Tama Monorail's Pom Poko Wrapped Train

The Pom Poko wrapped train crossing the Asakawa River

This might sound sudden, but let me start by introducing an animated film. Pom Poko is a 1994 Japanese fantasy movie created by Studio Ghibli. The story follows a group of tanuki—Japanese raccoon dogs—living in the Tama area of Tokyo. As their forest home gradually disappears under development, the tanuki use their shape-shifting powers to resist the changes. In Japanese folklore, tanuki are known to transform into humans and play tricks, so the film blends fantasy, humor, and a surprisingly touching message.

Now, fast-forward 30 years. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government has decided to shine a new spotlight on Pom Poko by promoting the Tama area through the Tama Monorail Line. And yes—that means a wrapped train. Please take a look at the photo above. This is the Pom Poko wrapped train, decorated with many of the film’s lovable characters. I spotted it from the riverbed of the Asakawa River, which felt like the perfect place to photograph a train connected to a story about nature and tanuki.

For those interested in the technical side (I know some of you are!), the wrapped train is Set 1102 (1102F) of the 1000 series EMU—the only train type running on the Tama Monorail Line. These sets are 1,500 V DC with aluminum alloy bodies, and all four cars are motorcars. Their traction system uses an IGBT–VVVF inverter paired with induction motors. Set 1102 used to wear an all-white livery, but from October 17 to December 21 last year, it transformed—quite literally—into the Pom Poko wrapped train.

So yes… 1102F has shape-shifting powers of its own!

A tanuki character from Pom Poko (left)

Related link:

・Official information by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (in Japanese; machine translation available)

Return of the Red 1000 Series EMU

Odakyu’s red 1000 series EMU arriving at Iriuda Station on the Hakone Tozan Line

Happy New Year! The year 2026 is finally here. I hope all railfans around the world will enjoy a healthy and peaceful year. As my first update of the year, I’d like to share a little piece of happy news.

The red 1000 series EMU has returned to the Hakone Tozan Line. Please take a look at the photo above. Yes — that’s Odakyu’s red 1000 series EMU on the Hakone Tozan Line. It really stands out with its bright red color.

For those who may not be familiar with it, the 1000 series debuted in 1988 as a commuter train with a stainless-steel body and a neat blue stripe. Later, in 2009, the sets that operated on the Hakone Tozan Line were repainted in red (vermillion)—the traditional color of the line. These red trains sadly disappeared in 2022 when they were retired, but many passengers and railfans continued hoping for their return.

And finally, in November 2025, a brand-new red 1000 series EMU joined the fleet. Odakyu Group plans to introduce four sets—16 cars in total—by March 2026. It’s wonderful to see this symbolic color running through the mountains once again.

In the photo below, you can see set 1066 carefully descending the steep track with the Hakone mountains behind it. It really gives you a sense of how dependable the 1000 series is. I have a feeling this spot will become one of my regular photo destinations this year.

Set 1066 of the red 1000 series descending the steep Hakone Tozan Line

Related link:

・Official information by Odakyu (in Japanese)

Bird Watching on the Haneda Airport Line

Tokyo Monorail 1000 series EMU arriving at Ryutsu-center Station

I know you are a train enthusiast—but how about bird watching?

As for me, I feel a bit unsure about it. I basically like bird watching, but I’m not very good at photographing birds. Today, let me share one of my memorable experiences with you.

Recently, I had a chance to visit Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park. It’s a well-known place where visitors can encounter many kinds of wild birds. In fact, I saw quite a few of them from the observation room in the park. It was an exciting experience, but there was one problem: taking photos.

Unlike trains, birds don’t appear according to a timetable. They behave completely differently, and that made me feel a little frustrated. Perhaps I’m not suited to unpredictable phenomena.

Instead, I was deeply impressed by a simple, almost featureless landscape. Please take a look at the photo below. Here it is—a small island in a pond within the park. It was heart-shaped and quietly beautiful. Although there were no birds on it, I couldn’t stop taking pictures.

