Thomas the Tank Engine
Photo: ©2020 Gullane [Thomas] Limited

You can now ride a real Thomas the Tank Engine train in Japan

Hop aboard this incredibly accurate replica of the friendly blue train for a scenic ride through Shizuoka prefecture

Kaila Imada
Written by
Kaila Imada
Advertising

Young ‘uns and the young-at-heart: we’ve got good news! Shizuoka prefecture’s Day Out With Thomas train tour has returned with rides scheduled throughout this entire year.

This year, you can take rides on set days until Monday December 25 2023, giving Thomas the Tank Engine fans a chance to hop aboard this iconic locomotive designed to look like the main character from long-running children’s show ‘Thomas and Friends’. The excursion takes visitors on a roundtrip train ride on the Oigawa main line between Shin-Kanaya Station and Ieyama Station, with numerous activities to enjoy.

Day out with Thomas
Photo: Oigawa Railway

Guests aboard Thomas can take full advantage of the experience by purchasing exclusive souvenirs from the snack cart as well as munching on Thomas-themed bento boxes, which are available at Shin-Kanaya Station (just make sure you purchase one before boarding).

Day out with Thomas
Photo: Oigawa Railway

The Day Out With Thomas event also includes appearances by Thomas’s other locomotive friends including Hiro, Percy, James and Rusty at the Thomas Fair, which takes place at Shin-Kanaya Station as well as at another satellite venue in Senzu. Bertie the bus will also make an appearance and you can arrange to have a ride on him as well.

Day out with Thomas
Photo: Oigawa Railway

At Shin-Kanaya Station, you can tour Thomas’s Maintenance Factory, where you'll get a closer look at how these trains are cared for. Flynn, the bright red fire engine, will also be parked at Shin-Kanaya Station for you to visit during the tour.

Day out with Thomas
Photo: Oigawa Railway Co., Ltd.

The event is now in its tenth year, and to celebrate you'll be able to take evening journeys for the first time. Thomas the train and Bertie the bus are scheduled to run in the evening on July 14, August 4 and September 1.

Day Out With Thomas
Photo: Oigawa Railway

The event is run by Oigawa Railway Co Ltd, known for its steam locomotives and tourist trains in Shizuoka prefecture, including this Thomas-themed train launched in 2014.

Tickets are available online through the Lawson ticketing website and cost ¥3,400 per adult and ¥1,710 for children. For more information, visit the event website.

This article was originally published on August 12 2020 and updated on May 1 2023. 

More from Time Out Tokyo

Tokyo named the world’s second wealthiest city in 2023

Animate Ikebukuro is now one of the world’s biggest anime stores

Tokyo's public transport system ranked the third best in the world

Japan Rail Pass prices to increase by more than 65 percent

The new Fukaya Hanazono Premium Outlet near Tokyo has 137 branded stores

Want to be the first to know what’s cool in Tokyo? Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates from Tokyo and Japan.

You may also like
You may also like
Advertising