Finale projects for the 'Hello Kitty Shinkansen,' beloved for 8 years, as its service nears its end: A special one-night-only evening event at Shin-Shimonoseki Station

JR West is rolling out various finale projects to mark the end of the 'Hello Kitty Shinkansen,' which has been operating on the Sanyo Shinkansen line since June 2018, with its final day of service on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

'Finale Art' filled with memorable photos

The 500 series Shinkansen, specially designed with a pink ribbon to represent the concept of 'connecting and binding regions,' has captivated many fans with its playful interior that allows passengers to enjoy the world of Sanrio's popular character, 'Hello Kitty.' To conclude the eight-year story, a 'Finale Art' piece featuring photos of memories with the 'Hello Kitty Shinkansen' collected via social media has been completed and is now displayed inside the train, on a special website, and at major JR West stations. Starting Tuesday, March 17, Car 1, 'HELLO! PLAZA,' which has previously featured regional product sales and local promotions, will operate as 'THANKS! PLAZA,' where visitors can purchase new original Hello Kitty Shinkansen merchandise and watch special videos.

On Saturday, March 28, as the climax of the finale projects, a nighttime event titled 'Dreamy Night' will be held inside the 'Hello Kitty Shinkansen.' Set at Platform 1 of Shin-Shimonoseki Station, which is preparing for the Yamaguchi Destination Campaign starting in the fall, the event will feature special one-night-only content for each car, including a talk show with members of the female rock band SCANDAL, who are fans of Hello Kitty. Tour packages, each allowing access to different cars, will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-served basis via 'tabiwa Travel' starting at 1:00 PM on Monday, March 9.

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