Hikari (train)

File:0 series SK5 West Hikari Nishi-Akashi 199703.jpg

These JR West services first appeared in 1988 on the San'yō Shinkansen between Shin-Ōsaka and Hakata using 6-car 0 series trains. 0 series 12-car S_K units were employed on these services from 1989. From 11 March 2000, they were mostly replaced by the new 700 series Hikari Rail Star services, and were finally withdrawn on 21 April 2000. The West Hikari livery had a similar colour pattern to the newer 100 series rolling stock, most of which were allocated to JR Central when the Japanese National Railways (JNR) was privatised in 1987. The interior was refurbished, with the conventional 2+3 seat configuration changed to a 2+2 configuration, and the buffet car converted into a café car.{{Cite web |title=JR西日本 0系新幹線「ウエストひかり」 {{!}} ヌマジ交通ミュージアム |url=https://www.vehicle.city.hiroshima.jp/hyperbook_web/model/detail?id=32136 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=www.vehicle.city.hiroshima.jp}}

File:JR West grand HIKARI V5.jpg

These were the premier services operated between Tokyo and Hakata from 11 March 1989 using JR West 16-car 100 series V sets with four double-deck centre cars including a restaurant car.{{cite book| last = Suda | first = Hiroshi | title = 東海道新幹線 |trans-title=Tōkaidō Shinkansen| publisher = JTB Can Books | year = 2000 | location = Tokyo, Japan | isbn = 4-533-03563-9}} JR West inherited no 100 series train sets when JNR was privatised. On the other hand, unlike the Tōkaidō Shinkansen, the San'yō Shinkansen had a severe competition with aeroplanes, and there was an imminent need to introduce a faster and more comfortable flagship train.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-13 |title=君は新幹線100系「グランドひかり」を覚えているか 2階建て車両が4両に！【E1系・E4系の画像も 新幹線・東京～博多全通50周年⑦】 {{!}} TBS NEWS DIG (1ページ) |url=https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1273749?display=1 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=TBS NEWS DIG |language=ja}}

File:100 V restaurant car 19990714.jpg

The 100 series V sets were designed to be operated at {{Convert|275|km/h|abbr=on}},{{Cite web |date=2024-07-20 |title=新幹線100系 当時（1990）の国内最速「277km/h」を記録！でも営業運転は実現せず...なぜ？【新幹線・東京～博多全通50周年⑧】 {{!}} TBS NEWS DIG (1ページ) |url=https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1274364?display=1 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=TBS NEWS DIG |language=ja}} but due to noise complaints, JR West had to reduce its maximum speed to {{Convert|230|km/h|4=0|abbr=on}} on the San'yō Shinkansen (compared to {{Convert|220|km/h|4=0|abbr=on}} for other Hikari services). From 11 March 2000, restaurant car services were discontinued on all trains, and from May 2002 onwards, the few remaining Grand Hikari services were limited to the San'yō Shinkansen only. The last Grand Hikari ran in November 2002.{{Cite web |title=グランドひかり引退へ／１１月２３日にさよなら運転 |url=https://www.shikoku-np.co.jp/national/life_topic/20021017000032 |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=四国新聞社}}

File:Playroom of West Hikari train.jpg

First appearing in the summer of 1995, these seasonal services operated between Shin-Ōsaka and Hakata during holiday periods using special 6-car 0 series sets (R2 and R24) which included a children's play area in car 3. All seats were reserved on these services. {{citation needed|reason=HugoH17 doesn't know when Family Hikari was discontinued|date=June 2018}}

JR West began operating the Hikari Rail Star service from the start of the new timetable on 11 March 2000. This service is limited to the Sanyo Shinkansen line, and uses special 8-car 700-7000 series trains with a distinctive livery and a maximum speed of {{Convert|285|km/h|abbr=on}}. JR West introduced the service to provide better competition against airlines on the Osaka-Fukuoka route. These services do not have Green car accommodation, but the reserved seating cars feature 2+2 seating and also some 4-seat compartments instead of the standard 3+2 arrangement in non-reserved seating cars. The front row of seats in these cars feature power outlets for laptop users. With all but 3 Hikari services (590-592) solely running on the Sanyo Shinkansen being replaced by through Kyushu Shinkansen Sakura services from 12 March 2011, the 8-car 700 series sets used on the service have been running mostly on all-stations Kodama services on the San'yō Shinkansen line. However, as of 17 March 2023, there is still one Hikari Rail Star service, Hikari 590, which departs from Shin-Shimonoseki to Okayama at 06:11 every morning, stopping at all stations except Asa. As of June 2025, the Hikari Rail Star is the only special service variation to run on the Hikari service.

