Riding Japan’s Most ICONIC Bullet Train Before It’s Gone Forever
All right, good morning everyone. I hope you’re having a fantastic day so far. Today I’m going to be riding an iconic bullet train that unfortunately won’t be around much longer. So right now I am heading to Okama Station from Takamatu Station because I went there for my sleeper train video. From Okama Station I’ll be taking the 500 series bullet train. This train just looks cool. I think most people agree that this is one of the better looking active bullet trains right now. came out in 1997 and it’s currently the oldest active bullet train here in Japan. JR West built this to compete with planes between Tokyo and Hakata. And this is also the first bullet train to hit 300 km per hour. This train was originally supposed to hit 320 km/h, but they ended up capping it at 300 for safety reasons. All right, I just got off at the last station, Okama Station, and I’m going to be heading over to the bullet train. So, I’m recording this video a few hours after the sleeper train. I didn’t get much sleep on that train, so it’s been a while since I crashed on a train. I only do this if I’m getting off at the last station. If anything, the train conductor can wake me up. The train I’ll actually ride is this Kurama 854 at 410 heading to Shin Osaka. kind of hard to ride the 500 series to Shin Osaka. That’s because in general, there’s only six of these trains running per day, per direction. And out of those six, there’s only two trains that goes all the way to Shin Osaka. If I had the choice of riding this train earlier, I would have, but this is the first 500 series train where it goes all the way to Osaka. Wait, what train is that? I forgot the name of this. It was like rock star or something. Oh, here there there’s the name. [Music] Railar announcement saying it’s coming soon. Oh, here it is. This is the 500 series bullet train Kodama 854 heading to Shin Osaka. Holy crap. I’m so glad this train will stop for 15 minutes. I can take a picture of it. Look at how pointy the nose is. Damn, that looks so cool. There’s like not many people taking pictures. In fact, there’s no one taking pictures over here in the front. I guess they’re not surprised by it. I’m sure there’s going to be more people taking pictures in a year or two. JR500 West Japan. Okay, so my seat is 5A at car number six. Here it is. Car number six. I wanted to show you something really interesting because just take a look at these seats over here. And we’re going to go to the car next to it, car five. And I’ll also show you car number four. You probably saw a difference between car 6 and five and four. They’re all regular reserve seat. And the reason behind that is because car 6 used to be the green car seat. So if you’re taking this bullet train and want green car seat, you should book a seat in car number six. This bullet train is unfortunately going to retire in 2027 because it’s pretty old. It was made in 1997, so it’s going to retire after it hits the 30-year mark. I wasn’t even born yet, so it kind of feels weird that this bullet train is older than me. This bullet train used to run as a dozi on the Tokaido line, but it got bumped to the SO line in 2010. And now it only runs as a Kodama, which stops at every single bullet train station between Shinoaka and Hagata. I said this earlier in the video, but most of them do stop at Okama station. There is only two of them that goes all the way to Shinyokohama from Hakata. And I think the same goes for the other direction. Most start at Okama Station and goes all the way to Hakata station. But this train isn’t like Dr. yellow where you don’t exactly know what time and what day it runs on. I think it runs every single day. And as for the time, you can just look up 500 series timet and you should be able to find it. All right, here’s everyone’s favorite section, the bullet train bathroom tour. Western style bathroom, toilet paper, flush sensor, emergency buzzer. I don’t know if you get constipated or something. How to use the toilet [Music] guide. And yeah, that’s that’s pretty much it. So, I’m going to be using the bathroom now. Bye-bye. All right, I’m outside the bullet train right now. This train is going to take a 9-minute break because it’s going to wait until the faster bullet trains pass by. I thought I can see but then unfortunately I have to go back there to see the bullet train pass by. So here you go. You can see the bullet train from here. I also wanted to go outside a bit because the bullet train is a bit hot. When that bullet train passed by this train like moved a bit and I can’t really see when the bullet train is going to come. So, it’s like a freaking jump scare. The fact that it’s going to wait 9 minutes. I wonder how many bullet chains going to pass by. This one. There’s a minute left until the train leaves. Oh, that was a long train. The next station is the last station which is Shin Osaka. So I was like, might as well just enjoy it at the deck area. The riding time wasn’t necessarily longer rather the waiting time. All right, there’s announcement saying that we’re almost at Shin Osaka. It’s 5:19 p.m. right now and it’s supposed to be there at 5:25. So, 6 minutes left. [Music] All right. So, this bullet train will now head to Hakata at 5:37 p.m. Well, here’s the last time we’re going to see the 500 series for today. Hopefully, I can see it again in a year or two before it retires. All right, that’ll be the end of the video. Hope you enjoyed it. The algorithm thinks you’ll enjoy this video over here, too, so feel free to check that out as well. All right. Bye-bye.
