You Can Now Ride a Real ‘Thomas the Tank Engine’ Train in Japan

All aboard the friendliest train in the world.

According to Time Out, a real-life replica of the beloved train from the children’s TV show Thomas The Tank Engine is up and running to take visitors on a trip around Shizuoka prefecture in Japan.

The Day Out With Thomas event officially started on June 26, after having to delay its opening due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, according to Time Out. The event is planned to continue until Oct. 19, with daily trips around Shizuoka, which is home to Mount Fuji. The ride is on the Oigawa main line from Shin-Kanaya Station to Senzu Station.

And there are fun activities to enjoy both on and off the train. At Senzu Station, guests can also see Thomas’ friends, Hiro and Percy, Time Out reported. At Shin-Kanaya Station, visitors can tour Thomas’s Maintenance Factory to learn more about how the trains run. On board, guests can purchase souvenirs, enjoy Thomas-themed bento boxes, and enjoy the beautiful scenery. In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, there are extra precautions in place including temperature checks at the gate and fewer spots for passengers.

Of course, this isn’t the first time this Thomas-themed has chugged through Japan. Oigawa Railway Co Ltd, who runs the train, initially launched it in 2014, according to Time Out.

Tickets for this unique excursion cost ¥6,600 (about $61 USD) for adults and ¥3,060 (about $29 USD) for children, round trip. The tickets may be booked online, though the website is in Japanese only.

If your date isn’t available, you can also join the lottery now, between June 30 and July 7, for trips scheduled for September and October 2020, if you happen to be lucky enough to visit Japan this coming fall.

More information can be found on the Oigawa Railway website (also in Japanese).