Of course, I can’t end this post without mentioning the railway side of things—after all, this is a railway blog. To reach Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park, the nearest station is Ryutsu-center Station on the Haneda Airport Line of Tokyo Monorail. The Haneda Airport Line connects downtown Tokyo with Tokyo International Airport (Haneda). It opened in 1964, making it the second-oldest monorail line in Tokyo.

The 1000 series EMU (see the top photo) is the oldest active train on the line. It debuted in 1989 as the first six-car train on Tokyo Monorail. A total of 16 sets—96 cars—were built by Hitachi, and eight sets are still in service today. I sincerely hope that the 1000 series will continue to run on the Haneda Airport Line for many more years.

A heart-shaped island in a pond at Tokyo Port Wild Bird Park

Related link:

・Official video about the retirement of Tokyo Monorail Set 1001 (1000 series EMU) in 2021 (in Japanese)

VSE: After That

Odakyu’s 50000 series EMU, Romancecar VSE, preserved on a shunting track

I recently happened to see Odakyu’s Romancecar VSE twice by coincidence. Today, let me share these memorable encounters with you.

Before that, here is just a small introduction to the Romancecar VSE. Odakyu’s 50000 series EMU, also known as the VSE (Vault Super Express), was the flagship model of the Romancecar fleet. It debuted in 2005 as a 10-car train with articulated bogies and quickly became very popular among tourists.

After 17 years of service, the VSE was retired from regular operation in 2022. So, what has it been doing since then?

In November this year, I saw it at Kitami Fureai Hiroba. This public park is built on an artificial deck constructed above Odakyu’s Kitami Railyard. While strolling through the park, I spotted the VSE from one of the viewing points. Please take a closer look at the photo above. You can see a white trainset with a red stripe — the VSE! It was being preserved on a shunting track.

More recently, I saw the VSE again at Odakyu’s Sagami-Ono Railyard when I went shopping. The trainset was on a dismantling siding. Please take a look at the photo below. It had already been separated into sections, and one of its articulated bogies was exposed. I was sad to see the VSE in that condition, but at the same time, I learned a lot from observing the bogie. For example, you can see a pneumatic spring just above the gray pillar. The pneumatic spring of the VSE was installed one meter higher than that of standard trains to enhance ride comfort.

Finally, here is some good news. One of the VSE’s leading cars will be exhibited at the Romancecar Museum in the near future. I’m very much looking forward to seeing it.

VSE on a dismantling siding at Sagami-Ono Railyard

Yamitetsu Part 3: Yukigaya Railyard

 Set 1507 of the Tokyu 1000 series EMU resting at Yukigaya Railyard

I recently visited Gotanda on the Tokyu Ikegami Line for a private matter. When I finished my meeting, it was already around 7 p.m., and the sun had completely set. Where should I go next?

Alright then—it’s time for yamitetsu! Do you remember the word yamitetsu? It refers to a railfan who loves photographing trains in the dark. The word is a blend of yami (“darkness”) and tetsu (“iron”). In Japanese, we call a railway tetsudō, which literally means “iron road.” I’m still a beginner yamitetsu myself, but I love it.

So I made a detour to Yukigaya Railyard on the Ikegami Line, located near Yukigaya-Ōtsuka Station. When I arrived at the southern end of the yard, I found Set 1507 of the 1000 (1000-1500) series EMU resting beside the vehicle inspection building (see the top photo). The train was gleaming brightly under the yard lights and signal lamps. The inspection building was empty, but the lights were still on as if it were alive. Beautiful.

In contrast, the northern part of the yard was quiet. A total of six train sets—1000 (1000-1500) series and 7000 series—were resting there (see the photo below). I was impressed to see the trains lined up alternately: 1000, 7000, 1000, 7000... It was as if the two series were good friends. Am I the only one who gets excited about things like this?

I fully enjoyed yamitetsu at Yukigaya Railyard. If I had to say what was missing that evening, it would be the Iketama Happy Train. That special wrapped train still seemed to be running on the line somewhere. Maybe I’ll see it next time.

1000 and 7000 series EMU sets resting at Yukigaya Railyard

Related link:

・Official information about Tokyu’s railway vehicles (in Japanese)