The special train will only be in operation for a limited time.

Whenever a big seasonal event occurs in Japan, you can bet there’ll be a whole lot of fanfare devoted to it, especially when it’s something as iconic and beautiful as cherry blossom season.

This year, Tokyo Metro is joining the springtime festivities with a special “Sakura Train” to help draw attention to the many cherry blossom viewing spots around town that can be reached via the subway network.

And judging by the images of the train interior, the new promotion looks set to put busy commuters in a happy springtime mood, even in the most congested conditions.

Specially placed stickers along the windows make it appear as if the train is travelling on a track through trees of sakura in full bloom, while stickers on the walls represent flurries of petals picked up on the wind as the train passes.

▼ “Let’s ride the subway and go see the sakura cherry blossoms!”
is the tagline for the new campaign.

Teaming up with Tokyo Metro for the new promotion is Asahi, who have made a name for themselves with their annual lineup of pink cherry-blossom adorned beer bottles and cans. Images of their springtime beers can be found on advertising posters and screens inside the carriages.

The Sakura Train will run on the Ginza Line from 12 March to 8 April, limited to only one of their 1000 series trains. So if you do happen to find yourself stepping into a pink flowery wonderland underneath the city of Tokyo, count yourself lucky!

And if you’d like to experience even more commuter comfort, you might want to make a transfer to the Hibiya Line, where you can be rocked to sleep by the sound of classical background music on one of their specially equipped trains.

Source, images: Tokyo Metro

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