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

Nippori after a Long Time

A train view from Shimogoindenbashi (the EMU JR East E7 series)

Do you have a tradition of visiting ancestral graves in your country? In Japan, yes. Many people do it twice a year in spring and autumn honoring their ancestors. From our perspective, it is not so much a religious activity as a custom. Anyway, I recently visited my maternal ancestors’ grave in Yanaka of Tokyo Metropolis. Yanaka is famous for many cemeteries.

After updating my ancestors on how things are going, I enjoyed strolling around. First, I found myself drawn to Shimogoindenbashi (Shimogoinden Bridge) in front of Nippori Station for the first time in ten years. As I posted before, Shimogoindenbashi is well known as a train viewing spot. JR East’s 12 tracks are seen from the bridge. A total of 2,500 trains run under the bridge per day, so, we can enjoy train viewing continuously there. The bridge was crowded with railfans, families and inbound tourists. Please take a look at the top photo. I shot the JR East’s E7 series shinkansen train running under the bridge. I've been taking pictures of the E7 series repeatedly, but there's something special about a long-distance train approaching its goal, Tokyo Terminal. The E7 series… thank you for your hard work.

Another spot I visited was a scenic cemetery on a hill near Nippori Station. I could see an airport access train, EMU AE series “Skyliner” traveling on the elevated track of the Keisei Line (see the photo below). I have passed through this cemetery many times, but this was the first time for viewing trains. Was it a guidance from my ancestors as a token of their appreciation?

The EMU Keisei AE series Skyliner traveling on the elevated track

Official information, ”Shimogoindenbashi Train Museum" by Arakawa Ward, Tokyo Metropolis (in Japanese):

https://www.city.arakawa.tokyo.jp/a022/shisetsuannai/kankouspot/nippori006.html

Railroad Speeder on the Keisei Line

Keisei's railroad speeder Unit M2591 at Keisei-Makuhari station yard

When I visited the Keisei-Matsudo Line in August, I spotted a rare sight—a railroad speeder, Unit M2591, parked in the Keisei-Makuhari station yard. I got off at the station and was able to observe it from the platform. Please check out the top photo.

Railroad speeder Unit M2591 is a diesel work vehicle built by Matsuyama Jyusharyo Kogyo (MJK). Coupled with rail transport wagons, M2591 carries rails for track maintenance. Its technical specifications are unclear, but it seems capable of hauling over 20 tons of freight. It mainly operates after midnight, once the last train has finished running, so to be honest, I had never seen M2591 in action before. It’s an unsung hero, isn’t it? Its bright yellow body really stood out in the sunlight—beautiful!

Incidentally, did you notice the panda illustration on the side of the speeder? Please take a look at the photo below. This is the mascot character of Keisei Electric Railway, “Keisei Panda.” According to Keisei, he was born as a prince of the House of Panda on Planet Panda. But since he was lazy, his father, King Panda, sent him to Earth for training. Today, he lives in Narita City and works at a zoo as a zookeeper. On the speeder, Keisei Panda is depicted wearing work clothes. You might feel that this version of Keisei Panda looks less cute and even a bit creepy. And that’s right—Keisei intentionally designed their mascot character to have a strong impact rather than just conventional cuteness.

Keisei’s mascot character “Keisei Panda”

100th Anniversary of the Full-line Opening

Set 51095 of the EMU Tobu 50090 series

On July 10, Tobu Railway celebrated the 100th anniversary of the full-line opening of the Tojo Line. To commemorate this milestone, the company held several special events. Today, I’d like to share this topic with you.

Before that—if you feel something is strange about this anniversary, you must know a lot about Japanese railways. That’s right: I have already posted about the 100th anniversary of the Tojo Line. But that was eleven years ago. Please take a careful look at my previous post: it was not the 100th anniversary of the full-line opening, but of the partial opening of the Tojo Line.

Enough with the preamble. One highlight was a commemorative sticker mounted on the front of Set 51095 of the EMU 50090 series (see the top photo). The sticker features the number “100” (see the photo below). To avoid blown-out whites in the sticker image, I shot it with a narrower exposure.

