It’s already mid-December — time really flies. Stores and streets around Tokyo are decorated for the Christmas season. You may find it curious that a Buddhist-majority country celebrates Christmas. That’s understandable, as only about 1% of Japan’s population is Christian. But please don’t take it too seriously. For us, it’s less a religious event and more a seasonal custom. Does that answer your question?
Railway companies join the celebration as well. I recently found that a train on the Keio Inokashira Line is again decorated with a Christmas plate this year, just like in previous seasons. Please take a look at the photos. Set 1761 of the Keio 1000 series EMU carries a special round plate on the front of the train. Its design features a Christmas tree, snowflakes, Santa’s reindeer, and a sleigh. Isn’t it charming?
Incidentally, the Inokashira Line is a short 12.7-kilometer commuter route connecting Shibuya and Kichijoji. The 1000 series EMU is the only model operated on this line. It entered commercial service in 1996 as the first 20-meter-long, 5-car train type introduced to the route.
A hot topic right now is the preparation for ATO (Automatic Train Operation). Modifications to the trains are underway, and I have confirmed with my own eyes that five sets of the 1000 series have already been completed. Keio aims for GoA2-level operation and is conducting verification tests. Under GoA2, only one crew member is required on board, mainly for train starting and safety monitoring.
