Disney-themed Shinkansen trainset debuted on the Tokaido Shinkansen Line

21 February 2025

Continuing from the success of JR East's Disney Magical Journey Shinkansen, JR Central launched its "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" special train for a limited period from 21 February 2025 to mid-September 2025. This debut is done as part of commemorating the opening last June of Tokyo DisneySea’s “Fantasy Springs” area, as well as to promote Tokyo Disney Resort (TDR) as a tourist destination. 

This is the third time a Disney-themed Shinkansen is launched, as well as the first time a themed Shinkansen was launched, after the other two Disney-themed Shinkansen trainsets was launched earlier by JR East on their Tohoku Shinkansen. To know more, click on this link.

NOTE: This train does not take passengers directly to TDR. To get to TDR, passengers must transfer at Tokyo Station to take the JR Keiyo Line to Maihama Station.

TDR train access map

Map of Japan's Shinkansen Network drawn by Himawari Design Lab, 2025.

There are three service types running along the Tokaido Shinkansen - Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. The Nozomi is the fastest category of trains, serving only the five major stations along the Tokaido Shinkansen with a majority continuing as through service beyond Shin-Osaka via Sanyo Shinkansen to Hakata.

Source: JR Central

As for the rolling stock used, a set of the 16-car N700A Series was themed with a livery inspired by “Fantasy Springs”, with various scenes from films like Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan among different train cars. Also, it is the Tokaido Shinkansen line's first special livery train in its 60-year history. Below is the list of different designs for each carriage in the 16-car configuration:

• Cars No. 2, 5, 8, 11, and 15 is liveried with a purple Rapunzel’s Forest design
• Cars No. 3, 6, 9, and 13 featured a green Peter Pan’s Never Land design
• Cars No. 4, 7, 10, 12, and 14 is liveried a blue Frozen Kingdom design
• Cars No. 1 and 16 featured a dark blue design that combines all 3 areas

As for the interior of the train, headrest covers are decorated with various characters like Frozen's Anna and Elsa, Peter Pan, and Tangled's Rapunzel. Also, the tables are pasted with stickers evoking the “Fantasy Springs” theme of Tokyo DisneySea with a QR code on the right that links to the official site of the theme park. Lastly, the onboard melody will be Disney themed to add a final touch to the ambience, which is modeled after the song “I See the Light” from the film Tangled.

To view the most updated timetable, click on this link. It will show the different service schedules for a period of 2 months (in Japanese only). The train operates multiple trips on the Hikari or Kodama services daily.

Service Patterns

For July and August there are 4 different schedules (A, B, C, and E).

Schedule A has 4 train services/day on Fridays, weekends, and some weekdays:

2 outbound: first departure from Shin-Osaka at 6:42, arriving in Tokyo at 9:42 AM

2 return: last departure from Tokyo at 7:03 PM, arriving in Shin-Osaka at 10:03 PM

Schedule B has 2 train services/day on some weekdays:

1 outbound: departs Shin-Osaka at 6:42 AM and arrives in Tokyo at 9:42 AM

1 return: departs Tokyo at 9:57 AM and arrives in Shin-Osaka at 1:51 PM

Schedule C has 3 train services on 9th July:

2 outbound: departs Shin-Osaka at 8:19 AM and arrives in Tokyo at 11:12 AM, 2nd departure from Nagoya at 5:38 PM and arrives in Tokyo on 8:18 PM.

1 return: departs Tokyo at 11:27 AM and arrives in Shin-Osaka at 2:06 PM

Schedule E has 3 train services on 10th July:

1 outbound: departs Nagoya at 3:38 PM and arrives in Tokyo at 6:18 PM

2 return: departs Tokyo at 09:27 AM and 6:33 PM and arrives in Nagoya and Shin-Osaka at 12:06 PM and 9:07 PM respectively.

How to buy tickets?

It is strongly recommended to book tickets in advance, given the widespread popularity of the "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen". Tickets can be booked via JR Central's usual channels. In addition, some travel agencies will be offering special packages combining a ride on the train with entrance tickets to TDR.

Attached document

References

El.manaa, R. (2025, January 30). The wonderful dreams shinkansen: A magical disney train in Japan. Japan Experience. https://www.japan-experience.com/plan-your-trip/travel-by-train/the-wonderful-dreams-shinkansen-a-train-disney-magic-in-japan

JRailPass, Jr. (2025, May 26). Disney Shinkansen Wonderful Dreams: Experience A Magical Ride. https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/disney-shinkansen-wonderful-dreams

 

Temirgaliyeva, A. (2025, February 18). Disney-themed Shinkansen bullet train shown to media ahead of Launch. Qazinform.com. https://qazinform.com/news/disney-themed-shinkansen-bullet-train-shown-to-media-ahead-of-launch-1001dd