Disruption on the Tohoku Shinkansen

Departure board on the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen platform at Tokyo Station

I recently traveled to the Aizu region in Fukushima Prefecture, about 250 km north of Tokyo, with my family. It was basically a family obligation, so I didn't expect to do any train spotting during the trip. I at least looked forward to visiting the historic sites and relaxing in the hot springs. However, things turned out rather differently...

When we arrived at Tokyo Station to board the Tohoku Shinkansen, we immediately noticed something unusual. Many passengers were standing around the concourse, looking puzzled. Was something wrong?

After checking the news online and looking at the departure board, I finally understood the reason. Please take a look at the photo above—the trains were delayed due to an offshore earthquake in northern Japan. By then, it was already 14:16, yet our train, which had been scheduled to leave at 14:00, had not even arrived at Platform 20. Fortunately, there was no damage to the Tohoku Shinkansen, but according to the announcement, services would be delayed by about an hour. Did I panic?

Not at all—railfans are always optimistic! I quickly adjusted my mindset and decided to make the most of the situation. While my family relaxed in the waiting room, I went out to try a type of train photography that I had never attempted before.

Now, let's take a look at the photo below. On the left is JR Central's Series N700A EMU, wearing its familiar white-and-blue livery on the Tokaido Shinkansen. On the right is JR East's Series E6 EMU in its distinctive red-and-gray livery on the Tohoku (Akita) Shinkansen. I photographed it from Platform 23 on the Tohoku Shinkansen at Tokyo Station.

In fact, Platform 23 is one of the very few places where you can photograph both the Tokaido and the Tohoku Shinkansen trains in a single shot. I was lucky enough to witness this fascinating railway scene and thoroughly enjoyed this unexpected photography opportunity. I'm not trying to boast—I simply hope you can understand how exciting this was for a train enthusiast.

In the end, we were able to board our Tohoku Shinkansen train about an hour late and arrived safely at Koriyama Station on the day.

JR Central’s series N700A (left) and JR East’s series E6 (right) EMUs

Refurbished Tramcar 8501

Refurbished Toei tramcar 8501 at Arakawa Depot

You may remember that, almost two months ago, I wrote about the Toei 8500 series running past the roses in full bloom on the Arakawa Line. At that time, I mentioned that I would save the refurbishment story of the 8500 series for a future post.

Now, I finally have the chance to introduce it here. So, let’s take a closer look.

The photo above shows refurbished tramcar 8501 of the Toei 8500 series, operated on the Arakawa Line by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei).

Tramcar 8501 was built by ALNA in 1990. When new, it carried a pearl-white body with a green stripe, but after 36 years of service it has now received a major refurbishment under the concept of “a fun tramline.” The car returned to service on April 16 this year.

Its new chrome-yellow livery is based on the colour scheme once seen on Tokyo tramcars around the 1970s, so it gives the car a distinctly nostalgic look. I think this style will be especially popular with long-time tram and railway fans. I was also surprised to see that even the pantograph has been painted chrome yellow. By the way, “TODEN” on the body refers to Tokyo’s historic tram system.

The interior of tramcar 8501 is even more distinctive. Please take a look at the photo below. The first thing that stands out is the elaborate wood-grain design used throughout the saloon. I forgot to mention this earlier, but both the exterior and interior were designed by Eiji Mitooka, well known for his work on many Japanese trains, including JR Kyushu’s KiHa 72 series DMU, the 787 series and the 800 series EMUs.

I was very impressed by the design itself, but as a railway enthusiast I was also curious about the materials used inside the car. At first glance, the interior looks as if it is made almost entirely of wood, so I wondered how it had passed Japan’s strict fire-safety standards for railway vehicles. In fact, the surfaces are not solid timber; flame-retardant wood-grain films have been applied over metal fittings and panels. It is a clever way of creating a warm heritage-style atmosphere while still meeting modern safety requirements.

One more point worth mentioning is that tramcar 8501 is not a special event car or a one-off display vehicle. It runs in ordinary passenger service, which makes it even more enjoyable for enthusiasts. Its daily operation can be checked via the official app, “Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) Real-Time Location Information.”

I am sure I will be riding tramcar 8501 again before too long.

Interior of tramcar 8501

Related link:

・Official information from the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (in Japanese)

JR East’s Yagasuri Train

Trainset A28 of JR East’s 211-3000 series EMU, the Yagasuri Train

Today, let me start with a question: Are there any textile regions in your country?

