Tokaido Shinkansen Collaborates with Hello Project Idol Group ‘BEYOOOOONDS’ Featuring a Special Manhole Cover in Their Sacred City of Mishima

JR Central announced on December 11th the donation of a local-themed manhole cover to the city of Mishima, depicting the cityscape as part of a collaboration project with the female idol group under Hello! Project, ‘BEYOOOOONDS’. A ceremony was held in the city, attended by members Rika Shimakura, Kurumi Takase, and Miyo Hirai, who were present during the installation.

BEYOOOOONDS, inspired by the group’s name meaning “beyond”, held their debut press conference at the Mishima Skywalk, the longest suspension bridge in Japan, thus considering Mishima city as their “sacred ground”. Their fifth single “Ash to Diamond/Go City Go/Hook’s Law”, released on May 29, includes the song “Go City Go”, which is themed around the Tokaido Shinkansen, prompting the start of the collaboration with JR Central to propose travel to meet one’s “oshimen” (favorite idol) known as “Oshi Journey”. The music video for the same song was also shot inside a moving Shinkansen and at Mishima station.

From October 11, as part of this collaboration, a smartphone audio content “Voooooice!” which can only be heard inside the Tokaido Shinkansen was released. This initiative was linked to Mishima Station’s 90th anniversary this year, with a goal of 9,000 plays set.

▲BEYOOOOONDS members (from left) Miyo Hirai, Kurumi Takase, and Rika Shimakura introducing the manhole cover

The newly installed manhole cover, commemorating the achievement of the play goal on November 28, features colorful depictions of Mishima Skywalk, Mount Fuji, tea plantations, and more, with the BEYOOOOONDS logo and “Go City Go” text in the center. It is located on the sidewalk in front of the wedding hall ‘The Laxiena’ at 9-34 Izumi-cho, Mishima city.

▲Mr. Sakakibara from JR Central Sales Department presenting the manhole cover to Mayor Takeshi Toyooka of Mishima

At the ceremony held at the same venue, Shimakura and Mr. Atsushi Sakakibara, the Sales Department Manager of JR Central, unveiled the manhole cover, which was donated to Mayor Takeshi Toyooka of Mishima. Mr. Sakakibara expressed, “Mishima has our training center, and our employees start their professional life here. BEYOOOOONDS also started in Mishima. It feels like a bond that we can collaborate in our respective beginnings.” Shimakura remarked, “The design is packed with attractions of Mishima. I hope people will visit the places depicted on it.”

▲Shimakura of BEYOOOOONDS discussing how they want fans to visit Mishima for tourism

Takase shared her experience of realizing the charm of traveling by the Tokaido Shinkansen through the collaboration, “Traveling becomes the trip itself by taking the Shinkansen. It’s more than just a mode of transportation, it’s become something much more special.” Members frequently use the Shinkansen for concert tour travels, and Hirai mentioned, “It’s a vehicle that makes us feel motivated for what’s ahead. Since fans also use it, it feels like traveling together.”

Shimakura, on the other hand, spoke about the excitement of traveling for leisure, contrastingly different from work, and shared an encounter with Doctor Yellow at Shinagawa Station, “I had heard that seeing it is a sign of good luck, so it was a happy event.”