For your information, the Tobu Tojo Line is one of the main transportation arteries in the metropolitan area. It began operation in 1914, connecting Ikebukuro in downtown Tokyo with Kawagoe City. The line was fully opened in 1925 between Ikebukuro and Yorii. Its total length is 75 kilometers, and it carries an average of one million passengers per day.

The 50090 series was launched in 2008 under the service name TJ Liner. Six sets (60 cars in total) were built by Hitachi. The trains are equipped with multi-purpose seats and feature a purple stripe along the sides—a symbol of Tobu’s premium commuter service.

Commemorative sticker displayed on the front of Set 51095

Yamitetsu Part 2: Shinkiba Railyard

Night view of Shinkiba Railyard, with Set 6102 on the right

Do you remember my post about “yamitetsu” last month? Today, I’d like to share an update on my activities.

Let’s start with a quick overview. Yamitetsu refers to a railfan who loves photographing trains in the dark. The word is a blend of “yami” (meaning “darkness”) and “tetsu” (meaning “iron”). In Japanese, we call a railway "tetsudō", which literally means “iron road". Without realizing it, I’ve long enjoyed taking photos at underground stations, at night on the surface, and in other low-light settings. Still, I think of myself as just a beginner yamitetsu.

Now, let’s move on to the main topic. I recently stopped by Tokyo Metro’s Shinkiba Railyard on the Yurakucho Line for a yamitetsu outing. I chose this spot because there’s a pedestrian bridge crossing the yard. On the bridge, a pleasant evening breeze made the air feel refreshing. Below, I saw many trains being readied for service. Under the yard lights, they gleamed beautifully—the Tokyo Metro 10000 and 17000 series EMUs, as well as the Seibu 40000 series, which directly operates onto the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line.

And one more… Set 6102 of the Tokyo Metro 6000 series! As you know, all 6000 series EMUs have already disappeared from Japanese tracks, but Set 6102 is still preserved here at the yard. Its interior lights were off, but its aluminum alloy body shone faintly under the floodlights. Set 6102, it’s been a while! How have you been?

View from a different angle, with Set 6102 in the right corner

Fringed Water-lily Field in Saitama City

EMU Saitama Railway 2000 series emerging from a tunnel

My outings to Saitama Prefecture won’t stop for a while. This time, my destination was Minuma-Hikawa Park in Saitama City, about 30 kilometers north of Tokyo. It isn’t a very well-known park, but I happened to learn about it on social media. Please take a look at the photo below. You can see yellow flowers with fringed petals—the fringed water-lily. It is an aquatic plant, like the water hyacinth I introduced before. Covering the surface of the pond like a carpet, it looks beautiful! But why were there no visitors other than me? Probably because the locals have seen this yellow carpet many times, so it becomes part of the everyday scenery.

Of course, I can’t finish without mentioning the railway side of things… since this is a railway blog! To reach Minuma-Hikawa Park, the nearest station is Urawa-Misono, the terminal of the Saitama Stadium Line operated by Saitama Railway (SR). SR is a joint public-private company established in 1992. The Saitama Stadium Line (formerly called the Saitama Railway Line) is the only route operated by SR. Connecting Akabane-Iwabuchi in Tokyo and Urawa-Misono in Saitama Prefecture, its total length is 14.6 kilometers. All the trains run directly onto the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, and some continue onto the Tokyu and Sotetsu lines. Most of the route is underground; however, Urawa-Misono is the only above-ground station on the line. Rail fans can enjoy watching trains emerge from the tunnel at the end of the platform. Please look at the top photo—I was able to photograph SR’s EMU 2000 series climbing the slope and coming toward me. It was spectacular!

Fringed water-lily flowers at Minuma-Hikawa Park, Saitama City

Official information about fringed water-lily flowers at Minuma-Hikawa Park by Saitama City (in Japanese):

https://t.co/i3LQv9wv7s」 / X

The 70th Anniversary of the Keibajo Line

EMU Keio 7000 series train with the Keibajo Line 70th-anniversary plate

Do you remember my post about the urban local route, the Keio-Keibajo Line (the Keio-Racecourse Line), last year? Today, I’d like to give you an update on this topic.