In Japan, the answer is yes. Kyoto, for example, is famous for its traditional high-quality silk textile known as Nishijin-ori. Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture is well known for its high-quality denim. In the Tokyo metropolitan area, Kiryu in Gunma Prefecture is one of the regions famous for weaving Yagasuri textiles.

Yagasuri is a traditional pattern featuring arrow feathers, forming a repeating geometric V-shape. It is considered a lucky pattern because historically it symbolized a safe and happy marriage—just as an arrow shot from a bow never returns.

JR East is leveraging this unique local cultural resource, Yagasuri, to revitalize communities along the Ryomo Line. One such initiative is the Yagasuri Train.

Please take a look at the photo above—yes, that is the Yagasuri Train, set A28 of JR East’s 211-3000 series EMU. This trainset originally featured orange and green stripes, but in April 2021 they were replaced with green and yellow stripes in a Yagasuri pattern. It’s lovely, isn’t it? The interior of the Yagasuri Train is also decorated with Yagasuri patterns, including the passenger seats.

By the way, you might be surprised to learn that the Yagasuri Train entered service in 2021. That was quite a long time ago. Haven’t I had a chance to share this unique train until now?

Thanks for wondering. I actually tried to visit Gunma Prefecture several times to photograph the Yagasuri Train. However, something always got in the way. For example, please see the photo below. I tried to take it in 2024, but I was caught in a sudden shower, which made the photo blurry. It was unlucky, but looking at this photo now makes me feel nostalgic.

I’m not a native English speaker, but I think I can say now, “All’s well that ends well.”

The Yagasuri Train photographed during a sudden shower in 2024

Related link:

・Official information from JR East Takasaki Branch Office (in Japanese)

Seibu's SAMURAI BLUE TRAIN

Set 40156 of Seibu’s 40000 series EMU fleet, the SAMURAI BLUE TRAIN

Is the FIFA World Cup creating a huge buzz in your country?

In Japan, yes. As evidence, the Bureau of Waterworks of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government recently released data on “match-day changes in water distribution volume” and found that water usage increased sharply just before kickoff, during halftime, and immediately after the final whistle. I hope you can imagine what that means.

I’m not a soccer enthusiast, but as a train enthusiast, I can’t get World Cup-related trains out of my mind.

For example, on June 7, Seibu Railway introduced a specially wrapped train, the SAMURAI BLUE TRAIN.

Please take a look at the top photo—yes, this is the SAMURAI BLUE TRAIN. You can see the vibrant two-tone blue and green livery on the train. The blue represents the team color of Japan’s national team. Meanwhile, the blue and green also represent the corporate colors of the sponsor, Credit Saison.

Along the sides of the train, you can see players from the national team. For example, the bottom photo shows Kubo Takefusa, who plays as a right winger. He is very popular with children because he is kind to them. He has a small build, but he is very fast—like JR East’s Series E6 Shinkansen EMU. Is this analogy a bit of a stretch?

As a train enthusiast, I would also like to touch briefly on the technical aspects of the train itself. The SAMURAI BLUE TRAIN is Set 40156 of Seibu’s 40000 series EMU fleet. The 40000 series entered service in 2017. A total of 26 sets, or 248 cars, were introduced between 2017 and 2025. Each car has a 20-meter aluminum-alloy body and an IGBT-based VFD traction system with 190 kW fully enclosed permanent-magnet synchronous motors. The 40000 series trainsets have a special space called the “Partner Zone” for wheelchair users and passengers with prams.

For your information, there are several variations within this fleet. For example, 20 sets, including Set 40156, are composed of 10 cars, while the other six sets consist of 8 cars. Another difference is that six sets have convertible cross/long seats and a wheelchair-accessible restroom, while the other 20 sets, including Set 40156, have longitudinal seating only. Furthermore…

Sorry to be so specific... I always geek out over this kind of topic.

Close-up view of the SAMURAI BLUE TRAIN

Art Train on the Den-en-toshi Line

Set 2145 of Tokyu's 2020 series EMU in special art-train livery

Do wrapped trains run in your country? If so, here's another question: do any of them feature artwork?

In Japan, art-themed wrapped trains are not particularly common, but we do occasionally come across them. One memorable example for me was Tobu Railway's "Ikebukuro–Kawagoe Art Train", which operated in 2020. To promote tourism in Kawagoe City, illustrations of the city's historic landmarks, local food, and specialty products were painted on the train by a Japanese-style artist.

Another example was Saitama Railway's "Thanks 25 Train". Created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Saitama Stadium Line, it featured abstract artwork by a local artist.

