Limited Express “Kinugawa” and “Nikko”: 2026 Update

JR East Series 253 EMU operating as the limited express “Kinugawa”

Are there any blue trains in your country?

I know that South Africa has its famous Blue Train. I’ve also heard of PeruRail’s luxury blue train that takes passengers to the famous sightseeing destination of Machu Picchu.

Japan has blue trains, too! There used to be “Blue Trains” in Japan, a term referring to blue-colored sleeper trains. You may remember my previous posts featuring some of them, including Hokutosei and Akebono.

Although Japan’s Blue Trains have all been retired, blue-colored trains can still be found here. Famous examples include Kintetsu’s limited express “Blue Symphony” and Sotetsu’s commuter trains in their distinctive navy-blue livery.

I’m particularly fond of blue trains, especially those in ultramarine. They have a calming effect on me. I think blue trains look especially beautiful in the evening. Don’t you agree?

Let’s take a look at one. Please check out the top photo. I photographed this train just after sunset. Doesn’t it have a calming effect on you, too?

You may remember this train from my previous post. Yes, it’s JR East’s Series 253 EMU, operating as the limited express “Kinugawa” and "Nikko!"

The Series 253 is an older EMU originally designed for limited express services. It entered service in 1991 as the first-generation train for the Narita Express (N’EX), which served the New Tokyo International Airport (now Narita Airport). The train featured in the top photo originally entered service in 2002 as part of the fifth batch of N’EX trains.

It was later refurbished and repainted red before entering service as a limited express train on the “Kinugawa” and “Nikko” services in 2011. Since then, it has connected central Tokyo with popular destinations in the northern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area, including Kinugawa and Nikko.

Now, 15 years later, the Series 253 has been given a new blue livery. What a surprise! On June 13, it made its debut in its new colors on Tokyo-area tracks.

Welcome back, the Series 253! I thought you might be heading for retirement soon. You look great in blue. Keep up the good work!

Set OM-N02, a Series 253 EMU, after arriving at Shinjuku Station

Related link:

・Official information from JR East

Photographing Subway Trains: The Mita Line

A Toei Series 6300 EMU, Set 6326, arriving at Hakusan Station on the Mita Line

Photographing subway trains has become part of my routine. Today, I’d like to share the seventh installment in this series, featuring the Mita Line. The theme is “something unique about the Mita Line.” But before getting down to the main topic, let me go through the usual introduction.

・What’s the Mita Line?

The Mita Line is Tokyo’s sixth-oldest subway line. It opened in 1968 and is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei). The line is 26.5 km long, connecting Meguro and Nishi-takashimadaira. For your information, the 2.3 km section between Meguro and Shirokane-takanawa is shared with Tokyo Metro. Another 5.1 km of the line, mainly in the northwest, runs above ground.

The line has a track gauge of 1,067 mm and uses a 1,500 V DC overhead power supply. Its subway line number is “6,” and its line color is blue. Mita Line trains also run directly onto the Tokyu and Sotetsu lines.

Toei currently operates Series 6300 and 6500 EMUs on the line. Meanwhile, Tokyu’s Series 3000, 3020, and 5080 EMUs, along with Sotetsu’s Series 21000 trains, run directly onto the Mita Line from their respective lines.

・Something Unique: A Photo Spot at an Underground Station

All right, please take a look at the photo above. It shows a Toei Series 6300 EMU arriving at Hakusan Station, which is underground. Until recently, I had been photographing Mita Line trains mainly on above-ground sections. However, I recently discovered that this underground station also offers a good spot for train photography.

Here, we can photograph a train with its bogies clearly in the frame. Why is that possible? The station has separate side platforms, and there are no pillars between the two tracks. Thanks to Hakusan Station’s unusual layout, I was able to get the shot without much difficulty.

・Something Unique: A Railyard Directly Beneath an Apartment Complex

Next, please take a look at the photo below. It shows a blue Toei Series 6500 EMU standing on Siding No. 6 at Shimura Railyard. The Series 6500 is one of the newest train types on the Mita Line.

But what I’d like you to notice is the building immediately above the railyard—a large, older apartment complex! Here’s a little history behind it.

Shimura Railyard was built at ground level in 1968, when the Mita Line opened. At the time, Tokyo’s population was growing rapidly. To make effective use of the space above the railyard, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government built an artificial ground over it. A large Toei apartment complex was then constructed on this platform in 1970 to help address the housing shortage.

Looking at this structure, I got a sense of how hard Tokyo was struggling to accommodate its rapidly growing population more than a half century ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed discovering these “unique” features of the Mita Line!

Shimura Railyard, with Toei’s Nishidai Apartment complex directly above it

Tokyu Series 3000 EMUs (left and center), Toei Series 6500 EMU (right)

Related link:

・Official information from Toei

Stay Strong, Uchibo Line!

JR East Series 209-2100 EMU approaching Anegasaki Station on the Uchibo Line

(May 2024)

Are there many natural disasters in your country?

In Japan, unfortunately, yes. Japan is a disaster-prone country. We experience earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, heavy snow, and heavy rain, including typhoons.

In August and September, the Tokyo metropolitan area was hit by heavy rains three times. Chiba Prefecture, particularly the Boso Peninsula, suffered the most damage. The Boso Peninsula is located east of Tokyo, between Tokyo Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

One of the major casualties was the JR East Uchibo Line. It is still closed due to landslides that occurred on September 21 along the tracks between Anegasaki and Nagaura stations. It is expected to take at least three months to restore train services. It was indeed a major disaster.

