In 2012, Odakyu Hakone Highway Bus Company, which operates bus service to the mountain town Hakone, ran a Neon Genesis Evangelion-themed bus. Hakone corresponds to the anime series’ Tokyo-3, a new version of Tokyo built there after an apocalypse demolished its predecessor. The bus service’s popularity has led to an Evangelion bus revival.
The second Evangelion bus is very similar to the first one. While the first bus featured Kaworu, Asuka, Shinji, Rei and Mari in their Eva pilot outfits, this one depicts them in yukata—fitting, as Hakone is also a hot springs town. The interior features Evangelion art on the ticket machine, luggage compartments, and window frames. Miki Nagasawa, voice actress of Maya, returns to announce bus stops and describe locations featured in the anime. Service begins on April 28 along the Hakone Line (which runs from Shinjuku to Hakone’s Hotel de Yama) and the Haneda Line (which runs from Tokyo’s Haneda Airport to Tōgendai and Hotel Hatsuhana in Hakone).
“Welcome to Tokyo-3″Hakone has also set up Evangelion charging stations, an Evangelion classroom, an iPhone app, a tourist map, and an Evangelion merchandise store in the train station.
[Via Minna-no Eva Fan]
More from Anime News Network
Visiting Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 anime locations in real-life Hakone【Photos】
Hakone Opens an Evangelion Themed Souvenir Shop, Hopes They Don’t Get Overrun With Fans Again
Blood-red Evangelion hot spring bath to open in Japan for fun, relaxing terror
Planetarium holds Evangelion matchmaking event
Hakone volcano erupts on small scale
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Robot noodle chef starts working in Tokyo train station, serves up taste of the future【Video】
Is Daiso’s microwave Japanese rolled omelet maker worth your time and money? [Taste test]
Anti-NHK activist recommends “magic words” that will drive away fee collectors instantly
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Cosplay costume room tour by Japan’s number-one cosplayer Enako is an eye-opener【Video】
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
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
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Evangelion license plates sure to add visual impact to your ride
Evangelion characters get their own clothing lines
Evangelion taking over Tokyo Skytree just in time for Christmas
Japan now has Evangelion-themed electric car chargers, and they are awesome
Evangelion chocolates: The Valentine’s Day gift with serious visual impact
Godzilla vs. Evangelion towels need all of Japan as stage big enough to contain their awesomeness
Evangelion? Cool. Katana? Cool. Evangelion and katana? Very cool!
Toddler Evangelion Rody rompers now come in more colors
Evangelion Valentine’s Day chocolates already teased for next year
Service area in Shizuoka goes all out for the biggest and baddest Evangelion collaboration ever
Celebrate cherry blossom season with a wine-and-dine bus tour of Tokyo’s best spots
Voice actress warns “idiots” to not take bathroom breaks while streaming final Evangelion film
Hanami on the go — Take a whirlwind bus tour of the best cherry blossom spots in Tokyo
We visit the full-scale Evangelion statue in Kyoto and particularly delight in the food tie-ins
You can now visit a recreation of Evangelion’s Tokyo-3 and live there in miniature form in【Pics】
We visit Evangelion’s real-life Village-3, a hidden gem where time has stopped【Photos】