Today, I would like to introduce another art train currently operating on Tokyu's Den-en-toshi Line. Please take a look at the photo above. This is "A Special Train That Paints Color for People, Towns, and the Future."

The train was created through a collaboration between Tokyu Corporation and Heralbony, a talent agency that works primarily with artists with intellectual disabilities. The company signs licensing agreements with these artists and promotes their artwork through various projects.

Incidentally, the name "Heralbony" itself does not have any particular meaning. It was coined by the older brother of the company's CEOs, who has an intellectual disability.

Now, let's take a closer look at the artwork. The train features various scenes found along Tokyu's railway lines, including urban buildings, riverside parks, and a historic station building.

Among these scenes, my personal favorite is the depiction of everyday local life shown in the photo below—a father pushing a stroller. There is something heartwarming about such an ordinary moment captured in art.

Finally, as a railway enthusiast, I would like to touch briefly on the technical aspects of the train itself.

The art train is Set 2145 of Tokyu's 2020 series EMU fleet. The 2020 series is a commuter EMU designed for 1,500 V DC electrification and operation on Japan's 1,067 mm narrow-gauge network. The series entered service in 2018.

Each trainset consists of ten 20-meter stainless-steel cars arranged in a 5M5T configuration (five motor cars and five trailer cars). Many of its running components are shared with JR East's E235 series.

The train is equipped with a SiC-based VFD traction system and 140 kW fully enclosed induction motors. Thanks to these advanced technologies, power consumption has been reduced to approximately half that of the older 8500 series, while exterior noise levels have been lowered by around 10 dB.

Close-up view of the artwork on the side of the train

Related Link:

・Official information from Tokyu (Japanese only)

The 700 Series EMU: Enoden’s New Train Model

Enoden’s new 700 series EMU (a double-set formation)

Today, I’d like to share a bit about a new train model introduced in the Tokyo metropolitan area: the 700 series EMU operated by Enoshima Electric Railway. This new model entered service on April 19 and will replace the older 1000 series EMU.

First, let me briefly review the background of the company, commonly known as Enoden.

Enoden is a local railway operator serving the cities of Fujisawa and Kamakura, located about 40 km southwest of Tokyo. The company operates the Enoshima Electric Railway Line, often simply called the Enoden Line. The line is 10 km long and connects Fujisawa and Kamakura. It is entirely single-track, with a 1,067 mm gauge and a 600 V DC electrification system. At first glance, it may look like a tramway because the trains are small and a certain section shares space with road traffic. However, it is officially classified as a railway under the Railway Business Act, not the Tramway Act.

Now, let's take a look at the new train model. The photo above shows the 700 series EMU. Each trainset consists of two articulated motorcars, with a total length of 25.44 meters. The bodies are made of stainless steel, and each car has two passenger doors on one side. The traction system uses a VFD with 60 kW induction motors, and the braking system is an electric-command type with regenerative braking. With these features, the 700 series achieves approximately 49% lower energy consumption compared to the older 1000 series.

As a rail fan, I would also like to introduce the interior of the 700 series. Its seating layout is unique, allowing passengers to enjoy views of the ocean. Unfortunately, this has been difficult recently. Enoden trains are extremely crowded with inbound tourists, as the line offers access to many popular destinations, including historical temples, beautiful beaches, and real-life anime locations. I’m very proud that so many international visitors come to experience the Enoden Line, but because of the crowds, it has been nearly impossible to photograph and present the distinctive seating arrangement.

If you have time, please take a look at the related link below, which provides Enoden’s official information on the 700 series EMU (in Japanese).

“Debut” commemorative sticker displayed on the front of the 700 series EMU

Related link:

• Official information from Enoden

The 30th Anniversary of the Toyo Rapid Line

The 30th Anniversary Train: Set 2103 of the Toyo Rapid Railway 2000 series EMU

On April 27th, Toyo Rapid Railway celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Toyo Rapid Line. Today, I’d like to share a few thoughts about this milestone.

Let me start with a brief overview of the line. The Toyo Rapid Line opened in 1996 as a new commuter route in the western part of Chiba Prefecture. It is operated by the Toyo Rapid Railway Company, a joint public–private entity. The line stretches 16.2 kilometers between Toyo-Katsutadai and Nishi-Funabashi and has eight stations in total. The entire route is double-tracked, and trains run on a 1,500 V DC system. Almost all services continue onto the Tokyo Metro Tozai Line, and some even extend as far as the JR East Chuo Line.

