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.”
ハローキティ新幹線、本日でラストラン❕🥲🎀
— 道重佐保 / Saho Michishige (@saho_michishige) May 17, 2026
何度か乗ることはできたけど、もう一度会いたかったな〜！さみしい…🚄💭
ホームにあのかわいいピンクの車体が入ってくる時のわくわく感が忘れられないです🤲🏻💖 pic.twitter.com/ePbx1UUtYx
〝Thank you Hello kitty Shinkansen〟
— 岩幹 (@iwatesuperex) May 17, 2026
遠方のためハローキティ新幹線にお目にかかれたことはあまり少なかったですが、西に行くとハローキティ新幹線が見られるという楽しみを与えてくれた車両でした🎀ハローキティ新幹線としての8年の運用は今日で幕を閉じることになります!! pic.twitter.com/pmxa12pSBE
Что если мы поцелуемся на похоронах бимбо-поезда?
— ивус (@ogivus) May 17, 2026
В Японии небольшой траур — сегодня последний рейс совершил Hello Kitty Shinkansen. Это розовый скоростной поезд для фанатов Hello Kitty — там был кавайи-вагон и вагон с мерчовым магазином. Он курсировал между Осакой и Фукуокой с… pic.twitter.com/qoUh1Co0kR
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