A Hanging Strap with a Unique Design: Part 3

Rinkaru-themed hanging strap on a TWR train

There are many hanging straps in commuter trains in Japan. That’s because trains in urban areas are often crowded. Hanging straps are essential for passenger safety in this country.

By the way, I imagine there are hanging straps with unique designs in your country, too. In Japan, there aren’t many, but I do come across them from time to time. As I mentioned in a previous post, the Sounyan-themed hanging strap on a Sotetsu train is a typical example. We shouldn’t forget the Mocoron-themed hanging strap on an Odakyu train, either. Today, I’d like to share one more unique hanging strap with you

Please take a look at the photo above. What’s that?

Here you can see Rinkaru! That’s a special hanging strap on a Rinkai Line train.

The Rinkai Line is a commuter railway serving the waterfront area of Tokyo. It is operated by Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit (TWR), a public-private joint venture. The line stretches 12.2 km and connects Shin-Kiba and Ōsaki. It has eight stations.

Rinkaru is the Rinkai Line’s mascot character. He is a dolphin boy who appeared in Tokyo Bay in 2007. He always wears a railway cap, which was given to him by the stationmaster of Tokyo Teleport Station. He is said to never grow old. Rinkaru’s hanging strap—it’s super cute, isn’t it?

Finally, I have to tell you about the train equipped with Rinkaru’s hanging strap. Please see the photo below. This is the train—Set Z3 of the TWR Series 70-000 EMU. I was pleased to see Rinkaru featured prominently on the exterior. The train is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Rinkai Line.

I enjoyed both the unique hanging strap and the 30th-anniversary posters on the Rinkai Line train that day.

TWR Series 70-000 Set Z3 leaving Shinonome Station

Related link:

・Official information from TWR (in Japanese)

The 25th Anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea

“Sparkling Jubilee Liner” running on the Disney Resort Line

I recently visited the Disney Resort Line for the first time in a year and three months. What’s new with this monorail line, which runs through the resort “where dreams come true”? But before that…

・What’s the Disney Resort Line?

It is a straddle-beam monorail that opened in 2001. The route is a single-track loop connecting Disney theme parks, official hotels, and JR East’s Maihama Station. It is a form of public transportation covered by the Railway Business Act, rather than an attraction inside the resort. You can use rechargeable smart cards, such as Suica and PASMO, on the line.

The line is electrified at 1,500 V DC. There are four stations along its 5.0-kilometer route. All trains run counterclockwise throughout the day. The trains use an ATO (automatic train operation) system and operate without drivers. Meanwhile, a conductor is on board to operate the doors and make announcements to passengers.

・Trains on the Disney Resort Line

Currently, the 100 series EMU (Type C) is the only train type operated on the line. It entered service in 2020 to replace the older 10 series EMU (Type X). A total of five sets were built by Hitachi. Each set has a different livery.

Each trainset is 84.9 meters long and consists of four intermediate motorcars and two control trailers (4M2Tc). It features aluminum-alloy bodies, a VFD control system with 100 kW induction motors, and so on.

・What’s New with the Disney Resort Line?

Well, that’s enough technical detail. Let’s take a look at the photos.

I spotted a specially wrapped train called the “Sparkling Jubilee Liner,” celebrating the 25th anniversary of DisneySea, on the line. DisneySea is one of the theme parks at the resort. It opened in 2001 as the second theme park of Tokyo Disney Resort. Its slogan is “Where Adventure and Imagination Set Sail.”

As its slogan suggests, the anniversary train is finished in ocean blue both inside and out. This is Type C, Set 105. Its original color was green.

I think it is the most beautiful wrapped train on the Disney Resort Line I have ever seen. Of course, the exterior features Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, and their friends. It’s such a fun design!

Congratulations on the 25th anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea!

Interior of the “Sparkling Jubilee Liner”

Related link:

・Official information from the Disney Resort Line

Photographing Subway Trains: The Asakusa Line

Toei 5500 series EMU leaving Takanawadai Station in a shield tunnel

Before I knew it, photographing subway trains had become a routine for me. Today, I would like to share my fourth post about photographing subway trains—the Asakusa Line—with you. The theme is “Yamitetsu on the Asakusa Line.” But before that…

・What’s the Asakusa Line?

The Asakusa Line is the third-oldest subway line in Tokyo. It opened in 1960 and is operated by the Bureau of Transportation of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Toei). The line is 18.3 km long and connects Nishi-magome and Oshiage. The track gauge is 1,435 mm, and the line uses a 1,500 V DC overhead catenary system. Asakusa Line trains run directly onto the Keikyu, Keisei, and other lines.

There is a wide variety of EMUs operating on the Asakusa Line, since many types of trains run directly onto the line from connecting lines. However, Toei itself currently operates only the 5500 series EMU as a regular train.

・What’s Yamitetsu?

As I mentioned in my previous posts, “yamitetsu” is a Japanese slang term among railfans for photographing trains in the dark, and also for people who enjoy doing so. I’m still a beginner at yamitetsu myself. But this time, I made a detour to the Asakusa Line.

・Yamitetsu’s Activity in a Shield Tunnel

Alright then—it’s time for yamitetsu! Please take a look at the photo above. I took it in a shield tunnel at Takanawadai Station. A Toei 5500 series EMU was leaving the station.

