The Kyushu Shinkansen reopening is expected with the first train on September 18, when JR Kyushu plans to restore full-route operation, including the Kumamoto–Shin-Minamata section that has remained closed since a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture in July.

JR Kyushu 800 Series Shinkansen entering Kumamoto Station
Archive photo of a JR Kyushu 800 Series Shinkansen entering Kumamoto Station. Photo: MaedaAkihiko / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Kyushu Shinkansen reopening follows extensive repairs

The operator announced the reopening plan as restoration work advanced on damaged infrastructure across the line. The earthquake affected more than 1,000 locations on the Kyushu Shinkansen, including tracks, stations and other railway facilities.

JR Kyushu President Yoji Furumiya announced the planned return date.

“Regarding the Kyushu Shinkansen, we are announcing plans to resume operations from the first train on Friday, September 18,”

Trains are expected to operate across the entire line again, although restrictions will remain around Shin-Yatsushiro Station because damage there is extensive. Services will run at reduced speed through that section.

The number of Shinkansen trains running directly between Kagoshima-Chuo Station and Honshu is expected to reach about 90 percent of the pre-earthquake level.

Furumiya said tourism and businesses had been affected in areas beyond Kumamoto and Kagoshima prefectures. He said JR Kyushu sought to restore services as quickly as possible and decided to resume operations on September 18.

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Kagoshima Main Line reopening planned for mid-October

Conventional rail services will take longer to restore. The Kagoshima Main Line remains suspended between Uto and Yatsushiro, with JR Kyushu aiming to reopen the section around mid-October.

What is known about services

JR Kyushu is due to publish detailed timetables for services from September 18 on August 31, while tickets for travel from that date are scheduled to go on sale at 12:00 on September 1. The operator also says the planned reopening date could change depending on aftershock conditions.

Replacement buses will continue serving the suspended section in the meantime. JR Kyushu also plans to increase the number of buses from September because the Kumamoto–Yatsushiro corridor normally carries large numbers of passengers during the morning rush, with demand expected to rise as high school classes resume.

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