Yamitetsu Part 5: OIMACHI TRACKS

Night view of JR East's railyard from OIMACHI TRACKS

Do you like giant shopping malls?

To be honest, I’m usually not a big fan. Many large malls in the Tokyo metropolitan area are far from major stations and can only be reached by car. Instead, I prefer ekinaka malls—shopping areas located inside stations—because they’re incredibly convenient. I often stop by them when I change trains.

That said, I do have one exception: my favorite large mall, OIMACHI TRACKS.

This new shopping complex sits right next to the JR East Oimachi Station and a railyard (JR East Tokyo General Rolling Stock Center). It opened on March 28 this year, and what makes it truly unique is that visitors can enjoy direct views of the railyard while shopping. It’s absolutely perfect for train enthusiasts.

Today, I’d like to share the nighttime scenery of the railyard from the mall—yes, it’s time for “Yamitetsu,” photographing trains in the dark! Ready to come along?

Please take a look at the photo above. I took it from the observation deck at OIMACHI TRACKS. You can see many trains lined up against the backdrop of the city at night. It’s a beautiful sight.

Most of the trains parked on the sidings are E235 series EMUs operated by JR East. As I mentioned in earlier posts, the E235 series runs on the famous Yamanote Line, one of Tokyo’s busiest commuter routes. Each train has 11 cars, and they run every five minutes even during off-peak hours.

I’ve never been particularly fond of the E235’s design, but I must admit—they look surprisingly beautiful at night. Maybe it’s because their “microwave-oven-like” fronts don’t stand out as much in the dark. Sorry, E235 series… I mean no offense. Thank you for your hard work every day.

Now, please take a look at the photo below.

I took this one from the mall’s pedestrian deck. From here, the trains look even closer. There’s a transparent panel in front of the deck, but I managed to find an angle that still captures the train fronts clearly. I was especially careful to frame the E235 series from the best perspective.

I had a great time enjoying Yamitetsu at OIMACHI TRACKS tonight, and I feel like I’ve grown somewhat fond of the E235 series—more than I expected. Have a good night, everyone.

Night view of the E235 series EMUs

Related link:

• Official information from JR East

The 13th Generation Sounyan Train

Set 11004 of the Sotetsu 11000 series EMU, the 13th generation Sounyan Train

I am happy to share this annual topic with you again this year. On March 16, the 13th generation “Sounyan Train” debuted on the Sagami Railway (Sotetsu) lines.

First, let me briefly introduce Sotetsu and the Sounyan Train.

Sotetsu is a major private railway company based in Yokohama, operating a 44.4-kilometer network in Kanagawa Prefecture. Its lines are double-tracked, electrified at 1,500 V DC, and use a track gauge of 1,067 mm. Since 2019, Sotetsu trains have run through onto JR East lines, and since 2023, onto Tokyu lines as well.

The Sounyan Train is a special train set decorated with Sotetsu’s mascot character, Sounyan. It first appeared in 2014, and its design, both exterior and interior, has been updated every year.

According to the company’s website, Sounyan is a new species of cat who works in public relations as an official employee of Sotetsu. His mission is to help more people learn about the company. To do this, he often appears at events and interacts with visitors. He also writes his own blog and even works as part of a train crew. In the photo above, you can see Sounyan sitting in the driver’s cab, doing his job.

Joking aside, the 13th generation Sounyan Train is assigned to Set 11004 of the 11000 series EMU. The 11000 series entered service in 2009 to replace the aging 5000 and 7000 series. A total of five sets (50 cars) were built by Tokyu Sharyo and JR East’s Niitsu factory. To reduce manufacturing costs, the series shares common technical specifications with JR East’s E233 series.

Finally, let’s take a look at the interior of the 13th generation Sounyan Train (see the photo below). In this design, Sounyan is shown enjoying mamemaki (a bean-throwing ceremony) with his friends, a rabbit and a squirrel. Mamemaki is a traditional event in which people throw roasted soybeans to drive away evil spirits and invite good fortune, shouting, “Demons out, fortune in!”

Sounyan, keep up the good work!

