Take The Kids On A Real Thomas The Tank Engine Train Ride In Japan

Shizuoka Prefecture offers a Day Out With Thomas train tour where the kids can hop aboard an accurate replica of their favorite train. Fun for the whole family, Oigawa Railway takes you on a scenic ride on set days this year up until December 25, 2023. This gives the whole family a chance to enjoy a train just like the one in their favorite children’s TV show, Thomas and Friends. Moreover, the train takes visitors on a roundtrip ride on the Oigawa main line from Shin-Kanaya Station and Ieyama Station and back with fun activities along the way.

About a Day Out With Thomas The Tank Engine

According to Timeout, on the train ride, passengers can buy exclusive souvenirs to take home from the snack cart. Moreover, they can enjoy munching on Thomas-themed bento boxes, which are available at Shin-Kanaya Station.

Meanwhile, the adventure doesn’t only include Thomas The Tank Engine, there’s more! At the Thomas Fair held at Shin-Kanaya Station, the family can also meet Thomas’s locomotive friends, including Percy, Hiro, James, Rusty and Toby the Tram Engine. As an additional treat, Bertie the Bus can also be seen at the station, offering the kids a chance to ride on him.

Find out more on a tour of Shin-Kanaya Station

While at the station, take a tour of Thomas The Tank Engine’s Maintenance Factory, where the kids can see how the trains are looked after. Meanwhile, during the tour, the family can visit Flynn, the bright red fire engine, parked at Shin-Kanaya Station. More images are available on the Oigawa Railway Instagram page here.

Day Out With Thomas is now in its tenth year and has now added evening train rides for the first time.  This option will be available on Thomas the Train and Bertie the Bus in the evenings of July 14, August 4, and September 1, 2023.

The Thomas-themed train was first launched by Oigawa Railway Co. Ltd. in 2014. Meanwhile, the company is renowned for its steam locomotives and other tourist trains throughout the Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan.

How much does it cost?

Tickets for this ride of a lifetime are available online through the Lawson ticketing website. Tickets cost ¥3,400 (US$24) per adult and ¥1,710 ($12) for each for the kids. Find out more about Thomas the Tank Engine and the Day Out With Thomas tour on the event website here.

Readers, are you excited at the opportunity to take your family on a ride on the fun Thomas The Tank Engine tour? Alternatively, have you already experienced this fun ride in Shizuoka Prefecture in Japan? Let us know by dropping a comment below.