A Japanese netizen recently shared a photo on the social media platform X, showing that the hand straps inside a train carriage had been replaced with deep-fried, golden-brown "croquette" shapes. Passengers looking up were instantly tempted by the sight—an absurd and hilarious scene that sparked widespread discussion online.
This "croquette train" runs on the Ryugasaki Line of the Kanto Railway in Ibaraki Prefecture. According to company representatives, the idea of hanging croquette-shaped decorations as hand straps first appeared in 2016. As Ryugasaki City has been actively promoting its local specialty, "Ryugasaki Croquette," the team wanted to create an eye-catching and memorable promotional campaign for the "National Croquette Convention" that year. They ultimately decided to focus on the hand straps—something passengers interact with most frequently—incorporating the local cuisine into the daily commuting experience.
The highly realistic "croquette hand straps" triggered a passionate response online. Netizens commented: "I almost bit into it for real," "Please install these on Tokyo's Yamanote Line too," and "Riding on this train, you'd definitely want to buy a croquette to satisfy your craving right after getting off."
In response to the heated online discussions, a Kanto Railway public relations representative said that the Ryugasaki Line is only a tiny local branch line, just 4.5 kilometers one way, which usually rarely attracts outside attention. They are very delighted that this fun design has helped more people learn about the railway line and the local charm of Ryugasaki City.
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