I can’t visit the Uchibo Line at the moment, so please take a look at the top photo, which I took two years ago. You can see a JR East Series 209-2100 EMU approaching Anegasaki Station, the station closest to the site of the landslides. The train, liveried in yellow and blue stripes, was shining in the spring sunlight. Unlike the disaster area, the surroundings here look flat, which may have helped keep them safe from landslides. I hope for the peace and well-being of the local people.

By the way, I have strong attachments to the Uchibo Line. They are its seasonal flowers, blue sea, and one more thing. Please take a look at the photo below. They are fossil shells found near Hota Station on the Uchibo Line.

As I have mentioned before, fossil collecting has been a lifelong hobby of mine, just like my enthusiasm for railways. The fossils in the photo are large marine bivalves called Ōhanegai (Acesta goliath), found in marine formation deposited about six million years ago. Their thin but large shells captivate me.

Stay strong, Uchibo Line! I’ll be right back as soon as train services resume.

Fossil Ōhanegai (Acesta goliath) found near Hota Station on the Uchibo Line

(Rock size: 20 cm)

Related link:

・Official railway map in the Boso area from JR East (in Japanese)

JR East’s “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen”

JR East Series E5 EMU, “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen,” at Tokyo Station

Following my visit to Tokyo Station to photograph JR Central’s anniversary train, I’d like to share another experience from Tokyo Station with you today.

Let’s take a look at the top photo first.

Just like the anniversary trains on the Disney Resort Line and the Tokaido Shinkansen, which I recently posted about, you can see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends featured on the trains.

Yes—this is JR East’s special wrapped train, the “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen,” on the Tohoku Shinkansen.

On June 19 this year, JR East put the “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen” into service. The special wrapped train celebrates the 25th anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea and promotes tourism to Tokyo Disney Resort.

The Magical Jubilee Shinkansen was the Series E5 EMU, Set U15. It was a 10-car train, and that day it was coupled with a seven-car train, the Series E8 EMU (see the photo below). Together, the two sets formed a 17-car train.

The two sets run together from Tokyo to Fukushima, where they are separated. The E5 then continues on its own to Sendai on the Tohoku Shinkansen. The E8 heads to Shinjo on the Yamagata Shinkansen.

Now, here’s something interesting I noticed about the nicknames of the three anniversary trains I’ve posted about so far.

- The Disney Resort Line: “Sparkling Jubilee” Liner

- JR Central: “Sparkling Dreams” Shinkansen

- JR East: “Magical Jubilee” Shinkansen

The names of these three trains are slightly different from one another. In other words, these three railway operators must have carefully coordinated their naming in advance.

That’s quite a discovery, isn’t it? Or maybe it’s just a trivial detail.

Finally, you may be wondering, “Have you ever been to Tokyo DisneySea recently?”

Unfortunately, not yet. I’m always busy, and my family is usually pressed for time, too. Lively and flashy places are not really my thing, as I’m a quiet nerd. The admission fee is a bit steep. And...

So many excuses, I know.

The Series E5, Set U15, “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen” (left), the Series E8 (right)

Related link:

・Official information from JR East (in Japanese)

Photographing Subway Trains: The Chiyoda Line

Tokyo Metro 16000 series EMU arriving at Shin-Ochanomizu Station

Photographing subway trains has become part of my routine. Today, I’d like to share the sixth post in this series—the Chiyoda Line. The theme is “a subway line with two faces.” But before getting down to the main topic, as usual…

・What’s the Chiyoda Line?

It is the seventh-oldest subway line in Tokyo. It opened in 1969 and is operated by Tokyo Metro. The line is 24.0 km long and connects Kita-Ayase and Yoyogi-Uehara. A 5.0-km section, mainly in the east, runs above ground. The track gauge is 1,067 mm, and the line uses a 1,500 V DC overhead catenary system. The Chiyoda Line’s subway line number is “9,” and its line color is green.

Chiyoda Line trains run directly onto JR East’s Joban Line via Ayase and Odakyu’s Odawara Line via Yoyogi-Uehara. Tokyo Metro currently operates 16000 and 05 series EMUs on the line. Meanwhile, JR East’s E233-2000 series and Odakyu’s 4000 and 60000 series EMUs run directly onto the Chiyoda Line from their respective lines.

・A Train Operating in the City Center

All right then—please take a look at the photo above. You can see a green-striped, ten-car 16000 series EMU arriving at Shin-Ochanomizu Station in the city center. It wasn’t rush hour, but many passengers were waiting for the train, making the platform quite busy.

What a busy city Tokyo is!

・A Train Operating on the Local Section

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see a 05 series EMU arriving at Ayase Station. Doesn’t it look like a train on a local line? Furthermore, take another look at the photo. You can see the platform number for this local section—“0 (zero)!” What’s going on here?

Here’s the story behind it. The section between Ayase (this station) and Kita-Ayase Terminal (2.1 km) was originally a siding track. It was later converted into a revenue service track in 1979. Having said that, this section is treated as a branch line, so three-car 05 series trains mainly operate here.

The branch line’s new platform, Platform 0, was built adjacent to the existing Platform 1. To avoid changing the existing platform numbers (1 to 4), Platform 0 was assigned to the new platform.

A train had just arrived at Platform 0, but no passengers were waiting—so quiet.

I thoroughly enjoyed the two faces of the Chiyoda Line that day.

Tokyo Metro 05 series EMU arriving at Platform 0 at Ayase Station

Related link:

・Official information from Tokyo Metro