Your Story Becomes a Picture Book! Hanshin Railway 120th & Hanshin Bus 20th Anniversary Planning: 'SALAD EXPRESS' Creative Picture Book Story Contest Announced!
To celebrate their respective anniversaries, Hanshin Electric Railway and Hanshin Bus are holding a contest for picture book stories featuring characters from the 'SALAD EXPRESS' buses. The grand prize winner will have their work published.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 1, 2026 at 23:50
- 🔍 Collected: April 1, 2026 at 16:47
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 21, 2026 at 21:08 (484h 20m after Collected)
Hanshin Electric Railway Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Fukushima-ku, Osaka; President: Yusuke Kusu) and Hanshin Bus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Amagasaki, Hyogo; President: Kazuhiro Jojima) will hold a storybook contest featuring vegetable characters depicted on 'SALAD EXPRESS' buses operated by Hanshin Bus.
Hanshin Electric Railway began operations between Kobe (Sannomiya) and Osaka (Deiribashi) on April 12, 1905, and celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2025. Meanwhile, Hanshin Bus began operations in 2006 by taking over part of the automobile business from Hanshin Electric Railway and will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.
As a joint anniversary project, we are seeking stories for a picture book featuring the 'SALAD EXPRESS' characters: 'Corn,' 'Qing-geng-cai,' 'Green Pepper,' and 'Tomato.' Please provide wonderful names for each character as well.
The winning work will be published as a picture book and donated to libraries, as well as sold at events where Hanshin Bus exhibits.
We look forward to receiving your heartwarming story submissions.
Details of the contest are as follows:
1. Submission Content
We are looking for stories for a picture book, as well as character names and personality settings, featuring the four vegetable characters ('Corn,' 'Qing-geng-cai,' 'Green Pepper,' 'Tomato') and the 'Bus' illustrated on Hanshin Bus's 'SALAD EXPRESS' highway buses.
Works should be targeted at lower elementary school age, be an original unpublished manuscript of approximately 1,200 words maximum, assuming a 20-page picture book.
* Submissions must be sent as text data.
* Please include the title on the 1st line, name/pen name on the 2nd line, and start the story from the 3rd line.
2. Submission Period
From 14:00 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to 11:59 on Monday, June 1, 2026.
3. Eligibility
Open to all regardless of age, gender, or professional status. However, applications are limited to individuals residing in Japan. Minors must have parental consent.
4. Awards
Grand Prize (1 work): Certificate, publication as a book, 200,000 yen prize.
Honorable Mention (5 works): Certificate, original 10,000 yen book card.
5. How to Apply
Access the dedicated form from the official website and (1) input the story directly or (2) upload the manuscript data.
Official Website: https://www.hanshin.co.jp/saladproject/
Hanshin Electric Railway began operations between Kobe (Sannomiya) and Osaka (Deiribashi) on April 12, 1905, and celebrated its 120th anniversary in 2025. Meanwhile, Hanshin Bus began operations in 2006 by taking over part of the automobile business from Hanshin Electric Railway and will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year.
As a joint anniversary project, we are seeking stories for a picture book featuring the 'SALAD EXPRESS' characters: 'Corn,' 'Qing-geng-cai,' 'Green Pepper,' and 'Tomato.' Please provide wonderful names for each character as well.
The winning work will be published as a picture book and donated to libraries, as well as sold at events where Hanshin Bus exhibits.
We look forward to receiving your heartwarming story submissions.
Details of the contest are as follows:
1. Submission Content
We are looking for stories for a picture book, as well as character names and personality settings, featuring the four vegetable characters ('Corn,' 'Qing-geng-cai,' 'Green Pepper,' 'Tomato') and the 'Bus' illustrated on Hanshin Bus's 'SALAD EXPRESS' highway buses.
Works should be targeted at lower elementary school age, be an original unpublished manuscript of approximately 1,200 words maximum, assuming a 20-page picture book.
* Submissions must be sent as text data.
* Please include the title on the 1st line, name/pen name on the 2nd line, and start the story from the 3rd line.
2. Submission Period
From 14:00 on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to 11:59 on Monday, June 1, 2026.
3. Eligibility
Open to all regardless of age, gender, or professional status. However, applications are limited to individuals residing in Japan. Minors must have parental consent.
4. Awards
Grand Prize (1 work): Certificate, publication as a book, 200,000 yen prize.
Honorable Mention (5 works): Certificate, original 10,000 yen book card.
5. How to Apply
Access the dedicated form from the official website and (1) input the story directly or (2) upload the manuscript data.
Official Website: https://www.hanshin.co.jp/saladproject/