You know series 0 cars will finish their regular running on 30 November and 4 irregular service will be held as special operation in December. Because that was in high demand, JR West released that they would add 2 trains to the farewell operation. Added trains are shown below;

• Hikari 356: departing Hakata at 10:12 and arriving Hiroshima at 11:45, on Sat. 13 Dec.
• Hikari 355: departing Hiroshima at 14:42 and arriving Hakata at 16:30, on Sat. 13 Dec.

Both trains have 6 carriages of series 0 cars with 400 seats. The booking for such trains will be accepted since 13 November at JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) throughout the country.

Many airlines have lounges in airports for their upper customers. JR does not? Yes, JR West released that they would renew the lounge at Hiroshima station! Are you convinced they are conscious of airline service between Hiroshima and Tokyo, aren't you?

The room, which has been used as Zipangu Salon (ジパングサロン) for the members of Zipangu Club (ジパング倶楽部) in the past, will be renovated and opened as the Dedicated Lounge for Business members and Zipangu Club members (ビジネス会員・ジパング・専用ラウンジ) since 10 November. The new lounge is for Zipangu Club members and authorized persons of Metropolitan District Campaign Ikeba-Ikuhodo (首都圏行けば行くほどキャンペーン) participating companies.

On 21 October, 2 new Ekiben of "Minced Kurodashou Wagyu Cutlet Box" (黒田庄和牛メンチカツ弁当; Kurodashou Wagyu Menchi-katsu Bento) and "Pork Rice Box" (ぶためし; Buta-meshi) will be started selling.

• With "Minced Kurodashou Wagyu Cutlet Box", you can enjoy plenty cutlet made from Japanese beef which was grown in Kurodashou area, a good growing district of Kobe beef. Rice and souce in the box are curry flavor. (@980 JPY)
• With "Pork Rice Box", you can enjoy carefully stewed pork. Hot spicy rice and curry flavored sauce will shapen your appetite! (@1,000 JPY)

JR West Hiroshima Affiliate released that they would run Nozomi-de-Value Travel Campaign (のぞみDEおトク 旅キャンペーン). For the campaign, if you buy tour package incuding accomodation and Shinkansen tickets from Hiroshima and Yamaguchi area to Tokyo and Yokohama area from 01 November, 2008 to 09 March, 2009, you will get a 300 JPY exchange coupon and an appilication card. With posting the card, you have a chance to be one of 168 winners selected in a drawing to receive wonderful prize, like LCD televisions, Japanese-produced beef set for sukiyaki, and so on.

JR West announced that they would accept advanced application for tickets during the year change period from 26 December to 04 January. If you will travel in the period, you can be free from making queue at the windows to book seats.

• around Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe
  accepting from 15 to 23 November

  JR trains booking counters (みどりの窓口) at 63 stations

  during regular business hours after 8:00 of 15 November

  Exclusive phone for advanced application at 16 stations

  from 10:00 to 18:00

  Exclusive phone for advanced application (06-6401-2455)

  from 9:00 to 15:00

• around Okayama and Fukuyama
  accepting from 01 November to 03 December

  JR trains booking counters at 32 stations

  during regular business hours after 10:00 of 01 November

  phone service at 32 stations

  from 10:00 to 16:00

• around Hiroshima and Yamaguchi
  accepting from 01 to 23 November

  JR trains booking counters at 76 stations

  during regular business hours

  FAX service at 17 stations

  Special counter at JR trains booking counter in Hiroshima station

  from 10:00 to 18:00

  Exclusive phone at the special counter indicated above (082-261-1985)

  from 10:00 to 18:00

• around Fukuoka and Kokura
  accepting from 15 to 23 November

  JR trains booking counters in Hakata and Kokura station Shinkansen ambits

  during regular business hours

  phone service at Hakata station (092-472-8426)

  from 10:00 to 16:00

  phone service at Kokura station (092-472-8426)

  from 10:00 to 16:00

Please be noted that seat availability is limited and your application will be uncertain until ticketing.

JR Central and JR West released their service schedules during the winter season from December to February. As of the end of February 2009, 8 Nozomi trains bound for the east and west will be newly-operated with series N700 cars. JR Central said 71 Nozomis, equivalent to about 40 % of all Nozomis, will run in a day on Tokaido Shinkansen.

The new N700 Nozomis are shown below:

• Nozomi 109, from Tokyo to Shin-osaka, running with series N700 cars since 26 December
• Nozomi 148, from Shin-osaka to Tokyo, since 26 December
• Nozomi 67, from Tokyo to Hiroshima, since 2 January
• Nozomi 96, from Hiroshima to Tokyo, since 2 January
• Nozomi 69, from Tokyo to Hiroshima, since 5 February
• Nozomi 98, from Hiroshima to Tokyo, since 5 February
• Nozomi 153, from Tokyo to Shin-osaka, since 23 February
• Nozomi 136, from Shin-osaka to Tokyo, since 23 February

This site "Shinkansen Timetable" will be updated around 28 October with train schedules and running vehicle information of the period until December.

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.

Since 10 October, pick up machines for tickets booked on Express Reservation Service (エクスプレス予約) has been in use at Takamatsu Station. Passengers from Shikoku used to receive their tickets booked on that service at Okayama Station. It is convenient for them to be able to get their tickets at Takamatsu.

The shinkansen's railcar shop in Fukuoka (Hakata Depot) will be opened to the public as the Day of Shinkansen Getting To Know (新幹線ふれあいデー) on 26 October, 2008. The factory will be opened from 10:00 to 16:00 and its admission will be free.

On that day, you will see below.

• Shinkansen cars (series N700, 500, high speed test produced car WIN350, double-deck restaurant car of series 100, examination vehicle Doctor Yellow, and other maintenance cars)
• Cockpits of series N700 and 500 cars (required numbered tickets)
• Panel exhibition introducing shinkansen history
• Jacked-up cars
• Emergency couplers handling demonstration, etc.

JR West announced that they would distribute commemorative pass of series 0 car. The giveaway will be available on specific trains during weekdays in 3 weeks from late Octover to mid-November and design of the pass will vary from week to week.