Interior of the 13th generation Sounyan Train

Related Link:

・Official information from Sotetsu (Japanese only)

・Sounyan's official blog (Japanese only)

2026 Rose Season on the Arakawa Line

Toei 8500 series Unit 8502 near Otsuka-ekimae Stop

It is rose season in Tokyo now, and we can see beautiful blossoms in many places. This year, I visited the Toei (Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Metropolitan Government) Arakawa Line and enjoyed the roses along the tracks. As a rail fan who loves flowers, it was a perfect place for me.

First, let me briefly introduce the Arakawa Line and its rose history.

Tokyo once had a tram network of 181 km, but most routes were closed because of heavy traffic. The Arakawa Line is a precious survivor, since most of it was built on an exclusive track. It runs between Waseda and Minowabashi, with a total length of 12.2 km. The entire route is double-track. The track gauge is 1,372 mm, and the electric system is 600 V DC.

The Arakawa Line is also known for its roses. Rose planting began in 1985 by Arakawa Ward. Later, Toshima Ward and local volunteers joined, and they have continued planting and taking care of many kinds of roses along the tracks.

Now, let’s stop and smell the roses! Please look at the photo above.

I took it near Otsuka-ekimae Stop. Roses are planted in the narrow space between the tracks and the road, using the fence as support. The deep red roses were in full bloom. When the tramcar slowly passed by, a gentle breeze carried their sweet fragrance. It was wonderful.

Next, please check out the photo below. I took it at Minowabashi Stop, which is a must-visit spot. This year, I photographed a different flower bed from the one I saw eleven years ago. There are so many flowers that the tramcar looks a bit modest. Maybe that is too much to say, since this is a railway blog.

By the way, the tramcar in both photos is Unit 8502 of the 8500 series. It is a mid-sized 13-meter tramcar equipped with Toei’s first VFD traction system and two 60 kW induction motors.

The 8500 series began service in 1990, but production stopped after only five cars because of financial issues in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

Finally, I have some news. The first unit of the 8500 series, Unit 8501, was recently refurbished. I am running out of space here, so I will write about it in a future post. Please look forward to it!

Toei 8500 series Unit 8502 at Minowabashi Stop

Reunion with VSE

DeHa 50001 of the Odakyu Romancecar “VSE” at the Romancecar Museum

Do you remember my post about the Romancecar VSE last year? Today, I’d like to share a touching reunion I had with it afterward.

First, let me briefly review what the Romancecar VSE is.

In the Tokyo metropolitan area, several railway companies compete with luxurious express trains as their flagships. One of the most venerable and popular among them is Odakyu Electric Railway’s Romancecar, which runs from central Tokyo to the western suburbs. Odakyu has continued developing new Romancecar models one after another since the 1950s.

Among them, the Romancecar VSE (Vault Super Express) entered service in 2005. Its official designation is the 50000 series EMU. Each VSE set consisted of 10 articulated cars, and only two sets were ever built, both by Nippon Sharyo.

After 18 years in service, the VSE was retired in 2023. What happened to it afterward remained a mystery for a while, although I did spot it in the Kitami and Sagami-Ono railyards, as I posted last December.

Any updates after that?

Thank you for waiting. Please take a look at the photo above. One of the VSE’s front cars, DeHa 50001, has been on display at the Romancecar Museum near Ebina Station since March 19 of this year. Needless to say, I rushed to the museum and enjoyed a heartfelt reunion.

What I especially enjoyed was getting a close look at the VSE’s articulated bogie attached to the end of DeHa 50001 (see the photo below). This ND-735 bogie was also manufactured by Nippon Sharyo. I was able to observe the pneumatic springs positioned above the cylindrical pillars from very close range. To place the body support point close to the vehicle’s center of gravity, the pneumatic suspension sits about one meter higher than that of ordinary bogies.

Although it’s truly sad to see the VSE retired, I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn so much from the exhibit. Thank you, Romancecar VSE, for all your years of hard work. Please enjoy your well-earned rest.

ND-735 articulated bogie for DeHa 50001

Related Link

・Official information from the Romancecar Museum (Japanese only)

New Gondolas on Mt. Bizan

Bizan Ropeway in Tokushima City

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

I recently received something I had been hoping for again from a Danish railfan. During his trip around Shikoku Island in Japan, he took many photos, and today I would like to introduce one of them. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly shared this picture with me.

