The "Canvas Train" at Kase Station (Kanagi, Goshogawara City) on the Tsugaru Railway was renewed on May 30.

Former SMAP Shingo Katori drew a picture in 1997 with local elementary school students. The service ended in 2000, and after exhibiting at Kanagi Station for several years, it began to be exhibited at the same station.

Michiko Oeda of the Tsugaru Peninsula Tourism Attendant Promotion Council said, "The picture on the car has deteriorated over time. It would have been nice if the Tsugaru Railway could be restored, but I still wanted Katori to fix it." speak.

According to Koeda, since 2009, when the activities of the attendant began, he has been requesting TV programs on which Katori appears. "I also asked for the TV drama "Komeri Park Kameari Park Maehakosho" starring Katori-san. As Kato-san played Ryotsu Kankichi," he smiles.

This year marked the 20th year of the milestone, and he said he had a strong desire to take action. "I wrote in the usual way on Fuji TV "Oja MAP!!" in the beginning of May, and the program contacted me. After that, the story went on and on," he recalls.

Katori arrived in Aomori on May 28 and stayed there until 30th. In the meantime, I repainted the car with the members who painted it 20 years ago. Mr. Koeda also participated as a client. It was said that the repainting work sometimes lasted until midnight, and only Katori-san was left to do the work.

“I had the impression that Mr. Katori had been very important for 20 years. At first, he wanted to do something about the Tsugaru Railway's rolling stock, but gradually he began to connect with the children who drew pictures with him. I want to cherish it," says Koeda.

The vehicle, which was completed on schedule on 30th, was shown to local residents. Mr. Koeda, who saw the new vehicle, continued to guide us from the inside of the car running as an attendant saying "Vehicle drawn by Mr. Katori 20 years ago", but from now on, "After 20 years, Mr. Katori "You can guide me to the vehicle that he drew again."

The program was broadcast nationwide on June 7, but it has not been broadcast in the Tsugaru region. Mr. Koeda, who has not watched the broadcast yet, said, "I'm looking forward to it. There was a response such as "I saw it" on our Facebook page, and there is already a phone call from outside the prefecture." "I want you to come and see the real car by all means on the Tsugaru Railway."

In the Tsugaru region, it will be broadcast on RAB Aomori Broadcasting from 17:00 on June 17th.