Let’s start with a quick look at the Keio-Keibajo Line. It’s a short branch of the Keio Main Line, connecting Higashi-Fuchu and Fuchu-keiba-seimonmae (the main gate of Fuchu Racecourse). The entire route is just 0.9 kilometers long. On weekdays, a 2-car train without conductors runs every 20 minutes. But on race days, it’s a completely different scene—many extra trains operate, including 10-car limited expresses straight from Shinjuku.

Now for the main topic. On April 29, Keio Electric Railway celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Keibajo Line. To mark the occasion, the company held several special events. One highlight was a commemorative plate mounted on the front of Set 7421 of the EMU 7000 series. Take a look at the top photo—you can see the number “70” along with a horseshoe design. That’s the Keibajo Line’s signature style!

Since I’m a total beginner when it comes to horse racing, let me instead share a little local scenery from along the route. Please check out the photo below. It shows a train passing by Kokubu Hachimangu Shrine. In front of the shrine, you can see a peaceful forest. A stone pillar and a torii gate stand quietly among the trees, welcoming visitors. The atmosphere is so calming. This place truly feels relaxing.

Happy 70th anniversary to the Keio-Keibajo Line!

EMU Keio 7000 series train passing by Kokubu Hachimangu Shrine

Graffiti? A Surprising Truth

“Graffiti?” on the doors of the Tokyu 6020-6050 series EMU

(Note: Photographed in the rain)

On September 8, rail fans were shocked on social media. Graffiti was spotted on a Tokyu train. And not just one or two marks—there were several all along the sides of the 6020-6050 series (6020 series, type 6050) EMU operating on the Ōimachi Line. What happened? Was it some kind of nasty prank?

Thankfully, ITmedia interviewed Tokyu Railways, and a surprising truth came to light. These weren’t graffiti at all, but part of a formal installation by Tokyu. Why? To improve the sensitivity of the automatic platform gate sensors! As I wrote before, the 6020-6050 series only debuted this May. Their bodies were still sparkling new… but apparently the shiny finish reduced the sensors’ accuracy. Of course, safe train operation is essential for any railway company, but it was still shocking to learn that spray left visible marks on the train’s exterior. According to Tokyu, they will work to make the residues less noticeable.

That’s reassuring. But I still have a question. The 6020-6050 series is the “little brother” of the 6020 series. As far as I know, no such issue has occurred with the older 6020 series. The only difference is the train formation: the 6020-6050 series is a five-car set, while the 6020 series is a seven-car set. That’s it. For an ordinary rail fan like me, it’s a difficult mystery to understand. To the engineers of Tokyu Railways… please restore the 6020–6050 series to its beautiful original state. I’m rooting for you!

An automatic platform gate at Ōimachi Station, the Tokyu-Ōimachi Line

Preserved Tobu Steam Locomotive in Miyashiro Town

Tobu B4 Class Unit 40 preserved in front of Miyashiro Town Office

I recently visited Miyashiro Town in Saitama Prefecture, about 50 kilometers north of Tokyo. Miyashiro isn’t very well-known, even among Japanese people. However, if you mention it as “the town of Tobu Zoological Park,” most people will recognize it—or rail enthusiasts may know it better as the home of the Nippon Institute of Technology, which has an industrial museum preserving valuable rolling stock.

This time, though, my destination in Miyashiro was neither the zoo nor the museum. Instead, I headed to the town office. Why? Because a historic steam locomotive is preserved right in front of the town hall. Take a look at the top photo: this is Unit 40 of the Tobu B4 Class. This locomotive was originally built in 1898 by Sharp, Stewart and Company in England for Japan’s first private railway company, Nippon Railway. It was later taken over by the Government Railways in 1906 and then transferred to Tobu Railway in 1922, where it became Unit 40 of the B4 Class.

