All Aboard for the Return of The Japan Rail Fair!

Singapore, October 2021 – Announcing the return of The Japan Rail Fair that brought many ‘passengers’ on an amazing virtual journey of Japan’s best in November 2020! Back for the second year and proudly organised by JAPAN RAIL CAFE, this fun-filled virtual fair will once again soothe restless hearts from yet another year of border closures. It promises an exhilarating ride of free and ticketed live programmes over three days (16-17 and 23 October 2021) that will span prefectures such as Akita, Kagoshima, Kanagawa, Aomori, Tokyo, Fukushima, and Wakayama, while immersing sightseers in food, drink and culture during autumn – all via rail, of course. 

 

Key ticketed live stream programmes are Let’s Enjoy The Countryside by JR East Hachinohe Train Depot, led by lively train conductors and drivers across the Hachinohe countryside, complete with specially-imported “Hassen” sake (part of VIP Tour Package); and A Train Conductor’s Life in Fukushima by JR East Fukushima Train Depot, where one will share the driver’s seat with a JR East train conductor, complete with a goody bag of memorabilia (part of VIP Tour Package). 

 

Other activities include a shochu tour, picking autumn produce with Akita Inu dogs and visiting a mikan village! In addition, all participants will get to take part in a lucky draw to stand a chance to win the first prize of a pair of tickets to Tokyo via All Nippon Airways (ANA). For dine-in guests, a selection of ekiben (railway bento) will also be available from 1 to 31 October 2021. Travellers are invited to visit https://jrtimes.sg/tjrf2021 and JAPAN RAIL CAFE's Facebook page to join in the fun, while updates are available on the event's designated Peatix group page. 

 

Elaborates Hayashi Hiroyuki, Director of Lifestyle Businesses in East Japan Railway Company Singapore Branch (JR East Singapore): “While we remain optimistic about the resumption of international travel, the painful reality is that the tourism industry in Japan has taken a huge hit. The mission of JAPAN RAIL CAFE is to promote inbound tourism to Japan, especially rail travel, and we remain committed to doing so, especially in these challenging times. This year’s fair is of a smaller scale, but it is no less sincere and immersive. We are grateful towards our sponsors and partners Japan Railway Group, various prefectural governments, travel partners, and Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO) Singapore Office, for their unwavering support.” 

 

LIVE PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

Full line up available here. 

 

17 October, Sunday 
Let’s enjoy the countryside! by JR East Hachinohe Train Depot
12pm to 1pm, $40 per person (VIP Tour Package) via Facebook Live 

It’s an escape to the country with the loveable train conductors and drivers from JR East Hachinohe Train Depot! Join them for a seafood barbecue, Senbei Jiru (rice cracker soup) and learn about the local railway and food. Then, kanpai with “Hassen” Japanese Sake by the beautiful Tanesashi Coast. 

 

The VIP Tour Package includes priority engagement with JR East train crew and an exclusive 300ml bottle of “Hassen” Sake, imported just for the event, with free home delivery. Tickets via Peatix.

 

23 October, Saturday 
A Train Conductor’s Life in Fukushima by JR East Fukushima Train Depot 
10am to 11am, $30 per person (VIP Tour Package) via Facebook Live

Train enthusiasts will be thrilled at this opportunity to ‘drive’ an actual train alongside the JR East crew, while experiencing ‘never-before-seen’ views of the Fukushima countryside from the driver’s seat! The VIP Tour Package includes priority engagement with JR East train crew, an original JR EAST itinerary timetable, personalised souvenir nametag, traditional ‘Kokeshi’ craft doll DIY set, handwritten note from the JR East train crew and a surprise gift, along with free home delivery. Tickets via Peatix.

 

Hachinohe and Fukushima depots were the finalists from a voting campaign held in August, where fans voted on which programme they wished to see live. Viewers without the VIP Tour Package ticket can still watch these webinars via live stream on JAPAN RAIL CAFE's Facebook.

 

23 October, Saturday 
You are invited to an Autumn Delights Party! by Akita Inu Tourism 
12pm to 1pm, Free via JAPAN RAIL CAFE's Facebook/YouTube.

