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

The 100th Anniversary of the Itsukaichi Line

EMU JR East E233 series train with the Itsukaichi Line 100th-anniversary plate

On April 21, 2025, JR East celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Itsukaichi Line. To commemorate the milestone, the company held several special events.

Let’s start with a quick overview of the Itsukaichi Line. This commuter line runs through the western part of Tokyo Metropolis. It was originally opened by the former Itsukaichi Railway Company in 1925. Connecting Haijima Station on the Ōme Line with Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, the route is 11.1 kilometers long. Trains operate every 20 to 30 minutes and are E233 series EMUs made up of six or four cars. Many trains run through onto the Ōme Line to reach Tachikawa Station.

My favorite spot along the Itsukaichi Line is Ryūshūin Temple during cherry blossom season. Located near Musashi-Itsukaichi Station, it’s a dreamlike place. Please check out my previous post on the Itsukaichi Line as well, if you have time.

One of the 100th-anniversary highlights is a special commemorative plate mounted on the front of trainset Ao660 of the EMU E233 series (see the top photo). In addition, several anniversary stickers featuring mascots from cities along the line are displayed on the train’s sides. For example, Akishima City created Chikappa (see the photo below), a name combining chikasui (groundwater) and kappa (a mythical river creature). Akishima is known for its clean, delicious water, so Chikappa sports a plate of water on its head, green skin, and webbed hands and feet. If this creature really existed, would you find it cute—or a little scary?

100th-anniversary plate designed by Akishima City

The Keisei-Matsudo Line: An Update

Trainset 80026 of the Keisei 80000 series in “Keisei color”

Do you remember when I reported that Keisei Electric Railway merged with Shin-Keisei Electric Railway on April 1st? I recently revisited the former Shin-Keisei Line—now the Keisei-Matsudo Line—and saw the changes for myself.

Let’s start with a quick overview. The Keisei-Matsudo Line is a commuter route in the northwestern part of Chiba Prefecture. It connects Matsudo on JR East’s Jōban Line with Keisei-Tsudanuma on the Keisei-Chiba Line, covering 26.5 kilometers with 24 stations. The line uses standard gauge (1,435 mm), is electrified at 1,500 V DC, and is double-tracked for most of its length. Originally built in 1929 by the Railway Regiment of the former Japanese Army as a training line, it was reopened after WWII in 1947 as the Shin-Keisei Line. Seventy-eight years later, following the merger, it was renamed the Keisei-Matsudo Line.

Now to the main point. After the EMU 8800 series, the 80000 series and N800 series have also begun receiving the so-called “Keisei color” livery. Take a look at the photos—my impression of these trains has changed completely. As you may recall, they used to wear the distinctive white-and-pink Shin-Keisei livery. (You can check my earlier posts featuring the Shin-Keisei-colored 80000 series and the N800 series.) Honestly, it’s a little sad to see the variety of liveries disappear, but there’s no turning back time.

Trainset N818 of the Keisei N800 series in “Keisei color”

2025 Summer Scenery in Gyoda City

EMU JR East E231 series, suburban-type train

I visited Gyoda City in Saitama Prefecture for the first time in four years. So, what’s new in my favorite city?

First, let’s take a quick look at Gyoda itself. Located about 60 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, it’s known for its unique attractions. One of the most popular in recent years is the rice paddy art. Actual rice fields are used as giant canvases, where pictures are “painted” using different varieties of rice that produce various colors. The “artists” are local farmers and residents, who plant the rice in June. This year’s theme is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle. You can see a huge image of Kamado Tanjiro in the fields (see the photo below).

Of course, I can’t stop there—this is a railway blog, after all. On my way home, I boarded a train at Gyoda Station on JR East’s Takasaki Line and did a bit of trainspotting at Omiya Station. Take a look at the top photo: it shows the EMU E231 series, which I’ve posted about many times before. If I were to add one detail, it would be about the space between the train’s front end and the driver’s cab door. That area is quite wide, and it serves as a crush zone to protect the driver in case of a collision. This crush zone is noticeably wider on the suburban-type of the E231 series (pictured above) than on the commuter-type, since the suburban version is designed for higher-speed operations. Topics like these never run out when train enthusiasts get together. I’m sure you feel the same, don’t you?

Rice paddy art, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle"

Official information on Gyoda’s 2025 Rice Paddy Art: City of Gyoda – Event Page

B.B.Base: The Unique Train for Cyclists

"Trainset J1 of the JR East EMU 209-2200 series, “B.B.Base”

I recently had the chance to ride the JR East Sōbu Line. As the train was leaving Makuhari-Hongō Station in Chiba City, I spotted a super-rare sight—the “B.B.Base” stopping in the railyard. Without a second thought, I hopped off at the next station and headed back to Makuhari-Hongō to photograph it.

B.B.Base is a one-of-a-kind train designed specifically for cyclists. Passengers can bring their bicycles onboard and secure them on dedicated racks. The service runs on weekends between Ryōgoku in central Tokyo and the Bōsō Peninsula in Chiba Prefecture. Its official name is trainset J1 of the JR East EMU 209-2200 series, nicknamed “Bōsō Bicycle Base.” The six-car set (four motor cars and two trailers) has space in every car except Car 4, which serves as an open lounge where passengers can relax and interact. Long benches are provided, while the other cars can each hold 19 or 20 passengers along with the same number of bicycles.

Originally built as a commuter train, this set operated on the Keihin-Tōhoku and Nambu Lines before being rebuilt as B.B.Base in 2017. Technically, its specifications are the same as other 209-2200 series trains—it’s the interior and purpose that make it stand out.

Now, you might be wondering: “Have you ever actually ridden B.B.Base?” or “Why not photograph it during regular service?” Well… that’s a tough one. The train leaves Ryōgoku terminal early in the morning, and I’m not exactly a morning person. On top of that, I’m not into heavy exercise like cycling, and my weekends have been pretty busy lately. Excuses, excuses—I know.

Close-up of B.B.Base

Official JR East information: JR East – B.B.Base

Trainspotting at an Underground Station

EMU 4000 series, set 4651, at Mitsuzawa-Shimochō Station

On July 18, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced the end of this year’s rainy season in the Tokyo metropolitan area. In other words, mid-summer 2025 has arrived. With daytime highs often exceeding 35°C, I’ve been longing to escape the urban heat island and enjoy some trainspotting on a cool plateau. But since I’m busy this summer, I settled for the next best thing—an underground station. It’s naturally cooler than above ground thanks to the lack of direct sunlight, and many underground stations in the metro area are air-conditioned. So, I had no choice but to go.

My destination was Mitsuzawa-Shimochō Station on the Blue Line of the Yokohama Municipal Subway. Why there? Because trainspotters like me love photographing entire trains, bogies included. To do that in an underground setting, you need the right conditions. First, a station with two separate platforms serving two tracks is ideal, since you can capture the whole train from across the way. (“Every exit is an entry to somewhere else,” as the saying goes.) Second, the station must be free of pillars between the tracks—otherwise, your view gets blocked. Mitsuzawa-Shimochō checks all the boxes.

Take a look at the top photo: The EMU 4000 series at Mitsuzawa-Shimochō Station. What’s new about this train? I noticed a large, rounded sticker on the front promoting GREEN×EXPO 2027, a major event Yokohama is preparing to host. It’s a small touch, but it definitely helps build excitement for the Expo (see the photo below).

GREEN×EXPO 2027 sticker on the front of the EMU 4000 series