Tsukuba Express - or TX - is a rapid train line that connects Akihabara with far out city Tsukuba. On August 22nd just like last year they held a special Kid's event to celebrate the results of it's annual drawing contest. All over Japan kid's were encouraged to draw pictures depicting the Tsukuba Line with a chance to get public exhibition inside a special" museum train". There were 1009 submissions indicating a rise of 155 drawings compared to the previous contest but only 150 were chosen to be on display inside the train.

At the event located in the entrance area of Akihabara Station brass players performed a few songs like the "Ponyo" theme after which the TX president held a short speech before the mostly of elementary students consisting audience. "The TX is now about 3 years old and I hope the line will grow just like you will grow as you get older." 

The group then got onto the special train proceeding onto a 60 min. voyage to the trains final destination, Tsukuba station. 

The construction of the Tsukuba line with Akihabara as it's network's heart is associated with a sudden boom in Akihabara 3 years ago, bringing many people into the district every day that previously had never been there before.

The special museum train will commute regularly from Akihabara to Tsukuba until September 7th 2008.

To read the japanese version of this entry please visit our partner

Akiba Keizai Shimbun

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