The Ibara Railway opened at 11:11:11 a.m. on January 11, 1999 (1999), and celebrated its 25th anniversary on January 11, 2024.
The Ibara Line opened when I was little, so I have used it a lot since it first opened.
I heard there would be an event commemorating its 25th anniversary, “Ibara Line Appreciation Day: Unlimited Rides for One Day & Fun Stamp Rally,” so I went along.
The information presented is current as of the article’s publication in March 2024. Please note that it may differ from current information.
What is Ibara Line Appreciation Day: Unlimited Rides for One Day & Fun Stamp Rally?
“Ibara Line Appreciation Day: Unlimited Rides for One Day & Fun Stamp Rally” is an event commemorating the opening of the Ibara Line.
In 2024, the year the Ibara Line marked its 25th anniversary, Ibara Line Appreciation Day featured some events that were a little different from usual.
The one-day unlimited-ride ticket was available for just 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children on Sunday, January 28, 2024.
There were creative events at Kannabe Station, Ibara Station, Yakage Station, Kibinomakibi Station, and JR Soja Station. Events at each station ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Collect stamps at three or more of the five stations listed above to enter a prize draw. Winners receive local specialty products.
One-day unlimited-ride tickets, available on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, are sold for 1,400 yen for adults and 700 yen for children.
How I enjoyed the event
First, I went to Ibara Station.
I started my trip at Ibara Station because new products were being released to mark the 25th anniversary.
At Ibara Station, a special stage was set up for the “Ibara Line 25th Anniversary & Denchukun 10th Anniversary Event”. Denchukun is a mascot modeled after “Kagamijishi,” a signature work by Ibara City honorary citizen Hirakushi Denchu.
Soun Taiko, children’s kagura performances, and local mascots from the I-Kasa area brought the stage to life.
▼Front row, from left: Lola-chan (Fukuyama City), Yakage tourism ambassador Yakappi (Yakage Town), Kabuni-kun (Kasaoka City), Sato-chan (Satosho Town). In the back row, from left (not visible): Momo-chan (Akaiwa City), Hacchan (Ibara Line), Denchukun (Ibara City), and Icchan (Ibara Line).
Next, I went to Yakage Station.
After getting off the train and heading out in front of Yakage Station, I found the “Ibara Line DE Tokutoku Market,” which had also been held at Ibara Station.
The banner for the “Yakage Town Italian Vegetable Project” especially caught my eye.
It seems that free servings of Nagomi risotto rice were being offered here (to the first 100 people).
Unfortunately, the free servings had run out by the time I arrived, so I couldn’t try any.
Yakage Town was the host town for the Italian team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games. This led to full-scale cultivation of Italian vegetables beginning in fiscal 2022.
The Ibara Line DE Tokutoku Market is not only a place to buy local vegetables and other products, but also a venue for public relations activities.
This time, I didn’t take part in the stamp rally and instead enjoyed visiting the stations.
New release: Ibara Railway Station Bento
The “Ibara Railway Station Bento” (1,100 yen, tax included) went on sale at Ibara Line Appreciation Day.
The bento is made with ingredients grown in the Bitchu region.
For example, it includes the following:
- Yume Yasuragi-go colorful rice: made with ancient rice from Yakage Town, recreating the colors of the Yume Yasuragi-go train
- Miso-grilled Bisei pork, served in a railway-track design: made with pork from Bisei Town, Ibara City, and Tsurajima burdock from Kurashiki City, arranged to resemble railway tracks
This is an ekiben that’s a pleasure just to look at.
Ibara Line Craft Beer, Part 2: Sengoku Train Craft Beer
“Ibara Akane Craft Beer” went on sale in November 2023. Starting with this Ibara Line Appreciation Day, the second collaboration between Ibara Railway and Fukuyama Craft Beer, “Sengoku Train Craft Beer,” also went on sale.
This time, I bought some as a souvenir for my family.
I can’t drink alcohol, so I’m looking forward to hearing what my family thinks of the craft beer.
The Bingo Fukuyama Brewing College & THE BEER is also involved in producing and selling Ibara Railway × Fukuyama Craft Beer.
![[Before relocation] Bingo Fukuyama Brewing College & THE BEER — An international beer judge shares the appeal of craft beer! A specialty shop brewing and selling beer in front of Fukuyama Station - Bingo Tocotoco](https://media.bintoco.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/20121247/the-beer-32.jpg)
The “Sengoku Train” is decorated with images centered on Hojo Soun, who has ties to Ibara City. In addition to Hojo Soun, the crests and faces of Sengoku-period warlords associated with Okayama Prefecture, including the Ukita and Sho clans, are displayed inside and outside the train. It’s a recommended train for anyone interested in the Sengoku period or history.
[Ibara Station] Gurutto Ikasa Marche
At Ibara Station, the “Gurutto Ikasa Marche,” showcasing the charms of Kasaoka City, Ibara City, Satosho Town, Asakuchi City, Yakage Town, and Satosho Town, was being held.
At the Satosho Town booth, I bought a 1,000-yen bread set from “SOL BAKERY.”
There were savory pastries with lotus root and okra wrapped in puff pastry, and madeleines with a rich sweetness.
All the breads had a great balance of flavors and were delicious.
According to the Satosho Town representative, the best time to get bread from the often-queued SOL BAKERY is when they have a booth at an event.
Shopping at the marche earned me a capsule-toy lottery ticket. Winners could choose from local specialties from the cities and towns.
As a winner, I chose a baked-goods set from “Takata no Tamago” in Kasaoka City.
From the Writer
At the stage events at Ibara Station, Ibara Line mascots Icchan and Hatchan joined mascots Kabuni-kun from Kasaoka City and Laura-chan from Fukuyama City, among others.
Seeing the cute yuru-chara mascots brought a smile to my face.
The Ibara Line anniversary event is held every January.
The next one is scheduled for January 2025.
There are also chartered-train experiences, such as “Take the Ibara Railway! Bitchu Local Sake Train” and “A Journey on the Ibara Railway Bingo Wine Sightseeing Train.”
There is also the regularly held “Ibara Line DE Tokutoku Market.” Amazingly, if you shop at the market, your fare for the return trip is free. What a bargain!
Why not take a trip and unwind amid the peaceful scenery?
Ibara Line Appreciation Day — All-Day Pass & Exciting Stamp Rally — Information
| Name | Ibara Line Appreciation Day — All-Day Pass & Exciting Stamp Rally — |
|---|---|
| Date | The Ibara Line anniversary event was held on Sunday, January 28, 2024. All-day passes were sold for that day only, at 500 yen for adults and 300 yen for children. Activities at each station ran from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Ibara Line DE Tokutoku Market was held at Ibara and Yakage stations alongside the anniversary event. |
| Location | Kannabe Station, Ibara Station, Yakage Station, Kibinomakibi Station, JR Soja Station, and others |
| Website | Ibara Line Appreciation Day — All-Day Pass & Exciting Stamp Rally — |
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