Please look at the photo above—the new gondolas of the Bizan Ropeway. You can see blue and red box-shaped cabins standing out against the urban scenery. They look gorgeous.

As I wrote before, the Bizan Ropeway is convenient access to the popular sightseeing spot, Mt. Bizan, in Tokushima City on Shikoku Island. It is a single-cable aerial tramway. It connects Awa-odori Kaikan and Sancho stations. The route length is 787 meters, the height difference is 242 meters, and the maximum gradient is 30.23 degrees. The system operates every 15 minutes, and the maximum speed is 4.1 meters per second. It takes about six minutes for a one-way trip.

This aerial tramway opened in 1957, and the current fourth-generation gondolas started operation on March 30 last year. One unique feature of this system is the double gondolas to secure enough transportation capacity. Each gondola can carry up to 14 passengers, so a total of 28 people can ride on each trip.

For your reference, I would also like to share the older, third-generation gondolas. Please look at the photo below. These round-shaped gondolas are the ones I boarded two years ago. The present cabins obviously have larger windows, so the views are even wider. They have really evolved.

By the way, you may wonder why I posted a topic about an aerial tramway on this “railway” blog. To be honest, there is no deep meaning. But if I have to say something, in Japan, the operation of aerial tramways is governed by the “Railway Business Act.” That is a good excuse!

Third-generation gondolas (December 2022)

Related link:

• Official information from Tokushima City (Japanese only)

Hakobyun: A Freight-Only Shinkansen I Recently Found

JR East’s freight-only Shinkansen “Hakobyun” at Omiya Station

It might sound a bit sudden, but do you know the train in the photo at the top of this post?

If you are familiar with Japanese trains, maybe it’s easy. The front car has that cute, streamlined shape that almost looks like a smile. So yes, it is JR East’s E3-2000 series Shinkansen.

But still… something feels a little strange, doesn’t it?

There are no stripes on the front, and all the passenger windows are closed.

What kind of train is this?

Actually, this is a freight-only Shinkansen, Set L69 of the E3 series. It used to be a regular passenger train when it was introduced in 2009, but it was refurbished this January. All the seats were removed and the floors were made flat for cargo. The train has seven cars and can carry up to 17.4 tons of freight—about 1,000 boxes.

It started service on March 23, running between Morioka and Tokyo on the Tohoku Shinkansen line. Interestingly, it is coupled behind a normal 10-car E5 series passenger train. Thanks to this, JR East doesn’t have to add extra train slots on the already busy timetable.

The nickname of this freight-only Shinkansen is “Hakobyun.”

It comes from the Japanese words hako (box) and byun (a “whoosh” sound). Since it’s a very fast freight train, I think the name fits perfectly.

So, what does Hakobyun actually carry?

If you look at the photo below, you can see some examples: fresh fish, oysters, squid, sea urchins, and many other seafood items. It is also ideal for urgent items like blood products for transfusion, and for delicate precision machines that should not be shaken.

Hakobyun, thank you for your hard work. I’m cheering for your future success on the Shinkansen tracks!

Side view of Hakobyun

Related link:

・Official information from JR East (in Japanese):

Serving a Double Purpose on the Keiyo Line

JR East E257-500 series EMU, limited express “Wakashio”

It’s mid-spring in Tokyo, and daytime temperatures now exceed 20 degrees Celsius almost every day. The best season of the year has arrived! Lured by the pleasant spring weather, I recently visited Inage Beach in Chiba City, about 35 km east of Tokyo.

To get to this urban beach, the nearest station is Inage-kaigan (Inage Beach) on the JR East Keiyo Line. It’s been a long time since I last took this line, so I decided to take a quick train photo before heading to the beach.

Take a look at the photo above—the E257-500 series limited express “Wakashio,” running on the Keiyo Line in the morning sunlight. Beautiful!

As I’ve mentioned before, the E257-500 series is a 1,500 V DC EMU used for limited express services between Tokyo and the Boso Peninsula. Its nickname is the “Boso Express.” It entered service in 2004, and a total of 19 sets were built by Hitachi, Kinki Sharyo, and Tokyu Sharyo (now J-TREC). Each trainset consists of three motor cars and two trailer cars. The leading car is equipped with a gangway door, allowing it to be coupled with another set during peak seasons.

