We are now very familiar with Japanese characters and franchises appearing on special trains. From Hello Kitty to Evangelion, and Pikachu, train operators frequently use tie-ups to promote regional travel. (And don’t forgot those Star Wars passenger planes from ANA.)
But it is also not unusual to do this with foreign franchises and characters, such as Thomas the Tank Engine.
And so, perhaps inevitably, now we have a Mickey Mouse Shinkansen.
Formally known as the JR Kyushu Waku Waku Trip Shinkansen, the six-carriage Mickey Mouse bullet train service will run in Kyushu from May 17th for an as-yet unspecified period of time from Hakata (Fukuoka) through Kumamoto and Kagoshima.
The “wrapping” on the carriages show Mickey enjoying famous attractions in Kyushu like hot springs and watermelons. The interior is also Mickey-themed on the seats and there is also plenty of merchandise available only from vendors on board or at stops along the line, including pouches and a special Plarail toy train (available from July 18th).
So join Mickey this summer for a “waku waku” (exciting) trip down to Japan’s southern island.