Legend

• 500 series 8-car V sets (not in regular use)
• 700 series 8-car E sets
• N700A series 16-car X/K sets, modified from N700 series Z/N sets
• N700 series 8-car S/R sets
• N700S series 16-car J sets

File:JRwest 500 hikari 441 shinkurashiki.jpg|JR West 500 series, May 2012

File:JRW-700-hikari-railstar.jpg|700 series Hikari Rail Star, April 2009

File:JRW N700 series N3.jpg|JR West N700 series, April 2009

• 0 series
• 100 series
• 300 series
• 500 series 16-car W sets (not in regular use)
• 700 series 16-car B/C sets

File:JR tokai shinkansen 0kei.jpg|0 series, 1987

File:JR tokai shinkansen 100kei.jpg|100 Series, 1987

File:JRW Shinkansen Series 300 F6.jpg|JR West 300 series, 8 October 2008

File:JRW-500-nozomi.jpg|JR West 500 series, May 2008

File:JRC_700_series_C37.jpg|JR Central 700 series, April 2009

16-car N700 and N700S series services are formed as follows with car 1 at the Hakata end and car 16 at the Tokyo end. All cars are non-smoking except for smoking compartments located in Cars 3, 7, 10, and 15.JR Timetable, March 2012 issue, p. 997

8-car N700 series services are formed as follows with car 1 at the Hakata end and car 8 at the Shin-Osaka end. All cars are non-smoking except for smoking compartments located in Cars 3 and 7.

8-car 700 series Hikari Rail Star services are formed as follows with car 1 at the Hakata end and car 8 at the Shin-Osaka end. All cars are non-smoking.

Before and during World War II, Hikari was the name of an express train operated by Japan from Busan in Korea to Changchun in Manchuria.

The name Hikari was first introduced in Japan on 25 April 1958 for express services operating between Hakata and Beppu in Kyushu. This service operated until 30 September 1964, the day before the Tokaido Shinkansen opened."列車名鑑1995" (Train Name Directory 1995), published August 1995 by Railway Journal

When the Tokaido Shinkansen opened on 1 October 1964, the Hikari was the fastest train on the line, initially travelling from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station with only two stops (Nagoya and Kyoto). Hikari service was extended to the Sanyo Shinkansen later, although the Hikari trains were only slightly faster than the Kodama trains, earning them the derisive portmanteau nickname "Hidama." The Hikari trains remained the fastest trains until the opening of Nozomi trains on 14 March 1992.

In March 2008, the new N700 Series Shinkansen was put into service on a morning Hikari service between Shin-Yokohama and Hiroshima stations, and a late night run between Tokyo and Nagoya. A third N700 Hikari run between Nagoya and Tokyo was added in October 2008,{{cite press release|title=秋の臨時列車のお知らせ |publisher=JR Central |date=2008-08-22 |url=http://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/nws000167.html |access-date=2008-08-25 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080824215310/http://jr-central.co.jp/news/release/nws000167.html |archive-date=24 August 2008 }} and a few other N700 Hikari runs have since been added.

From the start of the revised timetable on 17 March 2012, Hikari Rail Star services using 700 series 8-car E sets became entirely no-smoking.{{cite web|url=http://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/items/20111216_honsya.pdf |script-title=ja:平成24春ダイヤ改正について |trans-title=March 2012 Timetable Revision Details |date=16 December 2011 |work=News Release |publisher=West Japan Railway Company |location=Japan |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216172516/http://www.westjr.co.jp/press/article/items/20111216_honsya.pdf |archive-date=16 December 2011 |access-date=17 December 2011 |url-status=dead }}

As of 2012, JR Central Hikari services operating throughout the Tokaido/Sanyo corridor primarily use 16-car N700 series and 700 series sets. Most Hikari trains pull over at intermediate stations such as Shizuoka, Hamamatsu, Toyohashi, Maibara or Himeji to allow faster Nozomi services, to pass through without stopping.

In an announcement by JR Central, JR West, and JR Kyushu made on 17 October 2023, the companies stated that all onboard smoking rooms on the Tokaido, San'yo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains would be discontinued by Q2 2024,{{Cite web |last=Kinoshita |first=Kenji |date=17 October 2023 |title=東海道・山陽・九州新幹線の車内喫煙ルーム、2024年春にすべて廃止 |trans-title=All smoking rooms on Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen trains will be discontinued in spring 2024. |url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20231017-2795090/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231018011801/https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20231017-2795090/ |archive-date=18 October 2023 |access-date=19 October 2023 |website=MyNavi Corporation}} which took effect on 16 March 2024.{{Cite web |title=Smokers bitter as cigarettes banned on all Shinkansen lines {{!}} The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis |url=https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/15202064 |access-date=2024-04-01 |website=The Asahi Shimbun |language=en}} In addition, all smoking rooms located on station platforms on the aforementioned Shinkansen lines would also be discontinued.

• List of named passenger trains of Japan

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Hikari (Shinkansen)}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070419020433/http://www.khi.co.jp/sharyo/pro_final/pro_jrn700_e.html Kawasaki Heavy Industries: Hikari Rail Star description]

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Category:Railway services introduced in 1958

Category:Central Japan Railway Company

Category:West Japan Railway Company

Category:Named Shinkansen trains

Category:Tōkaidō Shinkansen