The B4 Class is a 4-4-0 type (Whyte notation) steam locomotive with a tender. After years of hauling freight trains, it was retired in 1966 and moved to its current location at the Miyashiro Town Office in 1994. I’m not an expert on steam locomotives, but I was especially impressed by its elegant leading wheels and connecting rods (see the photo below).

If you’re interested, please also check out my previous posts on preserved Tobu steam locomotives: Class B1, Class B3, and Unit 1.

Side view of Unit 40

A Hanging Strap with a Unique Design

Sounyan-themed hanging strap, Set 8713 of the Sotetsu EMU 8000 series

Sorry for the trivial topic today, but let me start with a question: Are there any hanging straps on commuter trains in your country? In Japan, yes, there are. Commuter trains in major cities are always crowded, so hanging straps are essential to keep passengers safe and prevent accidents. Here’s another question: Have you ever seen a hanging strap with a unique design in your country? In Japan, we have!

They say “a picture is worth a thousand words,” so please take a look at the top photo. I found this strap inside Set 8713 of the Sotetsu EMU 8000 series. It has two ear-like protrusions on top of the ring. Doesn’t it look like someone? ...It’s Sounyan! As I mentioned before, Sounyan is Sagami Railway’s (Sotetsu’s) mascot character. He helps create a friendly image for the railway and adds value to the Sotetsu Line. Sounyan is a cat and an official “employee” of Sotetsu, working in public relations. On this train, a Sounyan-themed strap is installed in part of one car. Isn’t that cute?

Incidentally, the Sotetsu EMU 8000 series was introduced in 1990. A total of 13 sets (130 cars) were built by Hitachi. Currently, six sets (60 cars) are still in service after undergoing refurbishments. For example, the headlights of Set 8713 have been relocated to the top of the cab, as seen in the photo below. I hope Set 8713, with its Sounyan-themed hanging strap, continues to operate for years to come.

Set 8713 of the Sotetsu EMU 8000 series on the Izumino Line

New Sanrio Wrapping Train on the Keio Line

The third-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train on the Keio Line

I'm sorry this is a bit late, but Keio Electric Railway debuted the third-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train (also introduced as the Sanrio Poster Train in this blog) on March 10 this year. Let me introduce it today.

Let's start with a quick look at the Sanrio Wrapping Train. Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located near Keio Tama-Center Station on the Keio Sagamihara Line. To promote tourism to Sanrio Puroland, Keio Electric Railway, Sanrio Entertainment, and Tama City have been working together. For example, in 2016 Keio Tama-Center Station was renovated and themed as “the welcome station” for Sanrio Puroland. That same year, they launched the first-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train, followed by the second-generation train in 2018.

Please take a look at the top photo. This is the third-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train. Its blue-colored front with gold accents is striking. You can also see adorable Sanrio characters such as Kerokerokeroppi (pictured below) along the sides of the train. Train set 9731 of the EMU 9000 series has been decorated as the third-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train.

Now, here are two more details for enthusiastic trainspotters. First, train set 9731 has been refurbished, with upgrades to its interior, such as seats and floors, as well as updates to onboard equipment, including the auxiliary power unit and variable-frequency drive control system. Second, a special heart-shaped pink plate was displayed on the front of the train until April 21, as seen in the top photo.

I hope this introduction was enjoyable!

Kerokerokeroppi, a Sanrio character

Water Hyacinth Field in Kazo City

Unit 24436 of the EMU Tobu 20400 series

I can’t seem to stay away from Saitama Prefecture. After visiting Gyoda, my next destination was Kazo City, located about 60 kilometers north of Tokyo. So, what’s there to see?

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words. Take a look at the photo below: this is a vast water hyacinth field. Kazo City sits along the Tone River, the second-longest river in Japan, and is home to many aquatic plants. The water hyacinth is a striking example. Though it’s an invasive species that can block waterways in Japan, it’s often cultivated for its beautiful flowers. This particular field is carefully maintained by local residents, and I was deeply impressed by the countless light purple blossoms. It was a truly rewarding sight.

