JR West and JR Kyushu announced that they decided the through train between Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen to be named "Sakura".

The new cars for this thorough service project an image of Japanese hospitality with its traditional beauty and dignity. The 170 thousand application for the new train name were accepted until November 30, 2009 and "Sakura" obtained the greatest number of votes.

Heavy voted names are shown below.

1. Sakura (7,927 votes)
2. Hayabusa (6,917 votes)
3. Hayato (6,270 votes)
4. Satsuma (6,024 votes)
5. Mirai (3,803 votes)

The through train "Sakura" between Kagoshima-chuo and Shin-osaka will start to run just in time for coming up cherry blossom front in the spring of 2011 and it travels between the two cities in about 4 hours.

When the entire portion of Kyushu Shinkansen line is available in the spring of 2011, through train between Shin-osaka and Kagoshima-chuo will start to run. Since 20 October, JR West and JR Kyushu invite the public to submit the name for their new through train. If you have a good idea, you can apply by physical mail or through internet web site. Adopted one will win a cash prize and other 200 persons get prize for participation.

The new shinkansen cars for this through service was developed based on latest style of series N700 cars now running on Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen. Their exterior of slightly indigotic white like traditional ceramic wares, appended a deep-blued and golden belt, projects an image of Japanese traditional beauty and dignity. Their interior was designed emphasizing comfort and relaxation with 4 rows seats for passengers having reservation and in heavy usage of wooden materials. New eight-car train will travel between Shin-osaka and Kagoshima-chuo (approx. 900 km) in about 4 hrs, running at 300 km/h. Its prototype cars had moved to Hakata depot in the end of this September and will start test runs between Shin-yamaguchi and Hakata since 24 October.