Gacha Fest, an event to revitalize the Omi Railway line that was first held last fall and attracted about 20,000 participants, will be held on the 19th in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, and other locations. In addition to approximately 60 local events being held in and around the station, we have also newly planned the “Biwako Craft Beer Festival” and “Kibu Riverside Coffee Market,” which are expected to attract a large number of customers. The aim is to attract customers from outside the area, leading to an increase in the number of passengers other than those using commuter passes.

Gachafest is a coined word that combines the nickname of Ohmi Railway, “Gachacon,” and “festival.” Continuing from last year, we will be selling wristband-type “Gacha Fest Tickets” (unlimited rides for one day) for 100 yen (free for elementary school students and under) to enhance the festival mood. Tickets can be purchased at all 33 stations, and pamphlets with an overview of the event will also be distributed.

The Biwako Craft Beer Festival will be held at two venues: Eki Higashimachi Central Square (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at the east exit of Hikone Station and Hino Station Plaza (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.). In addition to local Hikone Beer and Hino Town’s craft beer company HINO BREWING, famous breweries such as Osaka’s Minoh Beer and Mie’s Ise Kadoya Beer will also be opening stalls. If you visit the two venues, you will receive an original coaster on a first-come, first-served basis.

The Kibu River Riverside Coffee Market will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Kitasobashishita (Koga City, same prefecture), a 5-minute walk from Kibu River Station. Eleven coffee roasters gathered from Hyogo in the west and Shizuoka in the east. Cuban sandwiches, bakeries, and baked goods are also on sale, and you can enjoy a luxurious time relaxing on the riverbed while looking out at the Sogawa River.

Local events will be held at approximately 20 stations and surrounding areas. “Running up the stone steps in the sky Tarobo Challenge 2024” (Tarobo Miyamae Station) ▽ “Gari version experience at the cafe in front of the station” (Asahi Otsuka Station) ▽ “Let’s ride the locomotive ED31-4!” (Yokaichi Station) ▽ “Kaze no Marche” ” (Aichigawa Station) – and many more.

Details are posted on the Gacha Fes official website. A new search system has been introduced that allows you to find the event you are looking for by checking the following three items: 1) Destination (station), 2) Time, and 3) Purpose (eating, shopping, experiencing, viewing, for children).

On that day, more trains will be run at approximately 30-minute intervals. Elementary school students and under will also be free of charge on the Ohmi Railway Group’s Omi Bus, Kokuni Bus, Mt. Hachiman Ropeway (Omihachiman City, same prefecture), and Lake Biwa sightseeing boat Omi Marine.

When Ohmi Railway held an “All Line Free Day” in October 2020, approximately 38,000 people rode the train, far exceeding the initial estimate of 10,000, and related events were also a great success. In October of last year, we held our first “Gacha Fest” in an effort to spread the excitement throughout the line. After the event ended, the number of non-commuter ticket passengers increased by about 10%.

Prior to Gacha Fest, secretariat members visited the Shiga Prefectural Office to promote the event. Tadashi Kawamura, Director, Executive Officer and Management Manager of Ohmi Railway, said, “We want people who don’t usually ride to enjoy traveling by train and rediscover the charm of the region.”