Cute Character Trains In Japan

  • Published on : 20/07/2022
  • by : Japan Experience
JR shikoku 8000series 8503 anpanman train

Character Trains In Japan: see a listing of Japan's many cute character trains with special liveries and interiors such as the Anpanman train, Tama train and Yokai train.

Conan Train Tottori & Shimane Prefecture コナン列車

The Conan Train is often seen running along the JR Sanin Line (which runs from Kyoto to Shimonoseki) along the coast of Tottori, but can also sometimes be seen in Shimane on the same line.

Detective Conan is a massively popular manga and anime series from Japan that has also gained followers abroad. The original Japanese title "Meitantei Conan" literally means "Great Detective Conan," but because of copyright issues the English release goes under the title "Case Closed."

The hero of the manga and anime series is a genius detective named Conan Edogawa, who inhabits the body of a young boy. His name comes from Arthur Conan Doyle, the author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries.

Conan was created by Gosho Aoyama who hails from Yura, a small town on the coast of Tottori Prefecture.

Unique Train In Japan
JR Ofunato Line with Pokemon character
Sanyo Line, the Hello Kitty Shinkansen
Fujikyuko Line, that run from Otsuki to Kawaguchiko
Kishigawa Line, the Wakayama Electric Railway
Yoro Line, that run from Kuwana to Ibi
JR Sakai Line, the Yokai trains
Kawaii train map

Tama Train たま電車

The Wakayama Electric Railway (Dentetsu) is a private railway that operates just one line, the 14.3 kilometer long Kishigawa Line that runs from Wakayama city to Kishi in nearby Kinokawa.

The train line and especially Kishi Station has been made famous and become a tourist draw because of Tama-chan, the feline stationmaster.

Since 2007 a calico cat had been named station master, and her main duties seems to have been sleeping while wearing a station masters cap. Apparently this was enough to attract the attention of millions of cat fans who made the journey just to see her, and while they were at it purchase plenty of Tama-chan merchandise in the station shop.

In 2015 Tama-chan passed away and a shrine has been built for her at Kishi Station, however, several years earlier a second calico cat, named Nitama, had been installed at Idakiso Station and following the original Tama-chan's passing has now been promoted and moved to Kishi Station and is now known at Tama II.

The Wakayama Electric Railway
Wakayama City
Nichizengu Station, the stop for Hinokuma Jingu & Kunikagasu Jingu
Kamayama Station, gate to Izu peninsula
Idakiso Station, stop to visit the Idakiso Shrine
Kishi Station where you see Tama-Chan
The railway map of the Wakayama Electric Railway

Take advantage of your Japan Rail Pass to ride some of them !

  • Included : Economic and simple, Unlimited travel

Latest Articles

Umisachi 1

Umisachi Yamasachi Limited Express

The Umisachi Yamasachi Limited Express sightseeing train runs along the scenic Nichinan Coast from Miyazaki Station to Nango.

Anpanman Train

The Anpanman Train is a special train running in Shikoku with liveries and interior decorations on the theme of the popular Anpanman children's manga and anime series.

Japan Visitor - orochi20181.jpg

Okuizumo Orochi Train

The Okuizumo Orochi train offers a relaxed and scenic train ride through remote mountains and valleys in an open car through Shimane and Hiroshima prefectures.

See All (51)