Here are a couple of beautiful and very unique trains you'll find on the Kishigawa Line in Wakayama Prefecture, Japan. The 14.3 km long Kishigawa Line runs between the cities of Wakayama and Kinokawa, with twelve other stops between the terminals. The line, operated by Wakayama Electric Railway, is a 1,067 mm gauge single track.
The interiors and exterior paint designs were done by Eiji Mitooka, who has handled the design of many other trains including the 800 series Shinkansen. The bright red train is called Omoden, the Toy Train. Omoden is short for omocha densha, toy train. The other train is known as Ichigo EC, Strawberry Electric Car. Strawberries are a local crop.
Inside the Toy Train
Clearly designed with children in mind, the trains are packed with toys and games, as well as televisions, and even sleeping cots. At the Kinogawa end of the line is Kishi Station, where you will find Stationmaster Tama, who happens to be a cat. There are two other feline deputy stationmasters who, like Tama, belong to the shopkeeper at Kishi Station. As trains arrive and depart the station, an arrangement of The Beatles classic Strawberry Fields Forever is played.
Stationmaster Tama sees off Ichigo EC
