JR Central's "Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" Train

"Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" train arriving at Tokyo Station

You may remember that I wrote about the 25th anniversary train on the Disney Resort Line last month. Today, I’d like to share its sequel on a different line.

Let’s take a look at the photos right away. What’s the train in the photos?

It should be an easy question for an international train enthusiast like you. Yes, that’s a Tokaido Shinkansen train—a JR Central N700A series EMU, Set G47. Its nickname is “Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen.”

On June 19 this year, JR Central put the “Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen” into service on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Needless to say, this special wrapped train celebrates the 25th anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea and promotes tourism to Tokyo Disney Resort.

Just like the anniversary train on the Disney Resort Line, you can see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends featured on the train bodies. It’s such a fun design!

To photograph this special wrapped train, I checked the special timetable released by JR Central in advance and visited Tokyo Station. I saw many rail fans, families with small children, and inbound tourists taking photos on the platform.

“Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen”—you’re so popular!

For your information, the Tokaido Shinkansen is Japan’s iconic high-speed railway, which opened in 1964. The line is 515.4 km long and connects Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. It has a track gauge of 1,435 mm and uses a 25,000 V, 60 Hz AC overhead catenary system. JR Central operates the line.

The maximum operating speed of Tokaido Shinkansen trains is 285 km/h—not as fast as that of other Shinkansen lines, such as JR East’s Tohoku Shinkansen. One reason is the tight curves along the Tokaido Shinkansen. JR Central is currently constructing a next-generation high-speed railway, the Chuo Shinkansen, with a maximum operating speed of 500 km/h. It is often referred to as the “SCMAGLEV.”

The railway world is changing rapidly.

JR Central Series N700A, Set G47 EMU, Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen train

Related link:

・Official information from JR Central

Yamitetsu Part 6: Shin-Yokohama Tunnel

Inside the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel on the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line

I am fascinated by illuminated railway tunnels, and I enjoy “yamitetsu” there. I’m still at a beginner’s level when it comes to yamitetsu. But today, I’d like to share my recent experience in the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel with you.

・What’s Yamitetsu and Shin-Yokohama Tunnel?

As I mentioned before, “yamitetsu” is a Japanese slang term used by railfans for photographing trains and their related facilities in the dark, as well as for people who enjoy doing so.

The Shin-Yokohama Tunnel is a shield tunnel on the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line, which opened in 2023. This was my third visit there, three years after my first.

・A View of the Illuminated Tunnel

All right then—please take a look at the photo above. I stood at the edge of the Shin-Yokohama Station platform and looked into the tunnel of the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line. I could see the illuminated tunnel wall curving away into the distance.

There were many train approach warning lights to protect railway employees working on the tracks. The interior of the tunnel was very colorful. In fact, I saw several employees carrying out track maintenance work.

Thank you for your hard work. Have a good day!

・A Train Running in the Tunnel

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see a train running through the tunnel.

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

But please take another look at the photo. The train is different from the one in my previous post. It’s a Saitama Railway 2000 series EMU. That’s the attention to detail you get from being a train enthusiast.

This train runs on three different railway lines and heads to Urawa-Misono, 53.6 km away. Have a safe trip!

I thoroughly enjoyed my yamitetsu adventure in the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel.

A Saitama Railway 2000 series EMU running through the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel

Photographing Subway Trains: The Tozai Line

Tokyo Metro 05 Series EMU, Set 05-124, “aluminum recycled cars”

Photographing subway trains has become part of my routine. Today, I’d like to share my fifth post in this series—the Tozai Line. The theme is “the Tozai Blue.” But before getting down to the main topic, as usual…

・What’s the Tozai Line?

It is the fifth-oldest subway line in Tokyo. It opened in 1964 and is operated by Tokyo Metro. The line is 30.8 km long and connects Nakano and Nishi-Funabashi. A 13.8-km section of the line, 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 Tozai Line’s official line color is “light blue.”

Tozai Line trains run directly onto JR East’s Chuo-Sobu Line via Nakano and the Toyo Rapid Railway Line via Nishi-Funabashi. Tokyo Metro currently operates the 05, 05N, 07, and 15000 series EMUs on the line. Meanwhile, JR East’s E231-800 series and Toyo Rapid Railway’s 2000 series EMUs run directly onto the Tozai Line from their respective lines.

・The Tozai Blue: 05 Series EMU

All right then—please take a look at the photo above. You can see a blue-striped train, 05 Series Set 05-124, arriving at Kasai Station on an above-ground section. Needless to say, its blue stripes, especially the light blue stripe in the lower half, reflect the Tozai Line’s official color. Beautiful!

By the way, I know you may be wondering about the “Al” headmark sticker. It stands for “aluminum recycled cars.” In fact, some parts of Set 05-124 were made from aluminum recycled from the old 5000 Series EMUs. It’s an eco-friendly train, isn’t it?

・The Tozai Blue: Urayasu Station

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see a 15000 Series EMU arriving at Urayasu Station. The 15000 Series also has light blue livery—the Tozai Line’s color. It’s beautiful, too, isn’t it?

But I want you to notice one more thing—yes, the platform pillars. At this station, they are painted light blue, matching the Tozai Line’s color!

It may be a mere trifle, but I was impressed that Tokyo Metro pays attention to even the smallest details.

I thoroughly enjoyed my “Tozai Blue” adventure on the Tozai Line.

Tokyo Metro 15000 Series EMU arriving at Urayasu Station on the Tozai Line

Related link:

・Official information from Tokyo Metro

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