Hello Kitty bullet train to debut in Japan on June 30

West Japan Railway Co. said Friday it will begin operating a Hello Kitty-themed shinkansen on June 30.

The interior and seats of the 500-series shinkansen, to be used for daily round trips between Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka Prefecture and Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture, will feature Sanrio Co.’s Hello Kitty character, the railway operator said.

The special train, to be decorated with pink ribbons like the character, will be used to promote local attractions and specialty goods, and passengers will have the chance to pose for photos with a big Hello Kitty doll.

「ハローキティ新幹線」18年6月より運行！500系新幹線が生まれ変わる https://t.co/xjNHT6ge0o pic.twitter.com/h1jN82RVS0

— Fashion Press (@fashionpressnet) May 18, 2018

The first Hello Kitty train car, dubbed “Hello! Plaza,” will introduce areas in western Japan for a limited period of time, starting with Tottori and Shimane prefectures.

The railway company recently wrapped up the operation of a bullet train featuring a design inspired by the popular Japanese animation series “Neon Genesis Evangelion.”

• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

GET THE BEST OF THE JAPAN TIMES IN FIVE EASY PIECES WITH TAKE 5

LATEST NATIONAL STORIES

Teacher at famed Tokyo school questioned by police after allegedly breaking student's rib

A teacher at a prestigious Tokyo junior high school kicked a student as corporal punishment in mid-September and left him with a broken rib, investigative and other sources with the knowledge of th...

Emperor leaves for Ise shrine to mark end of Japan enthronement rites

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako left Tokyo on Thursday for the Grand Shrines of Ise for a ceremony marking the completion of two major rites signifying the emperor's enthronement. After asce...

U.S. to be represented by Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan at G20 foreign ministers meetin...

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John Sullivan will travel to Nagoya to attend a two-day foreign ministerial meeting of the Group of 20 major economies starting Friday, the State Department said.