GO WEST 4: West Kyushu Shinkansen 4th Anniversary Event Guide

West Kyushu Shinkansen 4th Anniversary Project "GO WEST 4": Complete Rider Guide for October 3, 2026

This guide covers the "GO WEST 4" event organized by JR Kyushu on October 3, 2026 (Saturday) to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the West Kyushu Shinkansen ("Kamome"). It is intended for riders planning to purchase the commemorative T-shirt unlimited-ride ticket, attend station events along the line, board specially scheduled trains, or join the Futatsuboshi 4047 special tour on that date. The information below is derived from the official JR Kyushu notice published on August 24, 2026.

Who This Applies To

This guidance is relevant to the following groups:

• Domestic and international riders planning to travel on the West Kyushu Shinkansen on October 3, 2026, particularly those interested in the T-shirt unlimited-ride ticket or the station festival events.
• Riders who wish to purchase the "GO-NORI-HODAI" T-shirt ticket, which provides unlimited unreserved-seat rides on the West Kyushu Shinkansen for one day (October 3 only) plus event perks at five stations.
• Attendees of the "GO-YOMATSURI" station events held at Takeo Onsen, Ureshino Onsen, Shin-Omura, Isahaya, and Nagasaki stations.
• Participants interested in the "Futatsuboshi 4047" special tour running between Hakata and Takeo Onsen on October 3.
• Riders considering the Shimabara Railway "GO-SHIMATETSU-NORI-HODAI" one-day pass available on the same date.

Background: West Kyushu Shinkansen 4th Anniversary

The West Kyushu Shinkansen "Kamome" line between Takeo Onsen and Nagasaki opened on September 23, 2022. The line's 4th anniversary falls on September 23, 2026. JR Kyushu is marking the occasion with a project titled "～夜のかもめは、別の顔～ 西九州新幹線開業４周年記念プロジェクト「GO WEST 4」" (English: "Night Kamome Has a Different Face – West Kyushu Shinkansen 4th Anniversary Project 'GO WEST 4'").

This year's project theme is "night" — the official notice describes a vision of the Kamome trains and station areas taking on a different character under evening illumination. The main event day is October 3, 2026 (Saturday).

Steps: How to Participate in GO WEST 4

Step 1: Purchase the "GO-NORI-HODAI" T-Shirt Unlimited-Ride Ticket

The commemorative T-shirt ticket provides unlimited rides in ordinary-car unreserved seats on the West Kyushu Shinkansen (Takeo Onsen – Nagasaki) on October 3, 2026 only. Wearing the T-shirt also grants access to special offers at participating shops near the five stations. Sales begin on September 3, 2026 (Thursday) at 10:00.

Pricing and Inventory

Total availability: 7,000 units. Once sold out at any channel, sales cease. The source does not specify whether the adult and child inventories are allocated per sales channel.

Sales Channels

Four sales channels are available, each with different purchase and collection procedures:

① JR Kyushu App (Credit card payment only)

App requirement: iOS version 15.0 or later / Android version 11.0 or later.

② FamilyMart and Meihinkura (In-store)

③ AEON Kyushu (In-store, Saga and Nagasaki prefectures only)

④ West Kyushu Shinkansen Stations (Day-of sale, cash only)

If unsold inventory remains after channels ①–③, tickets will be available at the stations on October 3, 2026. Payment is cash only. The source does not specify an exact opening time for day-of station sales. If the total allocation of 7,000 units is reached through earlier channels, no day-of sales will occur.

Step 2: Claim the JR Kyupo 200-Point Bonus (JR Kyushu App Purchasers Only)

Riders who purchase the T-shirt ticket through the JR Kyushu App and also download and log in to the JR Kyupo App by October 3, 2026 (Sat) 12:00 will receive a coupon for 200 JR Kyupo points.

• Coupon use period: October 3, 2026 (Sat) – October 4, 2026 (Sun)
• Eligible stores: Amu Plaza Nagasaki and Nagasaki Kaido Kamome Market (some stores excluded)
• Issuance: The coupon is delivered via the JR Kyupo App — not the JR Kyushu App.
• Limit: One coupon per JR Kyushu Web member account, regardless of the number of T-shirt tickets purchased.

