If you’re a fan of Thomas & Friends, there is no bigger pilgrimage than the Oigawa Railway in Shizuoka, Japan. However, for non-Japanese speakers, the booking system can be a maze of Kanji.
We’ve broken down exactly how to secure your seats using the Official Urakata Booking Portal. 🚂 Step-by-Step Booking Guide
Step 1: Select Your Experience On the landing page (https://thomas.daitetsu.jp/schedule/), you’ll see several options. Look for the “Day Out With Thomas” (きかんしゃトーマス号) banner.
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Annotation: Look for the Thomas icon and click the blue button (詳細/予約 – Details/Reserve).
Step 2: Check the Calendar
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Circle (○): Available.
Triangle (△): Limited seats (Book now!).
Cross (×): Sold out. Annotation: Click on your preferred date. If you aren’t staying in Shizuoka overnight, select the afternoon slot (usually around 1:20 PM or 2:00 PM).
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Step 3: Login
You may need to login to buy the tickets. Create a new again using your SNS (Japanese term for social network service e.g Facebook, Line, Apple ID etc. )
Step 4: Enter Passenger Info
You will need to enter your name in Katakana (phonetic Japanese). Tip: Use a free “English to Katakana” converter online. For the phone number, if your international number doesn’t fit, use your hotel’s phone number.
Step 4: Payment The site accepts major international credit cards. Once confirmed, you will receive a QR code via email. This is your digital ticket—keep it safe!
🗺️ What to Do & See There
The Thomas Day Out Activity Area: Located at Senzu Station (and partly at Shin-Kanaya), this is the “hub.” You can get up close with Hiro, Percy, and James!
The Manual Turntable: Don’t miss this! Watching a massive steam-powered Thomas rotate on the manual turntable is a sight to behold.
Thomas Maintenance Factory: For a small fee at Shin-Kanaya, you can see Thomas being “fed” coal and prepped for his journey.
Bertie the Bus: Look out the window during your ride! Bertie the Bus often drives along the road parallel to the tracks to “race” the train. 💡 GameTrader.SG Pro-Tips 🌟 The “Day Trip” Secret: If you are coming from Tokyo or Osaka and not staying overnight in Shizuoka, always book the afternoon timing. > The journey from Tokyo takes about 2 to 2.5 hours via Shinkansen and local lines. A morning 10:30 AM departure is very stressful to catch. By booking the 1:20 PM or 2:00 PM slot, you have plenty of time to travel down, explore the Shin-Kanaya gift shops, and grab a Thomas-themed Bento box for lunch before boarding!
When SGCC first dropped its initial 2025 announcement, we covered the major highlights — the return of Singapore’s biggest pop-culture festival, its expanded showfloor, and the promise of an even more ambitious edition than before.
Now, SGCC has released a second wave of details, and trust us… the hype just levelled up again. If the first announcement got fans talking, this one brings the meat: a fully revealed floor plan, a jam-packed 2-day stage programme, the full W.I.P. Lab schedule, tabletop takeovers, Creators Con updates, and a gigantic list of exhibitor exclusives that will have collectors planning their routes like a tactical mission.
Here’s everything new you need to know.
📍 The Largest SGCC Floor Plan Ever — Level 1 + Basement 2 Takeover
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We already knew SGCC 2025 was expanding, but now we have the confirmation:
Level 1: Halls A, B, C — the biggest SGCC showfloor ever. More exhibitors, more pop-culture showcases, more retail, more creators, more everything.
Basement 2: Full Tabletop Takeover. An entire underground floor purely for TCGs, boardgames, miniature painting, tournaments, and community play. If you collect cards or roll dice — this is your home base.
SGCC wasn’t kidding when they said “most ambitious yet.”
🎤 FULL Stage Programme Revealed — Godzilla, Ultraman, FightSaber, Fabula Ultima Live Show & More
The earlier announcement teased “expanded programming” — now we finally see what that means. The newly unveiled 2-day main stage schedule includes:
🔥 Iconic Pop-Culture Performances
Godzilla Live Stage Experience + Ultraman Spectacle LIVE — Godzilla’s first ever SGCC showcase paired with an Ultraman battle performance featuring Omega, Zero, Tiga and more.
PAssionArts AudioImage Wind Ensemble’s “Symphonic G-On 2025” — MapleStory, Baldur’s Gate 3, Final Fantasy XIV, Sonic, Star Wars, Hollow Knight and more in music-meets-cosplay fashion.
🎭 Creator & Fan Engagement
TikTok Star Satoyu Fan Meeting + TikTok Anime Quest Final Battle
Fabula Ultima TTJRPG Live Show — audience-influenced storytelling live.
🎉 Community Spectacles
Cosplay Competition Finals
Food League Eating Championship (Fried Rice Edition)
POPPA Ani-Idol Semi-Finals
This is easily SGCC’s most varied stage lineup to date — blending fandom, performance arts, cosplay, gaming, and community in one continuous weekend programme.
