Photo/Illutration Each hand strap is decorated with a realistic model of a dried sweet potato. (Shun Hayashi)

HITACHINAKA, Ibaraki Prefecture--Riders reaching for a hand strap to hang on to on a train here may find themselves grabbing hold of a greenish yellow potato instead.

Life-like greenish yellow sweet potatoes have been stuck just above the straps that passengers grasp to maintain their balance as part of a special promotion to raise the profile of this city's "hoshi-imo" dried sweet potatoes.

The life-size models of the spuds found on straps throughout the train are intricately detailed, with a white powder (crystalized sugar) and the wrinkles re-created on their surface.

The straps are just one element of a special potato-themed train that Hitachinaka Seaside Railway Co. is running, decked out in colors and characters inspired by the city's local specialty.

The train travels between the Katsuta and Ajigaura stations on the Minato Line here, touting the city as the "sanctuary" of dried sweet potatoes and areas along the line as the "Hoshiimo Kingdom."

Painted mainly in yellow to evoke hoshi-imo, the train started operations on Oct. 16 and will run as a regular service until February next year, according to the company.

A number of illustrations showing the various steps in how the potato snack food is processed grace the train's interior and exterior, as well as ones showing characters representing the royal family of Hoshiimo Kingdom, including King Hoshiimo himself.

They are the handiwork of Hikari, 20, a student of a vocational school for designers in Mito.

"I kept in mind to use bright and refreshing colors," Hikari said. "I'm happy because I had never created a design on such a big canvas before. I hope people become interested in hoshi-imo and the railroad after they see the train." 

The railway operator solicited design ideas for the train themed on the Hoshiimo Kingdom from across Japan and selected the concept submitted by Hikari, who pitched her ideas after being encouraged by an instructor to give it a shot.

"We hope (the train) serves as a basis for the development of tourism in areas along the line," added Hitachinaka Seaside Railway President Chiaki Yoshida, 56.

Ibaraki Prefecture accounts for about 90 percent of Japan's hoshi-imo production, with most of the spuds grown in Hitachinaka, according to a survey compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

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The train is painted yellow, beige and brown to represent dried sweet potatoes. (Shun Hayashi)

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