It could be the perfect time to travel to Japan, especially for pop culture fans, as a Hello Kitty bullet train is set to launch on 30th June 2018. Teamed up with West Japan Railway the adorable theme of pinks and plush is to be rolled out through the service inspired by the iconic character.
The train named ‘Hello! Plaza’ offers passengers access to; an exhibition area, gift shop, a Hello Kitty themed photo booth as well as charmingly cute interior, as they speed about to the different locations offered. Most importantly guests may have the opportunity to pose with Hello Kitty as the Shinkansen (bullet train) sets off for daily departures between Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka Prefecture and Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture. It is also rumoured to promotionally offer other areas for a limited time.
Where can I get my tickets?
You can get a ‘Japan Rail Pass’ from most UK travel agencies. Although a pass can be purchased in Japan, buying tickets as part of a package holiday or prior to travel means they will likely be covered under your travel insurance or by the holiday provider should you need to cancel the trip.
If you buy tickets separately, from your flights and accommodation, you may want to look for a travel insurance policy that covers the cost of the tickets; with prices starting at £198 for a Japanese Rail pass, it’s probably worth it. Not all policies offer this cover so it is best to do some research in case you need to cancel the trip and are unable to cancel the train tickets and claim back the cost from any other source.
You will find plenty of things to do when travelling around Japan. Sanrio is already in talks with a sightseeing bus operator and an aeroplane company and hope to launch similar Hello Kitty themed transport in the near future. So, you may want to select a travel insurance policy offering suitable cover for the activities available.
However, it’s worth noting, some travel insurance policies have restrictions on activities that may be deemed a little riskier so check your policy as you may need to add an activity pack on to your travel insurance to ensure cover for the activities you have chosen to do. There are a few travel insurers that offer to cover more activities as standard, meaning you don’t need to buy additional cover – so, this may be worth looking out for if you are planning on taking part in several activities during your trip.