Ariake (train)

The Ariake (有明) was a limited express train service operated in Kyushu, Japan by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). It ran between Hakata in Fukuoka Prefecture and Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture. It operated from 1 October 1950 to 12 March 2021.

Ariake

787 series train on Ariake service, June 2019
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Discontinued
Locale	Kyushu, Japan
First service	1 October 1950
Last service	12 March 2021
Current operator	JR Kyushu
Former operator	JNR
Route
Termini	Hakata
Stops	Omuta
Technical
Rolling stock	787 series EMU
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	20 kV AC
Operating speed	130 km/h (80 mph)[1]

History

The Ariake service commenced on 1 October 1950, originally as a "Semi express" service operating between Hakata and Kumamoto.^[2] From 1 October 1965, the train was upgraded to become an "Express" service and was extended to run between Okayama and Kumamoto.^[2] From 1 October 1967, the train was upgraded to become a "Limited express" service, running between Mojiko and Nishi-Kagoshima (now Kagoshima-Chuo).^[2]

With the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen, the number of Ariake services gradually decreased.

On 12 February 2021, JR Kyushu announced the discontinuation of the Ariake. The last service operated on 12 March 2021. ^[3]

• 
  A 485 series EMU on an Ariake service in 1991
• 
  A 783 series EMU on a Hyper Ariake service around 1990