Starting September 23, 2022 JR Kyushu will start operating Japan’s latest state-of-the-art bullet train. Directly connecting Nagasaki city to Fukuoka (Hakata station), reducing travel time by 30 minutes.
Table of contents:
The opening of the Nagasaki Shinkansen
Officially going by the name: Nishikyushu Shinkansen (or "West Kyushu Shinkansen"), the opening of the line has been a long-standing wish from the local government and citizens of Nagasaki. Plans dating back as far as 1973 proposed connecting Nagasaki to the Shinkansen network, and after a long period of political strife and debate, construction began back in April 2008. Further delays took place because of ongoing political strife and setbacks due to the big Kumamoto earthquake in 2016, yet finally the Nagasaki Shinkansen line is here with a total length of 66-kilometer & ready for service!
Before the opening of the line, travelling to Nagasaki involved taking a ltd. express train from Hakata station or the Shinkansen to Shin-Tosu station and transfer there to conventional rail. A typical journey would take 1h 50 min, with the new Shinkansen this will be cut down to 1h 20 min. The new Nagasaki Shinkansen bullet trains also come with considerably more comfort and better amenities.
The Kagome Train
To start service, JR Kyushu developed a new high speed bullet train, called the "Kagome", meaning seagull, written in Hiragana as [かもめ] . JR Kyushu has a long history of calling it's faster train services by this name, with the name dating back as early as 1937.
The train operates in a 6 car configuration. There's one Green Class (1st Class) compartment that operates in 2x2 seating with more luxurious seating and Ordinary Class (2nd Class) that operates in a 3x2 configuration. Stations and fare information
The following stations are on new on the Nishikyushu Shinkansen route: Takeo-Onsen Station, Ureshino-Onsen Station, Shin-Omura Station, Isahaya Station, Nagasaki Station.
A one way ticket from Hakata to Nagasaki using the new train will cost 5,520 yen, for a non-reserved seat.
Using the Japan Rail Pass on the Nagasaki & Kyushu Shinkansen
Good news for JR Pass users, as the entire Nagasaki Shinkansen will be included without any additional cost or limitations.
The same applies for users of the JR Kyushu Pass and JR Northern Kyushu pass.
Seat reservations can be made for free using a pass. We recommend doing so during periods that are typically busy. Including rush-hour, national holidays and special events.
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