Japan’s Hello Kitty bullet train makes final run
The beloved Hello Kitty-themed shinkansen bullet train made its farewell run on Sunday, marking the end of eight years in service, Kyodo reported.
Fans carrying cameras and Hello Kitty merchandise gathered at JR Shin-Osaka Station to witness the final departure of the 500-series bullet train, operated by West Japan Railway Co. Since debuting in June 2018, the train carried around 1 million passengers.
Decorated in pink with ribbons and Hello Kitty illustrations inside and out, the train ran between Shin-Osaka and Hakata stations. As it departed, crowds waved and shouted “Thank you.”
Yoshiharu Ikeda, a sixth-grade student from Fukui Prefecture, shared his feelings: “I’m sad that it’s retiring, but I’m glad I was able to ride it before it was gone. I want to remember this moment forever.”
Earlier, it was reported that LEGO had unveiled 8,278-piece “The Lord of the Rings” set.