Dr. Yellow: The Beloved Shinkansen Keeping Japan’s Railways Safe

With over 30,000km (18,641 miles) of rail lines carrying over 9 billion passengers annually, it is no wonder that trains have become thoroughly embedded in Japanese culture. From local train lines connecting small towns to various cities to luxurious shinkansen zipping along at astonishing speeds linking opposite sides of the country together in just hours, trains are a part of daily life in Japan. And working behind the scenes to keep the rails safe is one train that has risen to fame and become a fan favorite. A brightly colored shinkansen dubbed Doctor Yellow. 

Easily recognizable given its vibrant yellow color, generations of this special train have been racing along Japan’s railways for over 60 years. Unlike most shinkansen, Doctor Yellow is not designed to carry passengers. Instead, the bright yellow bullet train is used to carry out important diagnostic tests that keep the country’s incredible network of trains running safely.

Using its special onboard equipment and overhead wires, the train tests the tracks of the JR Central Tokaido shinkansen lines. The train journeys from Tokyo Station to Hakata Station and back three times a month, carefully evaluating the track conditions as it speeds along at an average of 270km an hour (168mph). Tests are conducted as Nozomi inspections, which check the high-speed lines, or Kodama inspections, which check conditions at stations where trains do not typically pass through at high speeds. In addition to these regular tests, Doctor Yellow is immediately dispatched after earthquakes or unusual vibrations to determine the safety of the affected railways. 

A seven-car train may seem rather small to complete such important duties, but everything about Doctor Yellow has been carefully designed. Its bright color makes it highly visible, which is necessary given the train’s high speeds. Aside from a select few used for visual observation of the tracks, the windows are blacked out to protect the state-of-the-art equipment. Each car is specially outfitted to serve a specific purpose, like inspecting signals and power or measuring electricity. The train also includes a meeting room and sitting area for the highly trained nine-member crew who analyze the collected data and report any necessary repairs. 

Part of what makes Doctor Yellow so alluring is how rare it is to see. Given the train’s crucial role in keeping Japan’s railways safe, it travels in relative secrecy and there is no publicly available schedule. However, the densha otaku (train enthusiast) community has made it a sport to spot this special train, with forums predicting appearances based on the previous year’s successful sightings. Fans often gather to try and snap a photo of the train speeding by picturesque landscapes or through bustling city surroundings, with many waiting hours just for that momentary glimpse of yellow, which is widely considered good luck to see.

Sadly, this year JR Central announced plans to terminate its use of this model of the Doctor Yellow train in 2025. JR West, which also has a Doctor Yellow, plans to follow suit in 2027. However, its retirement is not without well-deserved fanfare. Merchandise including T-shirts, shoes, bento boxes, backpacks, chopsticks, and more are available for purchase, and contests allowing winners to tour the train’s interior have also been put into motion.

About the author: 

Nadine Pryor

Nadine first became interested in Japan and Japanese culture after working with an exchange program at her university. After hearing so many wonderful things from the exchange students she worked with she was longing for a chance to see Japan for herself. That opportunity came to her in the form of the JET program where she spent 5 years on a small island in the beautiful prefecture of Okinawa. While living in this very rural community of just under 1,300 people she was lucky to experience a glimpse into some of Okinawa’s unique traditions and culture. In her free time, she traveled the main island of Japan as well as eastern Asia, seeking out the most delicious foods and exciting experiences. She currently resides in the United States but hopes to return to Japan in the future.