After enjoying the colorful scenery, I stopped by a bank of the Tone River to photograph Tobu trains. Take a look at the top photo. It’s a close-up shot of the lead car (Unit 24436) of the EMU Tobu 20400 series. Notice anything unusual? If so, you’re a true trainspotter. There are two faint outlines of former passenger doors on the car’s side. As I’ve written before, part of the 20400 series once operated in central Tokyo as the EMU 20000 series, with ten doors per car (five doors on per side). After refurbishment, the number of doors was reduced to six per car (three per side). As a train enthusiast, I like in choosing unique details like this as my subjects.

A large water hyacinth field in Kazo City, Saitama Prefecture

Official information, Water Hyacinth Flowering Garden, Kazo City:

https://www-city-kazo-lg-jp.translate.goog/soshiki/ootone_nousei/sisetu/24363.html?_x_tr_sl=ja&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=ja

Yamitetsu: Photographing in the Dark

EMU Tokyo Metro 2000 series arrives at Yotsuya station

Are there any slang words that only railfans understand in your country? In Japan, there definitely are. For example, I’ve previously introduced the term “hansha-tetsu”, which refers to a railfan who loves taking photos of trains reflected in water, glass, or other surfaces. Today, I’d like to introduce another fun piece of railfan slang "yamitetsu".

Yamitetsu describes a railfan who loves photographing trains in the dark. In fact, I’m just a beginner yamitetsu myself.

They say “a picture is worth a thousand words,” so please take a look at the top photo. This is one of the typical yamitetsu-style images. You can see a striking, red-colored train—the Tokyo Metro 2000 series—standing out against the darkness. Although this photo looks “simple”, it was actually taken by thinking outside the box. The EMU Tokyo Metro 2000 series is a subway train, and as I’ve mentioned before, subway trains are often frustrating subjects for photographers because they run underground in dimly lit tunnels. That’s why Yotsuya Station is so special. It’s one of the rare subway stations built above ground, making it bright and easy to shoot trains during the day. But I deliberately went out in the evening to shoot it in the dark—and unexpectedly captured this mystical, atmospheric image.

The second photo below is another example. This one was taken underground at Shinyokohama Station yard, one of my recommended spots for yami-tetsu fans. The tunnel there is illuminated by colorful lights, which created a stunning backdrop for this Tokyo Metro 9000 series train operating on the Tokyu Line.

EMU Tokyo Metro 9000 series leaves Shinyokohama station on the Tokyu line

Train Restaurant in Gyoda City

KuHa 703 of the EMU Tobu 5700 series, Mustard Seed Restaurant

I visited Gyoda City in Saitama Prefecture again. What did I do this time? I stopped by a train restaurant!

Take a look at the top photo... this is “Mustard Seed,” a unique restaurant in Gyoda City built inside a retired Tobu Railway EMU 5700 series train. The 5700 series entered service in 1951 and ran as limited express, express, and special trains for about 40 years. A total of six sets (12 cars) were built by Nippon Sharyo, Kisha Seizo, and Naniwa Koki between 1951 and 1953.

There were two versions of the 5700 series... Early type (2 sets): Two large front windows and Late type (4 sets): Three front windows with a gangway.

The train-turned-restaurant is one of the late-type cars, specifically KuHa 703 and MoHa 5703 (the latter is out of the frame in this photo). I was especially glad to see the rare TT-3 bogie made by Toshiba (see the photo below). Originally, it featured a right-angle Cardan drive mechanism—quite a piece of railway history! If you’re curious about the early type, please check out my previous post as well.

Unfortunately, Mustard Seed was temporarily closed when I visited, which was a pity. Still, I was kindly allowed to photograph this beautiful train and had a wonderful chat with the Chairperson of the KuHa 703 Preservation Society, who was tending the garden. Thanks to him, I learned a lot about the train and the restaurant’s history. Thank you so much, Chairperson! I’ll be back again.

TT-3 bogie

Official Website, Mustard Seed Restaurant (in Japanese):

https://www.sanai-u.com/mustardseed/

Night-time Walk on the Enoshima Line

 EMU Odakyu 30000 series, Romancecar EXE, travels on the Enoshima line

My summer night-time walk continued, with my next destination being Enoshima Island in Kanagawa Prefecture.

