The Sanyo Shinkansen “Kodama” trains will feature a new exterior design for their existing cars. Starting this winter, they will be painted in “Sanyo Blue,” a shade that appears to be emerald green.

Editor in Chief

2 months ago

On July 22, JR West announced that it would be changing the exterior design of the N700 series 6000-series trains operating as the Sanyo Shinkansen “Kodama” service (Shin-Osaka–Hakata). The new design is scheduled to enter service this winter.

Since September 2025, the Sanyo Shinkansen “Kodama” service has been operating with 8-car trains, created by shortening 16-car N700 series trainsets. Driven by a desire to foster even greater affection for the trains among passengers and stakeholders, and to contribute to regional coexistence and revitalization along the Sanyo Shinkansen route, JR West has decided—for the first time—to explore and implement a new design through an industry-academia collaboration with the Product Design Planning Laboratory at Kyoto Institute of Technology.

The design concept is “YURARI—Savoring the Whimsical Flow of Change.” Focusing on the “local service” and “leisurely journey” that are hallmarks of the Kodama, the design incorporates the waves of the Seto Inland Sea and the sparkle of the water’s surface as motifs.

The train’s body color is “Sanyo Blue,” which appears emerald green in sunlight. The official JR West website also features details on the design of the logo and the body stripes.