Disney-Themed "Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" Now Running Between Tokyo and Osaka

Tokyo DisneySea turns 25 this year, and to celebrate, a special Disney bullet train will run between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka stations for roughly nine months.

The “Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen” made its debut on June 19, 2026 — and we went to see it set off from Tokyo Station.

The train is a joint project between JR Central and Oriental Land Company, the operator of Tokyo Disney Resort. It ties into Tokyo DisneySea’s anniversary event, Tokyo DisneySea 25th “Sparkling Jubilee,” which runs at the park from April 15, 2026 until March 31, 2027 — the park itself turns 25 on September 4, 2026.

This is the second Disney collaboration train on the line, following last year’s Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen — but this year’s edition runs for a longer period.

Only one trainset out of the entire Tōkaidō Shinkansen fleet gets the treatment, so spotting it is part of the fun. If you are lucky enough to ride it, bonus points.

Disney-themed photo spots and installations are also planned for certain stations along the route, with details to come on the Tokyo Disney Resort website.

What does the Disney bullet train look like?

A 16-car N700A trainset has been decked out in “Jubilee Blue” — the anniversary’s ocean-inspired theme color. The exterior features Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, Pluto, Chip and Dale, plus Duffy and ShellieMay (the resort’s popular teddy-bear duo), all wearing 25th-anniversary costumes and posing in front of scenes from the park’s eight themed ports.

Inside, regular cars get original headrest covers and table stickers (the Green Cars, Car 7, and the multipurpose room miss out), and the anniversary theme song “Come Join the Jubilee” will play as the onboard melody.

When and where does the Disney bullet train run?

The Disney train runs on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka from June 19, 2026 until around mid-March 2027.

It operates as regular scheduled Hikari and Kodama services — but not the same ones every day. On a full day, it covers up to four services:

• Hikari 636: Shin-Osaka 6:42 a.m. → Tokyo 9:42 a.m.
• Kodama 815: Tokyo 9:57 a.m. → Shin-Osaka 1:51 p.m.
• Kodama 836: Shin-Osaka 2:54 p.m. → Tokyo 6:48 p.m.
• Hikari 659: Tokyo 7:03 p.m. → Shin-Osaka 10:03 p.m.

On other days, it runs only some of these — for example, just the morning Hikari 636 and Kodama 815, or only Hikari 636 and the evening Hikari 659.

According to the operating calendar that had been published when we wrote this, the Disney train runs almost daily through June and July, with the full four-train lineup on most days.

Launch day, June 19, followed a one-off schedule starting with Hikari 632, departing Nagoya at 6:45 a.m. and stopping at Toyohashi, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Shin-Yokohama, and Shinagawa on the way to Tokyo.

A few June and July dates are still marked “under adjustment,” and JR Central will add the August-onward timetable to the official Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen page (Japanese only) once it’s set.

Last-minute changes will be announced on the Disney train’s official X account, so check both before you make any plans.

How can you ride the Disney Shinkansen in 2026-2027?

Since these are ordinary Hikari and Kodama services, a regular Shinkansen ticket (basic fare plus reserved-seat express ticket) for one of the trains above is all you need. Assuming there is space available!

We suggest checking the operating calendar first, then booking through the EX Service (Smart EX or Express Reservation), or at a Midori no Madoguchi ticket counter or ticket machine at major JR stations. Tell the staff that you specifically want to ride the Disney Shinkansen.

It’s a good idea to book as early as possible — the train was super popular in 2025. See our guide to buying Shinkansen tickets for tips.

Note: The Japan Rail Pass covers Hikari and Kodama trains too, if you have one.

Also, dedicated travel packages that guarantee a ride on the Disney train are also being sold through various travel agencies, if you fancy a bit of searching in Japanese.

Pro tip: The Disney train itself won’t take you anywhere near the park — Tokyo DisneySea is in Maihama, Chiba, about 15 minutes from Tokyo Station on the Keiyō Line.

If you just want a look at the wrap, a platform ticket (or a well-timed wait at a station along the route) costs next to nothing.

While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Last updated June 19, 2026.