Thomas the Tank Engines takes you through Japan

The beloved British train character, Thomas the Tank Engine, will be taking visitors through Asian tea fields in Japan for three months.

Oigawa Railway, a rather small train operator in Shizuoka prefecture in Japan has transformed a regular-looking steam engine locomotive into Tom, the British creation.

Thomas the Tank Engine goes in Japan by the name of ‘Kikansha Thomas’, or Steam Train Thomas.

The character was developed in the early 20th century by a British clergyman. Tom became the central figure in a series of books which praised high moral standards, such as the importance of honesty and friendship.

Later, in the 1980s, the books were turned into a TV series, originally narrated by the former Beatles star, Ringo Starr.

Thomas and his adventures remain highly popular in Japan and a large series of merchandise linked to the character has been developed over the years.

In fact, the series is so popular, that all the tickets available for the train trips from July to September have already been sold out.

The full-scale replica from Japan is not the first Thomas to appear on the world’s train lines. Others have been spotted in United States or the Netherlands.