Hello Kitty Bullet Train In Japan: All You Need To Know To Ride This Iconic Shinkansen

Ever since the Hello Kitty bullet train graced my social media feed, I knew I had to ride it one day. On my trip to Japan in Fall 2024, I made that dream a reality! Figuring out how to ride the Hello Kitty bullet train was not the easiest process because information online is sparse. So, if riding the Hello Kitty bullet train is on your bucket list, here is all you need to know to ride this iconic Shinkansen.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you make a purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own!

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What is the Hello Kitty bullet train (Shinkansen)?

The Hello Kitty bullet train, also known as the Hello Kitty Shinkansen (Japan’s high speed trains), is a Sanrio-themed high-speed train operated by West Japan Railway Company (JR West). It was launched in 2018 as a partnership between JR West and Sanrio. Originally, the train was only intended to run for a few months, but as of March 2024 is still running as scheduled.

Both the exterior and interior of the train are decorated with images of Hello Kitty as well as other motifs such as her iconic pink bow and even regional symbolism representing the prefectures the train visits. In total the train has eight cars, with one being the HELLO!PLAZA!, a room entirely dedicated to selling Hello Kitty merchandise, including the special edition Hello Kitty Shinkansen driver plushie, and some local souvenirs and delicacies. (There are no passenger seats in the HELLO!PLAZA).

The first passenger car is the KAWAII!ROOM and it is the most decorated of all the other cars. This is definitely the passenger car you want to sit in for the best experience, but it does not take seat reservations (more on this later). In this car you will see Hello Kitty seat covers and window shades, as well as a very large Hello Kitty statue, perfect for a photo opp!

What is the route of the Hello Kitty bullet train?

The Hello Kitty bullet train operates on JR West’s Sanyo Shinkansen line, which connects the cities of Osaka and Hakata. Each day it operates, the train does a round trip between Hakata and Osaka and stops twice at each station between Hakata Station and Shin-Osaka, including Kobe, Okayama, and Hiroshima. The total journey time from Osaka to Hakata (or vice versa) is about 4-and-a-half hours. Below you can find the route of the Hello Kitty bullet train.

Does the Hello Kitty bullet train stop in Tokyo?

No, the Hello Kitty bullet train does not stop in Tokyo. 

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What days and times does the Hello Kitty bullet train run?

The Hello Kitty bullet train runs on most days. It is usually inoperable for two days during the first or second week of each month. I recommend checking the Hello Kitty Shinkansen Official Website for an updated operation day calendar.

On this website you can also find the most updated timetable, which I will also include below. As I mentioned, each operational day the Hello Kitty bullet train runs from Hakata Station to Shin-Osaka and back again. The type of train is a Kodama, with the first leg of the journey being the Kodama 842 and the second leg being the Kodama 849. Be sure to arrive at least 30-45 minutes before the scheduled departure time, and even earlier if you want to try to get a seat on the KAWAII!ROOM

Personally, we got on the Hello Kitty bullet train at Shin-Osaka, which departs at 11:27 AM. We arrived around an hour early, which was perfect because it was confusing figuring out what platform at which the train would arrive (it was not shown on the departures sign at the station). There were less than 10 other people waiting at the platform, which guaranteed we got seats in the KAWAII!ROOM car, since Shin-Osaka is the first stop on the second leg of the journey.

How to get tickets for the Hello Kitty bullet train (and how much do they cost)?

There are a handful of different ways to get tickets for the Hello Kitty bullet train, most of which include purchasing a ride pass. If you have a JR Pass, the Hello Kitty bullet train is included so you can ride it for no additional cost. You should know that recently the JR Pass has increased in price, but may still be worth it depending on your trip itinerary. 

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If you do not plan on purchasing a JR Pass, there are other limited-area passes you should consider that include the Hello Kitty bullet train journey or sections of it. You can see the full list of the limited-area passes on the Hello Kitty Shinkansen Official Website. If you end up taking the same journey I did – from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima – the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass is a good option.  You can consider purchasing the JR Pass of your choice on Klook, which is an authorized agent!

Lastly, you can just purchase tickets between specific areas. For example, you can buy a ticket from Shin-Osaka to Hakata Station at train stations in Japan, specifically at a JR Ticket Office or ticketing machine, or online. When purchasing a ticket you can also reserve a seat for an extra cost (see next section). Based on what I read from other travelers who chose this option, make sure you are buying a ticket for the Kodoma 842 or Kodoma 849 train, depending on which direction you are traveling.

Do you need to reserve seats for the Hello Kitty bullet train?

This is the million dollar question! Before I rode the Hello Kitty bullet train, I spent hours researching and trying to decide if we should reserve seats. As I mentioned, only some of the cars have reserve seats, however the most decorated car, KAWAII!ROOM, does not. Some people suggested reserving seats in one of the other cars, and moving into the KAWAII!ROOM if there is space, or just walking through there to take photos.

Now, this may be a good idea, but I was committed to sitting in the KAWAII!ROOM. As I said earlier, I arrived at Shin-Osaka an hour before the train was set to depart and there were less than 10 people already waiting. I easily got a seat in the KAWAII!ROOM and it actually didn’t even fill up during our entire two-and-a-half hour ride to Hiroshima.

For reference, I took the Hello Kitty bullet train in early November, which is outside Japan’s peak tourism months. If you’re traveling during a busier season, such as between the months of April to May, you may want to reserve seats in one of the other cars just in case. You should also consider getting on at the first stop – Hakata Station on the first leg or Shin-Osaka on the second leg.

If you have a JR Pass, you can reserve a seat free of charge at any JR Ticket Office or ticketing machines in any train station. Most of the limited-area passes do not include free seat reservations, so if you want to make a reservation you will need to pay a fee (the amount depends on your specific journey). As I mentioned in the previous section, if you decide to buy a ticket between specific destinations, you can reserve a seat at the time of purchase but it will cost extra.

Taylor Travelgram’s tips for riders🎀🐱🚅

WOOHOO! Now you know all you need to know to ride the Hello Kitty bullet train in Japan. Aside from the logistics, I also wanted to provide some personal tips to help you have the best experience possible.

• Plan to eat before and after the journey. There isn’t any food on the train, other than Hello Kitty mochi and a few packaged local desserts. At Hakata Station, however, there is a Hello Kitty Shinkansen Café that serves special dishes inspired by the character.
• If you arrive at the station and don’t see the Hello Kitty bullet train on the departures sign, don’t fear! Open Google Maps and enter your destination, then swipe to public transportation and find your train time and platform.
• Be ready for your wallet to hurt after visiting the HELLO!PLAZA. There is so much amazing limited-edition merchandise on the train that you are going to want to buy it all.

• Don’t feel like you’re too old to enjoy the journey. Loving Hello Kitty doesn’t have any age! In fact, most riders I saw were adults.
• Take all the pictures your heart desires. In my opinion, this is the absolute cutest and most unique themed train in the world, so it’s totally acceptable to spam your camera roll. I spent a large part of the journey up taking content and exploring!

So, is the Hello Kitty bullet train worth it?

Yes, without a doubt, the Hello Kitty bullet train is worth it and lives up to the hype! It’s a Hello Kitty lover’s dream and needs to be on your travel bucket list. I hope my guide has helped you plan your ride on this iconic Shinkansen.

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