[JR Kyushu](https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/) has announced launching of West Kyushu (Nishi Kyushi) shinkansen between Nagasaki and Takeo Onsen on 23 September 2022.
The new **Kamome** shinkansen service will replace existing JR Kyushu’s limited express of the same name. In order to connect the new line to the existing shinkansen network, a relay service **Relay Kamome** will be introduced between Hakata and Takeo Onsen stations and the timetable for existing limited expresses *Midori* and *Huis Ten Bosch* will be adjust to allow same platform transfer from/to the new shinkansen line at Takeo Onsen station. This should reduce travel time between Fukuoka and Nagasaki from 2 hours to about 90 minutes.
On their way from Nagasaki to Takeo Onsen, the trains will stop at existing station at Isahaya (transfer to JR Omura Line, JR Nagasaki Main Line and Shimabara Railway) and new purposed build stations: Shin-Omura and Ureshino Onsen.
Shin-Omura station will be located on Kuko Dori (National Route 444), next to the existing JR Omura line.
Ureshino Onsen station will be located just north of Ureshino Medical Center.
*Kamome* services will use a modified 6-car setup of existing N700S trains with 3 reserved and 3 non-reserved cars in each train set. 3 reserved cars will use 2×2 seat arrangement with traditional Japanese designs on their upholstery – chrysanthemum in car 1, *shishi* (lion) in car 2 and *karakusa* (peony flower arabesque) in car 3. The non-reserved cars 4 to 6 will be arranged in a familiar 2×3 arrangement. The service itself were designed by Eiji Mitooka, an accomplished train designer previously responsible for other JR Kyushu’s services including *Seven Stars in Kyushu*, *Yufuin No Mori* and *Sonic*.
International visitors will be able to use *Kamome* shinkansen with appropriate nationwide or regional passes.
More info: https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/railway/dia2022/
Please note that at the time of the publication – September timetables on major transit websites (Jorudan, Yahoo! Japan) have not been adjusted. To see the actual location of the new stations, you need to use [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/) as Google Maps have not been updated.
Sources: JR Kyushu, SoraNews24, The Asahi Shimbun
1 comment
Nice. I passed through Takeo Onsen in 2019 and saw the ongoing construction. Nice to see it’s done!
I visited Ureshino, a charming little town famous for its hot springs and its pan-fired green tea (delicious BTW). I had a Japan Rail Pass but I had to pay extra for a bus to get to the town. I was probably the only foreign tourist in town that day and the Ryokan I stayed at was a steal.
I wish all the best to Ureshino and the area. Selfishly, i hope it’s not gonna turn into another tourist trap.