As I mentioned before, Enoshima Island is a well-known sightseeing spot in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It is located about 60 kilometers southwest of central Tokyo. One of the island’s most popular seasonal events is the Enoshima Lantern Festival, where visitors can enjoy countless lanterns illuminating streets, parks, and shrines. This year, I visited the festival for the first time in eight years. After strolling around the island, I climbed the Enoshima Sea Candle (Enoshima Observation Lighthouse) and enjoyed a bird’s-eye view of the glowing lanterns (see photo below).

Of course, I can’t finish without mentioning the railway side of things… since this is a railway blog! To reach Enoshima Island, the nearest station is Katase-Enoshima, the terminal of the Odakyu Enoshima Line. Before heading to the island, I did some train photography near the station. My target was the EMU Odakyu 30000 series, Romancecar EXE (Excellent Express). As I wrote before, the EXE is the first multipurpose Romancecar, introduced in 1996. Each trainset can be divided into six- and four-car sections to improve operational flexibility.

This time, I captured a four-car EXE trainset led by its streamlined front car. Finding a good shooting spot can be tricky, especially if I want to shoot in front-light conditions. Fortunately, I remembered the location where I photographed the EMU 60000 series back in March, so I could successfully take this shot as well (see top photo). As a trainspotter, I’m particular about photographing trains I haven’t captured yet. You feel the same way too, don’t you?

Night view from Enoshima Sea Candle (Enoshima Observation Lighthouse)

Official information about "Enoshima Lanterns 2025" by Shonan Fujisawa Revitalization Consortium (in Japanese):

https://enoshima-seacandle.com/event/enoshimatourou/

Night-time Walk on the Ooedo Line

EMU Toei 12-000 series departing Ueno-Okachimachi Station on the Ooedo Line

It’s already late August, but the lingering summer heat is still intense. The daytime high in Tokyo has been over 35 degrees Celsius almost every day. To avoid the harsh sunlight, I enjoyed a night-time walk in the metropolitan area.

My destination this time was Harumi Port Park. It was part of the Athletes’ Village during the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. The park features fountains, a café, a playground, and a seaside terrace overlooking the Rainbow Bridge and central Tokyo’s waterfront. I also saw the illuminated “TOKYO” wordmark monument glowing in white light (see photo below). The sea breeze at night was pleasant and refreshing.

The nearest station to this scenic port park is Kachidoki on the Toei Ooedo Line. This subway line is known as a “linear motor subway.” Linear motor technology is used in its propulsion system. Unlike a conventional rotary motor, a linear motor has no shaft and generates motion in a straight line. This innovation allowed for a smaller tunnel cross-section.

The line first opened in 1991 with a short 3.8-kilometer section between Hikarigaoka and Nerima. It was extended to Tochomae (Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building) in 2000. Today, the line consists of a circular section (Tochomae – Ryogoku – Tochomae, 28.6 km) and a branch line (Hikarigaoka – Tochomae, 12.1 km), making a total length of 40.7 km. Two types of trains currently operate on the line: the EMU 12-000 series (see top photo) and the newer 12-600 series.

Night view of Harumi Port Park near Kachidoki Station on the Toei Ooedo Line

Old Diesel Railcar Preserved at an Eye Clinic

Diesel railcar Unit 3 of the Haboro Coal Mine Railway KiHa 22 series (KiHa 223) 

I recently checked the Preserved Railway Cars Database published by the Japan Railfan Club and found that a total of 3,780 valuable railway vehicles are preserved in Japan. These include locomotives, electric cars, diesel railcars, passenger coaches, freight cars, and more. While most of them are preserved by museums, railway companies, and local governments, in rare cases they are maintained by individuals or private organizations.

