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.

Hakata Dontaku festival

Hakata Dontaku festival

The two-day Hakata Dontaku festival begins in Fukuoka on May 3, 2026, with people clad in colorful costumes taking part in its main parade in the southwestern Japan city.

Hakata Dontaku festival

Hakata Dontaku festival

The two-day Hakata Dontaku festival begins in Fukuoka on May 3, 2026, with people clad in colorful costumes taking part in its main parade in the southwestern Japan city.

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.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

FUKUOKA, Japan, July 15 Kyodo - People carry a decorated float in Kushida Shrine in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2025, marking the finale of the 15-day event dating back over 780 years. (Kyodo)

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a decorated float in Kushida Shrine in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2025, marking the finale of the 15-day event dating back over 780 years.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a decorated float in Kushida Shrine in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2025, marking the finale of the 15-day event dating back over 780 years.

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion festival in Fukuoka

People carry a decorated float in Kushida Shrine in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2025, marking the finale of the 15-day event dating back over 780 years.

Hakata Dontaku festival

FUKUOKA, Japan, May 4 Kyodo - The two-day Hakata Dontaku festival begins in Fukuoka on May 3, 2025, with people clad in colorful costumes taking part in its main parade in the center of the southwestern Japan city. (Kyodo)

Hakata Dontaku festival

Hakata Dontaku festival

The two-day Hakata Dontaku festival begins in Fukuoka on May 3, 2025, with people clad in colorful costumes taking part in its main parade in the center of the southwestern Japan city.

Hakata Dontaku festival

Hakata Dontaku festival

The two-day Hakata Dontaku festival begins in Fukuoka on May 3, 2025, with people clad in colorful costumes taking part in its main parade in the center of the southwestern Japan city.

Hakata Dontaku festival

Hakata Dontaku festival

The two-day Hakata Dontaku festival begins in Fukuoka on May 3, 2025, with people clad in colorful costumes taking part in its main parade in the center of the southwestern Japan city.

Hakata Dontaku festival

Hakata Dontaku festival

The two-day Hakata Dontaku festival begins in Fukuoka on May 3, 2025, with people clad in colorful costumes taking part in its main parade in the center of the southwestern Japan city.

Hakata Dontaku festival

Hakata Dontaku festival

The two-day Hakata Dontaku festival begins in Fukuoka on May 3, 2025, with people clad in colorful costumes taking part in its main parade in the center of the southwestern Japan city.

[Breaking News]Sanyo Shinkansen Line

FUKUOKA, Japan, March 10 Kyodo - A Shinkansen bullet train runs on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 10, 2025, the 50th anniversary since the full opening of the line connecting Hakata and Shin-Osaka stations in Fukuoka and Osaka prefectures, respectively. (Kyodo)

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

A Shinkansen bullet train runs on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 10, 2025, the 50th anniversary since the full opening of the line connecting Hakata and Shin-Osaka stations in Fukuoka and Osaka prefectures, respectively.

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

A Shinkansen bullet train runs on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 10, 2025, the 50th anniversary since the full opening of the line connecting Hakata and Shin-Osaka stations in Fukuoka and Osaka prefectures, respectively.

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

A Shinkansen bullet train runs on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 10, 2025, the 50th anniversary since the full opening of the line connecting Hakata and Shin-Osaka stations in Fukuoka and Osaka prefectures, respectively.

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

A Shinkansen bullet train runs on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 10, 2025, the 50th anniversary since the full opening of the line connecting Hakata and Shin-Osaka stations in Fukuoka and Osaka prefectures, respectively.

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

Sanyo Shinkansen Line

A Shinkansen bullet train runs on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka on March 10, 2025, the 50th anniversary since the full opening of the line connecting Hakata and Shin-Osaka stations in Fukuoka and Osaka prefectures, respectively.

Low-salt ramen with spoon to enhance salty taste

Low-salt ramen with spoon to enhance salty taste

Photo taken on Dec. 3, 2024, in Tokyo shows Electric Salt Spoon, a tableware-type device developed by Kirin Holdings Co. that enhances the salty and umami taste of low-sodium foods with the power of electricity, and a bowl of ramen with 30 percent less salt than regular ramen developed by Ippudo, Japan's nationwide Hakata ramen chain, to go with the spoon.

Hakata Port Tower

Hakata Port Tower

Hakata Port Tower in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is lit up on Oct. 17, 2024, to mark the 60th anniversary of its establishment.

Hakata Port Tower

Hakata Port Tower

Hakata Port Tower in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is lit up on Oct. 17, 2024, to mark the 60th anniversary of its establishment.

Hakata Port Tower

Hakata Port Tower

Hakata Port Tower in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is lit up on Oct. 17, 2024, to mark the 60th anniversary of its establishment.

Hakata Port Tower

Hakata Port Tower

Hakata Port Tower in Fukuoka, southwestern Japan, is lit up on Oct. 17, 2024, to mark the 60th anniversary of its establishment.

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.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

FUKUOKA, Japan, July 15 Kyodo -People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.(Kyodo)

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 15, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka.

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival in Fukuoka

People carry a "yamakasa" decorated float during the annual Hakata Gion Yamakasa festival on July 13, 2024, in the southwestern Japan city of 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.