Happy Birthday🎉Newly Opened Japan Bullet Train Review "Kamome"｜Japan's Shortest Shinkansen｜Nagasaki
We took the West Kyushu Shinkansen “KAMOME” which opened on September 23rd! This time, we are going to Nagasaki from Saga Station. As we enter Saga Station, the whole area is covered with Shinkansen trains. About 10 years after receiving approval for construction, the new Shinkansen line will open on September 23, 2022. It is hoped that the opening of the Shinkansen will stop the outflow of population from Saga and Nagasaki prefectures. The West Kyushu Shinkansen route will be the shortest in Japan at 66 km between Takeo Onsen and Nagasaki The Shinkansen is operated by a relay system,
taking a conventional limited express train from Saga Prefecture and transferring to the Shinkansen at Takeo Onsen. So we’ll buy our tickets as soon as possible. You can buy tickets at the counter, but the line was so long that I decided to buy them at the machine. At first I didn’t know how to purchase the tickets, but I found a place called “Transit Guide” and was able to purchase them right away! I purchase a reserved seat in anticipation of many people boarding Oh! There was one last seat left! Lucky! First, we’ll take the express train to
Takeo Onsen Station. With the opening of the Shinkansen, the Saga to Nagasaki section will be shortened by 30 minutes.
We have arrived at Takeo Onsen. Across the street, the Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen has already stopped! Lots of people are coming! There are a lot of people taking pictures with their cameras! Oh, wow! That’s a “seagull”! Cute design! It looks like TV stations from all over Japan are here to cover the event! The vending machines and cleaning equipment containers are also designed as “seagulls” and are very cute! The “seagull” was designed to evoke the image of a mature and friendly hotel. The base of the car is the N700 series introduced by JR Tokai. Now let’s go inside!
Yes! It smells brand new, like new construction! The seats are arranged in 2 rows by 2 rows and car 2 has a lion pattern design The shinkansen departs as soon as you board Many people waved us off at the Takeo Onsen platform Off I go! Interior design theme is “gentle, bright, fun, comfortable, and beautiful A very classical space not found on any other Shinkansen Here we go to the seating You’re sitting in your seat and right in front of you is a hook and a luggage compartment The chairs are made of wood and combine classic
and modern design The cushions are soft and plush. It looks like a luxurious futon. Electricity outlets are located on the right side of each seat Tables can be found by opening the kneepads Seats don’t seem to fall back very far You can move the seat up and down by pressing the button in the middle of the seat The sunshade cover is also very stylish with designs painted on it Space for large luggage was provided behind the seats Carry-on cases can be placed here out of the way The bullet train arrives at Ureshino Onsen station, famous
for its tea There are many passengers on each platform Here’s a look at the other cars The Seagull Shinkansen has 158 reserved seats and 233 non-reserved seats, for a total of 391 seats. There are no green seats on other Shinkansen trains. Car 3 has a dedicated space for wheelchairs and is fully barrier-free There is a washbasin and toilet on the deck Cars 4 to 6 are unreserved seats. They are full. Non-reserved seats are 2 rows by 3 rows of seats Non-reserved seats had a table in front of the seat Shiny. Seats are slightly smaller than
reserved seats And the unreserved seats also had hooks And each seat has a power outlet in the unreserved seat We could even see the ocean for a moment near Omura station! The Kamome Shinkansen runs through tunnels for 60% of its route between Takeo Onsen and Nagasaki. so you can only see the outside of the tunnel for a short time We have arrived at the new Omura station. It won’t be long now. After passing Shin-Omura and Isahaya Stations, the next stop is Nagasaki Station, the last stop! A lot of people are coming to take pictures of
the moment of arrival. And here’s the new Nagasaki station! It was a quick 23 minute ride from Takeo Onsen to Nagasaki Station! Cute design like a rabbit The “Shinkansen Tsubame” design also seems to have been inherited. The eyeshadow-like eyes have the letters KAMOME. Detailed design The exterior is colored red, the symbolic color of JR Kyushu, and the logo has a Japanese feel with a brush stroke The car is a six-car train. Departure frequency is about one per hour There are not many departures, so the moment of departure or arrival is very precious! Tail lamps glow
red. When the Shinkansen arrives, the train is being prepared for the next departure All the seats are being turned around by hand. It’s hard work. Let’s take a look at the departure scene Many people were already taking pictures. Very popular! If you look closely, you can see the conductor waving to us! Off you go! Next time I managed to get a shot from the very front! Aaah! I can’t see it~!!!! We also explore Nagasaki Station, newly built with the opening of the Shinkansen! There are no stores inside the Shinkansen ticket gates and it is very
spacious Very stylish glass in the restrooms! When exiting the ticket gate, ask the station attendant to stamp your ticket! You can take your souvenir ticket home with you! Out of the turnstiles, the station is even more crowded! The ticket office has a long line. It’s hard to buy one! The stores were open for business! As a catalyst for regional reconstruction, Nagasaki is expecting an economic impact of over 10 billion yen! Shinkansen “Kamome” goods are also on sale. From limited edition souvenirs commemorating the opening of the Shinkansen to Nagasaki’s standard souvenirs, now on sale! In addition,
commemorative tickets are on sale at the counter (cash only) Commemorative tickets for the ride cost 1,500 yen per set Finally GET after 20 minutes in line! Two commemorative tickets and a pamphlet are included! At the very back of the booklet, a space is provided for a ticket and it will be a good memory! People keep coming out of the station There were events going on outside It is a rush of construction for the opening of the new building. Marriott Hotel and other commercial facilities are scheduled to be built in the future! What a fireworks display!
The whole local community comes together to celebrate the opening of the Shinkansen! Many events were held over the course of several days Mini Shinkansen, which adults would like to ride if possible, also runs with many people on board Please come and visit Nagasaki with the new Shinkansen! Thank you for watching to the end!