Step 3: Attend the "GO-YOMATSURI" Station Events

On October 3, 2026, the five municipalities along the West Kyushu Shinkansen (Takeo, Ureshino, Omura, Isahaya, and Nagasaki) are hosting station-front festivals under the banner "GO-YOMATSURI." Local food vendors, merchandise stalls, stage performances, and the original "Kamome Ondo" dance event will be held at each location. Nagasaki Prefecture is also co-hosting "Kamome no Yorimichi Festa in Isahaya" at the Isahaya City Hall plaza.

Event Overview by Location

Items marked with ◎ in the source document indicate special offers for T-shirt ticket wearers. The specific offer details are referenced in separate appendices (別紙２ and 別紙３) that are not reproduced in the PDF provided to us.

"Kamome Ondo" Dance Events

An original GO WEST 4 dance track called "Kamome Ondo" — incorporating choreography based on the movements of Kamome trains and station staff — will be performed at event venues. Drop-in participation is welcome. The official notice states that specific performance times will be announced on the GO WEST special website. A choreography instructional video is available (the source references an external video link and QR code, which we have not reproduced here).

Step 4: Board the "GO WEST" Temporary Trains (If Needed for Transfers Between Events)

JR Kyushu is operating special "GO WEST" trains (all cars unreserved seating) on the West Kyushu Shinkansen on October 3 to support event-day travel. Regularly scheduled Kamome services continue as usual.

Downbound (Nagasaki → Takeo Onsen)

Upbound (Takeo Onsen → Nagasaki)

Note: For downbound riders coming from the Hakata direction and transferring to GO WEST 71, the source indicates a connection via Relay Limited Express Midori No. 7 (Hakata 7:28 → Takeo Onsen 8:37). Be aware that the platforms differ at Takeo Onsen Station for this transfer.

GO WEST trains are fully unreserved seating. Riders holding the T-shirt ticket "GO-NORI-HODAI" may board these trains without a separate ticket or reservation.

Step 5: Optional — Join the "Futatsuboshi 4047" Special Tour (Hakata → Takeo Onsen)

The D&S (Design & Story) train "Futatsuboshi 4047", which began operating alongside the West Kyushu Shinkansen, will run a special one-way tour from Hakata to Takeo Onsen on October 3.

Step 6: Optional — Shimabara Railway "GO-SHIMATETSU-NORI-HODAI" Pass

A one-day free pass for the Shimabara Railway (full line) is available on October 3 only:

• Price: ¥2,000
• Inventory: 2,000 passes
• On-sale date: October 3, 2026 (Sat)
• Sales locations: On board trains, and at Hon-Isahaya, Ainu, Tairyu, Shimabara, and Shimabara-Funatsu stations (Ainu and Tairyu stations: mornings only)
• Bonus: The first 600 purchasers receive an original Shimabara Railway tote bag.

Additionally, riders arriving at the Isahaya City Hall event venue via the Shimabara Railway (alighting at Hon-Isahaya Station) can present a coupon distributed at Hon-Isahaya Station to receive a free slice of castella from Sugitani Honpo (limited to the first 2,000 attendees).

A free shuttle bus operates between Isahaya Shrine and the Isahaya City Hall plaza on October 3. The source also mentions a shuttle bus between Takeo Onsen Station and the Saga Prefectural Space Science Museum.

