Recycled Shinkansen (Bullet Train) Goods you can buy in Japan

JR (Central Japan Railway Company) recycles retired bullet train parts into various goods like ice-cream spoons, baseball bats, suitcases, bags, slippers, and fans. Unique and sustainable products make train spotting a fashion statement.

Recycled Shinkansen Aluminium

The aluminium of retired Tokaido Shinkansen bullet trains get recycled into everyday items like spoons, baseball bats, tie clips and cuff links. Apparently they help reduce CO2 emissions by 97% compared to making products with new aluminum.

The aluminium ice-cream spoons are made in the Tsubame-Sanjo area of Japan which specialises in metal crafts.

The 95% recycled baseball bats are a collaboration with sports equipment maker Mizuno.

Retired pieces of the N700 series’ prototype “X0” went to Europe where cuff links were handmade by Icarus jewellers.

Recycled Shinkansen Windows

Announced in late June 2024, the N700 series bullet train windows are recycled to make suitcases. 30% of the shell is made from recycled windows, the interior uses fabric from the seat, and the badge is made from recycled aluminum from the Shinkansen.

They’re made in Japan by Ace Luggage. On their website they also sell tables recycled from Shinkansen windows, as well as many travel accessories made from upcycled Shinkansen seats.

Upcycled Shinkansen Seat Covers

Retired seat covers are upcycled into bags, slippers, cushions, tissue and golf club covers, and pencil cases.

Made by Pelle Morbida, the blue N700S series seats look lovely transformed into bags.

Unfortunately the larger A4 bag is sold out. But another suite of collaboration bags with Pelle Molbida was released on 28 June 2024.

The new brown bags upcycled from the seats of the N700S Green Car look absolutely stunning.

The brown N700S Green Car (a.k.a. first-class carriage) seats also look chic and cozy as slippers. They’re handmade in the town of Kahoku in Yamagata prefecture, where ~40% of slippers in Japan are made.

Upcycled Shinkansen Shades

The window shades of retired bullet trains are upcycled into Japanese folding fans. Collaborating with Hakuchikudo, each fan is handmade with bamboo frames.

What could I buy?

I wasn’t able to buy the Blue Lines EX large tote bag or the aluminum ice-cream spoons that I was keen for as they were sold out. (They re-stocked the spoons 2 days after I left Japan!)

But I was able to buy an upcycled coin purse made from the N700S Shinkansen seat cover, limited for sale at Kyoto Station. It was actually a random encounter at Kalan Colon store before I knew JR collaborated with local makers to recycle their trains!