{"id":22147,"date":"2025-11-28T14:11:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-28T13:11:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog?p=22147"},"modified":"2025-12-01T10:24:04","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:24:04","slug":"shinkansen-kiss","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/shinkansen-kiss","title":{"rendered":"Japan\u2019s famous \u201cShinkansen Kiss\u201d is the sweetest train encounter you\u2019ll ever see"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Japanese trains have been <strong>captivating the world for decades now<\/strong>. The country has earned a reputation as having some of the best trains, namely its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/shinkansen-bullet-trains\">bullet trains<\/a>, the Shinkansen.<\/p>\n<p>In the northern city of Morioka, there\u2019s one attraction that is attracting train lovers from far and wide:<strong> the Shinkansen kiss<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>This oddly poetic moment has become a magnet for both train enthusiasts and curious travelers. It was even highlighted by CNN as <strong>one of the most charming quirks<\/strong> of Japan\u2019s railway culture.<\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re planning to visit using a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">Japan Rail Pass<\/a>, here\u2019s everything you need to know about what it is, where to see it, and how to see it.<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#What_is_the_Shinkansen_kiss\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> What is the Shinkansen kiss?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Where_to_see_it\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Where to see it<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#How_to_see_it\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> How to see it<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#More_than_a_trainspotting_moment\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">4<\/span> More than a trainspotting moment<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Why_you_shouldnt_miss_it\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">5<\/span> Why you shouldn\u2019t miss it<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"What_is_the_Shinkansen_kiss\">What is the Shinkansen kiss?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Part engineering marvel, part theatrical performance, the \u201ckiss\u201d happens when two bullet trains approach each other on the same track and connect seamlessly nose-to-nose.<\/p>\n<p>At Morioka Station, the teal-green <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/tohoku-shinkansen-jr-pass\">Tohoku Shinkansen<\/a> Hayabusa train waits patiently as the bright-red <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/akita-shinkansen-jr-pass\">Akita Shinkansen<\/a> Komachi train glides forward. Their sleek, aerodynamic fronts open, and with perfect precision, the trains couple together.<\/p>\n<p>To the casual observer, it looks like two futuristic birds sharing a gentle kiss.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Where_to_see_it\">Where to see it<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Shinkansen kiss can be observed in a few other stations, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/sendai-travel-guide\">Sendai<\/a> and Fukushima, but Morioka is widely regarded as the perfect spot.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-6165 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/akita-shinkansen-line-800x500.jpg\" alt=\"Two shinkansens meet at station\" width=\"800\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/akita-shinkansen-line.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/akita-shinkansen-line-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/akita-shinkansen-line-768x480.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Morioka offers the <strong>most visually striking pairing<\/strong>: the green and red trains. These trains \u201ckiss\u201d like characters in a carefully choreographed dance.<\/p>\n<p>Inside the station, you\u2019ll often find clusters of families, photographers, and rail fans waiting on the platform. The ritual happens <strong>17 times a day<\/strong>. Make sure to time your visit so that you definitely see it!<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"How_to_see_it\">How to see it<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Catching the Shinkansen kiss is surprisingly simple. If you\u2019re traveling north from Tokyo, <strong>Morioka is just a few hours away<\/strong> by bullet train.<\/p>\n<p>Once there, check the posted schedules (or simply ask staff) to find out when the Hayabusa and Komachi will meet. Because they couple at predictable times, you can plan your viewing without much effort.<\/p>\n<p>For the best view, <strong>stand on the platform where the Hayabusa first arrives<\/strong>. Moments later, the Komachi will appear, and within seconds, you\u2019ll witness the seamless connection that has charmed visitors from around the world.<\/p>\n<p>Morioka is included in both the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">full nationwide Rail Pass<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/regional-passes\/jr-east-south-hokkaido-rail-pass\">JR East South Hokkaido regional pass<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"custom-shortcode-element image-left\"><div class=\"image-container desktop\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/jr-pass-cta-1.png\"  width=\"300\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Buy the JR Pass\"><\/div><div class=\"content-container\"><div class=\"custom-title\">Unlimited train travel in Japan<\/div><div class=\"image-container mobile\"><img src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/jr-pass-cta-1.png\"  width=\"300\" height=\"200\"  alt=\"Buy the JR Pass\"><\/div><div class=\"custom-text\"><\/p>\n<p>Unlimited access to transportation across Japan for 7, 14, or 21 days on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>All Shinkansen trains<\/li>\n<li>Rapid and Local JR trains<\/li>\n<li>JR bus and ferry services<\/li>\n<li>Airport Transfers<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>A single ticket, huge savings.<\/p>\n<p><\/div><a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\" class=\"custom-button\">Buy your JR Pass<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"More_than_a_trainspotting_moment\">More than a trainspotting moment<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The kiss itself may last only a few seconds, but its cultural impact stretches much further. Rail enthusiasts describe it as a symbol of Japan\u2019s dedication to precision and aesthetics.<\/p>\n<p>Parents often bring children to watch, passing on a love of trains that has been part of Japanese culture for generations.<\/p>\n<p>If you <strong>want a niche experience<\/strong> that goes beyond the usual temples, gardens, and cityscapes, this is the perfect attraction. It\u2019s a reminder that sometimes, the most memorable encounters are hidden in everyday routines.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Why_you_shouldnt_miss_it\">Why you shouldn\u2019t miss it<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In recent years, Morioka is gaining a reputation as fascinating place to visit. In 2023, the city even ranked second on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/interactive\/2023\/travel\/52-places-travel-2023.html\">New York Times list of \u201c52 Places to Go\u201d<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>This city is <strong>well worth a stop<\/strong> if you\u2019re traveling north to Hokkaido, thanks to its scenic backdrop, local noodle delicacies, charming streets, and now the world-famous \u201ckiss\u201d of its bullet trains.<\/p>\n<p>While many first-time visitors head straight to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/kansai-area-pass-itinerary\">Kyoto or Osaka<\/a>, Morioka is proving that the often overlooked north of Japan <strong>holds its own surprises<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>So if your itinerary includes rail travel, and you\u2019re fascinated by Japan\u2019s trains, make room for Morioka. The Shinkansen kiss is one of those moments that <strong>captures the very spirit of Japan<\/strong>: technical mastery delivered with perfect grace.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Japanese trains have been captivating the world for decades now. The country has earned a reputation as having some of the best trains, namely its bullet trains, the Shinkansen. In the northern city of Morioka, there\u2019s one attraction that is attracting train lovers from far and wide: the Shinkansen kiss.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5889,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,92],"tags":[],"acf":{"pageresume":"Two Japanese bullet trains meet daily in Morioka for the famous Shinkansen kiss. 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