Subways Sprinkled with Storybook Magic

Holding a little hand or pushing a stroller on the train often feels like a juggling act. Many parents admit, “Taking public transportation with kids can be stressful.” To ease those worries, the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation is giving its subway cars a delightful makeover. 

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The Children Support Space with Thomas & Friends on a Toei subway.
©2026 Gullane (Thomas) Limited.

Step into one of Children Support Spaces aboard select Toei subway trains, and you will find beloved characters like Miffy and Thomas & Friends waiting to greet you. It is like entering a storybook world! 

These whimsical cars turn family travel from a chore into an adventure—one that makes children’s eyes sparkle and brings joy to adults as well. 

A Colorful World Where Characters Await 

One of the attractions of the Children Support Space is their vibrant, playful design. Inside these open areas, you will find walls adorned with beloved characters from picture books and TV series enjoyed around the world. 

From Miffy, the bunny from the Netherlands, to Thomas & Friends, a British favorite, these lively characters delight both children and parents alike. 

On July 31, 2019, character-themed spaces featuring Thomas & Friends were introduced on the Toei Ōedo Line. Since then, the Bureau of Transportation has expanded the program to all four lines. As of April 1, 2025, 71 trains feature these designs, and nine additional train sets will be introduced over the next three years—about half will include Children Support Spaces. 

Beloved Japanese Picture Book Characters Join the Fun 

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The Children Support Space with Miffy and her friends on a Toei subway.
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The Children Support Spaces on Toei subway trains also feature beloved characters from classic Japanese picture books. Scenes from Kako Satoshi’s masterpieces Little Daruma and Little Tengu and Little Daruma and Little Kaminari, as well as Horiuchi Seiichi’s charming illustrations in Gurunpa’s Kindergarten, create a cozy, welcoming atmosphere inside the train. 

From the moment children step aboard, these colorful characters greet them warmly. The playful designs help ease parents’ concerns and transform the subway into a cheerful, exciting place. 

These spaces are not just for families—they delight riders of all ages. Photos of character-themed cars often appear on social media and bring a smile to people’s faces. Many adults say they feel nostalgic when they see illustrations from books they cherished in childhood or once read aloud to their own children. The publisher has received enthusiastic feedback from riders thrilled to rediscover these familiar scenes on the subway. 

Hop on Magic! Find Character Cars in Real Time 

Do you want to hop on a train filled with charming characters, but wonder where it’s running right now? The Toei Transportation app is your go-to tool! 

Open the app on your smartphone and look for the baby-face icons to see where the Children Support Space trains are running. With real-time updates, you can plan your trip easily. 

The baby-face icon also appears on timetables, so you can decide in advance which train to take. Turn the search into a family adventure—like a treasure hunt—as you track down trains featuring beloved characters. 

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The baby-face icons on the app indicate the time and location
of the Children Support Space. 

A Storybook World at the Train Yard 

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Children and their parents attend the read-aloud event in the Children Support Space.

The Toei subway’s family-friendly efforts extend beyond in-train decorations. In March 2025, the Asakusa Line train yard hosted a special read-aloud event featuring the Children Support Spaces inside the cars. 

This unique experience turned the train into a storybook setting, giving children a taste of magic and helping families feel more comfortable and connected with public transportation. 

Picture Books and Subways Supporting Families 

Beloved characters watch as smiles bloom between parents and children on the subway. It’s no surprise that riders share comments such as: “The designs are adorable—my child loves them!” and “This is an amazing initiative. Please add more!” 

A project member explains: “We’re delighted by the positive feedback from passengers. Through this initiative, we hope to foster a society-wide spirit of support for child-rearing.” 

Even without scenic views from the windows, the Tokyo subway carries something special underground every day: kindness and care woven into character designs, bringing comfort and joy to all.