The Pokémon with YOU Train is a collaboration between JR East and Pokémon that’s been bringing smiles to the faces of kids affected by the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, and this week it made a special appearance in Chiba!
We’re not kids any more, but having seen how awesome it is, we really wish we could take a ride on this thing!!
All aboard!
The special Pokémon themed train traveled the JR Sōbu line between Narutō and Chōshi Stations on February 8, 9, and 11. It has two carriages and can hold 46 passengers, and around 500 children and parents who applied for a place have boarded the train over the three days. The departure ceremony in Chiba for the special limited service was held at Chōshi Station, with an appearance by Pikachu himself!
Over 100 Pokémon designs decorate the outside of the train, and the inside is just as cool and Pokémon-tastic. One carriage is decked out as a ‘communication room’ where each seat has two pokémon buddies assigned to it. The other is a playroom with huge stuffed toys and pokéballs to play with (and hopefully not throw at each other’s heads). I know this is meant to be for the children, but I wonder how many parents used their kids as an excuse to bag a ride?!
The service started running in December 2013 on the Ōfunato Line in Iwate and Miyagi Prefectures, through some of the areas worst-hit by the tsunami, providing free fun for families who are still recovering from the disaster. What a sweet idea – this cheery train is sure to brighten any kid’s (and more than a few adults’) day!
▼ Communication room – check the seating plan here to see which seat you’d choose!
▼ Pikachu presides over the playroom.
▼ Wailmer looks soooo squishy!
Source: Yomiuri Shinbun, JR East
Images: JR East, Wikipedia
Japan’s new Pikachu train ready to take Poké-passengers on a trip they won’t forget this summer
JR’s new overnight sleeper train will connect Tokyo and northern Japan, is private cabin-only
Japan’s bullet train-upholstery chairs bring Shinkansen style to your living room【Photos】
New Shinkansen design unveiled, bullet train exterior includes cherry blossom Easter egg
Brand new Shinkansen bullet train unveiled in Japan… but it won’t carry passengers
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Starbucks Japan releases a miniature display rack so you can create your very own store at home
Japanese Coo-Che becomes a viral sensation, and everyone wants a taste
Dance with demons in Kyoto at this Edo-period Japanese Halloween festival
Why is Taco Bell failing in Japan, even as the country falls in love with tacos?
Universal Studios Japan requiring consent form for adults-only horror attraction
Kodama Shinkansen trains on popular Japan route get a whole new look this winter
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
99-year-old woman rescued while attempting to climb Mt. Fuji
Japanese convenience store releases Japanese convenience store-flavor fried chicken
Which country’s foreign tourists spend the most money per-person in Japan? Hint: Not the U..S. or China
Family Mart’s new Tokyo flagship convenience store doesn’t feel convenient, but is that a problem?
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Sanrio Character Poll announces winners, Hello Kitty absent from top 10 in many countries
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Faster! Japan’s Shinkansen to get speed boost along Tohoku route
150 Pokémon will be hiding in major Japanese train stations this fall, waiting for fans to find them
Tokyo trains add live in-car musical performances, including Ghibli anime themes
Hot coffee finally returns to Tohoku, Hokuriku Shinkansen bullet trains
All Japan Railway Tokyo trains to finally get security cameras starting this summer
Tokyo trains now have new first-class Green Cars, but are they a sell-out hit?
New Japanese overnight train coming to connect Tokyo with Tohoku in sleep-travel style
Tokyo train little luxury showdown – Green Car vs. Kaiji, which is more comfortable?
J!NS and Japan Rail East collaborate to bring a small piece of train history to your face
Tokyo train stations giving out awesome giant Pokémon cards, but you’ll want to hurry
Yamanote Line train temporarily suspended after carriage fills with smoke in Tokyo
Japan Railway doing away with train departure chimes in plan to stop dangerous mad dashes
Travel tip! Japan Railways to offer awesome new three-day unlimited pass for Tokyo and east Japan
“Passengers who don’t want to be groped, please use the rear train cars” announcement angers Japan
New train carriages on Tokyo’s Saikyo Line allow more sardines to be squeezed into the can