Limits and Exceptions

• Cancelled events: Two events originally planned — the "Kamome Cleaning Event" and "Shinkansen Festa at Omura Rolling Stock Depot" — have been cancelled due to the effects of the Kumamoto earthquake. JR Kyushu states that passenger safety and recovery operations take priority. The source expresses apologies to those who had been looking forward to these events.
• T-shirt ticket validity: The T-shirt ticket is valid only on October 3, 2026, and only for ordinary-car unreserved seats on the West Kyushu Shinkansen between Takeo Onsen and Nagasaki. It does not cover the Kyushu Shinkansen (Takeo Onsen → Hakata/Kagoshima-Chuo) or any limited express services.
• T-shirt ticket size: Each category comes in a single size only (Adult: L-equivalent; Child: 160 cm-equivalent). The source does not mention additional size options.
• Refund conditions: Refunds are available only if the ticket is unused and the packaging is unopened. Refund procedures differ by purchase channel:
  • JR Kyushu App: Before collection — refund via the app's notification page by October 3, 23:59. After collection — refunds accepted at the five stations on October 3 only.
  • FamilyMart / Meihinkura / AEON Kyushu: Refund at the original purchase store during store hours, September 3 – September 27, with the original receipt.
• GO-NORI-HODAI perks at shops: The source references separate appendices (別紙２ and 別紙３) for the specific shop benefit details. These appendices are not included in the PDF we reviewed; riders should consult the GO WEST special website for the complete list.
• Event details subject to change: The official notice states that vendor lineups and performers may change. Events for Shin-Omura Station and Nagasaki Station are listed as "Coming Soon" with no further details provided in the source.
• Crowding advisory: JR Kyushu notes that T-shirt ticket collection on October 3 is expected to be very busy and advises arriving with ample time.
• GO WEST 171: This downbound train runs only between Shin-Omura and Isahaya (no service to/from Takeo Onsen or Nagasaki). The source does not clarify if this is a short-turn service.

What Travelers Should Prepare

Based on the information provided in the official source, riders participating in GO WEST 4 should consider the following preparations:

• Download the JR Kyushu App in advance if purchasing the T-shirt ticket through the app. Ensure your device runs iOS 15.0+ or Android 11.0+. Register as a JR Kyushu Web member before the sales window opens on September 3 at 10:00.
• Download the JR Kyupo App if you want to claim the 200-point bonus. You must log in to this app by October 3, 12:00.
• Carry cash if planning to purchase the T-shirt ticket at the stations on the day of the event (channel ④ is cash-only).
• Check event times in advance. The official source does not consolidate all event times in one place; performance schedules (including Kamome Ondo dance times) were stated to be announced on the GO WEST special website. Riders should check the GO WEST special site closer to the event date.
• Review the Futatsuboshi 4047 booking page early if interested, as reservations open on August 25, 2026 at 9:30 and inventory is not specified in the source.
• Allow extra transfer time at Takeo Onsen when connecting from the Relay Limited Express Midori to GO WEST trains, as platforms differ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the T-shirt ticket on regular Kamome services too?

Yes. The T-shirt ticket "GO-NORI-HODAI" is valid for all West Kyushu Shinkansen (Takeo Onsen – Nagasaki) ordinary-car unreserved seats on October 3, 2026, including both regular Kamome services and the GO WEST temporary trains. It cannot be used for reserved seats, Green Cars, or trains beyond Takeo Onsen on the Tokaido/Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen network.

What happens if the T-shirt tickets sell out before October 3?

The total inventory is 7,000 units across all sales channels. If the allocation is fully sold through channels ① (JR Kyushu App), ② (FamilyMart/Meihinkura), and ③ (AEON Kyushu), no day-of station sales will occur. The source does not indicate whether inventory is divided equally among channels or pooled. Early purchase through the app or stores is recommended.

Are the station events free to attend?

The source does not explicitly state whether attendance at GO-YOMATSURI and Kamome no Yorimichi Festa events requires a T-shirt ticket. However, wearing the T-shirt ticket provides additional perks at select vendors (marked ◎ in the source). The events themselves appear to be open public festivals based on the format described.

Is there parking or accommodation information provided?

No. The official source does not include any information about parking facilities, accommodation, or general travel logistics to or from the event venues. Riders should make independent arrangements for these needs.

Can I get a refund after using the T-shirt ticket on October 3?

No. Refunds are only available if the T-shirt ticket is unused and the packaging remains unopened. Once the T-shirt is opened or the ticket is used for travel, it cannot be refunded through any channel.

Official Source

This article is based on the JR Kyushu notice as published on August 24, 2026. Some event details (Shin-Omura Station, Nagasaki Station, Kamome Ondo performance times, and specific shop-benefit listings) were not finalized in the source document. Riders should check the GO WEST special website for the most up-to-date information before making travel plans.