Hankyu Railway Launches Collaboration Project "Let's Go! Cheerful George Train" with Curious George on July 31 (Fri)!

Operation of wrapped trains "Curious George" on Kobe, Takarazuka, and Kyoto lines.

Stamp rally to collect stamps and win "Distinguishing Keychain" prizes.

Release of 24 collaboration merchandise items.

Hankyu Railway has been undertaking collaboration projects with various characters since 2015 to bring heartwarming joy to our customers.

This time, we will be holding the collaboration project "Let's Go! Cheerful George Train" with the popular character "Curious George," who will celebrate its 85th anniversary in 2026. The project will run from July 31 (Fri) to February 17 (Wed), 2027. Starting July 31 (Fri), we will operate the wrapped train "Curious George," followed by a stamp rally on August 4 (Tue), the release of a digital one-day pass, and the installation of photo spots. Furthermore, starting August 26 (Wed), we will release collaboration merchandise, offering various ways to enjoy the world of "Curious George."

Details of each project, including content and schedule, are as follows.

"Curious George x Hankyu Railway" Collaboration Project Original Story Release

The original story for the "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" collaboration project will be published on posters inside the wrapped trains and in leaflets with stamp rally sheets.

Operation of Wrapped Train "Curious George"

Operation Details

・Operation Period: July 31 (Fri), 2026 – February 17 (Wed), 2027

・Target Trains: One trainset each on the Kobe, Takarazuka, and Kyoto lines, for a total of 3 trainsets (1000 series and 1300 series).

※Operation schedules are irregular.

Train Body Design (Image)

・Illustrations of George and friends going on outings to tourist spots along the Hankyu lines will be decorated on the first and eighth cars (front and rear cars) of each trainset. ※Designs will differ for each line.

・Stickers (6 types in total) will be displayed next to the exterior doors of cars 2 through 7 on each trainset. ※Designs are common across all 3 lines.

Original Headmark (Image)

An original "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" design headmark will be displayed on the first and eighth cars (front and rear cars) of each trainset.

Plush Toy Accompaniment (Image)

A plush toy of George, dressed in a maroon uniform reminiscent of Hankyu Railway, will accompany the crew in the driver's cabin of the wrapped train.

※Plush toys are common across all 3 lines.

In-car Posters (Hanging, Door-side, and Connecting Passage) and In-car Stickers (Image)

Original "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" design posters and stickers will be displayed inside the wrapped trains.

Events Starting August 4 (Tue)

1. Stamp Rally

A stamp rally will be held where participants can receive prizes by collecting "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" stamps installed at various locations along the Hankyu lines. The rally will also feature quizzes related to Hankyu Railway and the surrounding areas as you collect stamps.

Event Period

August 4 (Tue) – November 9 (Mon), 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Participation Fee

Free

※Transportation costs for moving between stamp locations are the responsibility of the participant.

We encourage you to use our original digital one-day pass, which is both economical and convenient.

How to Participate

(1) Receive a stamp rally sheet.

※Distribution scheduled to start on August 4 (Tue).

※Distribution locations: Commercial facilities listed in (2) and stations with "Information Counters," etc.

(2) Collect stamps from 4 preferred locations out of 7 stamp points (Kiddy Land Sannomiya Store, Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens, Takarazuka Station, Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station, Hankyu Kyoto Tourist Information Center Kawaramachi, Emil Takatsuki, Nose Railway Yamashita Station), excluding the goal point.

※Kiddy Land Sannomiya Store hours are 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM, and Hankyu Kyoto Tourist Information Center Kawaramachi hours are 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

※Emil Takatsuki will be closed on August 27 (Thu) and October 7 (Wed), so stamps cannot be collected there.

※Please check the "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" special website for stamp locations.

(3) Present your stamp sheet at the goal point (near the main register at Kiddy Land Osaka Umeda Store, B1F, Hankyu Sanbangai North Building) to receive the participation prize: a "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" original distinguishing keychain.

※Participation prize redemption hours are 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM.

※The goal point will not be available on September 16 (Wed) as Hankyu Sanbangai will be closed.

