Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden x Hokuso Railway Collaboration Event

Hokuso Railway (Headquarters: Kamagaya City, Chiba Prefecture; President: Hideki Mochinaga) will hold the 'Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden x Hokuso Railway Collaboration Festival' at the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden on Sunday, May 17, 2026, in cooperation with Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture (Mayor: Ko Tanaka). Additionally, to commemorate the event, we will release the '#GanbarePunch (Go Punch) Support Ticket' starting Wednesday, April 29, 2026 (a national holiday). The ticket features a photo of 'Punch', a Japanese macaque that carries around a plush toy as a surrogate mother.

This project is being implemented based on the 'Agreement on Regional Revitalization' signed between our company and Ichikawa City in March 2024, aiming to further revitalize the areas along our railway lines. We planned this with the hope that it will serve as an opportunity for people to enjoy the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden even more, while also experiencing the charm of the surrounding area. During the event, we will hold a stamp rally starting at Omachi Station, where participants can get limited goods (first 150 people). We will also set up a special corner selling 'Hokuso Goods'. Free temporary shuttle buses will run from Omachi Station, so please take this opportunity to ride the Hokuso Line and visit the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden from Omachi Station.

[Uniform Photo Session (During the May 2025 event)]

[Front image of '#GanbarePunch Support Ticket']

The Japanese macaque 'Punch' at the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden was abandoned by its mother and is growing up supported by zookeepers and an orangutan plush toy. This story has become a hot topic, with voices of support pouring in from both Japan and abroad. The '#GanbarePunch Support Ticket' is being released to commemorate the event, filled with 'feelings of support' for the hardworking Punch and the zoo. It will also be sold at the Hokuso Railway goods corner on the day of the event. A portion of the proceeds from the '#GanbarePunch Support Ticket' will be donated to the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden.

Through this collaboration with the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden, which is loved by children, Hokuso Railway will continue to promote the appeal and revitalization of the area around Omachi Station.

About the 'Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden x Hokuso Railway Collaboration Project'

■ Overview of the 'Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden x Hokuso Railway Collaboration Festival'

1. Date and Time: Sunday, May 17, 2026, 10:00 - 15:00 (Will proceed in rain, cancelled in stormy weather)

2. Location: Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden (284-1 Omachi, Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture)

[Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden]
['Osaroom' (Monkey Room) opened to the public on March 20, 2026]
[Monkey Mountain 'Kids Zone' which began operation on March 28, 2026]

3. Details of Main Activities

(1) Ichikawa City x Hokuso Railway Collaboration Stamp Rally

① Details
Collect three different stamps on the 'Event Flyer' distributed at each Hokuso Line station (excluding Keisei Takasago Station), and come to the redemption area at the main entrance plaza of the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden. The first 150 people will receive an 'Ichikawa City x Hokuso Railway Collaboration Cooler Bag' as a gift. (Limit one per family)
* The cooler bag gift is limited to those who enter the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden.

[Stamp Rally Prize: Ichikawa City x Hokuso Railway Collaboration Cooler Bag]
[Stamp Rally Flyer]
*Images are for illustrative purposes only.

② Stamp Locations
Course Name / Stamp Locations

Course A
(A course to fully enjoy the spring rose garden)
* Admission to the botanical garden is free
- Outside the ticket gates at Omachi Station concourse
- In front of the botanical garden entrance reception
- Near the zoo and botanical garden entrance

Course B
(A course riding the temporary shuttle bus connecting Omachi Station and the zoo)
* Bus ride is free
- Outside the ticket gates at Omachi Station concourse
- Near the bus drop-off point
- Near the zoo and botanical garden entrance

* Please participate in either Course A or Course B.

[Spring roses in full bloom]

(2) Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden x Hokuso Railway Collaboration Can Badge Making
- Location: Main entrance plaza of the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Time: 10:00 - 15:00 (Limited to the first 300 people)
- Fee: Free

(3) Hokuso Railway Original Goods Sale
- Location: Main entrance plaza of the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden

(4) Uniform Photo Session with the Stationmaster
- Location: Main entrance plaza of the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Time: 10:00 - 12:00, 13:00 - 15:00
- Fee: Free
- Target: Children of elementary school age and younger

(5) Mascot Character Appearance
- Time: 10:00~, 11:00~, 13:30~, 14:30~ (Planned for about 15 minutes each session)
- Location: Main entrance plaza of the Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden
- Participating Character: Ichikawa Nashimaru (Ichikawa City Zoo and Botanical Garden)

◆ Message from Takashi Yasunaga, Head of the Zoo and Botanical Garden Division, Ichikawa City
While the Japanese macaque 'Punch' is currently a hot topic at our zoo, there are many other highlights. Please take a leisurely stroll through Omachi Park, overflowing with fresh greenery, head to the rose garden which is at its best in May, and by all means, enjoy the collaboration event with Hokuso Railway at the zoo!