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Nintendo revealed that it is working with Hankyu to launch the Kirby-decorated train and bus that run around Japan’s Hanshin area, which generally covers areas between the cities of Osaka and Kobe. The companies also plan to gradually add more collaboration merchandise, but the whole campaign will conclude in mid-March 2026.
The decorated trains and buses are the first ones to launch. The trains primarily cover the Kobe-Sannomiya, Takarazuka, Osaka-Umeda, and Kyoto-Kawaramachi stations, and Hankyu has also provided a weekly schedule for the trains’ departure times on its English website. At the same time, there are two Kirby Hankyu buses operating in the cities of Suita and Kawanishi.
Nintendo and Hankyu will then start selling merchandise themed after the collaboration in September 2025. Cafes and vending machines in Hankyu’s stations will sell Kirby-branded cakes and drinks from September 2 until November 24, 2025. The companies will also release goods ranging from keychains to plushies on September 10, 2025. In addition, Bandai will join the festivities by releasing a new special edition of the Kirby Pupupu Train Gashapon with different colors.
The Kirby Hankyu Train and Bus will remain available around cities in Japan’s Hanshin area until Tuesday, March 17, 2026.
