Travel

Thomas and Percy Reunite After Two and a Half Years

SHIZUOKA, Apr 27 (News On Japan) - Thomas the Tank Engine and his longtime friend Percy have reunited after about two and a half years apart on the Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka Prefecture, with operations set to begin on April 26th.

On April 24th, a special preview event was held at Shin-Kanaya Station in Shimada City, where local kindergarten children enjoyed an early encounter with the two popular characters. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was also held to mark the occasion. This year is a particularly special one for the Oigawa Railway, celebrating its 100th anniversary, while 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the original publication of "Thomas the Tank Engine."

The Oigawa Railway's main line has faced disruptions since Typhoon No. 15 struck in September 2022, causing ongoing service suspensions between Kawane Onsen-Sasamado Station and Senzu Station. Percy, which had been stationed at Senzu during the typhoon, became separated from Thomas and remained stranded until now. In response to the absence of Percy, Oigawa Railway President Ryo Toritsuka said that children often voiced their disappointment. Recognizing the ample space at Ieyama Station, the railway decided to relocate Percy there and stage a heartwarming reunion with Thomas to lift spirits.

During the preview event, children boarded Thomas at Shin-Kanaya Station and traveled approximately 30 minutes to Ieyama Station, where Percy was waiting. The reunion scene was filled with excitement, with children calling out to Percy and expressing their happiness. One child described seeing Thomas and Percy together as being "like they got married," while another shared a love for Percy because of his green color.

As part of the 2025 program, Thomas will now stop at both Ieyama Station and Kawane Onsen-Sasamado Station, allowing passengers to explore more of the scenic Oigawa region. The railway hopes that visitors will enjoy not only the beloved characters but also the surrounding attractions along the line. The special event, where visitors can meet Thomas, Percy, and many other friends, is scheduled to run from April 26th to December 25th.

Looking ahead, Toritsuka expressed optimism, saying that it feels as if they can now see the light ahead and move forward with positivity. He emphasized the railway’s commitment to continuing operations with the smiles of children in mind. Oigawa Railway aims to attract 100,000 visitors during this event, an increase of about 30,000 from the previous year.

Source: SBSnews6

Trump Doubles Tariffs While Calling Nippon Steel’s $14 Billion US Deal Historic

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on May 30th that his administration plans to double the current tariffs on imported steel and aluminum to 50 percent. Speaking at a plant owned by major American steelmaker U.S. Steel, Trump declared that the existing 25 percent tariff on steel imports would be raised to 50 percent starting June 4th. The same rate will also apply to aluminum products, with the measure expected to affect exporters globally.

Japan’s Healthcare in Crisis, Doctors Overworked as Research Time Dwindles

Amid mounting financial strain and work reform policies, Japan’s university hospitals are struggling to maintain the quality of their medical research, threatening the future of healthcare in the country. A recent survey of approximately 3,000 physicians working in university hospitals revealed that 60% spend less than five hours a week on research, with 22% reporting zero research time. The main reason: they are simply too busy with clinical duties to conduct research.

Former Princess Mako Komuro Has First Child in U.S.

Mako Komuro, the eldest daughter of the Akishino family and now living in the United States, has given birth to her first child, the Imperial Household Agency announced on May 30th. The agency stated that the birth was disclosed during a press conference after some media reports surfaced, despite their intention to allow Komuro to live in a quiet environment following her departure from the Imperial family.

Akie Abe Moved to Tears During Kremlin Visit with Putin

Akie Abe, widow of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, visited the Kremlin on May 29th and met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the meeting, Akie was seen tearfully listening to Putin’s words, reflecting the emotional nature of their exchange. Following the conversation, she was invited to ride in Putin’s official limousine to the Bolshoi Theatre, where the two attended a ballet performance together.

Cylinder Marked November 1964 Found at Site of Tokyo Explosion

A gas cylinder recovered from the scene of an explosion in Tokyo’s Edogawa Ward bore a stamp indicating it was manufactured in November 1964, according to investigative sources. The blast, which occurred on May 27th at a construction site, injured 10 people.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Okinawa Plans Lodging Tax by 2026

Okinawa Prefecture announced during a meeting with the tourism industry on May 27th that it is aiming for its annual tourism revenue to exceed 1 trillion yen for the first time in fiscal 2025, and plans to introduce a lodging tax during fiscal 2026.

Man Dies in Attempt to Swim from Island to Mainland in Fukuoka

A 20-year-old man who went missing while attempting to swim across Hakata Bay from Nokonoshima Island to the mainland was found in the water and later confirmed dead.

Climbers Warned to Prepare for Hypothermia Risks in Hokkaido Mountains

A British couple in light clothing was rescued from Mount Yotei in Hokkaido on May 13th, after sending an SOS due to the cold. The incident has reignited concern over poorly prepared climbers, especially foreign visitors, as mountain guides emphasize the need for greater awareness of hypothermia risks, particularly in northern Japan.

48 Hours in Naha – Not the Okinawa You Know

Naha is the gate city for Okinawa vacation. It's not a place with beautiful beaches, but it's great base for traveling across Okinawa main island and other islands. Naha also has charm that you can explore, without getting a rental car. (Tokyo Kenchan)

Sapporo's Lilac Festival Draws Record Visitors

The city of Sapporo announced that this year's Lilac Festival, which concluded on May 25th, drew a record-breaking 769,000 visitors.

In Search of Hokkaido’s Hidden Scenic Wonders 2025

While working as a civil servant in Sapporo, Mitsuhiko Kamata spent decades capturing the natural beauty of Hokkaido through his lens. Now, having taken early retirement after 35 years, he has dedicated himself full time to pursuing the fleeting, miraculous moments found in nature—moments he believes must rise to the level of art to truly move the viewer.

Two-Row Escalator Etiquette Gains Ground at Osaka Expo

At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, the common Japanese practice of leaving one side of the escalator open for those in a hurry is quietly disappearing. Instead, both visitors and commuters are increasingly adopting a two-row standing system, both at the venue and nearby Yumeshima Station.

Traditional Samurai Horse Race Draws Huge Crowds in Fukushima

The second day of the Soma Nomaoi festival—designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property by the Japanese government—featured its most anticipated spectacles: the armored horse race and the sacred flag competition, held on May 25th at the Hibarigahara festival grounds in Minamisoma, Fukushima Prefecture.

< 2 3 4 5 >