Pokemon Train on the JR Ofunato Line
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November 29, 2015 - Pokemon Train on the JR Ofunato Line
Previous I had posted a travel report on my day trip to the Tohoku coastline to tour the reconstruction efforts from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. To get to Kesennuma, you have to take the JR Ofunato Line from Ichinoseki, the western terminus station. One special train along this line runs once a day to the delight of children, and children at heart like myself. The "Pokemon With You" train is a special 2-car train with the theme of Pokemon. The following photos says it all.
When arriving at Ichinoseki Station, you are greeted by Pikachu and friends.
The trains livery is sky blue and green at the bottom with Pokemon characters scattered everywhere. The train is similar to the regular trains that run on the JR Ofunato Line.
The interior is further plastered with Pokemon characters. They are on the seating, walls, carpets, curtains, ceiling, trash can, and even on the knob handles where you hold on when the train is moving.
Along the JR Ofunato Line, there isn't much to see other than some of Japan's few agricultural lands and small towns and villages. There is even a quarry, permanently etching the landscape.
What is a long 87 minute train ride without an ekiben? This was one of the reasons why I wanted to ride on the Pokemon train. For about 1,000 you get a children's meal of potato wedges, rice with ketchup and egg, jelly fruit, some meat with mushrooms, and salad. The meal was actually very good. The ekiben is wrapped in a knot bag which makes for a stylish souvenir!
The end of the line is here at Kesennuma Station. The ride overall was really fun and you feel like a child again. Because most of the children run over to the second car where the play gym is located (yes the second car is devoted only as a play gym!) the main car is quieter. I would highly recommend this special train service to anyone who loves Pokemon.
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