Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Fans gather at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to witness the final run of a Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

A Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out arrives at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka for its final run on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Fans gather at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka to witness the final run of a Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

Hello Kitty shinkansen makes final run

A Hello Kitty shinkansen bullet train decorated with ribbons and character illustrations inside and out arrives at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka for its final run on May 17, 2026. The 500-series Shinkansen operated by West Japan Railway Co. carried about 1 million passengers since debuting in June 2018 on the route between Shin-Osaka and JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

Return rush of holidaymakers

Return rush of holidaymakers

A shinkansen bullet train platform at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded with passengers returning from their hometowns or resorts toward the end of Japan's bon summer holiday season on Aug. 16, 2025.

Return rush of holidaymakers

Return rush of holidaymakers

A shinkansen bullet train platform at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded with passengers returning from their hometowns or resorts toward the end of Japan's bon summer holiday season on Aug. 16, 2025.

Return rush of holidaymakers

Return rush of holidaymakers

A shinkansen bullet train platform at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded with passengers returning from their hometowns or resorts toward the end of Japan's bon summer holiday season on Aug. 16, 2025.

Return rush of holidaymakers

Return rush of holidaymakers

A shinkansen bullet train platform at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded with passengers returning from their hometowns or resorts toward the end of Japan's bon summer holiday season on Aug. 16, 2025.

Australia: Record Flooding Batters Northern NSW After Heavy Rainfall 2

Flooding has battered cities and towns across the Mid-North Coast and the Hunter Region in northern New South Wales, leaving many residents stranded or forced to evacuate after days of heavy rainfall. In the city of Taree, the Manning River surpassed its 1929 record of six meters and was still rising as of Wednesday morning, May 21. Authorities have issued 13 emergency-level alerts.

Australia: Record Flooding Batters Northern NSW After Heavy Rainfall 3

Flooding has battered cities and towns across the Mid-North Coast and the Hunter Region in northern New South Wales, leaving many residents stranded or forced to evacuate after days of heavy rainfall. In the city of Taree, the Manning River surpassed its 1929 record of six meters and was still rising as of Wednesday morning, May 21. Authorities have issued 13 emergency-level alerts.

Powerful typhoon in Japan

Powerful typhoon in Japan

Few people are seen on a street in front of JR Hakata Station in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Aug. 30, 2024, with some train services cancelled as Typhoon Shanshan approaches the area.

Powerful typhoon in Japan

Powerful typhoon in Japan

A ticket gate is deserted at JR Hakata Station in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Aug. 30, 2024, with some train services cancelled as Typhoon Shanshan approaches the area.

Powerful typhoon in Japan

Powerful typhoon in Japan

Few people are seen at JR Hakata Station in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on Aug. 30, 2024, with some train services cancelled as Typhoon Shanshan approaches the area.

Powerful typhoon in Japan

Powerful typhoon in Japan

JR Hakata station in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka is empty on Aug. 30, 2024, with Kyushu shinkansen bullet train services cancelled as Typhoon Shanshan approaches the area.

Powerful typhoon in Japan

Powerful typhoon in Japan

A woman walks against strong wind in front of JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka city on Aug. 29, 2024, as Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on Japan's southwestern main island of Kyushu.

Powerful typhoon in Japan

Powerful typhoon in Japan

A crosswalk in front of JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka city is deserted on Aug. 29, 2024, as Typhoon Shanshan made landfall on Japan's southwestern main island of Kyushu.

Japan: Bullet Train Service Suspended After Strong Quake Strikes Off Kyushu

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck off the coast of Miyazaki Prefecture, southern Kyushu Thursday afternoon, August 8 triggering a tsunami advisory. Shinkansen (bullet train) services were temporarily suspended due to power outage caused by the quake. This video was filmed inside a Shinkansen train halted near Hakata Station in Fukuoka.

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 18, 2024, shows a special shinkansen bullet train, nicknamed "Doctor Yellow," used to check rails and overhead cables, at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 18, 2024, shows a special shinkansen bullet train, nicknamed "Doctor Yellow," used to check rails and overhead cables, at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 18, 2024, shows a special shinkansen bullet train, nicknamed "Doctor Yellow," used to check rails and overhead cables, at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 18, 2024, shows a special shinkansen bullet train, nicknamed "Doctor Yellow," used to check rails and overhead cables, at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 18, 2024, shows a special shinkansen bullet train, nicknamed "Doctor Yellow," used to check rails and overhead cables, at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

"Doctor Yellow" shinkansen train

Photo taken on June 18, 2024, shows a special shinkansen bullet train, nicknamed "Doctor Yellow," used to check rails and overhead cables, at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan.

