{{Short description|Former Japanese limited express train service}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{italictitle}} {{Infobox rail service | name = ''Ariake'' | logo = | logo_width = | image = Ariake-Series787-BM2.jpg | image_width = 300px | caption = 787 series train on ''Ariake'' service, June 2019 | type = Limited express | status = Discontinued | locale = Kyushu, Japan | predecessor = | first = 1 October 1950 | last =12 March 2021 | successor = | operator = JR Kyushu | formeroperator = JNR | start = {{STN|Hakata|x}} | stops = {{STN|Omuta|x}} | end = | distance = | journeytime = | frequency = | line_used = | class = | access = | seating = | catering = | observation = | entertainment = | baggage = | otherfacilities = | stock = 787 series EMU | gauge = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}} | el = 20 kV AC | speed = {{Convert|130|km/h|mph|round=5|abbr=on}}<ref name="kotsu2008">{{cite book | title = JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル |trans-title=JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File| publisher = Kōtsū Shimbun | year = 2008 | location = Japan | page = 52| isbn = 978-4-330-00608-6}}</ref> | map = | map_state = }}
The {{nihongo|'''''Ariake'''''|有明}} was a limited express train service operated in Kyushu, Japan by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu). It ran between {{STN|Hakata|x}} in Fukuoka Prefecture and {{STN|Kumamoto|x}} in Kumamoto Prefecture. It operated from 1 October 1950 to 12 March 2021.
==History== The ''Ariake'' service commenced on 1 October 1950, originally as a "Semi express" service operating between {{STN|Hakata|x}} and {{STN|Kumamoto|x}}.<ref name="meikan1995">{{cite book | title = 列車名鑑1995 |trans-title=Train Name Directory 1995| publisher = Railway Journal| date = August 1995 | location = Japan| page = 123 }}</ref> From 1 October 1965, the train was upgraded to become an "Express" service and was extended to run between {{STN|Okayama|x}} and Kumamoto.<ref name="meikan1995"/> From 1 October 1967, the train was upgraded to become a "Limited express" service, running between {{STN|Mojiko|x}} and Nishi-Kagoshima (now {{STN|Kagoshima-Chuo|x}}).<ref name="meikan1995"/>
With the opening of the Kyushu Shinkansen, the number of ''Ariake'' services gradually decreased.
On 12 February 2021, JR Kyushu announced the discontinuation of the ''Ariake.'' The last service operated on 12 March 2021. <ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-02-12|title=JR九州「さよなら特急『有明』号記念きっぷ」＆思い出コンテスト|url=https://news.mynavi.jp/article/20210212-1726025/|access-date=2021-03-19|website=マイナビニュース|language=ja}}</ref><gallery> File:Ariake ec485redexpress.jpg|A 485 series EMU on an ''Ariake'' service in 1991 File:JRkyusyu 783 ariake kuro782.jpg|A 783 series EMU on a ''Hyper Ariake'' service around 1990 </gallery>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Ariake (train, JR Kyushu)|Ariake}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090721121230/http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/details/ariake/index.html JR Kyushu ''Ariake'' train information] {{in lang|ja}}
{{JR Kyushu trains}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ariake (Train)}} Category:Named passenger trains of Japan Category:Kyushu Railway Company Category:Railway services introduced in 1950
{{japan-rail-transport-stub}}