A Tohoku-Joetsu Shinkansen bullet train sporting a 40-year-old design -- a thick green stripe on a cream-colored body -- began operating Thursday.
The special service marks the 150th anniversary of railway transport in Japan and the 40th anniversary of the Tohoku-Joetsu Shinkansen's introduction.
Operating company East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) unveiled the train Wednesday at a depot in the town of Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture.
The stripe was originally inspired by fresh verdure after a thaw. For the new service, JR East has also resurrected folk song-derived jingles and other music that was played aboard the original Tohoku-Joetsu Shinkansen trains when arriving at or departing from a station.
The new service employs a single E2 series locomotive instead of the original 200 series train, as the 200 model, which was popular for its rounded-nose design, is no longer used.
"We hope the service will allow passengers to enjoy traveling by train while recalling fond memories of the past," a JR East official said.
Schedule details can be found on JR East's official website.
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