Japan's beloved "Doctor Yellow" bullet train to retire

Japan's beloved "Doctor Yellow" bullet train to retire

File photo taken in January 2015 shows a "Doctor Yellow" track-testing bullet train, considered a unicorn by fans for running on an undisclosed schedule, at JR Hakata Station in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka. Central Japan Railway Co. announced on June 13, 2024, that its Doctor Yellow train will be retired in January 2025, with West Japan Railway Co. also planning to retire another train around 2027.

Final run of steam locomotive Hitoyoshi in southwestern Japan

Final run of steam locomotive Hitoyoshi in southwestern Japan

A Kyushu Railway Co. train led by steam locomotive Hitoyoshi, built over 100 years ago, departs JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on March 23, 2024, during a ceremony for its final commercial run. (Pool photo)

Return rush after New Year holidays in Japan

Return rush after New Year holidays in Japan

Passengers board a shinkansen bullet train at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Jan. 3, 2024, as people head home after the New Year holidays.

Return rush after New Year holidays in Japan

Return rush after New Year holidays in Japan

JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded on Jan. 3, 2024, with passengers heading home after the New Year holidays.

10th anniv. of luxury excursion train Seven Stars in Kyushu

10th anniv. of luxury excursion train Seven Stars in Kyushu

Kyushu Railway Co. adviser Koji Karaike speaks during a ceremony held at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, ahead of a commemorative ride of the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury sleeping car excursion train marking the 10th anniversary of the start of its commercial service.

10th anniv. of luxury excursion train "Seven Stars in Kyushu"

10th anniv. of luxury excursion train "Seven Stars in Kyushu"

A ceremony is held at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 14, 2023, ahead of a commemorative ride of the Seven Stars in Kyushu luxury sleeping car excursion train to mark the 10th anniversary of the start of its commercial service.

Heavy rain in Japan

Heavy rain in Japan

JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded with passengers on July 1, 2023, as shinkansen bullet train services are disrupted following heavy rain that pounded parts of western Japan and the southwestern Kyushu region.

Heavy rain in Japan

Heavy rain in Japan

JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded with passengers on July 1, 2023, as shinkansen bullet train services are disrupted following heavy rain that pounded parts of western Japan and the southwestern Kyushu region.

Heavy rain in Japan

Heavy rain in Japan

JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded with passengers on July 1, 2023, as shinkansen bullet train services are disrupted following heavy rain that pounded parts of western Japan and the southwestern Kyushu region.

Japan PM Kishida visits Ukraine

Japan PM Kishida visits Ukraine

A large screen near JR Hakata Station in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 21, 2023, shows news that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida made an unannounced visit to Ukraine for talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Fatal stabbing of woman in southwestern Japan

Fatal stabbing of woman in southwestern Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 17, 2023, shows the site where a woman was fatally stabbed the previous day near JR Hakata Station in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka. The male suspect, in his 30s to 50s, fled the scene armed with a knife after stabbing the businesswoman from a neighboring city.

Fatal stabbing of woman in southwestern Japan

Fatal stabbing of woman in southwestern Japan

Photo taken on Jan. 17, 2023, shows the site where a woman was fatally stabbed the previous day near JR Hakata Station in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka. The male suspect, in his 30s to 50s, fled the scene armed with a knife after stabbing the businesswoman from a neighboring city.

New coronavirus

New coronavirus

FUKUOKA, Japan, May 20 Kyodo - A platform for shinkansen bullet trains at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka is deserted on May 5, 2020, amid continuing worries over the outbreak of the new coronavirus.

'Yokai Watch' bullet train in Kyushu

'Yokai Watch' bullet train in Kyushu

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Kyushu Railway Co.'s Shinkansen bullet train featuring images of characters from "Yokai Watch," a huge-hit game and animation, leaves JR Kumamoto Station in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Dec. 20, 2014, while popular character Jibanyan sees it off. The special train is on operation until March 1 between Hakata and Kagoshimachuo stations in Kyushu.

'Ekiben' railway box lunch race under way in south Japan

'Ekiben' railway box lunch race under way in south Japan

FUKUOKA, Japan - A woman holds a box lunch of grilled boneless short rib meat on rice, the winner of last year's "Kyushu Ekiben Grand Prix" railway box lunch contest, on sale at Kyushu Railway's Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 21, 2014.

