MTR spreads joy this summer with Chiikawa-themed light rail

MTR Corporation has unveiled a Chiikawa wrapping light rail to celebrate the upcoming highly anticipated "CHIIKAWA DAYS" exhibition at Tsim Sha Tsui, which will run from 1 to 24 August.

The thematic light rail will run from 12 July until 31 August, featuring Chiikawa, Hachiware, Usagi, and friends, inviting passengers into Chiikawa's world and spreading joy throughout the community. This comes as part of MTR's summer programmes done in collaboration with creative brand AllRightsReserved. 

While the wrapping train will operate along the routes in Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai on weekdays, it will travel along the "Tuen Mun Voyager" sightseeing route during weekends, offering more immersive and photo-taking opportunities for fans and passengers.

The decorations on the train include beloved characters such as Chiikawa, Hachiware, and Usagi holding their “hunting sticks” in the daytime forest alongside their friends who are enjoying delicious food as in the series, inviting passengers to enter the world of CHIIKAWA.

Passengers interested in taking the “CHIIKAWA DAYS Themed Light Rail” on the “Tuen Mun Voyager” route can purchase the "Light Rail Travel Pass Package" for HK$50 on weekends during the abovementioned period at Siu Hong Light Rail Stop. By purchasing a valid Travel Pass, passengers can ride the themed Light Rail at designated times and enjoy unlimited rides on other Light Rail routes.

Additionally, passengers will receive a limited “CHIIKAWA DAYS” themed envelope and sticker, as well as coupons for the physical stores of MTR e-Store and selected MTR station shops. There is a maximum passenger capacity for each “Tuen Mun Voyager” ride, and the “Light Rail Travel Pass Package" will be sold in quantities by the capacity on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last.

Additionally, MTR will announce more programmes in August, including special appearances of Chiikawa at designated stations, along with themed souvenirs for both Chiikawa and railway fans. 

Diane Chiu, general manager, marketing and revenue management of MTR Corporation, said: “We are delighted to join the city-wide CHIIKAWA DAYS exhibition. Following our earlier promotion to distribute free souvenirs at stations, we are launching the ‘CHIIKAWA DAYS themed Light Rail’ today as a prelude to the exhibition, spreading joy and happiness across passengers’ journeys while they explore around Tuen Mun, Yuen Long and Tin Shui Wai. In August, we will bring more surprises to the public and visitors in various forms at designated stations. Please stay tuned!”

SK Lam, founder of AllRightsReserved and organiser of CHIIKAWA DAYS, said: “The CHIIKAWA DAYS exhibition centres on the four essential aspects of daily life: clothing, food, shelter, and action. Within this framework, `travel’ is an important expression of `action’, especially in the context of urban living.”

“To reflect this, the theme has been extended to highlight Hong Kong’s most widely used mode of transport - the MTR. In the CHIIKAWA universe, the characters navigate a daily rhythm of `work, battle, and testing,’ mirroring the fast-paced commute experienced by office workers and students in Hong Kong. Through a collaboration with MTR Corporation, CHIIKAWA’s cheerful presence will appear throughout train carriages, bringing joy and encouragement to both locals and visitors,” he added. 

MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to MTR for more information.

The highly anticipated Chiikawa-themed exhibition is set to debut on 1 August at K11 MUSEA and Tsim Sha Tsui Harbourfront. The exhibition brings together iconic scenes, features over a hundred 3D sculptures, a nine-metre-tall giant inflatable set, and lifelike recreations of beloved manga scenes.

This immersive exhibition brings together a wide array of classic Chiikawa scenes centred around four themes: clothing, food, shelter, and action. Adding a local twist, Chiikawa's illustrator, Nagano, has specially created exclusive “YUM CHA” Art, depicting Chiikawa and friends as adorable versions of classic dim sum dishes such as “har gow” and “siu mai”.

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