”Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen” Train

Set G25 of the EMU JR Central N700A series, "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen"

Do you remember when I introduced you to JR East’s “Magical Journey Shinkansen” train last year? Following JR East, JR Central also launched a special poster train “Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen” this year.

To start, let me explain how things came about. On June 6th last year, Tokyo Disney Resort held its grand opening of Fantasy Springs. To promote tourism to this new theme park, JR East started to operate a new poster train named "Magical Journey Shinkansen" jointly with Tokyo Disney Resort. 8 months later, JR Central also launched a new poster train under the name of "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" on the Tokaido Shinkansen for the same purpose. You can see characters of Fantasy Springs on the side bodies of Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen. They are Peter Pan, Elsa and Anna of Frozen and so on. The impressive thing was that many inbound tourists were taking pictures of this poster train at Tokyo station. JR Central releases the timetable of Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen on their website (in Japanese only).

Incidentally, Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen is Set G25 of the EMU JR Central N700A series. The 700A series was commissioned in 2016 as an improved version of the N700 series. The main difference between the N700 and the N700A series is their brake performance. New disc brakes were adopted by the N700A series. As you may know, the braking system on a bullet train is quite important in Japan, since we have to stop the train steadily without derailment as soon as an earthquake hits a railway.

Side view of "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" train

Official information about "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" by JR Central:

https://global.jr-central.co.jp/en/news/_pdf/2025/0003.pdf

Official website, "Wonderful Dreams Shinkansen" by JR Central (in Japanese):

https://recommend.jr-central.co.jp/wdshinkansen/

Reunion with the Old Express Train

EMU JR Kyushu 787 series (left) stands at Miyazaki Airport station

I visited Kyushu Island again. My destination this time was Miyazaki Prefecture in the southeastern part of the Island. I flew to Miyazaki Airport and changed to the train on the JR Kyushu line.

As soon as I reached Miyazaki Airport station, what jumped into my eyes was a distinctive train, the EMU JR Kyushu 787 series (see the top photo), limited express “Hyuga (the old province name of Miyazaki Prefecture)”. This reputable train was commissioned in 1992 for 1,067 millimeter-gauge track with 20,000 V (60 Hz) AC electric system. The maximum speed is 130 kilometers per hour. A total of 140 units were built from 1992 to 2002 by Hitachi and Kinki-Sharyo. Its metallic colored body with the futuristic front design has been quite unique and popular among passengers. The 787 series won the 1993 Blue Ribbon Prize by Japan Railfan Club as the best train that debuted in 1992.

It has been more than 30 years since then. The bodies are getting old. For example, destination rollsigns are still used on the side bodies (see the photo below). The newest LED destination signs are not equipped. Incidentally, what do you think about the face design of this European style train from a modern perspective? Still cutting-age or old-fashioned? Whenever I see it, my impression of the 787 series has slightly changed. Sometimes it’s cutting-age, and other times it's a bit old-fashioned for me. Additionally, sometimes its face is scary, and other times it’s charming. That's very strange. Anyway, long time no see, the 787 series!

Side view of the EMU 787 series

A Serendipitous Reunion with Tobu 8577F

Set 8577 of the EMU Tobu 8000 series is exhibited in the Railway Museum

I'm not a native English speaker, so I often come across unknown English words. The latest example was "serendipity". It's not a common word, but I would like to remember it using a real example. As I showed in my last post, I recently visited the vast Sherley poppy field in Saitama Prefecture. When I observed this vermillion-colored field, I associated with Tobu Railway’s vermillion-colored train, set 8577 of the EMU 8000 series (hereafter 8577F), which I posted in 2016. Two hours later, I stopped by the Railway Museum in the prefecture and came across 8577F. What a coincidence! This is indeed serendipity, isn’t it?

Why was the Tobu train exhibited in the Railway Museum, which is owned by JR East? The gimmick is as follows. In 2023, the Railway Museum established a partnership with the Tobu Museum in Tokyo. The two museums work together on the fostering of railway culture. As part of efforts, the Railway Museum was temporally exhibiting Tobu Railway’s train, 8577F, in the outdoor venue. According to the Railway Museum, 8577F will be exhibited only one month.

Another question was “How was 8577F transported to the Railway Museum?” The gimmick is as follows. The tracks of Tobu Railway and JR East are connected at Kurihashi station yard. Furthermore, the JR East line is connected with the tracks in the Railway Museum, so, 8577F was transported from Tobu Railway to the Railway Museum pulled by locomotives. Long time no see 8577F! Have you been well?

