The Kyushu Shinkansen is now operating along its entire route after a 13-day suspension triggered by the earthquakes in southwestern Japan.
A bullet train for Kagoshima Chuo station left Hakata station shortly past 2:30 PM on Wednesday.
Officials with Kyushu Railway Company said service on Wednesday will be slower, with fewer trains, which will stop at every station. They said it will take about one hour longer than usual to travel between terminals.
Resumption of service followed a test run earlier on Wednesday confirming it was safe to do so.
When the first tremor hit the region on April 14th, an empty train derailed between Kumamoto and Shin-minamata stations. Powerful quakes continued shaking the area, causing damage at 150 locations along the route, including to elevated bridges and noise barriers.
The Shinkansen is a main transport artery in Kyushu. Resumption of service is expected to help recovery efforts in the quake-hit areas and bring back tourism, which has plunged due to the disaster.
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