A Hello Kitty-themed shinkansen bullet train is debuted in Japan. Decorated with the popular cartoon icon inside out, it is a pleasure for fans to take a ride on this train. The special shinkansen had its inaugural round trip on Saturday between Osaka and Fukuoka, connecting Japan’s west and south. The bullet train departed from Hakata station in Fukuoka for Osaka and was waved off by a conductor dressed in a Hello Kitty outfit with the character’s trademark pink ribbon. The departure was witnessed by a crowd of around 400, according to local media. It will run through September.
The eight-car train is painted in white and pink with Hello Kitty images on flooring to windows and seat covers. One car also features a life-sized Hello Kitty doll for fans to take selfies with.
Hello Kitty has been used in transport earlier too. The Taiwanese carrier EVA Air now has seven Hello Kitty-themed aircraft, flying routes between Taipei and other major Asian destinations along with Los Angeles and Chicago.
Hello Kitty which has turned into a global icon was created in 1947 by the Japanese company, Sanrio. The character is still seen everywhere, on stationery and towels to jewellery and even furniture.