The 100th Anniversary of the Circular Operation

Set 39 of the JR East EMU E235 series, designed like the EMU 103 series

Are there any loop lines in your country? In Japan, there are a few. For example, the Osaka Loop Line is a well-known circular line in the western part of the country. The Meijo Line in Nagoya is the only subway loop line with continuous circular operation, and the Disney Resort Line in Chiba Prefecture is the only monorail loop line in Japan.

Thank you for waiting. Here comes the headliner! Japan’s most famous loop line is none other than JR East’s Yamanote Line. It loops through several central areas of Tokyo. The line is double-tracked, and each train keeps running in the same direction throughout the day—either clockwise or counterclockwise.

On November 1st, 2025, JR East will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Yamanote Line’s circular operation. The line originally opened as part of the Nippon Railway’s Shinagawa Line and was gradually extended. In 1925, it was finally connected into a loop, and circular operation began under the Japanese Government Railways.

To commemorate this remarkable milestone, JR East is operating special trains using Sets 39 and 44 of the EMU E235 series. Set 39 features the nostalgic face of the former EMU 103 series, which ran on the line between 1963 and 1988, while Set 44 is designed in the style of the EMU 205 series, which was in service from 1985 to 2005.

Recently, I’ve often seen many railway fans gathering along the Yamanote Line to celebrate this special event. Of course, I’m one of them too.

Happy 100th anniversary of circular operation to the Yamanote Line!

Set 44 of the JR East EMU E235 series, designed like the EMU 205 series

Official video, "the 100th anniversary of the Yamanote Line's circular operation", by JR East:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuhCtUo74jQ

Official information, "the 100th anniversary of the Yamanote Line's circular operation", by JR East (in Japanese):

https://www.jreast.co.jp/tokyomovinground/exhibition/yamaf,es/

EMU 71-000 Series: A New Model on the Rinkai Line

The EMU TWR 71-000 series running on JR East’s Saikyo Line

I’m happy to introduce a new train that appeared in the Tokyo area this autumn — the EMU 71-000 series on the Rinkai Line. It’s been about three months since I last shared a new train here.

First of all, please take a look at the photo above. This is the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit (TWR) 71-000 series, which made its debut on October 1st. This new DC commuter train was developed to replace the older 70-000 series. Technically, it’s almost the same as JR East’s E233-7000 series, which also runs on the Rinkai Line.

Its front design is said to express a gentle smile, and the blue stripe along the body represents the Tokyo Bay waterfront. I think it looks very nice and friendly.

At the moment, two trainsets are in service, and TWR plans to add six more by the middle of fiscal year 2027. The 70-000 series, which has been in service for many years, will be retired by the end of that same year.

By the way, TWR is a semi-public company established in 1991. The Rinkai Line has been in operation since 1996, running through the central part of the Tokyo Bay area. The 12.2-kilometer route is mostly underground, passing beneath reclaimed islands and connecting them with several undersea tunnels. Trains on the Rinkai Line also run through onto JR East’s Saikyo Line and other lines.

If you have a moment, please check the link below for the official video and information (in Japanese) about this new EMU 71-000 series.

Car 71-201 of Set z12, EMU TWR 71-000 series

Official video and information by TWR (in Japanese):

https://www.twr.co.jp/71000/tabid/382/Default.aspx

The Subway Above the JR East Line

Yotsuya Station: The “subway” Marunouchi Line (left) and the JR East Line (right)

As I mentioned before, Yotsuya, located in central Tokyo, is a complicated station shared by the JR East Chuo Line and the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line. For example, JR East’s Yotsuya Station is situated in a valley, with a railway tunnel located just beside it. On the other hand, although the Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line is a “subway,” its Yotsuya Station is on an elevated track rather than underground. It’s quite confusing—so how are these two stations positioned relative to each other?

I recently captured a photo that clearly explains the mystery. In the top image, you can see a Tokyo Metro Series 2000 EMU on the left and a JR East Series E231 EMU on the right. Notice how the 2000 series rides above the E231 series—literally placing the “subway” above the JR East Line. This curious structure has a fascinating backstory.

