| Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 | |||
 N700S-8000 series set Y4 on the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen in October 2022 | |||
| Overview | |||
| Native name | 西九州新幹線 | ||
| Owner |  JRTT | ||
| Locale | Kyushu (Saga and Nagasaki Prefectures) | ||
| Termini |
| ||
| Stations | 5 | ||
| Color on map | Pink (#EF59A1) | ||
| Service | |||
| Type | High-speed rail | ||
| System | Shinkansen | ||
| Services | Kamome | ||
| Operator(s) |  JR Kyushu | ||
| Depot(s) | Omura | ||
| Rolling stock | N700S-8000 series | ||
| History | |||
| Opened | 23 September 2022 (Nagasaki to Takeo Onsen) | ||
| Extended | TBD (Takeo Onsen to Hakata) | ||
| Technical | |||
| Line length | 66.0 km (41.0 mi) | ||
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge | ||
| Minimum radius | 4,000 m (2.5 mi; 13,000 ft) | ||
| Electrification | 25 kV 60 Hz AC overhead catenary | ||
| Operating speed | 260 km/h (162 mph) | ||
| Signalling | Cab signalling | ||
| Train protection system | KS-ATC | ||
| Maximum incline | 3.0% | ||
| |||
The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (Japanese: 西九州新幹線, romanized: Nishi Kyūshū Shinkansen, lit. 'West Kyushu Shinkansen') is a Japanese Shinkansen high-speed rail line on the northwest part of Kyushu Island that is operated by the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). A segment of the line that connects Nagasaki to Takeo-Onsen commenced service on 23 September 2022.[1][2] The line runs parallel to the existing Nagasaki Main Line and has a total length of 66 kilometers (41 mi), making it the shortest high-speed Shinkansen railway line in Japan in terms of length.
The entire line is envisioned to connect Hakata to Nagasaki, and potentially become an extension of the San'yō Shinkansen in Honshu.[3] However, as of 2022, the route of the segment east of Takeo-Onsen to Hakata via Saga has yet to be determined, with construction yet to commence.[4] It remains unclear when the entire line will be completed.[5] For the foreseeable future, the Relay Kamome limited express service will continue to provide a connection to Hakata.
- ^ "Construction of new bullet train route starts in Kyushu : National : …". Daily Yomiuri Online. 18 February 2013. Archived from the original on 18 February 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ 建設計画・ルート [Construction plan / route] (in Japanese). Pref.nagasaki.jp. Archived from the original on 27 January 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ 実現させよう！フル規格！ [Let's realize! Full standard!] (PDF) (in Japanese). Nagasaki Prefecture. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen line to open on Sept. 23". The Japan Times. 12 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
- ^ "Bullet train route in Kyushu beset by problems before opening". Asia & Japan Watch. The Asahi Shimbun Company. 6 September 2022. Retrieved 22 September 2022.