Ahoy, adventure seekers and anime enthusiasts! Hop aboard alongside Luffy and the Straw Hat Pirates in the Sunny Train and journey through the heart of Kumamoto, the hometown of ONE PIECE's creator, Eiichiro Oda.
Photo from Yahoo! Japan
As part of the "ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project" initiative, the ONE PIECE X Minami-Aso Railway collaboration train began operation on July 22, commemorating the revival of railway operations after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake.
Photo from Kumamoto Revival Project
Step into the MT-3010 cars modeled after the pirate ship Thousand Sunny, as it runs through the rich natural scenery of Minamiaso. Keep your eyes peeled for the Straw Hat Pirates on the train, expressing their heartfelt gratitude for their fans' restoration and recovery efforts following the earthquake.
Sunny Train Operation Schedule:
Operating period: Approximately one year, starting from Saturday, July 22, 2023
Operating section: Between Tatsuno Station and Takamori Station
Days of operation: 3 round trips daily on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
(Daily service is scheduled from August 10 (Thu.) to 15 (Tue.)
Fare: (one-way) Adult: 490 yen | Children: 250 yen
Note: Regular trains do not accept reservations.
In addition to the train service, various fun events will be held at Minamiaso Railway stations and along the railway line.
Keep an eye out for a special surprise - the Straw Hat Pirates have joined your voyage! Can you spot Luffy's straw hat or Zoro's iconic stance hidden along the landscape? It's an interactive treasure hunt that adds to the excitement. Also, don't miss the chance to take photos with the Sunny Train panels located at Tatsuno and Takamori stations to commemorate your journey.
Through these projects, Kumamoto hopes to attract more visitors to the Minami Aso area and promote the genki spirit of the locals to every corner of the globe. An adventure of a lifetime awaits - are you ready?