Morinaga & Co. and Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co.,Ltd. have launched the exam-taker support “Shū-Chu Train” on the Nishi-Tetsu Tenjin-Omuta Line from 19 October 2026. A 5000 series train has been fully wrapped, with “Shū-Chu” designs also applied to the front, and 42 messages of support are being displayed inside the train, along with the offering of ema plaques at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and the distribution of Ramune. In addition, Nishi-Tetsu Bus has launched a new collaboration service, the “Concentrated Support Bus.”
The exam-taker support “Shū-Chu Train,” a collaboration between Morinaga & Co. and Nishi-Tetsu, began operating on 19 October 2026 between Nishi-Fukuoka (Tenjin) and Daizenji on the Nishi-Tetsu Tenjin-Omuta Line. The train is a four-car 5000 series set, fully wrapped mainly around car No. 5139, with a “Shū-Chu” design on the front.
Inside the train, 42 messages of support for exam takers received from across Japan are displayed as hanging advertisements modelled on ema plaques for prayers for success in examinations. Before services began, ema plaques were offered and the Grand Festival for Prayers for Success in Examinations was held at Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine.
At Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, Ramune was distributed and an event was held with the participation of characters including “Ramuneko.” An original plum-flavoured Ramune, “Tenjin-sama’s Plum Ramune,” was presented as a gift from the shrine. After the ceremony, Morinaga & Co. presented gifts to the Nishi-Tetsu train and the station manager responsible for Fukuoka.
The initiative also includes a collaboration with Nishi-Tetsu Bus. The “Concentrated Support Bus,” equipped with content supporting people who need to concentrate, began operating on Takekoshita Line Routes 46 and 46L. The bus displays Ramuneko, Shū-Chu and Nishi-Tetsu Bus’s official characters Baba Basuo, and route information is available on the Nishi-Tetsu Bus Navi app.