The JR East line is connected with the tracks in the Railway Museum

Enjoy Saitama: Shirley Poppies and a Shining Locomotive

Unit 61 of the electric locomotive Class EF58 is exhibited in the Railway Museum

My spring outing is still going on. Next destination after the rose garden in Kanagawa Prefecture was a Shirley poppy (corn poppy) field in Saitama Prefecture. It's located on the Arakawa riverbed in Konosu City, about 50 kilometers north of Tokyo. As soon as I reached the embankment, what jumped into my eyes was a vast vermilion-colored field. It was second to none, even compared to the other famous Shirley poppy fields in the metropolitan area such as Matsudo and Chichibu. Oh, hold on please. Please look at the photo below. This field is different from the others. Light-purple-colored flowers are mixed. What are those? The answer was “Hazerisou (Phacelia?)”. No problem. Mixing of vermilion and light purple flowers was more beautiful.

I can't finish here as this is a railway blog. On my way home, I got off at Omiya station and stopped by the Railway Museum for the first time in 6 years. What was new with this holy place for rail-fans? I found that a new exhibit was added. Please look at the top photo… Unit 61 of the electric locomotive Class EF58 (hereafter EF58 61). EF 58 61 was Japanese National Railways’ special locomotive. It was built by Hitachi in 1953 for VIP trains. For example, the King and Queen of Norway took a train pulled by EF58 61 with the Emperor and Empress of Japan in 2001. Regarding the technical specifications of the Class EF58, please review my past post.

I enjoyed the flowers and the locomotive in Saitama Prefecture on the same day.

Shirley poppy (vermilion) and Hazerisou (light purple) field in Konosu City

Official information, The Railway Museum: https://www.railway-museum.jp/e/

Stop and Smell the Roses on the Daiyuzan Line

Set 5506 of the EMU Izu-Hakone Railway 5000 series, "Harumeki-train"

I can't believe that it is late May already, as I feel as though I just celebrated the New Year a short while ago. It's no use making a fuss! Let’s stop and smell the roses! This year, I visited Odawara Flower Garden in Kanagawa Prefecture. As soon as I entered the rose garden, I could feel the lovely breeze, which was carrying the rose-scented air. I enjoyed red, pink, white and yellow-colored roses in bloom. It’s the height of spring, isn’t it?

To get to this attractive tourist spot, the nearest railway station is Iidaoka on the Daiyuzan line of Izu-Hakone Railway. On the way back home, I found a pink-colored unfamiliar train, set 5506 of the EMU 5000 series. Set 5506 was originally a blue colored train, but its body color was recently changed to pink to support in community revitalization along the Daiyuzan line. It's called “Harumeki-train”. As I posted before, “Harumeki-sakura” is an early blooming cherry developed by local people 25 years ago. Its pink-colored blossom is a symbol of this local area.

Incidentally, the 5000 series is the main fleet on the Daiyuzan line. It was commissioned in 1984 replacing deteriorated models. A total of 7 sets were built by Tokyu Sharyo. Only the 1st set (5501) is steel, while the other six sets, including set 5506, are stainless-steel. One set is composed of three cars. Car number 2 of set 5506 is my favorite, because it is equipped with comfortable cross seats.

Odawara Flower Garden near Iidaoka station, Daiyuzan line

EMU 315-3000 Series: New Model in the Shizuoka Area

Trainset U12 of the EMU JR Central 315-3000 series stands at Atami station

As I posted before, Atami in Shizuoka Prefecture is well-known as a marine resort city. Visitors can enjoy hot springs, fish dishes and fireworks festivals. There’s more. Rail-fans can observe many kinds of trains at Atami station. They’re Shinkansen trains, JR East’s limited express trains, JR East and JR Central’s commuter trains, Izukyu trains and JR Freight’s freight trains. Oh, hold on please. I almost forgot one more…  an overnight sleeper train, “Sunrise Express”. Observing these trains is a perk of being a rail-fan.

