All aboard, because the Japan Rail Fair is pulling in at Guoco Tower this weekend. Happening from October 13 to 15, the event coincides with the anniversary of the opening of Japan's railway system and Tetsudo no Hi (Railway Day) on October 14. The celebration here will feature 23 booths across food, drink, and travel, as well as family-friendly performances and workshops.
Japan has no shortage of iconic snacks and drinks – some of which you can score at the Japan Rail Fair. Look out for brands like Meiji Seika, Butter no Itoko, and Narita Dream Farm with their delicious milk-based confectioneries. If you love alcohol, then get your fill with umeshu from Umeshuya Singapore and artisanal sake from Haru Sake (highlights include sake with gold leaf and sake brewed with flower extracts).
If you're planning a trip to Japan, don't forget to hit up the travel and tourism booths where operators Tokyo Monorail, Japan Airlines and Fujikyu Railway are ready to dole out vacation planning advice. Or if you just love train and air travel, then try out a train simulator experience with JR East to see how train conductors get up to speed, or go for a photo-taking session with JAL flight attendants.
There's more to catch, including a vibrant brass band performance, suzume odori (a traditional sparrow dance), and a lucky draw where you stand to win a pair of economy class tickets to Tokyo via JAL, a one-night stay at Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Ikebukuro with complimentary breakfast, and a pair of JR East passes (Tohoku or Nagano, Niigata area). Don't forget to get your fill at Japan Rail Café too, which is bringing back its popular Ekiben, which is inspired by bento boxe meals sold on trains and at train stations in Japan.