Thomas and Percy Reunite After Two and a Half Years

Apr 27, 2025 | News On Japan

SHIZUOKA, Apr 27, 2025 (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

Typhoons No. 28 and 29 Bring High Waves to Japan's Pacific Coast

Two typhoons moving across the Pacific southeast of Japan are expected to remain well away from the Japanese mainland, but powerful swells could bring rough seas to a wide stretch of the country's Pacific coastline throughout the three-day holiday weekend, according to forecasts updated at 3 a.m. on October 10.

Cyberattacks Spread Across Japan

A series of cyberattacks has disrupted business operations and exposed millions of customer records across Japan, with a ransomware attack on a cloud service provider affecting 495 companies and local governments nationwide, while convenience store operator Lawson has disclosed a separate breach involving more than 2.15 million personal information records.

Japan's First 360-Degree Projection Mapping Opens in Osaka

Japan's first 360-degree projection mapping show will open at the Osaka City Museum of Fine Arts on October 10, transforming the historic building into an immersive world of light, music, and seasonal imagery, with organizers hoping the attraction will also help stimulate the city's nighttime economy.

Tokyo University Professor Wins Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Tokyo University of Science professor emeritus Kenzo Soai has been awarded this year's Nobel Prize in Chemistry together with French chemist Henri B. Kagan for discoveries that transformed scientists' understanding of how chemical reactions can favor one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule.

US Military Halts All Okinawa Operations for 48 Hours

The US military suspended activities by all forces stationed in Okinawa for 48 hours from noon on October 7, an unusual measure following the arrest of a US Marine in connection with a robbery and murder case that has renewed scrutiny of crimes involving American service members.

MEDIA CHANNELS

MORE Travel NEWS

Monkeys Hit Popular Hot Spring Resort

A man in his 40s was injured after being attacked by a troop of wild monkeys in Yugawara, a popular hot spring resort town in Kanagawa Prefecture, on September 17, marking the area's first reported case of a person being bitten by a monkey and prompting authorities to strengthen monitoring of the animals using GPS tracking devices.

Tokyo Ward Expands Short-Term Rental Restrictions

Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward will expand restrictions on private lodging businesses across the entire ward from January 2027 after the ward assembly approved an ordinance amendment on October 7 aimed at tightening controls on minpaku short-term rentals.

Acorn Shortage Raises Fear of Bear Attacks

Bears are becoming increasingly active across Japan ahead of winter, with poor acorn harvests in parts of the country raising concerns that hungry animals may venture closer to homes and tourist areas in search of food.

JAL Unveils Revamped Domestic Lounge at Haneda Airport

Japan Airlines has revamped its domestic lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, adding private workspaces, meal options timed to passengers' departures and facilities for families as it seeks to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse range of travelers.

Fans Gather at Furano Filming Locations After Screenwriter's Death

Fans from across Japan gathered in Furano, Hokkaido, on October 3 to visit filming locations from the television drama "From the Northern Country," marking the first weekend since the death of the series' screenwriter, So Kuramoto.

200-Year-Old Horse Festival Begins

Young men leaped onto horses racing at full speed through the grounds of Kasuga Shrine in Takahama, Aichi Prefecture, on October 3 as the city's traditional Takahama Omanto Festival got underway.

38,000 Dolls Farewelled at Tokyo Shrine

Around 38,000 dolls, including traditional Japanese dolls and stuffed animals, were brought to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo's Shibuya Ward for the annual Doll Appreciation Festival, where visitors bid farewell to old and damaged dolls in a ceremony expressing gratitude for the years they had been cherished.

A Year After Osaka Expo, a Peaceful Forest Remains

Nearly one year after the Osaka-Kansai Expo closed, the former exhibition grounds were opened to the media on October 2, revealing that around 90% of the pavilions and other facilities have been demolished, while the Forest of Tranquility remains a peaceful green space at the center of the site.

< 2 3 4 5 >