Teaching Japanese to kids can be helped along with these great educational bricks via a stop on Amazon Japan.
Thomas Tank Engine and Friends was first created by an Anglican clergyman, Reverend Wilbert Awdry to entertain his son Christopher as he recovered from scarlet fever. That was back in the 1940’s when steam engines were the means of rail transport across the British countryside.
Half a century later, I wonder what the Reverend would have made of his creations being used to help teach Japanese characters.

I think the use of the trains in this teaching manner is a wonderful association.

I am thinking of my favourite Thomas Tank stories already. Click here for more.
RT @Shibuya246: Cool Educational, Japan Amazon | Shibuya246 http://bt.io/BUYm Thomas the tank is known world wide. and now helping to teach Japanese characters. I really never did follow the series growing up. Wasn’t really aware of him untill my later years. and it’s only shown on the public educational network over here. The train sets are very collectable I hear.