It has already been 22 years since its debut. Ten sets are still in operation, while the other nine have been converted into the E257-2500 and E257-5500 series EMUs. Keep up the good work, E257-500 series!

After arriving at Inage Beach, I switched gears to another hobby of mine—fossil collecting. As I’ve mentioned before, it’s been a lifelong passion. This time, my hunting ground was this artificial sandy beach. In this area, we can sometimes find fossil-bearing rocks that were originally dredged from the floor of Tokyo Bay.

Take a look at the photo below—this was my find of the day: a fossilized large clam (Saxidomus purpuratus?). It is a large (11 cm long), thick, and hefty bivalve. The smaller bivalves beside it are fossils of dock cockles (Glycymeris yessoensis). Beautiful! Hello, fossils! Welcome back to the world above ground!

That day, I was able to serve a double purpose on the Keiyo Line.

Fossilized large clam (left) and dock cockles (right) found at Inage Beach

Related link:

・Official information from JR East (in Japanese) 

German-made Rail Grinder on the Keio Line

Keio’s rail grinder, ROMILL 600DT (“ROMILL Supply” side)

Are working vehicles popular among children in your country?

In Japan, they are very popular. According to several popularity polls, police cars rank first, followed by fire engines, excavators, ambulances, and many others. A wide variety of picture books on working vehicles are also published for young children.

How about working vehicles that run on railway tracks?

To be honest, except for the famous “Dr. Yellow” on the Tokaido–Sanyo Shinkansen, railway working vehicles are not very well known, mainly because they tend to go unnoticed. Even so, curious children will quickly gather whenever an unusual railway vehicle appears. I recently witnessed such a scene near the Sakurajosui railyard on the Keio Line. I followed the children who had gathered there, and eventually found what they were looking at.

Please take a look at the photos—this is a rail grinder, the ROMILL 600DT, parked on a siding. Keio Corporation (Keio Electric Railway) introduced the ROMILL 600DT from the German manufacturer Robel in January this year. European manufacturers indeed have a strong presence in this field. With this addition, Keio became the first Japanese private railway company to operate a milling-type rail grinder. 

The ROMILL 600DT consists of two diesel-powered cars: “ROMILL Work” and “ROMILL Supply.”

The former includes a rail-milling unit with cemented-carbide tips, a polishing unit, and an inspection unit. The latter provides a workspace for replacing milling inserts and also houses a fuel tank.

Why did Keio introduce the ROMILL 600DT?

First, for safety: milling and grinding help prevent rail damage and provide passengers with a smoother, more comfortable ride. Second, for cost efficiency: maintaining rail surfaces properly can significantly reduce long-term maintenance expenses by preventing serious rail defects.

As a rail fan, I am genuinely fond of the ROMILL 600DT. Its blue-and-red two-tone body looked especially beautiful in the spring sunlight. I would love to watch it in operation someday, but that is quite difficult, as it usually works only after the last train has finished for the day. Moreover, Keio does not publish its operating schedule.

Even so, I hope the ROMILL 600DT continues to do great work behind the scenes.

ROMILL 600DT ("ROMILL Work" side)

Related link:

• Official information from Keio (in Japanese)

• Official video from Keio (in Japanese)

Final Chapter of the 6000 Series EMU in Indonesia

Set 6117 of the 6000 series EMU in Jakarta, Indonesia

Photo: Faris Fadhli (2026)

Today, I’d like to share a little story about Indonesia’s railways.

Not long ago, I received a heartwarming message from an Indonesian railfan. My friend, Faris Fadhli, sent me some updates along with his latest photos. I always enjoy hearing from him—his messages make me feel closer to Indonesia’s railway scene. After reading his note, I felt inspired to write about an “endangered species” that has long fascinated me.

Please take a look at the photo above. It shows the endangered ex–Tokyo Metro 6000 series EMU running in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The 6000 series is a 1,500 V DC commuter EMU that first entered service in Tokyo in 1968. In total, 36 sets—353 cars—were built through 1990. Its technology was considered advanced at the time, equipped with an armature-chopper traction system and regenerative braking. Many sets were later upgraded with a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive=VVVF) traction system and induction motors.