Last November, I visited an eye clinic in Saitama City. Was it because I had an eye disease? No—the purpose of my visit was to see a preserved diesel railcar: Unit 3 of the Haboro Coal Mine Railway’s KiHa 22 series (hereafter referred to as KiHa 223). Please take a look at the top photo. You can see its maroon body with a white stripe—beautiful! KiHa 223 is a 20-meter-long hydraulic diesel railcar equipped with a 132 kW diesel engine. It was built in 1966 by Fuji Heavy Industries. After the closure of the Haboro Coal Mine Railway in 1970, KiHa 223 was transferred to Ibaraki Kotsu (today’s Hitachinaka Kaihin Railway) and operated there for 39 years. After retirement, the railcar was taken over by Hoshiai Eye Clinic in 2010, where it was restored to its original Haboro Coal Mine Railway condition from its days in Hokkaido.

What immediately caught my attention was the round “clear view” screen on the front. As you may know, it is a rotating glass disk mounted on the window to disperse snow for the driver (see the photo below). I would like to express my gratitude to Hoshiai Eye Clinic for preserving this precious piece of railway history.

KiHa 223's cabin and clear view screen

130th Anniversary of Kawagoe Railway

Set 2085 of the Seibu EMU 2000N series displays a special commemorative sticker

Do you remember when I posted that Seibu Railway was celebrating the the 130th anniversary of Kawagoe Railway? Today, I’d like to give you an update on this topic.

Let’s start with a quick look at the Kawagoe Railway. It was one of the predecessors of today’s Seibu Railway. Parts of the Seibu Shinjuku and Kokubunji lines were originally opened by the Kawagoe Railway in 1895. The Kawagoe Railway merged with the Musashino Railway in 1945 and was reborn as Seibu Railway in 1946. Six cities—Kawagoe, Higashimurayama, Tokorozawa, Sayama, Kodaira, and Kokubunji—are located along the former Kawagoe Railway line.

One of the anniversary events includes displaying special commemorative stickers on the front of EMU 2000N series trainsets. These stickers were designed by local residents and selected by the six cities mentioned above. Please look at the top photo. The round sticker displayed on Set 2085 was designed by a resident of Higashimurayama City. It features symbols of the city: the white wagtail, azalea, zelkova tree, and fruit. Colorful and beautiful! Next, look at the photo below. The sticker on Set 2079 was designed by a child from Tokorozawa City. It features Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park, the official city mascot “Tokoron,” and a train. As a rail fan, I’m delighted to see the iconic yellow Seibu train (EMU 2000N or 9000 series) featured in the design.

If you have time, please check the URL at the bottom of this post, where you can see all six sticker designs. Congratulations to the Kawagoe Railway on its 130th anniversary!

Set 2079 of the Seibu EMU 2000N series displays a special commemorative sticker

Official information on the 130th anniversary of Kawagoe Railway by Seibu (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/file.jsp?newsroom/news/file/20250311_headmark_1.pdf

EMU Tokyu 6020 Series: 2025 Update

Trainset 6151 of the EMU Tokyu 6020 series, debuted in May 2025

Do you remember when I posted that Tokyu Railways would Tokyu Railways would transfer their EMU 9000 series trains to Seibu Railway? What has happened with that plan? Today, I’d like to share an update on this topic.

Many rail fans have reported that several Tokyu 9000 series sets have already been retired from service. They are most likely being prepared for transfer to Seibu Railway.

The next question is: Who will succeed the 9000 series on the Tokyu lines? The answer is the EMU 6020 series. Please take a look at the top photo. You can see the new 6020 series, which debuted this year. Are there any differences between the existing 6020 series and the new trains? Yes. The existing 6020 series consists of seven cars, including one Q SEAT car, and operates as express trains on the Ōimachi and Den-en-toshi lines. The new 6020 series, however, consists of five cars with no Q SEAT car and is used for local services. To make it easier to distinguish between the two, the new version is officially designated as the 6020-6050 series (6020 series, type 6050).

I found commemorative stickers displayed on both ends of trainset 6151 of the 6020-6050 series. One is in Japanese (shown in the top photo), and the other is in English (see the photo below). Both stickers were designed by staff from the Mizonokuchi Train Crew Base. The train even appears to be winking at passengers (photo below). Tokyu plans to introduce a total of 18 sets of the 6020-6050 series over the next three years.

Commemorative sticker displayed on the front of trainset 6151