'Ekiben' railway box lunch corner proves popular

'Ekiben' railway box lunch corner proves popular

FUKUOKA, Japan - An "ekiben" railway box lunch corner set up at Kyushu Railway's Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is crowded with shoppers on Oct. 21, 2014, as 32 of the 50 types of box lunch involved in the "Kyushu Ekiben Grand Prix" competition are on sale there through next January.

Deluxe train leaves station on eve of 1st anniversary

Deluxe train leaves station on eve of 1st anniversary

FUKUOKA, Japan - The luxury Seven Stars excursion train operated by Kyushu Railway Co. leaves Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on Oct. 14, 2014, on the eve of the first anniversary of its operation.

Snapshots with Doraemon figures outside Hakata station

Snapshots with Doraemon figures outside Hakata station

FUKUOKA, Japan - Children have their pictures taken with figures of the popular manga and anime series character Doraemon in front of JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on May 4, 2014. Twenty figures of Doraemon were placed there to promote an exhibition on cartoonist Fujiko F Fujio in the city.

Cherry flowers painted on Shinkansen bullet train

Cherry flowers painted on Shinkansen bullet train

FUKUOKA, Japan - A "Tsubame" (swallow) bullet train waits at JR Hakata Station on March 12, 2014, with cherry flowers painted on its sides, as the day marks the 10th anniversary of the partial start of the Kyushu Shinkansen line and the third year of the opening of its entire route from Hakata to Kagoshima.

Taiwan shinkansen attendants in Japan

Taiwan shinkansen attendants in Japan

FUKUOKA, Japan - Chiu Shu-chuan (L) is pictured during a training session aboard a bullet train between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo station of the Kyushu Shinkansen Line in southwestern Japan on Jan. 16, 2014. Chiu is one of five attendants on Taiwanese bullet trains built with Japanese technology who started on-the-job training aboard Kyushu Railway Co. shinkansen trains the same day.

"Seven Stars in Kyushu" luxury train debuts

"Seven Stars in Kyushu" luxury train debuts

FUKUOKA, Japan - The first "Seven Stars in Kyushu" train leaves JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture on Oct. 15, 2013, as Kyushu Railway Co. launched the luxury cruise and sleeper train service.

"Seven Stars in Kyushu" luxury train debuts

"Seven Stars in Kyushu" luxury train debuts

FUKUOKA, Japan - The first "Seven Stars in Kyushu" train leaves JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka Prefecture on Oct. 15, 2013, as Kyushu Railway Co. launched the luxury cruise and sleeper train service.

Japan swelters in heat

Japan swelters in heat

FUKUOKA, Japan - Women walk with parasols in front of JR Hakata Station in the city of Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on July 8, 2013. Extreme heat continued to cover Japan, with temperatures exceeding 38 C in some spots the same day for the first time in 2013.

Japan-Thailand railway cooperation

Japan-Thailand railway cooperation

FUKUOKA, Japan - Kyushu Railway Co. (JR Kyushu) President Koji Karaike (R) and Prapat Chongsanguan, head of the State Railway of Thailand, shake hands after concluding a memorandum on cooperation at JR Hakata Station in the city of Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, on May 24, 2013.

Japan's power-saving period begins

Japan's power-saving period begins

FUKUOKA, Japan - (from L) Fukuoka Gov. Hiroshi Ogawa, Fukuoka Mayor Soichiro Takashima and Kyushu Electric Power Co. President Michiaki Uriu distribute handouts calling for electricity saving near JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka City on July 2, 2012. A government-requested power-saving period began in Japan that day to cope with power supply constraints caused by the prolonged halt of nuclear reactors following the March 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident.

Yingluck boards Kyushu Shinkansen train

Yingluck boards Kyushu Shinkansen train

FUKUOKA, Japan - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra (R) smiles with the doll ''Kumamon,'' the mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, that she received as a gift from Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima (L), at JR Kumamoto station on April 22, 2012. The prime minister made a roundtrip between Kumamoto and Hakata on the bullet train line.

Yingluck boards Kyushu Shinkansen train

Yingluck boards Kyushu Shinkansen train

FUKUOKA, Japan - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra smiles with the doll ''Kumamon,'' the mascot of Kumamoto Prefecture, that she received as a gift from Kumamoto Gov. Ikuo Kabashima, at JR Kumamoto station on April 22, 2012. The prime minister made a roundtrip between Kumamoto and Hakata on the bullet train line.