'Tsubame' Sets Sail Around Kyushu in Journey of Gratitude

▲U005 moored in Kagoshima Bay, with majestic Mt. Sakurajima rising in the distance.

JR Kyushu holds a spectacular exhibition to commemorate the 15th anniversary of Kyushu Shinkansen. This company is known for its ingenious PR activities, but this exhibition is especially unconventional and a tremendous project that tows a Shinkansen train across the sea. The exhibition marks the homecoming of the Shinkansen 800 series 'Tsubame' U005 train, which was badly damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.

To mark the exact day of the 15th anniversary, U005 was restored on a tight schedule by the JR Kyushu maintenance team. It now appears publicly for the first time in 10 years, in a unique way.

▲U005 moored in Kagoshima Bay, as the dock fell silent after midnight.

The journey began from Kumamoto depot in late March, and it takes 10 days to sail around Kyushu via Kagoshima Bay. After the voyage, U005 will be displayed in front of Hakata Station as the journey’s climax. Although some itineraries were cancelled due to a heavy spring storm, the weather will be better in the second half of the journey, making it a favourable period for Tsubame's voyage.

The sail is ongoing, led by a tugboat named 'Tenkaimaru', and it flexibly tows the barge that U005 is set on. On the barge, twelve flags that bear all station names of Kyushu Shinkansen are raised. It reminds observers of U005's daily passage through these stations while it was on service.

▲U005 departs Kagoshima Bay for Hakata, one day late due to a spring storm.