The Minami Aso Railway, which was severely damaged by the Kumamoto earthquake seven years ago, has started operating a trolley train for sightseeing trains.

The Minami Aso Railway, which was damaged by the Kumamoto earthquake, is still out of service in some sections, but restoration work is progressing and the entire line is scheduled to resume operation on July 7.

Under these circumstances, the operation of this season of the trolley train began on the 18th, and a departure ceremony was held at Takamori Station, the first train, with the participation of local nursery school children.

After the kindergarten children sang a song and the commemorative kusudama ball was broken, the representative girl gave the signal in a cheerful voice to "depart."

Children and tourists boarded the trolley train and enjoyed a leisurely train trip while blowing in a pleasant breeze.

One of the kindergarten children said, "It was fun to see the beautiful scenery such as cherry blossoms and flowers."

The trolley train will run four round trips daily during the spring break until July 1, and then two round trips per day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays until July 9.

The operation plan for the trolley train after July 4, when it will resume operation on all lines, is being adjusted.