W Chance Prize

100 winners will be selected by lottery to receive a "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" original cushion. For details on how to apply, please check the "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" special website.

2. Release of Digital One-Day Pass

We will be selling two types of digital one-day passes: the "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" Digital One-Day Pass [Hankyu Edition] and [Nose Edition]. These passes allow unlimited rides on all Hankyu Railway lines (excluding Kobe Kosoku Line) and Hankyu Bus (excluding some routes) for one chosen day within the validity period. With the purchase of a pass, you will receive an original photo card (one of three random designs) at Hankyu Railway Information Counters, etc.

"Curious George x Hankyu Railway" Digital One-Day Pass

<Sales Period>

August 4 (Tue) – November 9 (Mon)

<Sales Price (Tax Included)>

[Hankyu Edition] Adult ¥1,400, Child ¥700

[Nose Edition] Adult ¥1,800, Child ¥900

<Sales Locations>

Surutto QRtto Web page

※These passes will not be sold at Hankyu Railway Information Counters or Hankyu Bus ticket sales offices other than this web page.

※Please register as a member on the "Surutto QRtto Web page" in advance and purchase from the same web page.

※For details on how to use, please check the official Hankyu Railway website.

https://hankyu.co.jp/ticket/otoku/014093.html

<Valid Routes>

[Hankyu Edition]

・All Hankyu Railway lines (excluding Kobe Kosoku Line)

・All Hankyu Bus lines (excluding some routes such as late-night buses and community buses*)

※Nagaokakyo City Happi Bus, Muko City Gurutto Muko Bus, Minoo City Orange Yuzuru Bus, Suita City Suisui Bus, Nishinomiya City Sakura Yamanami Bus, Inagawa Town Fureai Bus, Kiyoshijin Line, Municipal Suita Stadium Line, Takarazuka Sumire Boen Line, Nagaozan Reien Line, and other event transport.

[Nose Edition]

・In addition to the valid routes of the [Hankyu Edition], all Nose Railway lines.

<Original Photo Card Exchange Locations>

[Hankyu Edition] Information Counters, Hankyu Tourist Center Osaka-Umeda, Hankyu Kyoto Tourist Information Center Kawaramachi

[Nose Edition] Nose Railway Yamashita Station and [Hankyu Edition] photo card exchange locations.

※Photo card designs are common for both [Hankyu Edition] and [Nose Edition].

※Photo cards can only be exchanged while the pass is in use. Please note that they cannot be exchanged before or after using the pass.

※One photo card will be given per pass.

3. Photo Spot Installation

Photo spots where you can take pictures with George and friends will be set up at the 7 stamp points.

Stamp Points: Kiddy Land Sannomiya Store, Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens, Takarazuka Station, Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station, Hankyu Kyoto Tourist Information Center Kawaramachi, Emil Takatsuki, Nose Railway Yamashita Station.

※Please check the "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" special website for details on installation locations.

Release of Collaboration Merchandise

We will release a total of 24 collaboration merchandise items, including a plush toy of George wearing a maroon uniform reminiscent of Hankyu Railway, a lunch tote bag, and acrylic cups.

Release Date: August 26 (Wed) onwards ※Release dates vary by store.

Retail Locations: [Stores] Colorfield (all stores), Credo Pre, Address, Double Day (some stores), Lawson along Hankyu/Hanshin lines (some stores), Kiddy Land (some stores), Loft (some stores), NHK Character Shop (all stores) ※, Curious George Kitchen ※, Nose Railway Yamashita Station Assistant Stationmaster's Office.

※Release from September 9 (Wed)

[Online] Hankyu Railway Goods Official Online Shop "HANKYU DENSHA SHOP"

Products: 24 items in total ※Products handled vary by retail location. Sales will end once stock is depleted.

※For details, please check the "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" special website or the website/SNS of each store.

These products are planned and produced by Hankyu Corporation under a merchandising agreement with Universal Studios Licensing LLC.