After 43 years of service in Tokyo, 27 sets were transferred to Jakarta starting in 2011, helping modernize the commuter lines operated by PT Kereta Commuter Indonesia.

Now, let’s take another look at the recent photo. A red-striped 6000 series train stands out under the tropical sunlight, framed by lush greenery. Beautiful! I instantly recognized the spot—Universitas Indonesia Station, a classic place for train photography. Faris’s photo brought back many memories from the time I was stationed in Indonesia.

I also vividly remember the excitement in 2011, when the 6000 series first arrived in Jakarta. I was extremely busy with work then, so Indonesian railfans, including Faris, visited Bukit Duri Railyard and kindly shared their photos of the newly arrived trains with me (see the photo below). It’s hard to believe that fifteen years have passed. Time truly flies.

I’m glad the 6000 series is still active in Jakarta. However, according to Faris, the trains are now being gradually phased out as the new Indonesian-built CLI-225 series enters service. Panta rhei—everything is constantly changing.

The final chapter of the 6000 series has already begun.

Set 6126 of the 6000 series EMU (right) upon arrival in Jakarta, Indonesia

Photo: Faris Fadhli (March, 2011)

New LEO LINER on the Yamaguchi Line

Seibu L00 series EMU, LEO LINER (Set L11)

Today, I would like to introduce a new train model in the Tokyo metropolitan area: Seibu Railway’s L00 series EMU, called the LEO LINER, for the Yamaguchi Line. This new model entered service on March 27 and replaces the older 8500 series EMU.

First, let me briefly introduce the Seibu-Yamaguchi Line.

The line is a rubber-tyred automated guideway transit (AGT) system that runs across the border between Tokyo Metropolis and Saitama Prefecture. It connects Tamako (Lake Tama) and Seibu-Kyujō-mae (Seibu Baseball Stadium) stations, and its total length is only 2.8 km. The entire route is single-track and uses a 750 V DC third-rail power supply. Unlike other AGT lines such as the Seaside Line, and the Nippori-Toneri Liner, trains on this line are operated by a driver. It is not a driverless system.

The top photo shows the L00 series. Each trainset consists of four aluminum-alloy cars, each 8.5 meters long (two motor cars and two trailer cars). The traction system uses variable frequency drives with 110 kW induction motors. One of the differences from the older 8500 series is that the L00 series has double-leaf external sliding doors. Seibu Railway plans to introduce three trainsets of the L00 series by the end of March 2028.

My first impression was that it looks similar to the Yurikamome 7500 series EMU. It also reminds me of JR East’s HB-E220 series. The polygonal shape of the front of the train seems to be a trend in the design of recent rolling stock.

Regarding the interior, please look at the photo below. There is a transverse seat located just behind the driver’s cab. It is called the “Kids Seat,” and it is designed for a parent and a child. They can enjoy watching the driver operate the train and looking out the front. Recently, more Japanese railway companies seem to be installing special seats for parents and children, and I think this is a very good idea.

I enjoyed observing Seibu’s new LEO LINER very much.

“Kids Seat” in the L00 series train

Related link:

・Official information from Seibu Railway (in Japanese)

・Official video from Seibu Railway (in Japanese)

Classic DMU on the Joso Line

KiHa 0 series DMU on the Joso Line

This may sound a little sudden, but are you an early bird or a night owl?

As for me, I’m definitely the latter. I usually get up late, especially on weekends. In Japan, people like me are often thought to be lazy, which feels a little sad.

Still, even I have exceptions. Please take a look at the top photo. You can see the classic KiHa 0 series DMU of Kanto Railway running on the Joso Line. I took this photo early morning because this train operates only at that time. For once, the early bird really did catch the worm!

■ What Are Kanto Railway and the Joso Line?

Kanto Railway (often called Kantetsu) is a local railway company in the northeastern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area. Its Joso Line runs through Ibaraki Prefecture from south to north, connecting Toride and Shimodate stations over a distance of 51.1 km. Toride provides an important transfer to JR East’s Joban Line (see the photo below).