The history begins in 1894, when the Kobu Railway (now JR East) built Yotsuya Station in the bottom of a valley. Over half a century later, in the 1950s, Eidan (now Tokyo Metro) began planning the Marunouchi Line as part of Tokyo’s growing subway network. They faced a major challenge: the line was too deep to tunnel beneath the Chuo Line. The solution was unexpected—the Marunouchi Line would be built as an elevated track directly above the Chuo Line, creating this unusual vertical layout.

Today, Yotsuya Station remains a rare example of Tokyo’s intricate railway history—a place where “subway” really means above rather than below.

To close, here’s one more photo showing the Marunouchi Line track as it emerges from a tunnel and approaches its elevated Yotsuya Station. This is a unique feature in Tokyo—a singularity in a city of wonders.

Marunouchi Line track approaching Yotsuya Station

Original Form of the EMU 7000 Series on the Sunzu Line

Set 1 of the Izu-Hakone Railway 7000 Series at Mishima Terminal

I’ve already uploaded over 1,900 posts on this blog over the past 14 years. I think I’ve introduced almost every existing train in the Tokyo metropolitan area by now. But wait—I realized there’s still one model in its original form that I haven’t shown you yet. Sorry if I sound a bit obsessive, but as a trainspotter, I’m particular about featuring trains I haven’t posted before.

Take a look at the top photo. This is EMU Izu-Hakone Railway 7000 Series Set 1. The 7000 Series was introduced in 1991 as a rapid service train on the Sunzu Line. A total of two sets (six cars) were built by Tokyu Sharyo. Set 1 still retains its original look, with its blue-striped front. You may remember when I introduced Set 2 of the 7000 Series on this blog—it was a very unique train with a gold-colored front. However, please note that Set 2 didn’t keep its original appearance; that was its look after renovation. For reference, the body stripe color also differs between Set 1 (original) and Set 2 (renovated); Set 1’s stripe is lighter than Set 2’s.

Over the past 14 years, I’ve sometimes visited the Sunzu Line, but I never came across Set 1 until this May. I wonder why... but finally, here it is! I came across it at Mishima-hirokoji station (see the photo below). Set 1—I hope we’ll meet more often from now on. I feel relieved that I can finally introduce the original form of the Izu-Hakone Railway 7000 Series EMU.

Set 1 arriving at Mishima-Hirokoji Station

A Hanging Strap with a Unique Design: Part 2

Mocoron-themed hanging strap in the Odakyu Mocoron Train

I was very surprised when I checked the “Popular Posts of the Last Month” section on this blog. To my surprise, “A Hanging Strap with a Unique Design” was ranked number one. As I mentioned in that post, it was just a “trivial topic” for me, so I was amazed by the result. I always post about what I find interesting, without thinking much about popularity. Even so, it still feels a little strange to me.

Now, this is the second post about the “hanging strap with a unique design". Please take a look at the top photo. I found this strap inside Set 5055 of the EMU 5000 series on the Odakyu Line. It has two small, ear-like protrusions on the top of the ring. Doesn’t it look like someone? … It’s Mocoron!

What is Mocoron?

Mocoron is the mascot character of Odakyu Electric Railway. He (or she) 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. Please take a look at the photo below. You can see a stuffed Mocoron sitting in the driver’s cab of Set 5055, which is called the “Mocoron Train”. So cute, isn’t it?

By the way, Odakyu has not officially announced where the Mocoron-themed hanging straps are installed. As far as I know, there is at least one strap in each car of the Mocoron Train. I also found some in a few sets of the EMU 8000 series. In addition to taking photos of trains or observing their bodies, it might be enjoyable to look for Mocoron straps when you ride Odakyu trains. Trainspotting has many small pleasures, doesn’t it?

Stuffed Mocoron sitting in the driver’s cab of the Odakyu Mocoron Train