[Western Japan] 9 Character Trains! Ride Hello Kitty, ONE PIECE, Pokémon, and Detective Conan Trains

Japan has many special trains decorated in collaboration with anime and game characters. In the western Japan area, you’ll find trains featuring some of the country’s most beloved characters, including Hello Kitty, Pokémon, Detective Conan, and ONE PIECE!

In this article, we’ll introduce a selection of unique character trains you’ll want to ride while traveling in western Japan. Find your favorite train and set off on a special railway journey!

For Disney and Evangelion trains in eastern Japan, check out our introduction article here.

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[JR West] Hello Kitty Shinkansen (Osaka – Fukuoka)

The Sanyo Shinkansen running between Shin-Osaka and Hakata has collaborated with Hello Kitty. The train is decorated in a charming pink design, featuring Hello Kitty wearing a JR West uniform. With the themes of "connecting" and "tying together," the exterior and interior are designed with ribbon motifs.

Car 1 serves as "HELLO! PLAZA," a shop space highlighting regional specialties, showcasing different areas of western Japan in turn. From June 5 to September 16, 2025, the theme is "Hiroshima."

Car 2, "KAWAII! ROOM," is decorated with cute Hello Kitty illustrations on the walls and luggage racks, and even includes a photo spot.

© 2025 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L661265

[JR West] Limited Express Hello Kitty Haruka (Osaka – Kyoto/Shiga)

The convenient "Haruka" limited express train connects Kansai’s major stations—Tennoji, Osaka, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto—directly with Kansai International Airport. Since 2019, it has collaborated with Sanrio’s beloved Hello Kitty. The design features Hello Kitty dressed in a kimono alongside motifs of traditional flora and fauna in a "Japanese modern" style. To ride, both a regular ticket and a limited express ticket are required.

© 2025 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L661265

[JR West] ONE PIECE Shinkansen (Osaka – Fukuoka)

In April 2025, the "ONE PIECE Shinkansen," inspired by the world of Eiichiro Oda’s manga "ONE PIECE," began running between Shin-Osaka and Hakata. Following the first train "Setouchi Blue" on Saturday, April 12, the second train "Tony Tony Chopper" started on Wednesday, May 28, and the third train "Monkey D. Luffy" began operation on Wednesday, July 2.

Not only the exterior, but also details inside the train—such as automatic doors, washbasins, and seat headrest covers—feature original designs, making you feel like you’re on an adventure with the characters.

The onboard chime melody is "We Are!", the first opening theme of the "ONE PIECE" anime. At some stations, you can also hear special announcements using original recordings when the train departs and arrives. In addition, original merchandise is sold at certain shops inside JR West stations.

To ride, both a limited express ticket and a regular train ticket are required. Tickets can be purchased online, at ticket machines, or at Midori-no-Madoguchi counters.

© Eiichiro Oda / Shueisha, Fuji TV, Toei Anime

[JR West] Detective Conan Train (Tottori)

The "Detective Conan Train" runs as a 2-car train along sections such as Yonago – Tottori on the JR San’in Main Line. Two different designs are in operation: the "Detective Car," featuring Conan and other detectives from the series, and the "Black-and-White Cars." The white car (Yonago side) features Conan, Shinichi Kudo, and other main characters, while the black car (Tottori side) is themed around the Black Organization, including Gin and Vermouth. Inside the train, even the restroom pictograms are modeled after Shinichi Kudo and Ran Mouri—be sure to look for them!

[JR West] Tottori Sand Train (Tottori)

Since December 2018, the Pokémon "Sandshrew" and "Alolan Sandshrew" have served as Tottori Prefecture’s hometown ambassadors. Starting March 10, 2025, the "Tottori Sand Train" featuring these Pokémon began service.

The design not only covers the interior but also the exterior, which is decorated with backgrounds inspired by Tottori’s famous Sand Dunes and Mount Daisen National Park. Sandshrew and Alolan Sandshrew are depicted in a lively, dynamic style.

