Decorated trains in Japan

Ofthe countless trains running on Japan’s 20,000-kilometer (12,000-mile)rail network, a few are decorated with images of anime and mangacharacters, colorful ads, and designs by notable artists. Here is asmall sample.

Pikachu on Seto line, Aichi prefecture

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Galaxy Express 999 train, Furusato-Ginga line, Hokkaido [Photo]

Characters from Leiji Matsumoto’s “Galaxy Express 999″ anime/mangaadorn this train that used to run on the Furusato-Ginga line inHokkaido. The train line closed down in 2006.

Galaxy Express 999 train, Furusato-Ginga line, Hokkaido [More photos]

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Pink ninja train, Iga line, Mie prefecture [Photo]

Matsumoto also created a series of ninja train designs for the Iga line in Mie prefecture, the birthplace of ninjutsu.

Blue ninja train, Iga line, Mie prefecture [Photo]

Here’s some video of the ninja trains cruising the Mie countryside:

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Spiderman train, JR Yumesaki line, Osaka [Photo]

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Some trains on the Kakogawa line in Hyōgo prefecture feature designs by graphic artist Tadanori Yokoo. Yokoo was born in Hyōgo.

Yokoo’s eyeball train, Kakogawa line, Hyōgo prefecture [More]

Yokoo’s waterfall train, Kakogawa line, Hyōgo prefecture [More]

Yokoo’s galactic travel train, Kakogawa line, Hyōgo prefecture [Photo]

Yokoo’s Y-junction train, Kakogawa line, Hyōgo prefecture [More]

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Doraemon train, Seikan Tunnel Tappi Shakō Line, Hokkaido [Photo]

This Doraemon train runs back and forth through the Seikan Tunnel, an undersea railway connecting Honshu and Hokkaido.

More Doraemon trains in Hokkaido

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Wild boar decoration, Eizan line, Kyoto prefecture [Photo]

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Kitarō train, Tottori line, Tottori prefecture [More]

Trains on the Tottori line in Tottori prefecture are decorated withcharacters from Shigeru Mizuki’s “GeGeGe no Kitarō” manga/anime series.Mizuki was born in Tottori prefecture.

Medama-oyaji on Kitarō train, Tottori line [More]

Kitarō train, Tottori line [Photo]

Ceiling inside Kitarō train, Tottori line [More]

Neko-musume train, Tottori line [Photo: Rie Nakaya]

Ceiling inside Neko-musume train, Tottori line [Photo: Rie Nakaya]

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Chunichi Dragons subway, Nagoya [Photo]

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Ninja Hattori-kun train, Himi line, Toyama prefecture [Photo]

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Ultraman trains, Tokyu Toyoko line, Tokyo [More]

These trains on the Tokyu Toyoko line in Tokyo were decorated to commemorate Ultraman’s 40th anniversary and promote a movie.

Ultraman train, Tokyo Tokyo line, Tokyo. [Photo: sanchome]

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Meiji Milk Chocolate ad (Enoshima) // Thomas train (Kyoto prefecture)

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Ad for Tokimeki Memorial 3, Tokyo-Arakawa line, Tokyo [More]

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Cyborg 009 train, Senseki line, Miyagi prefecture [Photo]

Miyagi prefecture is the birthplace of manga/anime artist IshinomoriShōtarō, whose works include Cyborg 009 and the Kamen Rider Series.Some of his characters adorn trains on the Senseki line.

Himitsu Sentai Goranger train, Senseki line, Miyagi prefecture [More]

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Gunma Safari Park ad train, Joshin line, Gunma prefecture [Photo]

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Anpanman train, JR Shikoku, Shikoku [Photo, More]

Yanase Takashi, creator of the Anpanman anime series, is from Kochiprefecture in Shikoku. The JR Shikoku railway network operates someAnpanman-themed trains.

Anpanman train interior, JR Shikoku, Shikoku [More]

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One-Piece ad train, Enoshima Electric Railway [More]

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Pichon-kun on the Skytrain, Bangkok, Thailand [Photo]

Japanese characters can occasionally be found on trains in othercountries. This photo shows Pichon-kun, the robot mascot of Japaneseair-conditioning manufacturer Daikin, on the side of the Skytrain inBangkok, Thailand.

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YKK train ad, Yamanote line, Tokyo [Photo]

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Pokemon on Tohoku Shinkansen [Photo]