As part of efforts to revitalize the Umekoji area, Japan’s first train-style entertainment restaurant built on a former railway viaduct, FUTURE TRAIN KYOTO DINER & CAFE (hereafter FUTURE TRAIN), will hold its grand opening on Saturday, September 20, 2025.
Thunderbird Train Reborn as a Stage for a “Journey to the Future”
Car No.1, named FUTURE BIRD, is an upcycled Thunderbird train car, transformed into an immersive experience area themed as a “train bound for the future, powered by imagination.” It has been reborn as a theatrical space where art, images, lights, and sounds come together, offering visitors a unique cultural attraction in the Umekoji area.
FUTURE BIRD is realized through the collaboration of artist Sebastian Masuda, a leading figure in Japan’s kawaii culture, and IMAGICA EEX, a company specializing in digital creativity. The interior is designed as the “engine room of a future-bound train,” with retro-futuristic decorations, CG, lighting, and sound effects combining to lead guests into a special story.
FUTURE IMAGINATION Course (Reservation Required)
To mark the grand opening, a new program has been developed: the FUTURE IMAGINATION Course. This includes about 20 minutes of immersive on-board content inside FUTURE BIRD, combined with a full-course dinner.
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Price: ¥11,000 (tax included) – 10% OFF campaign until the end of October
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Includes: admission and service fees
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Schedule: Wednesdays to Saturdays (planned)
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Time: 18:45–20:45 (boarding begins at 18:30)
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Contents: 20-minute ride experience (Car No.1), aperitif, 7-course dinner
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Age: junior high school students and older
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Reservations open: September 11, 2025
Original Characters as Guides
Two original characters will guide guests through the FUTURE TRAIN experience. The conductor of FUTURE BIRD is Birdie Buddy, recognizable by a pink hat and colorful tail, warmly leading passengers from departure to farewell. Guests will also be accompanied by Pink Bird, a “time attendant” with a uniform inspired by pink feathers, who appears in video productions and dining service to connect the story throughout the experience.
Facility Overview
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Name: FUTURE TRAIN KYOTO DINER & CAFE
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Address: 3-7 Kankiji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (Umekoji Highline / Direct access from JR Umekoji-Kyotonishi Station)
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Access: 1 stop from JR Kyoto Station (approx. 20 min walk)
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Opening date: September 20, 2025 (Saturday)
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Seating: 88 seats
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Admission fee: Adults ¥700, elementary school students ¥300, free for preschool children
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Hours: Weekdays 11:00–16:00 / 17:00–23:00, Weekends & holidays 11:00–23:00
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Website: https://www.futuretrain.jp
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Instagram: @futuretrain.kyoto
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