Photographer Mika Ninagawa has designed the exterior of the GENBI SHINKANSEN, a new Shinkansen train that will begin operating in the Niigata area (between Echigo-Yuzawa and Niigata) on the Joetsu Shinkansen line starting in spring 2016. Next spring, the GENBI SHINKANSEN, based on the concept of a "mobile contemporary art museum," will begin operating in the Niigata area. Mika Ninagawa, who designed the exterior, boldly portrayed the train itself as a canvas, depicting the fireworks of the Nagaoka Fireworks Festival, one of Japan's three major fireworks festivals. Each six-car train will feature interiors created by artists specifically for the Shinkansen. The train will be decorated with a variety of artworks, primarily contemporary art, including paintings, sculptures, photography, video, and textiles.

In addition, one of the cars in the middle will be dedicated to a "cafe" and "kids' space." The cafe will offer a menu using local and regional ingredients, created in collaboration with a renowned confectionery researcher and Tokamachi Sukoyaka Factory, a confectionery factory in Tokamachi City that produces sweets using Uonuma Koshihikari rice flour. The kids' space will be supervised by an artist, creating a space where children can experience art.

The Shinkansen will be a special train, scheduled to operate approximately 120 days a year, mainly on weekends and holidays.