Kantetsu has a unique atmosphere—a mix of a commuter line and a local rural line. As shown in the top photo, the section near Toride is double-tracked, and trains run every nine minutes during the morning rush. However, the line is non-electrified, and most trains consist of only one or two cars.

■ Rolling Stock Notes: DMU KiHa 0 Series

The KiHa 0 series DMUs entered service in 1981. Each trainset consists of two 20-meter-long, single-cab cars. A total of four sets—eight cars—were built using equipment reused from the Japanese National Railways KiHa 20 series.

■ Details Trainspotters Will Enjoy

If you feel like you’ve seen this railcar somewhere before, you have a sharp eye for Japanese trains. The KiHa 310 series, which I introduced in 2011, looks very similar to the KiHa 0 series. However, if you look closely, you’ll notice some differences. For example, the shape of the front destination display is slightly different, and the presence or absence of rain gutters on the sides also varies. Did you find the differences?

Toride Station on the JR East Joban Line and the Kantetsu Joso Line

Related Link:

・Official information from Kanto Railway (in Japanese)

New Model on the Urban Park Line, Part 2

Trainset 81551 of Tobu’s 80000 series EMU at Nanakodai Railyard

You may remember that I wrote about Tobu’s 80000 series new EMU last June. At that time, I mentioned that I would “save the technical specifications of the 80000 series for a future post.”

Ten months have passed since then. Time really flies. Now, I finally have a chance to introduce those details, so let’s get started.

The 80000 series EMU is Tobu Railway’s commuter train for the Urban Park Line (Noda Line). It operates on a 1,500 V DC system with a 1,067 mm track gauge. The train entered service in March 2025 to replace the older 8000 and 10030 series. Each set consists of five 20-meter cars—two motor cars and three trailer cars. The car bodies are made of aluminum alloy, and a total of 25 sets are planned to be introduced.

Here are some of the technical features.

First, the train is equipped with 250 kW synchronous reluctance motors instead of the conventional induction motors. The traction system uses a full-SiC VFD (full silicon-carbide variable-frequency drive). These technologies help reduce maintenance and save energy.

Second, the train has an on-board battery system. The power generated from regenerative braking is not returned to the overhead lines but stored and used for on-board power supply. This helps prevent the loss of regenerated energy.

Third, two trainsets are equipped with monitoring equipment for facilities such as tracks and overhead lines.

Now, I would like to share a topic for old-school trainspotters as well. Please take a look at the top photo. I took this photo of the 80000 series when I joined an event held by the Japan Railfan Club at Nanakodai Railyard. This particular trainset is slightly different from the one I showed in my post last year.

Please look at the photo below. The middle car (Car 3, SaHa 83551) looks different from the cars on both sides. For example, the height of the roof and the shape of the lower body seem a bit unusual.

In fact, this car is a refurbished vehicle from the 60000 series EMU, not a newly built one. Why did Tobu choose to do this?

I’m running out of space here, so I will save the explanation for a future post. Please look forward to it!

Car 3 (SaHa 83551) of trainset 81551

Related link:

• Official information from Tobu Railway (in Japanese)

2026 Cherry Blossom Season: Nambu Line

JR East E233-8000 series EMU near Bubaigawara Station

After sharing the cherry blossoms along the Keio Inokashira Line, I would now like to introduce this year’s cherry blossoms in Tokyo from other viewpoints.

Please take a look at the top photo. A train is passing by cherry trees in full bloom. Can you guess which railway line it belongs to?

If you are familiar with Japanese rolling stock, the answer might come easily. It is JR East’s Nambu Line. The stainless-steel body with yellow, orange, and brown stripes is a distinctive feature of the trains on this line.

The Nambu Line is one of the main commuter lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It connects Tachikawa and Kawasaki, running approximately 45 km. The trains in operation include the E233-8000 and E233-8500 series EMUs.

Now, returning to the top photo: I took it from a road bridge near Bubaigawara Station. It was my first time visiting this location. Although a high safety net stood along the bridge, I was able to avoid it thanks to the stepladder I happened to bring with me. I had a good feeling that day, and the result was a beautiful scene. One interesting detail I captured was the roof of the leading car. You can see two digital-radio antennas. The reason for having two is to use a technique called diversity, which improves communication quality by automatically selecting the antenna with the stronger signal.

