Quick answer: the Hello Kitty Shinkansen ended regular service on May 17, 2026, but Japan has not run out of trains worth planning a trip around. The best current alternatives are SPACIA X for Nikko, AONIYOSHI between Osaka, Nara and Kyoto, Saphir Odoriko for the Izu Peninsula, the POKÉMON with YOU Train in Tohoku, Shimakaze for Ise-Shima and JR Kyushu’s 36+3.
Last checked: August 17, 2026. Special-train calendars change, and a normal ticket does not always guarantee the themed vehicle. Confirm the exact operating date and train number with the railway operator before you build a day around it.
What replaced the Hello Kitty Shinkansen?
Nothing replaced it directly. JR West retired one very specific pink Shinkansen, and there is no new Hello Kitty bullet train running the same Shin-Osaka–Hakata route. That distinction matters because old English-language guides and social posts can continue circulating long after a train has disappeared.
The better question is: which train can turn part of your 2026 itinerary into the experience itself? Japan’s most rewarding sightseeing trains are not all character trains. Some are playful, some are quietly luxurious and some make an ordinary transfer feel like a small event. These are the ones I would actually consider building into a trip.
| Train | Best for | Main route | Booking difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| SPACIA X | Nikko day trip or onsen stay | Asakusa–Nikko/Kinugawa | Moderate |
| AONIYOSHI | Easy Kansai upgrade | Osaka–Nara–Kyoto | Easy to moderate |
| Saphir Odoriko | Coastal scenery | Tokyo/Yokohama–Izu | Moderate |
| POKÉMON with YOU | Families and Pokémon fans | Selected Tohoku routes | Hard on popular dates |
| Shimakaze | Ise-Shima in comfort | Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya–Kashikojima | Moderate to hard |
| 36+3 | A slow Kyushu journey | Different Kyushu route by day | Moderate to hard |
1. SPACIA X: the smartest special-train day trip from Tokyo
SPACIA X connects Asakusa with Tobu-Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen. It is the easiest train on this list to place inside a first or second trip to Japan because the route already leads somewhere most visitors want to see.
The train offers six seat styles, from standard seating to private compartments, a Cockpit Suite and the front-facing Cockpit Lounge. There is also an onboard café. The premium spaces photograph beautifully, but you do not need the most expensive seat to enjoy the ride. The practical win is leaving central Tokyo and arriving near Nikko’s shrines or Kinugawa’s hot-spring hotels without treating the journey as dead time.
My pick: use it outbound to Nikko, then stay overnight in the area rather than racing back after the temples close. If the special seats are sold out, take the available seat and keep the destination. Do not let a train reservation become more important than the trip around it.
2. AONIYOSHI: the easiest unusual train in Kansai
Kintetsu’s deep-purple AONIYOSHI links Osaka-Namba, Nara and Kyoto. It is an unusually good fit for travelers who want a memorable train without reorganizing an entire itinerary.
Inside are twin seats and salon-style group seating, with a design inspired by Nara’s history. The route is short enough that the train is a pleasant upgrade rather than a full-day rail excursion. That makes it ideal for pairing Kyoto and Nara or moving between Osaka and Kyoto with a stop in Nara.
The 2026 timetable is current from March 14, and the train generally does not operate on Thursdays. Reserve through Kintetsu or at a station counter and check the operating calendar for your exact date.
3. Saphir Odoriko: a coastal train that earns the upgrade
Saphir Odoriko runs from the Tokyo area toward the Izu Peninsula. It is built around wide windows, Green Car seating, private compartments and a cafeteria car. Unlike a themed train where the exterior is the main event, this one works because the scenery and destination match the train.
Use it when you are already planning Shimoda, Kawazu or another Izu stop. The sea views are most rewarding when you can travel in daylight and avoid spending the entire journey looking at your phone. JR East refreshed the cafeteria menu in 2026, another sign that this is an active service rather than a nostalgic listing copied from an old blog.
Reality check: Izu is not a secret weekend escape. Book early for holidays and cherry-blossom periods, and treat the train as part of a coastal trip—not as an attraction to ride out and back for no reason.
