Train!
Japan Bullet Train is a new service launched by our partner company, which offers bullet train and express train tickets in Japan for tourists. All the service is in English (and 3 other languages), including customer service. They accept payments with all major credit cards, and the process is very easy and simple, especially compared to Japanese websites.
After your purchase, once your ticket is confirmed you will receive a QR code. You simply have to scan this QR code in the vending machines available at the main stations from where the bullet train departs and you will get your physical ticket, with which you can access the platform. All from the comfort of your smartphone.
▶︎Book now your Shinkansen tickets!
Timetable
| Station | Time | Station | Time |
|
Shin-Osaka |
11:37 | Hakata |
7:04 |
|
Shin-Kobe |
11:50 | Kokura |
7:22 |
|
Nishi-Akashi |
12:01 | Shin-Shimonoseki |
7:31 |
|
Himeji |
12:15 |
Asa |
7:44 |
|
Aioi |
12:27 |
Shin-Yamaguchi |
7:53 |
|
Okayama |
12:50 |
Tokuyama |
8:10 |
|
Shin-Kurashiki |
13:02 |
Shin-Iwakuni |
8:23 |
|
Fukuyama |
13:16 |
Hiroshima |
8:38 |
|
Shin-Onomichi |
13:29 |
Higashi-Hiroshima |
8:52 |
|
Mihara |
13:41 |
Mihara |
9:12 |
|
Higashi-Hiroshima |
13:56 |
Shin-Onomichi |
9:18 |
|
Hiroshima |
14:08 |
Fukuyama |
9:31 |
|
Shin-Iwakuni |
14:29 |
Shin-Kurashiki |
9:45 |
|
Tokuyama |
14:42 |
Okayama |
10:09 |
|
Shin-Yamaguchi |
14:58 |
Aioi |
10:35 |
|
Asa |
15:11 |
Himeji |
10:48 |
|
Shin-Shimonoseki |
15:24 |
Nishi-Akashi |
11:02 |
|
Kokura
|
15:34 |
Shin-Kobe |
11:12 |
|
Hakata |
15:51 |
Shin-Osaka |
11:25 |
If is your first time in Japan and don’t know much about the bullet train, this guide can help you! ▶︎Shinkansen: A Complete Guide to the Japanese Bullet Train
▽For more Shinkansen and Route Information▽
▶︎How to Get to Osaka from Tokyo
▶︎How to Get to Hiroshima from Tokyo
▶︎1 Week Itinerary: the Very Best of Japan for First Timers
Did you liked?? For more interesting things to do in Western Japan, or Hello Kitty content, check these articles too!
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Written by
From Barcelona to Tokyo. Coffee & Adventure lover🌏☕️
I started to like Japan because of the anime, music and doramas, but after my first trip to the country I found what I love the most: traveling around, the culture and history. I have travelled a lot in Japan, but I still have many places to discover that I want to share with you🙋🏼♀️ Let’s discover Japan together!
Also, as a foreigner living in Japan for over 6 years I understand what kind of things are difficult when you move here and I want to help other people in the same situation that I have in the past.
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