"Mushroom Cultivation Research Lab" Appears on the Jiji Line – Become a Train Conductor

Tourism Center / Taipei Report

Steam Train Departure！This year’s theme is "Travel with Building Blocks." The series of events includes the most popular free steam train rides for those staying in Nantou, along with themed exhibition halls where master LEGO builders use their versatile blocks to create stunning displays of railway culture and Nantou’s tourism appeal. For the first time, there's also a free hot air balloon ride experience—participants who make purchases in Nantou during the event period have a chance to win a ride and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Nantou from a unique perspective.


▲ Mushroom-themed cartoon train car. (Photo / Provided by Nantou County Government Tourism Department)


▲ Mr. Kazuwo Kawai, author of "Mushroom Cultivation Research Lab," traveled all the way from Japan to Taiwan to ride the Mushroom Train. (Photo / Provided by Nantou County Government Tourism Department)

The Steam Train Festival has entered its seventh year, inviting different cartoon characters as event guests each year to accompany everyone in having fun on the Jiji Line. This year, the super-popular mobile app game "Mushroom Cultivation Research Lab," which originates from Japan, brings its adorable mushrooms to life on the Jiji Line, making an appearance inside TRA Jiji Line train cars.

Taiwan’s highly sought-after hot air balloon experience is also being held in Nantou for the first time. Citizens can ride for free through a lottery—simply donate receipts worth NT$1,000 or more purchased during the event period to exchange for a raffle ticket, with one winner getting two people to take flight. The hot air balloon lottery event will make its first debut next Saturday at Jiji Elementary School. During the event period, there will be balloon inflation performances before each Saturday’s hot air balloon launch, allowing those who don’t win a ride to still enjoy the sight of the balloons.


▲ Taiwan’s most powerful steam locomotive in history is a dream item for train enthusiasts. (Photo / Provided by Nantou County Government Tourism Department)


▲ LEGO-themed exhibition train. (Photo / Provided by Nantou County Government Tourism Department)

Running for nearly a month, the Steam Train Festival allows participants to apply through local accommodations and reserve a free ride during the event period simply by staying overnight in Nantou. The DT668 steam locomotive taking on this important role this year is known as the "King of Steam Locomotives"—it is the most powerful steam engine in Taiwan’s history, a dream item for train fans, and a rare, fresh experience not to be missed.

The popular Train Conductor Voting event, held alongside the steam train rides, has entered its second edition. Candidates include Banana Brother, Moon Sister, and Honey Sister from the children’s TV channel that kids love the most, as well as top-tier online celebrities: mixed-race beauty BeBe, the nationwide campus belle; the members of Elephant Young Girls; and last year’s voting champion, the exhibition queen Xie Jieling.