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Don’t read this caption:
I took a ride on the iconic 500 Series Shinkansen, one of the most famous bullet trains in Japan. This legendary train is known for its futuristic design, pointed nose, and high-speed performance. The 500 Series was once the fastest train in the world when it debuted, and it’s still a favorite among railfans, train spotters, and anyone interested in Japanese trains. But did you know it’s set to retire in 2027? This might be one of your last chances to ride the 500 Series Shinkansen before it disappears from Japan’s railway network forever.
In this video, I take the 500 Series Kodama service from Shin-Osaka, showing what it’s like to ride this classic bullet train today. Whether you’re planning a Japan train trip, interested in Shinkansen history, or just love Japanese rail travel, this video gives you a real, unfiltered look at what it’s like inside the 500 Series now.
If you’re searching for things like “500系新幹線,” “retiring bullet trains in Japan,” “best bullet trains to ride in Japan,” or “rare Shinkansen still in service,” this video is for you. Watch till the end to see why this train is still beloved by so many fans of Japan railways, and why it’s worth riding before the 2027 retirement date.
50 Comments
2:06 One of these days, the announcer will actually say something crazy, but you'll trick us into thinking that it's just you joking.
In other words, I eagerly await the day Tanner retcons us.
After watching this I just checked over my photos from Japan 2017 and I found a photo of this beauty! it pulled into the opposite platform at Osaka whilst I got off the N700, at least I can say I stood next to one and got a snap! 😉
A train from 1997 being considered "old & should be retired" sounds somewhat foreign to me as a Brit. We still have trains from the 1980s & early-mid 1990s trundling around in passenger service, with replacements not in sight for some.
one thing I have to say about the 500 Series: it looks FAST.
like REALLY fast.
like can you believe that this train is 28 years old
I remember hearing of when the 0 Series Shinkansens were put out of service in 2008! If you have the time, you should got to the Railway Museum in Saitama and maybe make a video there.
The 500 Series Shinkansen was futuristic, but sadly passengers disliked them for their cramped-feeling interiors and JR West were not thrilled at the very high price per train set. That's why when roomier 700 Series appeared in 1998 both JR Central and JR West bought large numbers of them, mostly because they were almost as fast as the 500 Series but had much roomier passenger space and were built at lower cost.
the trains will be scrapped or will they be in a museum?
I was lucky to board on one of these shinkansen last february! I don't remember exactly where, but I remember I was staying in Kitakyushu!
That train used to have 16 cars now it has 8 cars
Again an interesting video, thanks for that. Can you inform us about what JR is going to do with the carriages? I guess a couple will go to the different railway museums in Japan. But what about the rest? Will they be scrapped?
Love your content but may you record and upload 4K 60 from now on? Or is it heavy to edit on your laptop?
Bestest looking shinkansen ever !
Crazy how powetful these beauties are
24000 hp for the 16 car 500 setoes💪😎
Can you do a video going over third sector railways such as iwate galaxy? I've always been fascinated how japan has multiple railway companies while america has amtrak…
1:50 in my opinion this train, the rail star, is the best looking Japanese train.
On second place is Alfa-x, tho only Kawasaki’s front
Now that is a SICK looking train!
Good video, smart plan getting that train ticked off before the rush!
One of the Hataka-Shin Osaka 500 series daily runs would be Kodama 849/842, which is also known as the Hello Kitty Shinkansen (formerly the EVA500 run). And yes, it looks like a sex toy regardless of whether it’s pink or magenta.
Luckily you did this before Golden Week as there would have been a lot more people around. I like taking photos of the different Shinkansens as they look amazing. Also where I'm from there are no trains so every time I go back to Japan I look forward to the train station I travel to. Thank you.
I can totally agree with this. This train just looks so futuristic, just like the E231-500 series. When the E231-500 series entered service on the Yamanote line in 2002, it featured digital LCD passenger information screens, which is basically unheard of in any other country back then. This proves that Japan is always living ahead of us, and I am very impressed.
As a train autism girly, i love your content alot. My dream is to get to ride one of Japan's bullet trains one day. 💓
the 500 series is the best! I hope that… maybe, just maybe… the designers of some new bullet train make someone just like this.
