New Shinkansen 'Doctor S' to Succeed Doctor Yellow

Apr 17, 2026 | News On Japan

NAGOYA - JR Tokai has announced a new inspection-equipped Shinkansen named 'Doctor S', set to take over the role of the famed 'Doctor Yellow', the bright yellow bullet train affectionately known as the train that brings good luck when spotted.

Doctor Yellow has long been used to inspect tracks, overhead power lines and other infrastructure on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines. JR Tokai's trainset is scheduled to retire in January 2025, while the JR West version will be phased out from 2027 onward.

On April 16, JR Tokai unveiled its successor.

'Its name is Doctor S,' said President Shunsuke Niwa of JR Tokai.

The new train is based on the latest N700S Shinkansen model and fitted with advanced inspection systems. Unlike Doctor Yellow, it will carry passengers during regular commercial operations while simultaneously conducting checks on tracks and overhead wires.

A yellow 'S' logo, the symbol of Doctor S, will be displayed in 20 locations across the lead cars and odd-numbered cars.

'We hope it will become a train loved and cherished by the public, just like Doctor Yellow,' Niwa said.

Four trainsets will be introduced in stages. As a passenger service, operations will begin in October this year, while inspection duties are scheduled to start in January 2027.

Source: Nagoya TV News

Typhoon Jangmi Leaves Trail of Destruction Across Japan

Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) swept across Japan on June 3rd, bringing record-breaking rainfall, widespread flooding, landslides, transport disruptions, and powerful winds, while prompting Tokyo's first-ever issuance of a Level 4 danger alert under the country's new weather warning system. The storm also exposed challenges surrounding evacuation behavior, as many residents chose not to leave their homes despite official warnings affecting more than 1.6 million people across the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Typhoon Jangmi Disrupts Transport Across Eastern Japan as Rail and Flight Services Begin Recovery

[updated 10:50 p.m.] Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) continued to disrupt transport across eastern Japan late on June 3rd, although many major rail and air services began shifting into recovery mode after the storm moved away into the Pacific, with nearly 900 flights canceled during the day, several regional railway lines still suspended, and operators warning that delays and reduced services could linger into June 4th.

Local Residents Struggle to Respond as New Disaster Warning

As Typhoon Jangmi (Typhoon No. 6) struck Wakayama Prefecture on June 3rd, the storm became the first major test of Japan's newly introduced disaster weather warning system, revealing both the benefits of earlier evacuation calls and the challenges local authorities faced in helping residents understand and respond to the new alerts.

Typhoon No. 6 Swamps Popular Ise Tourist Town

Flooding was reported around the popular tourist district of Oharai-machi in Ise City following the passage of Typhoon No. 6, with some businesses forced to clean up after floodwaters overflowed from a nearby river during the early hours of June 3rd.

Residents Urged to Seek Safety as Extreme Rain Batters Izu

A breaking weather alert was issued for the Izu region of Shizuoka Prefecture early Wednesday morning, after the formation of a linear rain band, a phenomenon capable of producing prolonged and extremely intense rainfall over the same area. Authorities warned that the risk of disasters has risen sharply as heavy rain continues to fall, increasing the likelihood of flooding, landslides, and other weather-related emergencies.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Ferry Service Between Ishigaki and Taiwan Resumes After 18 Years

A new ferry service linking Ishigaki Island and Taiwan has begun operations, marking the return of a regular maritime route between the two destinations for the first time in 18 years.

Bear Attacks Leave Four Injured in Fukushima, Woman Feared Killed in Akita

Bear-related incidents have occurred in quick succession in Fukushima and Akita prefectures, leaving four people injured in Fukushima while authorities in Akita are investigating a suspected fatal bear attack involving a woman in her 70s.

Yobuko Underwater Restaurant Promises Bigger Windows Ahead of Renewal

One of Kyushu's most distinctive dining destinations, the underwater restaurant Manbo in Yobuko, Saga Prefecture, has temporarily closed after 43 years in operation as construction advances on a new and modernized replacement scheduled to open this autumn.

Hokkaido Appoints First Government Hunter to Tackle Growing Bear Threat

A veteran hunter with 42 years of experience has become the first person hired by Hokkaido as a "Government Hunter," a newly created role aimed at strengthening bear control measures and improving public safety.

Kansai Airport Completes First Major Renovation Since Opening

Kansai Airport has completed its first large-scale renovation since opening, 24 additional stores, including a Universal Studios Japan outlet, marking the theme park's first airport store in Japan.

Osaka Suspends New Special-Zone Minpaku Applications

Osaka City will stop accepting new applications for its special-zone minpaku program on May 29 as complaints over noise, garbage disposal and other issues involving guests continue to increase.

Kyoto Company Targets Beef Cutlets as Inbound Tourism Strategy

Sanmarc Holdings is betting on Kyoto's global appeal and the growing popularity of gyukatsu among foreign tourists as it accelerates overseas expansion, with President Yuki Fujikawa positioning the beef cutlet chain as a key driver of the restaurant group's inbound tourism and international growth strategy.

Work While Traveling: 'Otetutabi' Gains Popularity in Hokkaido

A new travel style known as “Otetutabi,” which combines short-term work with tourism, is rapidly gaining attention across Japan as both travelers and local businesses search for new ways to address changing social and economic realities.

< 2 3 4 5 >