This weekend at Expo Commemoration Park will be all about trains and the regions they serve. “Bampaku Railroad Fest 2026 with Kanko EXPO,” one of Japan’s largest outdoor railway events, takes place on Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, 2026, at the East Plaza and surrounding areas of Expo Commemoration Park in Suita, Osaka. Now in its 11th year, it is the biggest edition yet.
From Hokkaido to Okinawa, the largest lineup ever
The theme is “Railways Connecting the Future of Tourism.” The festival is co-hosted by Osaka Monorail, Osaka Monorail Service, Osaka Prefecture and Suita City. Exhibitors include 103 railway companies and groups from across Japan, 28 local governments and organizations, five bus operators and 17 companies and other groups. Besides railways from the Kansai region, operators from Hokkaido to Okinawa will take part.
In the main “Transport and Tourism Zone,” each company sells original goods, vehicle parts and rare railway collectibles. For children, there are uniform and cap try-ons and photo spots where they can dress up as a train driver or station master, offered by 10 companies including Hankyu, Hanshin, Nankai and JR Kyushu. The emcees Yukino Saito, Natsumi Hashimoto and Cinnamon also visit the exhibitor booths for a live promotion tour.
Tourism promotion and stage shows
In the “Kanko EXPO Hall,” local governments, tourism groups and railway operators take the stage to introduce their regions’ sightseeing spots, local food and events along their lines. The program includes the Tokyo–Osaka Metro Summit, as well as rock-paper-scissors and quiz games with regional prizes.
The Stage Zone opens with a ceremony that includes a large-brush calligraphy performance by the Baika Women’s University calligraphy club. Music and dance performances follow, including the JR Freight music club, the Hankyu Railway wind orchestra and the Osaka High School taiko drum club “Shoryu.” There is also a talk show in which Kansai railway staff share their love of trains, and the final round of the LIVE STAGE contest by Osaka Monorail and Shimamura Music, with six groups that made it through the qualifiers.
The “GREEN×EXPO 2027 Zone” has special promotional booths for the 2027 International Horticultural Exposition, with large-screen video, a site map and limited sales of official licensed goods.
17 mascots, stamp rallies and regional food
In the Events and Activities Zone, 17 mascots from around Japan, including Teppy, Tamao, Mokorun, Sonyan, Mozuyan, Monozo and Suitan, gather for photo sessions and a quiz battle. Elementary school children and younger receive a free stamp book (first 1,000 children each day) for a stamp rally across more than 30 booths. A second stamp rally uses the digital station-stamp app “Ekitag,” taking visitors between the venue and stations on participating railways to earn limited sound rewards.
The Gourmet Zone brings together food trucks serving regional specialties, and popular ekiben (station bento boxes) are also planned. The mini train, bouncy attractions and road train are paid.
Event information
- Name: Bampaku Railroad Fest 2026 with Kanko EXPO
- Dates: Saturday, November 28 and Sunday, November 29, 2026, 9:30–16:00 (planned)
- Venue: East Plaza and surrounding areas, Expo Commemoration Park (Suita, Osaka)
- Admission: Free (the park’s entrance fee, ¥450 for adults aged high school and above, is charged separately)
- Hosts: Osaka Monorail Co., Ltd., Osaka Monorail Service Co., Ltd., Osaka Prefecture, Suita City
- Website (Japanese): https://bamtetsu.kanko-expo.com/
