Here’s a sample of what went down at Japan Rail Café’s Autumn in the Train event at Guoco Tower’s Urban Park.
In collaboration with Japan Rail Café, Guoco Tower celebrated all things Japanese, with fun, games and themed events running from 11th to the 14th of October.
Dubbed Autumn in the Train, this spectacular event commemorated the opening of Japan’s first railway with train-themed activities, Japanese delicacies and free screenings of crowd-favourite anime and films.
For four days, the Autumn in the Train transported visitors to a realm of whimsy and wonderment, with an autumnal feast for all five senses.
Parents and children alike bonded with bouts of family yoga, while train enthusiasts and their little ones got to live out their dreams of being train conductors with the large screen Train Video Game, DENSHA DE GO.
Those dropping by the event were treated to lively tunes and mellow beats throughout the day, with a range of talented musicians—Joy Heng and dynamic duo DJ Shin and DJ Fukumoto— serenading the crowd with mellow beats, jazz fusion numbers and heart-warming pop melodies.
Besides being a visual spectacle, Autumn in the Train featured a medley of Japanese-themed goodies, snacks and classic dishes, including marron cream buns from Hattendo Singapore, onigiri and bento sets from Samurice and ice-cold beers from Kirin Beer.
Silver screen lovers and anime fanatics visiting Autumn in the Train were treated to a heady dose of Japanese pop culture, with a plethora of movie screenings happening across the four days of festivities.
The programme included JCC Weekend cinema, a special collaboration between event organisers JR Cafe and the Japan Creative Centre by Embassy of Japan: Films included uproarious Japanese comedy Robo-G, vintage anime Chibimaruko and the sci-fi themed Voices of a Distant Star.
Another silver screen highlight included Jimami Tofu, a Singapore-Japanese film that tells a story of a Singaporean chef who travels to Okinawa and finds love, hopes and dreams awaiting him.
The young and the young at heart also had a cuddly yellow treat in store for them, in the form of a very special guest. The Autumn in the Train event featured daily special appearances and photo opportunities with the adorable Pikachu, from the much-beloved video game Pokemon.
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The region of Tohoku is arguably one of the best places to enjoy a bout of koyo (autumn foliage viewing). Landmarks accessible with the JR East Pass include Naruko Gorge, Geibikei Gorge and Nikko.
Be sure to sample seasonal dishes and produce while on your trip. These include chestnuts from Nagano, Sanma fish from Miyagi and sweet potatoes from Saitama. Download the Gurunavi app to search for restaurants with seasonal offerings, and to reserve a table.