The photo below shows a train crossing a small bridge framed by cherry blossoms. I took this shot from the bank of a small stream near Shukugawara Station. The afternoon sunlight made both the blossoms and the train shine beautifully. It was also my first time visiting this spot. Although I thought it might be relatively unknown, I found several international rail fans photographing there. Their enthusiasm was impressive—railway fans truly share the same passion all over the world.

It was a delightful day, enjoying both the cherry blossoms and the trains.

JR East E233-8000 series EMU near Shukugawara Station

Afterglow of JNR on Shikoku Island

Set R12 of JR Shikoku’s 7200 series EMU (Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

I recently received exactly what I had been hoping for from a Danish railfan. During his travels around Shikoku Island in Japan, he photographed many trains, and today I would like to introduce one of his works. My sincere appreciation goes to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly shared this photograph with me.

Please take a look at the top photo. The train you see is a nostalgically styled two-car set—the 7200 series EMU operated by JR Shikoku.

JR Shikoku is one of the railway companies of the JR Group. It was established in 1987 when the Japanese National Railways (JNR) was divided into seven companies. JR Shikoku operates nine lines totaling 853.7 km on Shikoku Island, of which 235.4 km are electrified at 1,500 V DC.

The 7200 series EMU was originally introduced by JNR in 1986 as the 121 series. A total of 19 sets—38 cars—entered service, and they were transferred to JR Shikoku upon JNR’s privatization. All cars remain in service today, now known as the 7200 series after a series of modifications.

The 7200 series features stainless-steel bodies, and each trainset consists of one motor car and one trailer car (1M1T). Between 2016 and 2019, the trains were upgraded from rheostatic control to a variable-frequency drive (VFD) system equipped with four 140 kW induction motors.

As a railway enthusiast, I am especially fond of this JNR-era EMU. Its nostalgic design truly resonates with me. In particular, the round, protruding headlights are one of my favorite features. However, if you look closely, you will notice that they are no longer lightbulbs but LEDs. JR Shikoku has been modernizing its trains while preserving their traditional character.

To me, this represents the afterglow of JNR on Shikoku Island.

Finally, although it may sound unnecessary, I also photographed the 7200 series myself in 2022 (see the photo below). However, I have never captured its entire form in one shot, so I would very much like to add the top photo to my collection. It feels as though another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. I am truly delighted.

Set R17 of the EMU 7200 series at Kotohira Station (December 2022)

Related link:

• Official information from JR Shikoku (in Japanese)

The 15th Anniversary of Tokyo Railway Labyrinth

Front view of Unit 2011, Toyo Rapid Railway 2000 series EMU

Thanks for stopping by Tokyo Railway Labyrinth! The blog is about to turn 15.

I actually started this blog while I was stationed in Jakarta, Indonesia. Back then, Japan was going through a very difficult time, including the tsunami and nuclear disaster following the massive earthquake. Writing about Japanese railways was my small way of supporting my home country. Hard to believe it’s already been 15 years.

For this anniversary, I first thought about featuring trains with “15” in their names. But then I remembered—I’ve already covered the EF15 before. So… what else could I do?

Well, I came up with a slightly different idea: trains with “2011” in their numbers. As you probably know, 2011 is the year this blog started. A bit of a stretch? Maybe.

Anyway, let’s get to it. Take a look at the top photo—can you spot what this “2011” car is?

Pretty easy, right? It’s Unit 2011 from Toyo Rapid Railway’s 2000 series EMU. Toyo Rapid Railway runs a 16.2 km commuter line in western Chiba, called the Toyo Rapid Line. Most trains continue directly onto the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line. The 2000 series is currently the only type belonging to Toyo Rapid Railway, and it’s similar in specifications to the Tokyo Metro 05N series.

Now, let’s move on to the next photo. Please take a look at the photo below. What about this “2011” vehicle?

This one might be a bit trickier. It’s Unit 2011 from Tokyo Monorail’s 2000 series EMU. Tokyo Monorail operates the 17.8 km Haneda Airport Line in central Tokyo. This series was the company’s first to use a VFD (Variable Frequency Drive) system. Inside, you’ll find a mix of transverse and longitudinal seating, and the trains run at speeds of up to 80 km/h.

