Eizan Electric Railway Product Licensing Approved.

PENON Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo), which engages in manufacturing that contributes to solving global and societal issues, will launch a new lineup in its 'Travel by Train Magnets' series, featuring Japan's leading railway vehicles as motifs, for the Eizan Electric Railway (Eiden).

The newly added popular Eizan Electric Railway vehicles, the observation train 'Kirara' and the sightseeing train 'Hiei,' which run in the northern part of Kyoto, are products developed as official Eizan Electric Railway goods. They will be pre-sold at the 'Yase Eiden Summer Festival' held at Yase-Hieizanguchi Station on July 11, 2026 (Sat), and will be permanently sold at Demachiyanagi Station starting July 12, 2026 (Sun).

This product was developed with railway photographer Yuta Murakami as an advisor, with illustrations drawn by local creator Nobu Nakagawa, who resides in Kyoto, and Spanish tiles crafted by artisans at 'Minatomachi Ceramika Kobo' in Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture.

The 'Travel by Train Magnets' series transforms works created by the unique skills and sensibilities of various creators and artisans into three-dimensional magnets using PENON's proprietary printing technology. Please take home the charm of these two popular train models, known for their distinctive designs, as souvenirs along with your travel memories.

'Travel by Train Magnets' Eizan Electric Railway Lineup

◾️ Eizan Electric Railway Observation Train 'Kirara'

Among the Eizan Electric Railway trains running through scenic Kyoto, the observation train 'Kirara' stands out with its large windows that extend to the top of the car, and its seats are also arranged facing the windows. Currently, two train sets are in operation, featuring 'Maple Red' and 'Maple Orange' color schemes inspired by autumn leaves. (Railway Photographer: Yuta Murakami)

Provided by Eizan Electric Railway

I still have unforgettable memories of a mother-child trip a few years ago when I rode 'Kirara' with my mother, and saw the tunnel of autumn leaves through the large observation windows. Based on the autumn leaf colors of the train body, I scattered vibrant colors and expressed the windows in wisteria purple. I drew a maiko inside the train to evoke a sense of Kyoto, creating a piece that captures the autumn sparkle. (Illustrator: Nobu Nakagawa)

Travel by Train Magnet Eizan Electric Railway Kirara [Eizan Electric Railway Product Licensing Approved]

What I paid particular attention to in creating the tile was the expression of the maiko's face. I carefully applied colors while adjusting the amount to prevent the expression from being buried by the glaze when fired. I created this piece while imagining the autumn foliage scenery that colors Kyoto in the fall, and I feel a sense of familiarity with the lovely name 'Kirara,' resulting in a very charming work. (Spanish Tile Production: Minatomachi Ceramika Kobo, Representative Y.Y.)

Spanish tile (15cm square) produced based on the illustration, and the 'Travel by Train Magnet' (4.7cm square) commercialized from it [Eizan Electric Railway Product Licensing Approved]

◾️ Eizan Electric Railway Sightseeing Train 'Hiei'

The sightseeing train 'Hiei,' characterized by its bold design, which is rare in Japan, mainly runs on the Eizan Main Line and allows you to feel the sacred atmosphere of Kurama-dera Temple and Mt. Hiei along the line. Its mystical ambiance and dynamic, time-transcending feel are expressed through oval motifs, and the oval windows are also a feature, making it a uniquely designed train. (Railway Photographer: Yuta Murakami)

Provided by Eizan Electric Railway

'Hiei,' with its deep green body and striking golden oval front design, has many local fans, myself included, who are captivated by its appearance running through Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City. To make the train body stand out, I used pale colors for the surrounding greenery and depicted the impressive moment it appears from a curve with a simple composition. Please also pay attention to the three-dimensionality created by the green glaze and the contrast with the black parts of the train body. (Illustrator: Nobu Nakagawa)

Travel by Train Magnet Eizan Electric Railway Hiei [Eizan Electric Railway Product Licensing Approved]

What was particularly challenging during tile creation was the expression of the 'Eiden' characters on the front of the train and the intricate decorative parts. I carefully adjusted the glaze concentration multiple times to ensure the characters would be clearly legible after firing. I also took care to avoid uneven coloring on the deep green train body, finishing even the smallest details with care. (Spanish Tile Production: Minatomachi Ceramika Kobo, Representative Y.Y.)