To commemorate the 30th anniversary, Toyo Rapid Railway has introduced a specially wrapped train—the “30th Anniversary Train,” using Set 2103 of the 2000 series EMU. In the photo above, you can see the special round emblem on the front and the commemorative stickers along the sides. The design is modest, but charming in its own way.

Although the Toyo Rapid Line is a little far from where I live, I often take it to visit a rose garden in spring and autumn. Because of that, the 2000 series EMU always reminds me of those seasonal trips. I have many fond memories connected to this line.

Seeing the anniversary train also brought back older memories. In the photo below, you can see the former Toyo Rapid Railway 1000 series EMU, which I photographed in 2009 when I was living in Jakarta, Indonesia.

As you may know, many Japanese trains were transferred to Indonesia during that period and operated by the local railway company, KRL JABODETABEK. The 1000 series was one of those valuable trains. I used to ride it on weekends to visit suburban areas and enjoy relaxing walks.

I am grateful to the trains of Toyo Rapid Railway—not only in Japan, but also in Indonesia—for the comfort they brought me over the years. Congratulations to Toyo Rapid Railway on its 30th anniversary!

Former Toyo Rapid Railway 1000 series EMU at Jakarta Kota Station, Indonesia

(January 2009)

Related Link:

・Official information on the Toyo Rapid Line from Toyo Rapid Railway

・Official information on the 30th anniversary of the Toyo Rapid Line from Toyo Rapid Railway (Japanese only)

2026 Hydrangea Season on the Keio Inokashira Line

Set 1754 of the Keio 1000 series EMU near Shin-daita Station

The cherry blossom season has come and gone, followed by the roses, and now hydrangea season has arrived in Tokyo.

I jokingly call myself a "honeybee railfan" because I'm always buzzing around in search of flowers and trains. I’m not a native English speaker, but I hope the expression sounds natural. As a train enthusiast, I’d like to share a few scenes where trains and hydrangeas come together in early summer.

This year, I visited Shin-daita and Nishi-eifuku on the Keio Inokashira Line to enjoy the blossoms. As I have mentioned before, I was born in a western suburb of Tokyo along this railway line, so it holds a special place in my heart.

Since 1991, Keio Corporation has been planting hydrangeas on railway embankments to help prevent slope erosion and contribute to environmental conservation. Today, colorful hydrangeas can be seen not only on the embankments but also at many locations along the line during June.

Please take a look at the photo above. Set 1754 of Keio’s 1000 series EMU is passing a bank of hydrangeas in full bloom near Shin-daita Station. This spot is located on a road bridge crossing over the tracks. At first glance, it seemed like an ideal photo location, but there was one challenge—a fine-meshed safety fence. Using a large-aperture lens was virtually impossible.

For a moment, I panicked. Then I pulled out my smartphone and concentrated on timing the shot. I just managed to get it—and I was delighted with the result.

Incidentally, Set 1754 was carrying a special round headmark reading “Takao,” promoting tourism to Mt. Takao on the Keio Line.

Now, please take a look at the photo below. I took it near Nishi-eifuku Station, a location I had wanted to visit for some time. The challenge here was that the hydrangeas are planted on the south side of the tracks, making photography difficult under strong sunlight.

Fortunately, the sky was overcast when I visited, allowing me to capture Set 1783 of the 1000 series EMU passing the hydrangeas at their peak. The flowers were wonderfully vibrant.

As luck would have it, Set 1783 was displaying a special round headmark reading “Ajisai” (Hydrangea). Perfect timing!

I thoroughly enjoyed photographing the combination of full-bloom hydrangeas and trains on the Keio Inokashira Line.

Set 1783 of the Keio 1000 series EMU near Nishi-eifuku Station

Spot the Difference: The Faces of Kotoden's 600 Series

Set 627 of the Kotoden 600 series EMU

Photo: Nicolai Okkels

I'm not a native English speaker, but I suppose that "spot the difference" is roughly equivalent to machigai-sagashi, a popular picture puzzle game in Japanese. Following my post on Tobu’s 50000 series EMUs three years ago, let's try another round of Spot the Difference with Kotoden’s 600 series EMUs.

Before we get started, my thanks go to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly shared the above photograph with me. He traveled around Shikoku last year and took many railway photographs, including those of Kotoden (Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad), a private railway in Kagawa Prefecture.

The above photo shows Set 627 of Kotoden’s 600 series EMUs. This trainset consists of two 15-meter-long motor cars. It was originally introduced on the Nagoya Municipal Subway in 1974. After 25 years in service, two former intermediate cars were converted into cab cars and transferred to Kotoden in 1999.