🎨 W.I.P. Lab Schedule Now Live — Featuring Simon Bisley’s Intimate Workshop
Fans of comics and illustration get a major treat with the newly revealed W.I.P. Lab lineup.
The spotlight? Legendary comic artist Simon Bisley will host a limited-seat, paid workshop titled “Monster and Beast” where fans can watch him sketch live, participate in a private Q&A, and score an autograph + photo. Seats are extremely limited — and at $288, it’s meant for the hardcore art enthusiasts.
The rest of the W.I.P. Lab schedule features two full days of workshops, creative showcases, and talks — ideal for creators, hobbyists, and anyone dreaming of turning fandom into craft.
🛒 Exhibitor Exclusives: SGCC 2025 Drops Are Getting Wild
This second press release brings the full exhibitor highlight list — and collectors, prepare yourselves. Here are some standouts:
Bandai / Gundam Base
Exclusive Gunpla
Hands-on Gunpla workshops
Threezero
3 SGCC-Exclusive figures
ROBO-DOU Scopedog (Heavy Weathering Ver.)
DLX Optimus Primal (Beast Wars Universe Edition)
DLX Nemesis Prime
Yolopark
Transparent Starscream Model Kit (AMK Pro Series) — SGCC Exclusive
The Loyal Subjects
Two M.A.S.K. SGCC Exclusives, including a 40th Anniversary Black & Gold Edition
KenShop
First-launch Singapore collectibles featuring:
ComfortDelGro Prius Taxi (with lights!)
C851E NEL MRT Train (sound + lights + pull-back motor + opening doors)
Faceless Toys
Zhuge Liang SGCC Exclusive (180 pcs only)
New Blind Boxes & Preorders
Heat Boys
Brand-new mecha reveals, including TMNT mecha variants (Raphael Night Watch Ver., Leonardo HEATFIG, Spartacus & more)
Queen Studios
Life-sized Black Myth: Wukong Great Sage Armor — pre-orders open only at SGCC
InArt
Exclusive 1/12 The Dark Knight Rises Batman Accessory Pack
… and dozens more spanning toys, plushes, card games, art, indie creators, and pop-culture brands.
This year’s exclusives feel bigger and more premium — a clear sign of SGCC’s growing regional pull.
🃏 Tabletop, TCG, and Card Game Festivals — Bigger Than Ever
Basement 2 isn’t just “bigger than last year” — it’s a massive gaming carnival featuring:
Bandai Card Games Fest
Gundam Card Game joins the Regional Championships for the first time
ONE PIECE, Digimon, Union Arena tournaments
Event-exclusive merch & sleeves
Newcomer tutorials for all Bandai TCGs
Collexi-Con
A hybrid mini-con of TCGs, artists, and card vendors — perfect for trading, collecting, and meeting the community.
Ultraman Card Game
Ultra Deck 01: a brand-new high-level deck debuting at SGCC
If you collect TCGs… take leave. Bring a bag. Maybe two.
🍴 Pop Culture Food Zone Returns — With Exclusive Beard Papa’s Flavours
From themed food to SGCC-only Beard Papa’s cream puff flavours — the food zone is back to fuel fans through the weekend.
🎥 Avatar: Fire & Ash Booth
Snap a photo at the booth and get special movie premiums. The film hits cinemas on 18 December — right after SGCC.
📣 Creators Con 2025 — Powered by TikTok & BloomrSG
The creators side of SGCC is expanding too, with international + regional creators, live segments, meet-and-greets, and co-created activations. The ecosystem keeps getting bigger — and this update confirms SGCC is fully leaning into creator culture.
🎫 Event Details Recap
Dates:
5 Dec 2025 — Preview Night (Platinum, guests, media)
6–7 Dec 2025 — Main Festival
Location: Marina Bay Sands Expo (Level 1 & Basement 2)
Tickets: Available now via SISTIC.
Final Thoughts — SGCC 2025 Just Became a Must-Go Event
When we wrote about the first announcement, SGCC 2025 already looked strong.
With this second wave? It’s shaping up to be the largest, most content-packed, most collector-heavy SGCC ever.
The expanded floor plan, exclusive drops, massive TCG presence, creator events, stage spectacles, and legend-level guests prove one thing:
SGCC 2025 isn’t just back — it’s evolving into a full-blown regional pop-culture powerhouse.
GameTrader.sg will be covering the show, the merch, the exclusives, and every hidden gem we find — stay tuned.
Singapore, 28 November 2025 — It’s that time of the year again. Suntec Singapore has transformed into a neon-lit playground bursting with anime, games, cosplay, creators, and the unmistakable energy of J-culture fans from all over the region. Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2025 (AFASG25) is officially live—running from 28 to 30 November 2025—and this year’s edition is bigger, louder, and crazier than ever.
If you thought last year was massive, wait till you see what’s happening this weekend.
AFA isn’t just a convention anymore—it’s a full-on ACG experience, and 2025’s lineup proves it. We’re talking:
250+ booths across the show floor
200+ creators and cosplayers
A star-studded I LOVE ANISONG festival with 16 artists & groups
13 day stage showcases featuring more than 20 special guests
Yes, it’s that big.