Spanish tile (15cm square) produced based on the illustration, and the 'Travel by Train Magnet' (4.7cm square) commercialized from it [Eizan Electric Railway Product Licensing Approved]

【Product Information】

PENON Travel by Train Magnets Eizan Electric Railway 'Kirara' and 'Hiei' - 2 types, 700 yen each (tax included)

Sales Location: Demachiyanagi Station

Release Date: July 12, 2026 (Sun)

*Sales are limited to in-store purchases; online sales are not available.

*For stock availability, please contact the store directly.

【Pre-sale】

10th "Yase Eiden Summer Festival"

Date and Time: July 11, 2026 (Sat) 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM *Event proceeds rain or shine; canceled in case of severe weather.

Location: Yase-Hieizanguchi Station

Pre-sale will be held at the Eiden Goods Sales Space.

◾️ Creators Who Shaped the Charm of Eizan Electric Railway

【Railway Photographer】Yuta Murakami

Born in Shimbashi, the birthplace of railways. A railway photographer born in the same year as the launch of JR. Works as a freelancer for railway, travel, and camera magazines, and is also active in image photography for railway companies, lectures, and photography instruction. Motto: "I want to contribute to the railway industry with what I can do," he disseminates the charm of railways from various perspectives.

Yuta Murakami Official X: https://x.com/yuta_murakami

【Illustrator】Nobu Nakagawa

Resides in Kyoto City, originally from Sennan-gun, Osaka Prefecture. A traveling illustrator. Has worked on posters for antique book fairs hosted by the Kyoto Old Book Research Association and calendar illustrations for the Kyoto Shimbun. Holds an annual solo exhibition for 15 years in Kamishichiken, a geisha district. Actively works in various fields in a relaxed manner with illustrations that are not bound by a particular style.

Nobu Nakagawa Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nonkimegane6_6/

【Spanish Tile Production】Minatomachi Ceramika Kobo

A Spanish tile studio located in Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture. Established with the wish for recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake. The colorful tiles, carefully crafted one by one by local women, are cherished as a "symbol of recovery." Through exchange and human resource development, they contribute to regional revitalization while disseminating the charm of Onagawa.

Minatomachi Ceramika Kobo Official Website: https://www.ceramika-onagawa.com/

About 'Travel by Train Magnets'

1. Local Limited Magnets Featuring Railway Vehicles from Across Japan

'Travel by Train Magnets' is a series that evolved from our popular 'Travel Magnets' series, focusing on the charm of railways. Developed with railway photographer Yuta Murakami as an advisor, production is based on photographs of actual vehicles. Local creators with ties to the region are also commissioned to design the magnets, incorporating local perspectives, memories, and the landscape and culture of the area.

2. Unique Three-Dimensional Artworks Born from Spanish Tiles

Based on illustrations drawn by local creators, artisans at 'Minatomachi Ceramika Kobo' in Onagawa Town, Miyagi Prefecture, handcraft 15cm square Spanish tiles. The rich expressions of each Spanish tile, including the three-dimensionality from glaze thickness, color variations, and the hand-drawn, slightly irregular lines, are preserved. The finished tiles are scanned and then three-dimensionalized using PENON's proprietary printing technology to create the products.

3. Eco-Friendly Materials Using Upcycled Mino Ware Tiles

'Travel by Train Magnets' uses upcycled Mino Ware tiles, renowned as one of Japan's three great ceramics. It is a sustainable material born from efforts to utilize limited resources without waste, incorporating over 50% of clay that would otherwise be discarded. The product packaging is made from recycled paper, and no plastic packaging materials are used. Furthermore, recycled wood is used for in-store fixtures, demonstrating a thorough commitment to environmental considerations.

4. Local Limited Souvenirs Available Only at the Location

The 'Travel Magnets' series is not sold online. It is developed as a "local limited product" sold exclusively at stores in each region. By making them souvenirs that can only be obtained by those who visit the area, we aim to allow customers to take home the emotions felt during their travels and the unique charm of the region along with their memories. We aspire for each magnet to serve as a bridge connecting the region and people, sparking interest in the area and encouraging return visits.

About PENON

PENON is a sustainable stationery manufacturer aiming to realize a sustainable society through the utilization of forest-certified wood, promotion of de-plasticization, and resource recycling initiatives. Using our proprietary printing technology, we develop new forms of art goods with a three-dimensional feel, featuring realistic textures.

【Inquiries】

https://penon.co.jp/contact/

Travel Magnets Official Website: https://travelmagnet.jp/

Travel Magnets Official Instagram: @travel_magnet_japan

Travel by Train Magnets Official Instagram: @travel_magnet_train

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: 製品リリース