Novelty Gifts (Limited Quantity)

Customers who purchase collaboration merchandise at each store will receive an original shopper bag※1. Additionally, those who spend ¥3,000 (tax included) or more in a single transaction will receive one original can badge※2.

※1 Original shopper bags will not be available at "Loft," "Curious George Kitchen," or "HANKYU DENSHA SHOP."

※2 Original can badges will not be available at "Loft" or "Curious George Kitchen."

Group Company Initiatives

In conjunction with this collaboration project, various initiatives will also be carried out by group companies. Please refer to the respective companies' press releases and websites for details.

1. Operation of Wrapped Buses by Hankyu Bus, etc.

Hankyu Bus will operate wrapped buses designed with illustrations of George and friends on some routes starting July 31 (Fri), and will begin decorating some bus stops from August 10 (Mon)※.

※Scheduled for sequential installation from July 31 (Fri), 2026.

Press Release URL: https://www.hankyubus.co.jp/release/release_george_hankyu2026.pdf

Special Website URL: https://www.hankyubus.co.jp/blog/george_hankyu2026.html

2. Operation of "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" Noseden Train, etc. by Nose Railway

Nose Railway will operate the "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" Noseden Train, featuring original headmarks, stickers, and posters on some trains starting July 31 (Fri). They will also install photo spots from August 4 (Tue) and sell the "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" Digital One-Day Pass [Nose Edition].

Press Release URL: https://noseden.hankyu.co.jp/upload_file/noseden/information/newsrelease20260701.pdf

Special Website URL: https://noseden.hankyu.co.jp/railway/noseden_george/

3. Sale of Collaboration Food at Hankyu Hanshin Hotels Direct Restaurants

Hankyu Hanshin Hotels will sell "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" collaboration food at 5 directly managed hotels starting August 4 (Tue).

Press Release URL: https://www.hankyu-hotel.com/-/media/topics/2026pdf/20260701_1400.pdf

Special Website URL: https://www.hankyu-hotel.com/group/campaign/curiousgeorge

4. Decorations and Sale of Collaboration Food, etc. at Commercial Facilities and Some Station Shops along Hankyu Hanshin Lines

Among the commercial facilities managed by Hankyu Hanshin Building Management, Hankyu Sanbangai, NU Chayamachi, NU Chayamachi Plus, Grand Front Osaka Shop & Restaurants, and Hankyu Nishinomiya Gardens will feature original "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" designs and hold various campaigns. Additionally, station shops and shops near stations will sell a total of 7 collaboration food and drink items, including flavored tea inspired by "Curious George," baked cakes with George's laser print, and drinks with original "Curious George x Hankyu Railway" design labels.

Press Release URL: https://www.hhbm.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/news/pdf/curious-george.pdf

Special Website URL: https://www.h-sanbangai.com/osarunogeorgehhbm2026/

★"Curious George x Hankyu Railway" Special Website

https://www.hankyu.co.jp/area_info/osarunogeorge-hankyu2026/index.html

★About "Curious George"

The picture book "Curious George," published by Rey and Rey in 1941, will celebrate its memorable 85th anniversary in 2026. George, the curious and lovable little monkey who causes delightful mischief and adventures, has become a representative character of the picture book series. The anime version of George, now in its 19th year on NHK E Tele, is also loved by many across generations. Since its 80th anniversary in 2021, new dining cafes and interactive playground facilities have opened, and the lineup of merchandise has expanded year by year, making it a highly popular character for all ages and genders.

※When publishing photos, please include the following credit.

※All photos are for illustrative purposes only.

※The information provided is current as of today. Please note that it may be subject to change without prior notice.

(c) Universal City Studios LLC. All Rights Reserved. Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H. A. Rey, are

copyrighted and registered by HarperCollins Publishers L.L.C. and used under license. All rights reserved.

(c) Hankyu Corp.

Hankyu Corporation https://www.hankyu.co.jp/

Release https://www.hankyu-hanshin.co.jp/release/2026/06/a06fb7bbb20608e65db0d9f13ea6f5e71ac3d712.pdf

Issued by: Hankyu Hanshin Holdings

1-16-1 Shibata, Kita-ku, Osaka