To be honest, it was difficult, since the tunnel was darker than I had expected. The pictures easily came out blurry, and the lights tended to bleed into the surrounding areas. It was a bit disappointing. But, on the other hand, I was captivated by the tunnel walls illuminated by the green and red signals. That’s not so bad, is it?

・Yamitetsu’s Activity in a Rail Yard

Next, please take a look at the photo below. I visited Magome Rail Yard near Nishi-magome Station. It shows a Toei 5500 series EMU leaving Magome Rail Yard to provide additional service during rush hour.

You may be thinking, “I’ve seen this rail yard in your previous post.”

But take another look at the photo. It was taken in the evening, not during the daytime. The train was gleaming brightly under the yard lights. The inspection building was empty, but the lights were still on as if it were alive. Even the green grass beside the tracks was shining. Beautiful!

I thoroughly enjoyed my yamitetsu adventure on the Asakusa Line.

Toei 5500 series EMU leaving Magome Rail Yard in the evening

Related link:

・Official information from Toei (in Japanese with a machine translation system)

The 3rd Anniversary of Mocoron

Odakyu Series 60000 EMU with a “3rd Anniversary of Mocoron” headmark

I imagine there are many mascot characters in your country, too.

There are also many in Japan. For example, many local governments have their own mascot characters, such as “Kumamon” of Kumamoto Prefecture. Railway companies have their own mascot characters, too. For example, my favorite one is “Sounyan” of Sagami Railway. Keisei Electric Railway’s “Keisei Panda” is also quite unique and appealing.

Other than that… Mocoron!

・What’s Mocoron?

As I’ve mentioned several times, Mocoron is Odakyu Electric Railway’s mascot character. It debuted in August 2023. According to Odakyu’s website, Mocoron is a blue rabbit who helps promote child-friendly services on the Odakyu Line. Mocoron likes riding trains and is always looking for something fun.

In fact, we can see a large Mocoron stuffed toy sitting in the driver’s cab of the Mocoron train, a specially wrapped train promoting the Odakyu Line (see my previous post). So cute, isn’t it?

・The 3rd Anniversary of Mocoron

In August this year, Odakyu celebrated Mocoron’s third anniversary. Three years have already passed since its debut. Time really flies.

As part of the third-anniversary celebrations, commemorative headmarks were placed on the Series 60000 EMUs, Romancecar MSE (see the photo above). In the photo below, you can see a close-up of the headmark on the front of the cab. The design is modest, but charming in its own way.

・Background of Mocoron’s Activities

For your information, Odakyu places a strong emphasis on supporting families with children. For instance, elementary school students pay a flat fare of only 50 yen (US$0.33) for any journey.

As I’ve mentioned several times, Japan’s population has been declining. Railway companies cannot simply sit back and do nothing in this situation. They are competing to attract passengers and have to enhance the appeal of their lines. Otherwise, families may move to more popular areas along other railway lines.

Odakyu’s strategy is to attract families with children.

Congratulations on the 3rd anniversary of Mocoron!

The commemorative headmark celebrating the 3rd anniversary of Mocoron

Related link:

・Official information from Odakyu (in Japanese)

Photographing Subway Trains: The Hibiya Line

Tokyo Metro’s Series 13000 EMU at Minami-senju Station

I started photographing subway trains again one month ago. Following my posts on the Marunouchi and Ginza Lines, today I’d like to share some recent photos of the Hibiya Line. The theme is the “Miracle Hibiya Line.” But before that…

What’s the Hibiya Line?

The Hibiya Line is the fourth-oldest subway line in Tokyo. It opened in 1961 and is operated by Tokyo Metro, just like the Ginza and Marunouchi Lines. The line is 20.3 km long and connects Kita-senju and Naka-meguro. Its track gauge is 1,067 mm, and it uses 1,500 V DC with overhead catenaries. Many Hibiya Line trains run directly onto the Tobu Isesaki Line.

Currently, three types of EMUs operate on the Hibiya Line: Tokyo Metro’s Series 13000 and Tobu’s Series 70000 and 70090. To improve operational efficiency, all trainsets consist of seven 20-meter-long cars.

Sorry for the long introduction.

I chose Minami-senju Station on the Hibiya Line as my place to photograph trains. It was my first time taking pictures there. Why Minami-senju?

First, I wanted to photograph trains on the surface during the daytime. Second, I wanted to choose a Tokyo Metro station rather than one shared with another railway company, such as the terminals at Kita-senju and Naka-meguro. In other words, I wanted to soak up the Tokyo Metro atmosphere.

Now, please look at the photo above. It shows a southbound Series 13000 EMU at Minami-senju Station. You may be thinking, “Just a nondescript scene.” But it was a miracle indeed.

In fact, when I arrived at Minami-senju, I noticed that northbound and southbound trains were leaving at the same time, at five-minute intervals. That meant that whenever I tried to photograph a northbound train from the opposite, southbound platform, a southbound train arriving at the same time always blocked my view.

Then the miracle happened. An extra out-of-service southbound train came into view. I ran up the stairs to the opposite platform and made it just in time. I did it!

Next, please see the photo below. I managed to capture two types of trains in a single photograph: Tobu’s Series 70000 (left) and Tokyo Metro’s Series 13000 (right) EMUs. Another miracle happened at Minami-senju Station when the two trains arrived and departed at the exact same time. Lucky!

The Hibiya Line is indeed the Miracle Line for me!

Tobu’s Series 70000 EMU (left) and Tokyo Metro’s Series 13000 EMU (right)