4. POKÉMON with YOU Train: the best character train still running
If the Hello Kitty Shinkansen appealed because the theme took over the whole experience, the POKÉMON with YOU Train is the closest emotional replacement. Pikachu appears throughout the exterior and interior, and the train includes playful spaces and small commemorative items for passengers.
The important difference is geography. This is a Tohoku train with selected operating days and routes, not a daily Shinkansen between major tourist cities. In September 2026, JR East lists Kesennuma services on several weekends and holidays, plus Miyako services on September 26 and 27. Every seat is reserved, and tickets go on sale one month before departure.
I like that the train has a purpose beyond decoration: it was created to bring smiles and visitors to an area affected by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. Build it into a proper Tohoku journey and spend money locally rather than riding in, photographing Pikachu and immediately leaving.
5. Shimakaze: the train for an Ise-Shima detour
Shimakaze connects Osaka, Kyoto and Nagoya with Ise, Toba and Kashikojima. Its wide seats, large windows, café car and optional private rooms make the ride feel slower in the best way.
This is the choice for travelers who have already seen the obvious Kansai route and want a reason to continue toward Ise Jingu, Toba’s coast or the islands and bays of Shima. The official timetable was updated for March 14, 2026. Services generally have different non-operating days depending on the route, so check the exact train instead of assuming it runs daily.
My pick: ride from Kyoto or Osaka to Ise-Shima, stay at least one night and return by a different service. The private rooms are appealing for families, but the regular premium seats are already a meaningful upgrade.
6. 36+3: when Kyushu is the journey
JR Kyushu’s glossy black 36+3 follows a different route around Kyushu depending on the day of the week. The concept combines transport with food, regional products, onboard experiences and longer stops that introduce places between the headline destinations.
This is the least useful option for a rushed first trip and one of the most interesting for a second or third visit. The route itself should decide whether it belongs in your itinerary. Do not choose a day only because the train looks good; choose the day that connects places you genuinely want to see.
All seats are reserved. Some private compartments are tied to meal-inclusive travel products, while rail-pass users still need the relevant limited-express and Green Car charges. JR Kyushu has also announced that Car 6 will be out of service for renovation from May 12 until autumn 2026, so check the current formation before booking.
Can you still ride a Hello Kitty train in Japan?
Yes, but not the retired Hello Kitty Shinkansen. Hello Kitty-themed Haruka airport express designs continue to appear on Kansai Airport services. This is a normal airport train with themed decoration, not a dedicated attraction, and a specific design may not be guaranteed on the departure you choose.
That makes the Haruka a lovely bonus if it fits your airport journey, but a weak reason to reshape a day. For the full history, final-run date and the difference between the two trains, read our updated Hello Kitty Shinkansen guide.
How to book special trains without ruining your itinerary
- Start with the destination. Decide whether you actually want Nikko, Izu, Nara, Tohoku, Ise-Shima or Kyushu.
- Check the operating calendar. Special trains often skip one weekday or run only on selected dates.
- Confirm the exact train number. A route may also have ordinary trains that do not use the special design.
- Book when sales open. Many JR reserved seats go on sale at 10 a.m. Japan time one month before departure.
- Keep a normal-train backup. A sold-out lounge should not destroy a well-designed trip.
Japan’s rail system is often described as efficient, which is true but incomplete. Its more interesting talent is turning movement into memory. A purple train to Nara, Pikachu in Tohoku or lunch on a black train across Kyushu will not make your trip more “authentic.” It can, however, make the space between destinations feel less like a transfer and more like Japan.
Official booking and timetable sources
- Tobu Railway: SPACIA X
- Kintetsu: AONIYOSHI
- JR East: Saphir Odoriko
- JR East: POKÉMON with YOU Train
- Kintetsu: Shimakaze
- JR Kyushu: 36+3
Continue your Japan rail journey
Next, compare hidden onsen towns you can reach by train, learn how to buy Shinkansen tickets online, or start with the Hidden Japan trip-planning guide.