What a gorgeous train. Shame to see it go.
It’s so strange to me to see a train that isn’t even 30 years old yet being taken out of service. Here in Sweden our main high-speed train is the same model as we’ve been using since 1990. We have renovated them sure but they’re still the same train.
Meanwhile I live in NYC where 50 year old trains are still in service 😭(R44 in SI)
HI Tanner, been watching all your amazing videos on Trains. Especially anything about the Shinkansen. I just came across this Netflix movie Bullet Train Explosion. you should check it out!!
Enjoying your videos, I would like to visit for a shinkansen holiday one day heheh.
Pls consider a 5-10s outro asking for like, sub. of people want to watch more and for comments, so people (like me) can grab the remote and give you some encouragement. Cheers.
I took a 500 series (set 8) from Tokuyama to Shin Yamaguchi to ride the SL Yamaguchi and from Shim Yamaguchi to Hiroshima. I was so hyped as it's my favorite shinkansen, I even got a wave from the driver of the 500 series. that made flying from australia to japan worth it
The Series 500 was, by far, the WORST shinkansen ever made. Noisy, uncomfortable, low ceilings, a bumpy and shaky ride… not worth it for a little extra speed. Good riddance, glad it's on the way out. Doesn't hold a candle to the N700 class, and is inferior in every ergonomic way to the Series 300 that preceded it. Ride it while you can but stop with all the lionizing. It was a failed design, full stop. Closest thing in Japan to the shithouse high speed rail from China…
Would love to ride the 500 series one day, it’s so beautiful.
What is the phone app u use for speed-check?
Why is the JR500 being retired when I haven't gone to Japan yet this sucks I hate being a broke unemployed millennial. One of my favorite Shinkansens is being retired when I never got to see it in person since I live in Toronto Ontario Canada.😭
Why do you sound so American?
I need to actually try taking the Shinkansen next time I go to Japan, been to Japan 5 times but haven't yet
I got the chance to ride both the 500 series and the 500 Hello Kitty (Set V2) when I went to Japan in July 2024, it was quite the amazing experience…
01:50 is the 700 Railstar smh
I was lucky to ride these on a empty night as well, and I will definitely miss the 500 Series. These trains were so iconic. All other shinkansen trains, especially the N700, just looked the same. It looked as though the golden age of JR is coming to a close as many other things will become history as well, such as unique JR East station melodies as more lines go wanman (driver-only).
bibi
Yep, i like this one very much. But i didn't know that it was still running 😮
This bullet train is actually one of my favourites but unfortunately it needs to be reitred due to "old age". They were supposed to retire this before 2020 but they kept extending the lifespan of the train. I was lucky to be able to ride this train when they had a collab with Evangelion in 2017, I had to include a Kyoto to Hiroshima trip (changing trains in Shin-Osaka) just so that I can ride this train with the Evangelion livery both inside and outside. It was also the same train when they had a collab with Hello Kitty.
I sneaked on board the Evangelion version of this train when it was stopping at a station once. 😆
Amazing looking train – as others have said, a 20 year old train that looks futuristic! I always thought it looked like a space ship on rails!
Just recently saw another videoa about this, and wonderd if you were gonna check it out yourself.
I recall the 500 series as the Eva train. It's a great looking Shinkansen, thanks for covering it!
My country still has the original high-speed train since the 90's, not to say that we still have some 50 year old trains running
your channel is cool because it caters to casual viewers like me who watch your vids and think, "neat, I never woulda known that!" and then I'll look in the comments and there are train hakase posters bringing out extra trivia that not even you know lol
I saw one of these on display at the Kyoto Rail Museum. Easily the coolest looking bullet train IMO.
Rode it once Tokyo to Kyoto. It was very stylish. Inside it did feel slightly cramped. It will always be my favorite. The 700s were far more utilitarian.
Why doesn’t one of the UK operators buy some and convert them to UK standards? They really are classics like the HST and Concorde
Me who just saw this on the day I left Osaka for Tokyo…fuck…
Well thanks so much for this, Tanner.
Very nostalgic and well covered for me.
All time favourite Shinkansen.
The last train I ever rode was Shin-Osaka to Tokyo and back in 1998 Nozomi 500 Series when it was new.
Now retired like me. Very fitting.
Being in Victoria Canada not much in the way of trains.
I have the Tenshodo HO scale model set of the 500.
それじゃ！またね。👋