When I visited Atami station the other day, I found an unfamiliar train stopping at the station. What’s that train? The answer is JR Central’s new model, the EMU 315-3000 series. The 315 series was originally debuted as an 8-car train in the Nagoya area in 2022. This new model was also commissioned in the Shizuoka area in 2024 as a 4-car train named the 315-3000 series. Currently, a total of 12 sets, 48 units, are operated on the Tokaido Main line of the Shizuoka area. The 315-3000 series have laser-welded beautiful bodies. These stainless-steel bodies were shining under the spring sun. Because the ceiling is high, the interior has an open atmosphere. A wheelchair accessible restroom is installed. As for the technical specifications, a hybrid SiC-IGBT VVVF inverter (variable-frequency drive) electric control system is adopted and implemented 35 percent of electric power reduction compared to the 211 series.

Incidentally, the old EMU 211 series was retired from the Shizuoka area in February this year. The 211 series, thank you for your hard work.

EMU JR East E257-2000 series (left), EMU JR Central 315-3000 series (right)

Official information about the EMU 315 series by JR Central (in Japanese):

https://railway.jr-central.co.jp/315s/

Visit to Kumamoto: A Must-See Spot

Electric car Unit 9202 of the Kumamoto City Tram 9200 series

Following my post on March 29th, 2025, I am going to show you the rest of our trip to Kumamoto.

Looking back now, I visited mostly not well-known sightseeing spots this time, but I remembered visiting at least one must-see spot in Kumamoto Prefecture. That is Mt. Aso located in the northeastern part of the prefecture. This mountain is a large compound active volcano and boasts arguably the largest caldera in the world, extending 25 kilometers in diameter. The central cone group consists of five peaks, the highest 1,592-meter Taka-dake, still active Naka-dake (see the photo below) and so on. The Nakadake trail is often closed when volcanic gas or volcanic activity is too high.

I can't finish here as this is a railway blog. Taking this opportunity, I’m going to show you one more tramcar of the Kumamoto City Tram. Please look at the top photo. It’s Unit 9202 of Kumamoto City Tram’s electric car 9200 series. The 9200 series was commissioned in 1992 to reinforce the transportation capacity of the city tram. A total of 5 units were built by ALNA. It is a middle-sized (13.5-meter-long) double-axle bogie car. A variable frequency drive electric control system with two 100kW induction motors is adopted. You can see an inclined frontal glass also serving as a panoramic window. This design looks like the Toei 8500 series, which was also commissioned in the early 1990’s. It seems to be a popular design at the time.

I enjoyed a must-see spot and a tramcar in Kumamoto.

Active Naka-dake crater, Mt. Aso

EMU Tokyu 9000 Series: 2025 Update

Trainset 9015 of the EMU Tokyu 9000 series (revival color), the Oimachi line

Do you remember when the EMU Odakyu 8000 and Tokyu 9000 series were sold to Seibu Railway last year? Eight months have passed since then. I made a post about the latest status of the Odakyu 8000 series the other day, so, I would like to update the information on the Tokyu 9000 series today.

Let me review this news to start. On September 26th, 2024, Seibu Railway made a press release announcing that a total of 100 units of trains will be purchased from Odakyu Electric Railway and Tokyu Railways. Since a major railway company (Seibu) purchased secondhand trains from the other major railway companies (Odakyu and Tokyu), it was shocking news for rail-fans. Eight months later, I found that the ex-Odakyu 8000 series was modified to "the EMU Seibu 8000 series" and had started its test runs.

Let's get down to the main topic. The EMU Tokyu 9000 series has not been moved to Seibu yet. It is still being prepared. Not really understanding the situation, but it is said that the major renovation is necessary. On the other hand, Tokyu is looking back on the history of the 9000 series. They restored the frontal stripes of trainset 9015 (see the top photo) and 9001 from an orange-to-yellow gradient (see the photo below) to the original, a red-colored stripe. I still remember that I saw the 9000 series with the red-colored stripe at old Shibuya station on the Tokyu-Toyoko line in 2013. Time really flies.

I fully enjoyed the revival-colored trains of the EMU Tokyu 9000 series.

Trainset 9014 of the EMU Tokyu 9000 series (present standard color), Oimachi line

The 100th Anniversary of Atami Station

Izukyu "Kurofune train" displays "the 100th anniversary of Atami station" plate

On March 25th, Atami City celebrated the 100th anniversary of Atami station. In commemoration, Atami City and the railway operators held several events.

Let's take a quick look at Atami City and Atami station to start. Atami is located about 100 kilometers southwest of Tokyo and well-known as a marine resort city. I often visit there with my family, and enjoy soaking in the hot spring, fish dishes and fireworks festivals. Furthermore, Atami is a gateway to Izu Peninsula, which is famous for its beautiful national park. Atami station was opened in 1925 by the Japanese Government Railways. Currently, JR East and JR Central jointly manage this station.

