By TSUKASA FUKE/ Staff Writer
October 16, 2024 at 08:00 JST
Junior high school kids operate their own model trains on a diorama at Udon Cafe x Train in Takamatsu on July 10. (Tsukasa Fuke)
TAKAMATSU--An increasing number of families and rail buffs with model trains are climbing aboard a railway-themed cafe here that opened in January.
The main appeal of Udon Cafe x Train is a large handmade diorama set up inside the 10-seat establishment with a total floor space of about 60 square meters.
It is complete with railway-associated structures representing the Shikoku region, such as the Seto-Ohashi bridge and Tsushimanomiya Station on the Yosan Line.
Running on the diorama are N scale model trains, including the Series 2700 diesel-powered limited express services and the Sunrise Seto sleeper train.
Equipped with two controllers, customers can bring their own model trains and operate them on the diorama for a fee.
The cafe also features a premium Green Car seat from a retired Series 2000 diesel-powered limited express train operated by Shikoku Railway Co. (JR Shikoku).
It offers curry, pasta and other dishes, and customers can change the rice or noodles of the main dish for "udon" noodles, for which Kagawa Prefecture is renowned.
The cafe is the brainchild of a group of illustrators, photographers and other young creators based in Shikoku.
"We want to create a reason for tourists to come to Shikoku with the cafe serving as a starter," said a 27-year-old manager.
Open from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Udon Cafe x Train operates about 10 days each month.
For details, visit the official website at (https://cheer-kikaku.com/).
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