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)

“Nothing Changes” in Yamagata Prefecture

The KiHa101 series diesel railcar, FRUIT LINER, standing at Yamagata Station

Today, I'd like to return to my recent family trip to Yamagata Prefecture and share one more highlight from the trip.

I think there are many things in your country that have remained unchanged for a long time.

There are also many such things in Japan. For example, the five-story pagoda at Horyu-ji Temple in Nara Prefecture has stood unchanged for more than 1,300 years. My favorite five-story pagoda at Muro-ji Temple has remained unchanged for 1,232 years since it was built.

A pagoda that has stood unchanged for centuries can be found in Yamagata Prefecture as well. Please take a look at the photo below—the five-story pagoda of Haguro-san. It was reconstructed in 1372 and has remained unchanged ever since, for 654 years. During our trip to Yamagata Prefecture, I enjoyed taking a close look at this timeless pagoda.

Of course, I can’t end this post without mentioning the railway side of things—after all, this is a railway blog.

After visiting Haguro-san, we returned to JR East’s Yamagata Station. When we arrived there, what caught my eye was the “FRUIT LINER” train (see the photo above).

You may have forgotten that I introduced this train on my blog fifteen years ago. FRUIT LINER is a local commuter train operating on JR East’s Aterazawa Line. As you know, Yamagata Prefecture is well known as the “Kingdom of Fruit.” In fact, there are many orchards along the Aterazawa Line. That’s why the train running on this line came to be known as the Fruit Liner. You can see its beautiful two-tone white-and-blue body. The blue represents the waters of the Mogami River, which flows along the line.

The official designation of the FRUIT LINER is the KiHa 101 series. It is a 17-meter-long diesel railcar powered by a 243 kW diesel engine. It entered service in 1993, and a total of thirteen cars were built by Niigata Engineering.

I was very happy to see the FRUIT LINER again for the first time in fifteen years. It hadn’t changed at all and was still shining beautifully, just as it had fifteen years ago.

Always-changing urban scenery and trains are certainly attractive. But, like the historical pagoda and the train, … “Nothing changes” in Yamagata Prefecture also drew me in.

The five-story pagoda of Haguro-san in Yamagata Prefecture

The 30th Anniversary of the Rinkai Line

Series 71-000 Set Z11 with a “30th Anniversary of the Rinkai Line” headmark

On March 30 this year, Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Company (TWR) celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Rinkai Line. Today, I’d like to share a few thoughts about this milestone. But before that…

That’s weird. I still remember that TWR celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Rinkai Line four years ago. So why is TWR celebrating its 30th anniversary this year?

You may be wondering the same thing as I was, so let me start with a brief overview of the Rinkai Line.

・What Is the Rinkai Line?

The Rinkai Line is a commuter railway serving the waterfront area of Tokyo. It is operated by TWR, a public-private joint venture. The entire line is double-tracked, and trains run on a 1,500 V DC system. Most of the line runs underground, but it is not classified as a subway line. Rinkai Line trains also run directly onto JR East lines.

・History of the Rinkai Line

The Rinkai Line initially opened between Shin-Kiba and Tokyo Teleport (4.9 km) in 1996. It was then fully opened between Ōsaki and Shin-Kiba (12.2 km) in 2002.

In short, TWR celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Rinkai Line’s full opening in 2022. On the other hand, it is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the line’s initial, partial opening this year. Does that clear things up for you?

・The 30th Anniversary Headmark

Let’s move on. One of the events marking the 30th anniversary is the application of a commemorative headmark to Set Z11 of the Series 71-000 EMU (see the photo above).

In the photo below, you can see a close-up of another headmark on the other cab front. The Series 70-000 and Series 71-000 EMUs are featured on the headmark. The design is modest, but charming in its own way.

・Final Thoughts

Finally, I tried to look back on the days of the Rinkai Line’s “20th anniversary” in 2022. I remembered that the anniversary train was the older Series 70-000. Four years later, the “30th anniversary” train is the latest Series 71-000 EMU.

As far as I know, a total of five sets of the Series 71-000 have already entered service. I could really feel how quickly this urban railway is changing.

Congratulations on the 30th anniversary of the Rinkai Line!

The commemorative headmark celebrating the 30th anniversary

Related link:

・Official information from TWR (in Japanese)