Thomas Town opens in Japan

Bandai Namco Group and HIT Entertainment have opened the first indoor Thomas & Friends-themed amusement facility in Japan. The 8,300-square-foot Thomas Town Shinnisato is inside the new Lala Port Shin Misato shopping mall. The center has five themed zones and a central English Market Place as a meeting place and for themed events. The main attraction is Thomas Theater Train, which allows passengers to enjoy videos and other amusements during a 10-minute ride. Amusements change every season so visitors can enjoy the ride many times. Other attractions include Cranky the crane play structure, an education/art area, a café and a retail area offering extensive Thomas merchandise.