What happened
The Hello Kitty Shinkansen, a themed bullet train operated by JR West, has been decommissioned after eight years of service. The train's final ride occurred on May 17, 2026, followed by the destruction of the passenger cars. The service was introduced in 2008 and was a popular attraction for foreign visitors and train enthusiasts. It is being replaced by other themed options, such as the Super Mario Shinkansen