Northern Akita is the focus and one will enjoy nature’s bounty, from picking apples and grapes, to harvesting mushrooms for an autumn-themed party. Four-legged cuties—the adorable Akita Inu dogs—are on the RSVP list as well! 

 

23 October, Saturday 
Mikan Village: A trip to Wakayama's Arida District! by JA Arida
4pm to 5pm, Free via JAPAN RAIL CAFE's Facebook/YouTube.

Known as the ‘Mikan Village’, the district of Arida in Wakayama Prefecture is the largest producer of mikan oranges in Japan. This programme should whet appetites for the actual mikan that will arrive in JAPAN RAIL CAFE later this year! 

 

16 October, Saturday 
DISCOVER NOW LIVE by Tokyo Station City Management Council 
12pm to 1pm, Free via JAPAN RAIL CAFE’s Facebook /YouTube

Join two lively hosts as you solve riddles about food, shopping and history while wandering around the majestic Tokyo Station City! 

 

OCTOBER SPECIAL EKIBEN SELECTION!
1 to 31 October

L-R: ALFA-X Kids’ Bento; Grilled Scallop Wappameshi; Teriyaki Chicken Wappameshi. (Image credit: JAPAN RAIL CAFE)

 

To add to the festivities, a scrumptious selection of ekiben (railway bento) awaits. Get in the mood with Teriyaki Chicken Wappameshi ($16.50); Grilled Scallop Wappameshi ($18), and a JR East-exclusive ALFA-X Kids’ Bento ($21) modelled after the Class E956 experimental Shinkansen train! 

 

JAPAN RAIL CAFE’s wappameshi ekiben is inspired by original version using mage-wappa, a traditional container made of thin sheets of bent wood, and a specialty of the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture, where woodsmen would use them as lunch boxes filled with colourful seasonal ingredients. The cafe’s version is made with styrofoam but closely resembles the real thing, and hopefully will inspire all to try the real deal in Fukushima once travel resumes. 

 

Diners may add $3 for a drink set, and choose from Original Drip Coffee, Cold Brew, Citrus Green Tea and Beauty Tea. 

 

OTHER PROGRAMMES

Free via JAPAN RAIL CAFE's Facebook/YouTube.

 

16 October, Saturday
2pm to 3pm
Eat to explore: The colours of Kanagawa
This multi-stop foodie trip will cover Yokohama, Odawara, Atsugi, and more, with introductions on different specialty foods. 

 

16 October, Saturday 
4pm to 5pm 
Rail Fun: Exploring West Japan and Kyushu by Rail by JR West and JR Kyushu
All aboard the fleets of themed sightseeing trains where the fun doesn’t end.  

 

17 October, Sunday
10am to 11am
AKIBA CULTURE TALK SESSION by AKIHABARA AREA TOURISM ORGANIZATION x ISARIBI 
Explore the colourful district of Akihabara, a well-known site regarded as the sacred place of otaku culture. Join two entrepreneurs to learn more about exciting collaborations between Singapore and Akihabara. 

 

17 October, Sunday 
2pm to 3pm
Have a luxurious vacation with JR EAST HOTELS by JR-EAST HOTELS
The closest thing to a holiday that one can get for now, this programme will provide useful tips on activities in Kamakura and Sendai, as well as convenient and comfortable hotel recommendations.  

 

17 October, Sunday 
4pm to 5pm
JR East presents: Railway tips, trivia, and news! by JR East
Expect tips, news and plenty of insights into different ways of enjoying rail travel, such as sightseeing trains and luxury trains.  

 

23 October, Saturday
2pm to 3pm
Explore the wonders of Shochu with Kagoshima! by H.I.S. Singapore and Kagoshima Prefecture
Discover the wonders of shochu—which originated from Kagoshima, Southern Japan—its history, brewing process and benefits.

 

The Japan Rail Fair by JAPAN RAIL CAFE
–A Virtual Trip to Japan–

16-17 & 23 October 2021

Event details:

The Japan Rail Fair 2021
Date: 16–17, 23 October 2021
Venue: jrtimes.sg/tjrf2021 / JAPAN RAIL CAFE's Facebook / JAPAN RAIL CAFE's YouTube
Tickets: tjrf.peatix.com

Header image credit: JR East