The Pokemon craze may be over (or lying low for a while) in many parts of the world, but it’s still alive and well in its Japanese home. And it’s got a first-class update of the Pokemon train to prove it.
Japan Railways East, which has run trips with the specially-decorated Pokemon With You train since 2012 has given the cars a fresh start, with new Pikachu artwork outside and in, Poke Balls on seat ends, communications built into the seats and a play area for kids (you didn’t think this was a kiddie train, did you?)
The train is part of a series of Poke-themed projects and events, centered mostly along the Ofunato Line, in an area that is still recovering from the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The train has had more than 40,000 riders since it first started.
