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Kyushu Shinkansen was supposed to be operated between Hakata and Kagoshima-chuo. But Japan Railway Kyushu decided to start to operate from Shin-Yashiro to Kagoshima-chuo first of all. Then, on Mar 12, 2011, it was completed to open new section between Hakata and Shin-Yatsushiro. It is coneected with Sanyo Shinkanse at Hakata now. Now Limited express train “Relay Tsubame” will connect Hakata with Shin-Yatsushiro. You can transfer to Tsubame and Relay Tsubame at same platform. You don’t need to worry about transfer.

Types of trains

Kyushu Shinkansen had only one type of train that is called “Tsubame” by 800 series is operated before all line was opened. But now the fastest train “Mizuho”, “Sakura” and “Tsubame” are operated on Kyushu Shinkansen. All Mizuho and most of Sakura go through Sanyo Shiknasen to Shin-Osaka. You can move from Shin-Osaka to Kagoshima without transfer. But you cannot take Mizuho by Japan Rail Pass. Mizuho is in same restriction as Nozomi on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen.

Mizuho connects Shin-Osaka with Kumamoto in just 3 hours and with Kagoshima Chuo in 3 hours 45 minutes. Sakura is a bit slower than Mizuho. It connects Shin-Osaka with Kumamoto in 3 hours 10 minutes to 3 hours 45 minutes and with Kagoshima-chuo in 4 hours 10 minutes to 40 minutes. It takes longer hours to take some of Sakura as it stops at many stations. Tsubame is slowest train on Kyushu Shinkansen now. It is operated between Hakata and Kagoshima-chuo only. This train does not go through Sanyo Shinkansen. It connects Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo around 2 hours. Of course if you need to move to Kagoshima-chuo or Kumamato from Hakata, you can take Sakura. (or if you are not Japan Rail Pass user, take Mizuho.)

Please refer this page. You can get the link to PDF timetable and how to read this timetable.

Route and Schedule

View Kyushu Shinkansen (Bullet Train) in a larger map

Station	Mizuho	Sakura	Tsubame
Hakata (博多)	x	x	x
Shin-Tosu (新鳥栖)	-	*	x
Kurume (久留米)	-	*	x
Chikugo-Funagoya (筑後船小屋)	-	*	x
Shin-Omuta (新大牟田)	-	*	x
Shin-Tamama (新玉名)	-	*	x
Kumamoto (熊本)	x	x	x
Shin-Yatsushiro (新八代)	-	*	x
Shin-Minamata (新水俣)	-	*	x
Izumi (出水)	-	*	x
Sendai (川内)	-	*	x
Kagoshima-Chuo (鹿児島中央)	x	x	x

x:All trains stop *:Some of trains stop -All trains pass by

Accommodation

There are two types of cars, newer N700-7000/8000 series and JR Kyushu original 800 series. 800 series is used for Sakura and Tsubame. This train does not go through Sanyo Shinkansen. N700 series was introduced for Mizuho and Sakura depart from Shin-Osaka.

800 series

This type is used for the trains that are operated on Kyushu Shinkansen only. This series does not have any Green class. But even ordinary class provides you 2+2 seat configuration. This is a big difference as the standard in Shinkansen ordinary class is 2+3 seat configuration. And also this series has many Japanese decoration in the train. It gives you very unique Japanese atmosphere.

1	2	3	4	5	6
NR	NR	NR	R	R	R

R:Ordinary class reserved seat NR:Ordinary class non-reserved seat

Images
Ordinary seat

Sanitary space

N700-7000/8000 series

This type is used for all Mizuho, Sakura that is go through Sanyo Shinaksen and some Tsubame.

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
NR	NR	NR	R	R	R/G	R	R

R:Ordinary class reserved seat NR:Ordinary class non-reserved seat G:Green class

Please refer the post, N700 series for Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho and Sakura for the details about N700 series.

You may also like these posts:

• Kyushu Shinkansen tentative schedule after Mar 12 released
• Access to Hakata, Kumamoto and Kagoshima from Osaka. Kyushu Shinkansen “Mizuho” and “Sakura”
• Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen (Bullet Train), Most popular train to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Hakata from Tokyo.
• Kyushu Shinkansen N700 series for Mizuho, Sakura and Tsubame image gallery
• Sanyo Shinkansen image gallery. Check the interior and accommodations.

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