Let's get down to the main topic. Please look at the photos. There are anniversary plates on the front of the trains standing at Atami station. They are trainset R-4 (Kurofune Train) of the EMU Izukyu 2100 series and trainset TB5 of the EMU Izukyu 8000 series. The arrival of the trains with the 100th anniversary plates caused Atami station to instantly thrive… but wait a moment. Atami is not Izukyu Railway’s station. Why does Izukyu celebrate the 100th anniversary of Atami station? It is because Izukyu trains are directly operated onto the JR East Ito line and come to Atami station. Thoughtfulness to the colleague company is important, isn't it? In contrast, I haven’t seen any anniversary plates on the bodies of JR East and JR Central trains. Hasn’t their attitude been a bit chilly? Is that none of their business?

EMU Izukyu 8000 series displays "the 100th anniversary of Atami station" plate

Two Topics on the Seibu Railway

Test run of the EMU Seibu 8000 series (ex-Odakyu 8000 series)

I would prefer to keep going with the topic of Seibu Railway today.

I recently visited Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture. I’m not an airplane enthusiast but enjoyed the birthplace of Japanese aviation as it is the site of Japan's first airfield. On the way home, I returned to be a trainspotter because I came across an unfamiliar train at Kokukoen (Aviation Park) station on the Seibu-Shinjuku line. What’s that train?

It immediately rang a bell, and I realized that I had been familiar with it before… ex-Odakyu 8000 series! As I posted before, Seibu Railway purchased 100 units of secondhand trains from Odakyu Electric Railway and Tokyu Railways in 2024. The EMU Odakyu 8000 and Tokyu 9000 series were sold to Seibu Railway. Eight months later, the ex-Odakyu 8000 series was modified to "the EMU Seibu 8000 series" and had started its test runs. According to Seibu Railway, the reborn 8000 series will debut in the end of this month. Can’t wait!

Just after the ex-Odakyu train leaving, a yellow-colored train with a special plate on the front came to the station. What’s that? It was the special train of "the 130th anniversary of Kawagoe Railway”. The Seibu-Shinjuku and Kokubunji lines were originally inaugurated by Kawagoe Railway in 1895. I found that the 130th anniversary plate was displayed on the front of trainset 2065 of the EMU Seibu 2000N series. The rounded plate was provided by Sayama City to the Seibu Railway. Congratulations on the 130th anniversary!

Seibu Railway is packed with interesting topics.

"The 130th anniversary of Kawagoe Railway" train leaves Kokukoen station

Official information about the 130th anniversary of Kawagoe Railway (in Japanese):

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

The 4th Generation L-train

The 4th generation L-train arrives at Higashi-Kurume station

Seibu Railway launched the 4th generation “L-train”. I’m going to show you this new wrapped train today.

Let me review “L-train” to start. L-train (Lions Train) is Seibu Railway's ad-wrapped train for the purpose of supporting their professional baseball team "Saitama Seibu Lions". The design of L-train is based on Legend Blue, which is the team color of Saitama Seibu Lions. The bodies of L-train are decorated with the team emblems and characters. Historically, the 1st generation L-train appeared in 2010 using the EMU 3000 series. The 2nd generation was then commissioned in 2016 using the EMU 9000 series. The 3rd generation debuted in 2018 using the EMU 20000 series.

On March 15th this year, trainset 40152 of the EMU 40000 series was commissioned as the 4th generation L-train. The 40000 series is Seibu's high-end commuter train launched in 2017. A total of 23 sets, 224 units, were built by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The first batch 6 sets have multi-purpose seats, which a conductor can change from long seats to cross seats using a remote control; meanwhile, the second batch 17 sets, including trainset 40152 (L-train), have long seats only. I found that traditional Lions character “Leo” on the front of L-train. It’s same as the EMU 8500 series on the Seibu-Yamaguchi line. Leo, how have you been? It’s been a while.

Incidentally, I remembered that trainset 40152 was once used as the other ad-wrapped trains named "Kanahei" and “Moi! Moomin Hanno”. Trainset 40152 is always busy for promoting tourism to the Seibu lines.

Side view of the 4th generation L-train

Official information about the 4th generation L-train by Seibu Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.seiburailway.jp/newsroom/news/20250313_Ltrain/