So… was this post a bit boring? I hope not.

Either way, I hope you enjoyed seeing these two “Unit 2011” vehicles in Tokyo, even just a little.

Front view of Unit 2011, Tokyo Monorail 2000 series EMU

Keisei Dream Train: The Heartwarming Vehicle

Set 3006 of Keisei's 3000 series EMU, "Keisei Dream Train" 

This may sound a little sudden, but what was your childhood dream? What did you want to become when you were a kid?

On February 28, Keisei Electric Railway Company began operating the “Keisei Dream Train,” using two sets of its trains.

The Keisei Dream Train really lives up to its name. Both the outside and inside of the train are decorated with drawings of children’s dreams for the future. These drawings were made by children and chosen by lottery.

Please take a look at the top photo—that is one of the Keisei Dream Trains, Set 3006 of the 3000 series EMU. You can see a special sticker on the front of the train. It was drawn by a 10-year-old boy whose dream is to become "a train driver of the Keisei 3400 series". What a specific dream! I can completely understand his feelings—please check my previous post about the EMU 3400 series if you have time.

Next, please look at the photo below. This is Car 6, where drawings by boys and girls aged around 10 to 12 are displayed. For example, on the right, there is a drawing of a train and a conductor. It was drawn by another 10-year-old boy, and its title is “A Train Conductor Who Watches Over Safety.” What a responsible child! As proof that he is paying attention, he even drew the yellow warning blocks on the platform—these are tactile paving blocks that guide people with visual impairments. He has very good observation skills.

Finally, there is one more drawing—on the left side of the photo below, you can see a drawing of fashionable women. It was drawn by a 10-year-old girl whose dream is to become both a baker and a YouTuber. How modern! In her drawing, white bread, melon-shaped buns, and coronets are on sale. She imagines that she will introduce her bakery on her YouTube channel. I hope her dreams come true someday.

The Keisei Dream Train is truly a heartwarming vehicle for all passengers.

Interior of Keisei Dream Train

Related link:

• Official information from Keisei Electric Railway (in Japanese)

2026 Cherry Blossom Season: Keio-Inokashira Line

Set 1762 of Keio’s 1000 series EMU passing by cherry blossoms in full bloom

On March 19th, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that cherry blossoms had begun blooming in Tokyo. They later reported that the trees reached full bloom on March 28th.

You might wonder, “Japan has so many kinds of flowers—why does a government agency make a special announcement about just one species?”

It’s a fair question. Cherry blossoms signal the arrival of spring, and Japanese people have a deep emotional connection to them. Their beauty lasts only about a week after full bloom, reminding us of the fleeting nature of life. Perhaps that transience is what makes the season so meaningful. Hanami—cherry blossom viewing—is a cherished part of Japanese culture.

With that long introduction out of the way, I visited Inokashira Park along the Keio–Inokashira Line this year to enjoy the blossoms. As a train enthusiast, I’d like to share some scenes where trains and cherry blossoms come together.

In the top photo, Set 1762 of the 1000 series EMU is passing by cherry trees in full bloom. It had been cloudy since morning, but the sky cleared up just for this moment. What perfect timing.

As I’ve mentioned before, each 1000 series set has a different color on its front mask and side stripes. Set 1762 features a lilac front—I really like its soft, calming tone.

In the photo below, Set 1738 of the same series is approaching Inokashira-koen Station, framed by cherry blossoms and Red Robin shrubs. It’s a beautiful scene.

This set also has a lilac-colored front, but it looks a bit different from the previous one. Why is that?

The answer is its ATO (Automatic Train Operation) modification. As I wrote earlier, Keio Electric Railway is aiming for GoA2-level ATO and is conducting trials. Six sets of the 1000 series, including Set 1738, have already been modified. The darker lilac stripe on the front indicates an ATO-equipped train.

I had a wonderful time enjoying both the cherry blossoms and the trains on the Keio–Inokashira Line.

Set 1783 of Keio’s 1000 series EMU arriving at Inokashira-koen Station