Annual Japan Rail Fair to be held Oct 13-15 at Guoco Tower; features train simulator experience, Japanese food and beverage
The Fair will feature 23 booths, which collectively celebrate Japanese food, tourist attractions, travel, and culture.
Those loco for locomotives and Japanese culture can mark their calendars for the fourth annual instalment of the Japan Rail Fair from Oct 13 to 15.
The Fair, which will be held at Urban Park, Guoco Tower, will feature 23 booths that carry a variety of food and beverage, lifestyle and culture items, and even passes for train trips.
Foodies can look out for a collaboration between Narita Dream Farm and Japan Train Cafe for an ice cream menu only available during October, as well as watermelon and mango parfaits exclusive to the Fair.
Another highlight is the appearance of BUTTER NO ITOKO, a confectionery company. It sources fat-free milk from Nasu, Tochigi, to produce its namesake item – “a milk jam… sandwiched alongside buttercream between… gaufrette.”
Visitors will also have the opportunity to see Kiki and Lala, Sanrio’s Little Twin Stars.
The characters will appear at the event in uniform as part of a collaboration with Tokyo Monorail. Sanrio has collaborated with Tokyo Monorail to deck out selected train cars travelling to the Haneda Airport in Little Twin Stars-themed bling since 2020.
Among the fringe activities available at the event will be the Train Simulator Experience, approved by the East Japan Railway Company. There, rail enthusiasts will be able to experience a live demonstration of TrainGo, which is technology used to prepare Japan Rail East train drivers for actual train trips.
Alongside the demonstration will be an educational activity about the history of Japanese tea conducted alongside a tea-making experience. There will also be a photo-taking session with Japan Airlines (JAL) cabin crew members, where young children will be provided a JAL uniform to try.
During the Japan Rail Fair’s run, performances such as Sendai, Miyagi’s traditional suzume odori (meaning ‘sparrow dance’), and a brass band performance will take place.
To close off the Fair, the stamp rally from previous years will also be making a comeback. Lasting three days, visitors can collect stamps from all the booths and participate in the lucky draw to win travel opportunities to Tokyo.
More information on specific event and performance timings will be available on Japan Rail Times’ website closer to the date of the event.
The Urban Park around the Guoco Tower is located at Choon Guan Street. The nearest MRT station is Tanjong Pagar.