[Chizu Express] Super Hakuto Detective Conan Train (Osaka/Kyoto – Tottori)

The limited express "Super Hakuto" directly connects Kurayoshi in Tottori, the hometown of manga artist Gosho Aoyama, with the Keihanshin area (Kyoto/Osaka) in about 2 hours and 30 minutes. One of the trains is decorated with Conan characters, and as the name "Super Hakuto Detective Conan Train" suggests, the headmark combines Conan with a white rabbit illustration. Main characters also appear on the seat covers, walls, roller blinds, and decks.

[Tosaden Kotsu] Kochi Favorite Pokémon Quagsire Train (Kochi)

In November 2024, the Pokémon "Quagsire" from the "Pokémon" series was appointed as the "Kochi Favorite Pokémon."

Kochi Prefecture is known for having the highest forest coverage in Japan and is rich in nature. With its famous clear rivers like the Shimanto River and Niyodo River, Quagsire almost seems like it could be living there peacefully. Quagsire helps share the many charms of Kochi, such as the Kuroshio current, mountains, and traditional satoyama landscapes, through various initiatives.

As part of this effort, on November 11, 2024, the Kochi tram system operated by Tosaden Kotsu launched the "Kochi Favorite Pokémon Quagsire Train." The vehicle features a refreshing blue design decorated with Quagsire, Poké Balls, and Kochi’s prefectural flower, the yamamomo. Inside, Quagsire is illustrated on the walls and ceilings, and Quagsire goods are also sold at souvenir shops along the tram line.

Additionally, Pokémon-themed manhole covers called "Pokéfuta" have appeared across cities and towns in Kochi Prefecture. Be sure to check them out while riding the tram!

©Pokémon. ©Nintendo / ©Creatures Inc. / ©GAME FREAK inc.

Pokémon, Pokémon, and Pokémon are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak.

[JR Kyushu] Miyazaki Favorite Pokémon Exeggutor Train (Miyazaki)

Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu is often called "Japan’s Sunny Place" and is known for its warm climate. Its prefectural tree is the Phoenix palm.

Exeggutor, a Pokémon from the "Pokémon" series that resembles a palm tree and is nicknamed the "walking tropical rainforest," perfectly matches Miyazaki’s image. It was appointed as the "Miyazaki Favorite Pokémon" in October 2020, and since then Exeggutor has been helping promote the charm of Miyazaki both in Japan and abroad.

As part of this, the "Exeggutor Train Miyazaki" operates on the JR Nichinan Line. The train features a bright yellow design with Exeggutor and Alolan Exeggutor lively illustrated on both sides.

©Pokémon. ©Nintendo / ©Creatures Inc. / ©GAME FREAK inc.

Pokémon, Pokémon, and Pokémon are registered trademarks of Nintendo, Creatures, and Game Freak.

[Minamiaso Railway] ONE PIECE Sunny Train (Kumamoto)

Kumamoto Prefecture is working together with Eiichiro Oda’s popular manga "ONE PIECE" (Oda is a Kumamoto native) on the "ONE PIECE Kumamoto Reconstruction Project."

As part of this, to commemorate the full reopening of Minamiaso Railway, the "Sunny Train," a collaboration between ONE PIECE and Minamiaso Railway, began operating on Saturday, July 22, 2023. Both the interior and exterior are designed after the Straw Hat Pirates’ ship, the Thousand Sunny. In addition, six statues of popular ONE PIECE characters have been installed along the railway line, which can be spotted from the train windows. At Tateno Station and Takamori Station, which serve as the line’s terminal stations, there are commemorative photo panels featuring the Sunny Train design and handheld manga speech bubble props, making them popular photo spots.

There are both non-reserved seats (no reservation required, regular fare only: adults ¥490, elementary school students ¥250, children under school age free) and reserved seats (reservation required, regular fare plus reserved seat fee: adults ¥510, children 3 years to elementary school ¥250). On weekends, the train makes two round trips, while on weekdays it makes one. Train announcements are voiced by Luffy and Robin, who provide information about the Minamiaso Railway and sightseeing spots along the way.

At the Takamori Station shop, you can buy the "Sunny Train Can" for ¥2,000, which contains cookies made by a local Kumamoto confectionery maker.

Did you find a train you’d like to ride? Hop on a character train and enjoy a uniquely Japanese railway journey!