AFA Returns With New Energy — and a First for Singapore
Supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, AFASG25 celebrates Japanese pop culture at a scale that keeps fans (and our wallets) coming back.
This year includes something special: TOHO animation’s first-ever experiential showcase outside Japan. If you love titles like Jujutsu Kaisen, My Hero Academia, or Haikyu!!, this is the booth to run to.
SOZO founder and Festival Director Shawn Chin sums it up best:
“AFA started in Singapore in 2008. Even after expanding to Indonesia and Hong Kong, the Singapore edition remains very special to fans and us alike.”
And after walking through the halls this morning? We totally get it.
What to Expect at AFASG25
The entire Level 4 of Suntec Convention has been taken over. Here’s your quick survival guide.
1. Akiba Town — The Heart of All Things ACG
Welcome to your new favourite money-draining zone.
With booths from TOHO, MANGA Plus by Shueisha, KADOKAWA and more, this is where exclusive merch drops happen—some only available at AFA Singapore.
Must-visit stops include:
Bocchi the Rock! merch booth
Makoto Shinkai Movies Exhibition
JOJOCARAVAN for JoJo fans
Limited edition figurines, artbooks, apparel and dangerous gachapon
If you love Japanese pop culture, budget will be exceeded.
2. AFA NEXT STAGE — New Layout, New Vibes
Previously the Akiba Stage, this upgraded stage offers:
Live performances
The return of the Cho-Bon Dance (bring your festival spirit!)
The Cosplay Singles Competition Grand Finale
Prepare your cameras—this is where rising star cosplayers make their mark.
3. Cosplay Hub — Meet the Icons
Nearly 50 top-tier cosplayers from all over the region are here.
Get your merchandise from your favourite cosplay stars.
4. Creators Hub — 158 booths of pure creativity
Artists, illustrators, crafters—you name it. Whether you want prints, charms, apparel, tech accessories, stickers, or commissions, this is the treasure trove.
Arrive early. Popular artists sell out by midday.
5. Game On — Test New Titles First
Gamers, this is your zone.
From blockbuster demos to indie surprises, Game On gives you hands-on access to new experiences from top developers and publishers.
Expect queues—but also a lot of fun.
6. Food Street — Because Fans Need Fuel
Takoyaki, karaage, Japanese snacks… You’ll smell it before you see it.
Day Stage Highlights — Live Panels, Screenings & More
Across the three days, the AFA Day Stage features screenings, seiyuu talks, director panels, and exclusive previews straight from Japan.
Friday, 28 November
Premiere screenings for Noble Reincarnation, Lord of Mysteries, SPYxFAMILY
YouTuber Gigguk presents his new short anime Bâan
Saturday, 29 November
Voice actors from Frieren, Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX!
Cast of The Holy Grail of Eris and The Apothecary Diaries
Akari Rito brings Chibi Godzilla to the stage
Sunday, 30 November
Talk show with legendary creator Shoji Kawamori (Macross, Escaflowne)
A rare VTuber appearance by Otsuka Ray and her daughter
bilibili previews The Beginning After The End & A Mortal’s Journey
Seiyuu Yusuke Kobayashi (Fire Force) takes the stage
I LOVE ANISONG 2025 — Three Nights of Pure Hype
The concerts open at 6:00 PM (Fri) and 6:30 PM (Sat & Sun), and the line-up is fire.
💎 SPARKLE Stage – Friday
asmi
NOMELON NOLEMON
Sakurazaka46
SPYAIR
🌟 GLOW Stage – Saturday
fhána
HIMEHINA
nonoc
Sally Amaki (22/7)
Shouta Aoi
Yoko Takahashi (yes, the EVA singer!)
🔥 BLAZE Stage – Sunday
ALI
ClariS
Hachioji-P
Isekaijoucho
May’n
Wednesday Campanella
If you’ve never been to an ANISONG concert, this is the year to go. Lightsticks mandatory.
Meet & Greet Sessions — Up Close With Creators
Friday
Gigguk
Thames Malerose
Saturday
Simba Tsuchiya
Kana Ichinose & Sayumi Suzushiro
Sunday
Yusuke Kobayashi
Sally Amaki
Bring your merch, your questions, and your best manners.
Ticketing — Still Time to Grab Yours
A few tiers are still available:
CAT 1 (S$198/day)
Best view + ballot for signed poster + fastlane + exhibition + day stage
Perfect for shoppers, gamers, and creators-hunters
(All prices exclude booking fees.)
Final Thoughts
AFASG25 shows why Singapore remains the beating heart of Southeast Asia’s ACG scene. With huge exhibitors, a stacked artist lineup, fan-favourite creators, unforgettable performances, and experiences you can’t get anywhere else—it’s a dream weekend for anime and game fans.
If you’re heading down, charge your phones, bring extra tote bags, and hydrate. If you’re not… you’ll want to reconsider.
AFA Singapore 2025 📅 28 – 30 Nov 2025 📍 Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre 🌐 animefestival.asia
