特別列車の運行も『熊本デスティネーションキャンペーン』始まる (26/07/06 18:00)

The JR Group's large-scale tourism project, the "Kumamoto Destination Campaign," in collaboration with Kumamoto Prefecture, began in July. In conjunction with this, a special train wrapped with Kumamon's image is also in operation. The "Kumamoto Destination Campaign," which started in July, uses the term "destination" to mean "place to go" or "going to." This is a large-scale tourism project jointly organized by Kumamoto Prefecture and the six JR Group companies, and is the sixth time it has been held, the first being in 2019, seven years ago. On the 4th, at Kumamoto Station, Governor Kimura and all the station masters in Kumamoto Prefecture welcomed a group of 500 tourists who arrived on a special Shinkansen train commemorating the opening. (Kumamoto Destination Campaign Opening Commemorative Train / Shin-Osaka to Kumamoto) [Governor Kimura] "This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kumamoto earthquake. Thanks to the support from many people both inside and outside the prefecture, Kumamoto has recovered and become the wonderful Kumamoto we see today. Together with the people of Kumamoto, we want to welcome many tourists." At the ceremony, JR Kyushu President Yoji Komiya gave a speech saying, "Kumamoto posters will be displayed at major stations throughout Japan. We want to create an initiative that will encourage people from Honshu and around the world to visit Kyushu." Those involved celebrated the start of the campaign with a traditional sake barrel breaking ceremony. This time, some trains will be decorated as the "Kumamon Adventure Train," a themed train themed around "adventure and friendship." The day before yesterday, it made a special round trip between Kumamoto and Yatsushiro. Kumamon himself attended the departure ceremony at Kumamoto Station, seeing off the train with Kumamoto Station Master Shinichiro Yano. [From Oita Prefecture] "Kumamon was kind of funny. He was cute. I'd like to ride it." [Shinichiro Yano, Kumamoto Station Master] "I hope people will make summer memories on the Kumamon Adventure Train." At Yatsushiro Station, many people welcomed the 'Kumamon Adventure Train' and enjoyed the train's interior featuring Kumamon. [Passenger (from Fukuoka)] "Kumamon has been a familiar character for a long time, so I think it's an interesting attempt to have him as the main character on a train." "It's the best, mon!" [Passenger] "The different seats and decorations were nice." [Passenger] "It's great, it's the best. I hope it runs more and more. Please promote it everywhere." Also, there was a rare collaboration for this day only. Two Kumamon-wrapped trains from JR Kyushu and Hisatsu Orange Railway were parked side by side. The "Kumamon Adventure Train" is scheduled to operate on the Hohi Line between Kumamoto and Miyaji, and the entire Misumi Line, until the end of December. During the summer holidays, it will operate as a special reserved-seat express train on the Hohi Line between Kumamoto and Miyaji. It is also scheduled to operate on some Shinkansen lines within Kyushu from July 18th to mid-October. The "Kumamoto Destination Campaign" runs until September 30th, during which time discounted tickets offering unlimited rides on local lines within the prefecture will be sold. Kumamoto Prefecture aims for an economic ripple effect of approximately 10 billion yen.