The Pokemon with You Train
POKEMON with YOU Train (JR East)
A New design in summer 2017
The 'POKEMON with YOU' train is entirely dedicated to the endearing yellow character Pikachu, to inspire people to travel with him, and bring back to life a line and a region hard hit by the great earthquake and tsunami of March 2011.
All aboard the Pikachu train
The POKEMON with YOU train was launched in 2012, a year after the devastating earthquake and tsunami of March 2011. So to put a smile back on the faces of children in the devastated coastal region of Tohoku, JR East decided to offer a special train featuring that endearing character of Pikachu!
Pikachu everywhere
A two-car KiHa 100 diesel train finds itself completely transformed by Pokemon and the main hero Pikachu, who literally can be seen all over the train.
You can't miss this POKEMON with YOU with its bright yellow exterior and touches of red and brown, its main colors.
Inside, it's a veritable festival as you travel with him, Pikachu.
Car 1, with classic facing bench seats but decorated in yellow and brown, as are the curtains, floor and ceiling, with a large yellow zig-zag line running the length of the car. Pokeballs are scattered along the seats, so it's up to you to find the one that suits you!
But the best is yet to come in Car 2, transformed into a play area with multiple Pikachu, from small cuddly toys to a giant you can ride on. You have to take off your shoes to enter this game car, to play standing up, sitting down, lying down, as you wish. A mock train driver's cab has been set up out front, so you can play like the real thing, which isn't far away. Kids love it, and grown-ups too - it's all great fun, and that's exactly the point.
Pokemon stamp hunt
There's even a hunt for special Pokemon stamps, which is why the train stops long enough at certain stations along the way, such as Surizawa and Senmaya, to give you time to validate a special souvenir notebook that will be given to you as soon as you board the train.
There are also some at the departure station at Ichinoseki and at the arrival station at Kesennuma, where you'll be able to collect even 6 more stamps. And if you collect 2 of the 6 available, you'll get a cardboard model of the POKEMON with YOU train to build. To have at least two easy ones: the tourist office opposite the station and the seaside market. You've got it!Connected to the Tohoku Shinkansen line, the POKEMON with YOU train departs from Ichinoseki station in Iwate prefecture and travels to Kesennuma in Miyagi prefecture via the Ofunato Line. The journey takes a total of 1h50.
The train only runs on weekends, and sometimes on a different line, so be sure to check the dedicated website for details, and note that you'll need to reserve your seat on board in advance - you can't just hop on at the last minute without a reservation. The fare and reservation are included in the Japan Rail Pass.
Pokemon
©Kanesue,https://www.flickr.com/,CC BY 2.0,https://www.flickr.com/photos/kanesue/45251990782/
- Departure time in Ichinoseki : 11:01 a.m.
- Arrival time in Kesennuma : 12:51 p.m.
- Departure time in Kesennuma: 3:08 p.m.
- Arrival time in Ichinoseki : 4:49 p.m.
The journey is covered by the Japan Rail Pass but please note that all seats are reserved seats.
