TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's national railway operator, Taiwan Railway (台鐵), has unveiled plans for a four-day culinary extravaganza celebrating the island's beloved train-station lunch boxes at the upcoming Formosa Railroad Bento Festival (鐵路便當節). The event, scheduled for June 6-9 at the historic Taipei Main Station (台北車站), is projected to draw more than 500,000 attendees—a 10% jump from last year's turnout — while generating revenues surpassing NT$10 million (approximately US$333,467).
Feng Hui-sheng (馮輝昇), the general manager of Taiwan Railway, emphasized the cultural significance of this year's festival lineup, which features eight specially designed bento boxes inspired by traditional Taiwanese banquet cuisine. The railway administration has partnered with the state-owned Taiwan Tobacco and Liquor Corporation (台灣菸酒) to create a festival-exclusive beverage—the "Perfect Match Passion Fruit and Mango Brewed Beer" (絕配芭芒柳精釀啤酒)—pairing tropical fruit flavors with the iconic boxed meals.
Visitors to the festival will discover an array of railway-themed merchandise with substantial price reductions, including a notable 41% discount on selected items. Train enthusiasts will have the opportunity to purchase highly limited collectibles, with only 30 sets available of the coveted "Have a Trip with Champion!" (微笑冠軍號) N-gauge model train. Additional commemorative items include Team Taiwan badges, premium stainless steel bento containers, decorative folders featuring the Hai Feng EMU500 (海風號) and Shanlan EMU500 (山嵐號) train designs, and railway-themed perpetual calendars.
The festival celebration coincides with a significant milestone — the 10th anniversary of Taiwan Railway's beloved mascot characters "Tielu" (鐵魯) and "Hana" (漢娜). To commemorate this occasion, organizers will install a dedicated photo area and release character-themed merchandise for collectors. Shoppers can also take advantage of special festival promotions, including a limited-edition good luck talisman for those spending over NT$5,000 (about US$166.73) on KATO model train products, while railway club members making purchases of NT$399 (approximately US$13.31) or more between June 6-8 will receive complimentary gifts. ◼