Kirby trains in Japan
If you need an excuse to visit Japan, we have just the thing. Beloved Nintendo character, Kirby, will be gracing the tracks with an adorable Kirby train collaboration with Hankyu Railway, running till 17th March 2026.
Where to spot the Kirby train?
Image credit: @summer_horizon1977 via Instagram
Look out for it along the Kobe, Takarazuka, and Kyoto lines, where the carriages will be decked out with Kirby-themed decals. The Takarazuka line also passes through Osaka.
You’ll find 3 different wrap designs on the outside – 1 on each line – featuring Kirby and friends in all sorts of cute shenanigans. And it doesn’t stop at just the exterior – step inside and you’ll find even more surprises waiting for you.
What to expect from the Kirby train collab?
Kirby-themed posters, plushie companions & music
Image credit: @2022delicious2022 via Instagram
The main highlight is, of course, the interior of the trains. Inside, you’ll see Kirby banners and posters showcasing the history of the character through the years.
Keep your ears peeled too – iconic music from the Kirby games will be played in the background. They have taken the time to train-ify the arrangement, so you’ll be catching a slightly altered version of the original music.
Image credit: @豆包鱼饼 via RED
Try and spot the Kirby and Waddle Dee plushies in custom conductor hats aboard – they’ll be accompanying you on your journey.
Stamp rally & exclusive prizes
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Hankyu Railway
The fun doesn’t stop there – make a day out of your train adventure with the Stamp Rally, available from now till 24th November 2025, 10am to 8pm daily. All you have to do is visit 7 photo spots at various train stations and collect stamps along the way.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Hankyu Railway
Collect any 4 out of the 7 stamps, and you’ll get a Kirby x Hankyu Railway rubber magnet – an exclusive item that won’t be up for sale. Be among the few people in the world to get your hands on one of these cuties.
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image credit: Hankyu Railway
There’s also the special Double Chance Prize up for grabs – only 100 lucky fans will receive an acrylic clock, featuring the exclusive Kirby x Hankyu Railway collaboration design.
To participate, here’s what you’ll need to do:
- Buy a Hankyu Railway & Hankyu Bus 1-Day Pass, which includes a “Double Chance Prize Application Ticket A”. The pass is priced at ¥1,800/adult (~S$15.64) and ¥900/child (~S$7.82) for the Nose version, and ¥1,400/adult (~S$12.16) and ¥700/child (~S$6.08) for the Hankyu version.
- Collect 4 out of 7 stamps to receive the “Double Chance Prize Application Ticket B” at the finish line.
- Get a postcard and paste Ticket A and B. Fill in your particulars and mail the postcard to BVC Hankyu Railway Stamp Rally Double Chance Prize Office, Shinko Building 6F, 2-3-7 Dojima, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-0003.
This Double Chance Prize lucky draw ends on 1st December 2025. Note that prizes will only be delivered within Japan, so you might want to rope in a friend living there.
For the 1-day pass, consider getting the Nose version instead, it’ll get you into Yamashita Station – one of the stamp stations – without having to fork out any extra charges.
Kirby-themed snacks & drinks
Image adapted from: Hankyu Railway
You’ll find 7 special snack and drink options available at various train stops to fuel you on your journey. Available until 24th November 2025, each treat comes in fun, themed packaging, so you can take a little piece of the journey home.
Indulge in sweet macarons at ¥2,160 (~S$18.79) for a box of 6, and enjoy some Kirby-themed vending machine drinks (¥800, ~S$6.96), where the label can be removed and used as a sticker.
Limited-edition merchandise
Image adapted from: Aitai Kuji – Anime Goods from Japan
Take those plushie train companions from earlier home with you too. Kirby and Waddle Dee plushies are both priced at ¥2,970 (~S$25.82) each and will be available for sale at various merchandise stores.
After all that shopping, you’ll need somewhere to stash all your goodies – just get the Tote Bag (¥3,300, ~S$28.71) to store your souvenirs in one place. If you want to remember this trip when the post-vacation blues hit, get a Kirby-themed Mouse Pad (¥1,265, ~S$11), so a little bit of your trip stays with you every day.
Image credit: Hankyu Railway
Spend more than ¥3,000 (~S$26.08) and you could receive an additional treat for free. Sales staff will hand out 1 of 3 mini drawstring bags at random on a first-come, first-served basis. But these little trinkets are limited in quantity and won’t be available at every store, so keep an eye out for them.
Image credit: Gashapon Japan
Starting the second week of September, you can also grab an exclusive gashapon (¥400, ~S$3.48) from the Kirby of the Stars PuPuPu Train series.
Collect all 4 figurines – Kirby (Train Train), Waddle Dee, Waddle Doo and Kirby – at the gashapon vending machines at Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station, Nishinomiya-kitaguchi Station, or any official Gashapon Bandai shop in Japan.
Are there any events for those who won’t be taking the Kirby train?
Image for illustrative purposes only.
Image adapted from: Hankyu Railway
Until 31st October 2025, you can still get your Kirby fix even if you’re not hopping on these trains. Head to the Hankyu Sanbangai and NU Chayamachi malls in Osaka for photo spots with Kirby, King Dedede, Meta Knight, and Waddle Dee. You’ll be able to snap photos, enjoy DIY activities, and score exclusive gifts.
Hankyu Sanbangai will also be hosting their own stamp rally, so remember to stick around for that.
It’s not just the trains getting Kirby-fied – spot Kirby-themed buses and bus stops across Hankyu Bus and Nose Electric Railway, adorned with adorbs details.
Embark on a mini adventure by hopping on a Kirby train
Fans of the Kirby character or Nintendo game will surely have a blast with this collaboration – it’s fun, adorable, and could really help you reach your daily steps goal. Nothing wrong with an impromptu trip to Japan to check it out.
Find out more about the Kirby x Hankyu Railway collaboration
More things to do in Japan:
- teamLab Museum in Kyoto
- Hotel franchise in Japan with Pokémon-themed rooms
- Animal resort in Shizuoka with capybaras
Cover image adapted from: @summer_horizon1977 via Instagram, Aitai Kuji – Anime Goods from Japan via Facebook