Tokyo, Japan – In a surprising turn of events, retired food carts formerly utilized onrain en Shinkansen trains shuttling between Tokyo and Osaka have become the focal point of considerable fascination among tthusiasts.
Approximately 50 of these retired carts were made available for purchase at a modest price of 100,000 yen (US$670) each, as reported by the Asahi Shimbun newspaper on February 17. According to the report, each cart received an overwhelming 50 purchase requests, indicating the substantial interest generated.
The decision to discontinue the food service on the Tokyo-Osaka Shinkansen line was announced in August 2023 by the line operator, Central Japan Railway (JR Central). This move was prompted by an anticipated labor shortage and a shift in passenger behavior towards purchasing food and beverages before boarding, leading to the cessation of the service after October 31, 2023.
Of the 350 food carts originally deployed on the Tokyo-Osaka Shinkansen route, approximately 50 were put up for sale, while the rest faced either scrapping or repurposing, according to JR Central. A representative from JR Central Retailing Plus expressed the rationale behind offering these carts for sale, stating, “Rather than simply discard them after many years of service, we thought the public might want to take a crack at owning the carts. We hope those who purchase one find a good use for them.”
Orders for the retired food carts were accepted from late January until February 5, with officials noting a significant number of orders from ordinary households interested in using the carts in their kitchens or as decorative items. Due to the overwhelming response, a lottery system will be implemented, as the number of orders exceeded the available stock.
The Tokyo-Osaka Shinkansen line has a rich history of catering services since its opening in 1964, providing passengers with refreshments, bento box lunches, coffee, and the famous “Super-Cold Shinkansen Ice Cream.” The retired food carts, capable of carrying approximately 50kg of food and drink, boast rear brakes that automatically lock when the cart pusher releases their hands from the lever. Additionally, the carts were designed with front wheels that could be maneuvered to navigate uneven surfaces between train carriages.
In response to JR Central’s decision, JR West, also known as West Japan Railway, announced its intention to discontinue its food cart service between Osaka and Hakata station in Fukuoka.