The photo below shows Set 623 of the same series. I took this photo in 2022. The history of Set 623 is similar to that of Set 627, but there is one important difference. The biggest difference is when the cars were converted into cab cars. Set 627 (top) was modified shortly before its transfer to Kotoden, whereas Set 623 (bottom) underwent the same modification during the mid-1980s while still operating on the Nagoya Municipal Subway.

This difference in modification timing resulted in several visible differences between the two trainsets.

Now, let's take a closer look at the faces of these two trains and see what differences we can find.

First, I noticed that the cross-sectional shapes of the car bodies are different. Set 627 (top) has a more angular roof profile than Set 623 (bottom).

Second, the shapes of the front ends are different. Set 627 has a narrower forehead above the cab windows than Set 623.

Third, the front window frames are made of different materials. Set 627 uses black H-rubber window gaskets, whereas Set 623 has metal window frames.

Fourth, I found that the positions of the windshield-wiper pivots are different. On Set 627, the pivots are mounted farther from the window frames than on Set 623.

Finally, Set 627 has a headmark mounting bracket on the gangway door, whereas Set 623 does not.

Did you spot all the differences?

I'm always happy to be a railway enthusiast who can find enjoyment in such small details. I hope you enjoyed this little exercise as much as I did.

Set 623 of the Kotoden 600 series EMU (December 2022)

Related links:

・Official information on Kotoden’s rolling stock (in Japanese)

Precious Shared Track around Asukayama

Toei 7700 series Unit 7705 climbing the shared track

It may sound sudden, but do you have a place that never fails to spark joy?

For me, Asukayama is that place as a rail fan. Today, I’d like to share a small story about this area.

■ What is Asukayama?

Asukayama—literally “Asuka Mountain”—is a small hill and public park in the northern part of Tokyo. It was opened in 1732 by Yoshimune Tokugawa as a cherry blossom viewing spot for the people of old Edo.

The closest station is Ōji Station, about 17 minutes from Tokyo Station via JR East’s Keihin–Tōhoku Line. You can also access it via the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line and the Toei Arakawa Line.

■ Why is Asukayama special for rail fans?

First, two preserved vehicles stand inside the park: Toei tramcar Unit 6080 and former JNR steam locomotive D51 853 (I hope to introduce them properly in a future post).

Second, the well-known train-viewing spot Kitatopia is close by.

And third, a charming free monorail called Ascargot carries visitors up the hillside.

■ The precious shared track on the Arakawa Line

While these attractions are wonderful, there's another feature I’d love to highlight—the shared track section on the Toei Arakawa Line.

Most of the line runs on exclusive tracks, but there is one exception: the 0.5 km stretch between Ōji-ekimae and Asukayama stops.

In the photo above, Unit 7705 of the 7700 series is about to begin its climb up the shared track. Even with its 120 kW output, the incline becomes a challenge when the car is crowded. A small automobile easily passes it. Hang in there, Unit 7705!

In the photo below, after conquering the slope, Unit 9001 of the 9000 series is just about to return to the exclusive track. Bathed in the spring sunlight, it looks almost relieved. Nice work on the hill climb!

Asukayama’s charm truly never ends—including this rare shared track.

Toei 9000 series Unit 9001 running on the shared track

Kominato Railway: 2026 Update

A panoramic view of Kominato Railway’s Goi Railyard

Can you guess where and when the top photo was taken?

If you’re familiar with Japanese railways, you might think, “This must be a countryside railyard from many years ago, because the diesel railcars in the photo were mainly introduced in the 1960s and 1970s for local services.”

Or maybe you’d guess, “It was taken recently, but it looks like a diorama, since rolling stock from different companies are parked together in one place.”

Thank you for joining my small quiz and giving those reasonable guesses.

The answer is: the photo was recently taken at Kominato Railway’s Goi Railyard.

Before sharing the full story, let me briefly introduce Kominato Railway and the Goi Railyard.

Kominato Railway is a local private railway company based in Ichihara City, Chiba Prefecture, about 50 km east of Tokyo. The company operates the Kominato Line, which runs between Goi and Kazusa-Nakano over a total distance of 39.1 km. The track is single and not electrified. Goi Railyard is the only railyard on the Kominato Line.

Now, thank you for waiting. Here is the story.

I visited the Kominato Line recently for the first time in four years, and I found two diesel railcars that I had not seen during my previous visits in 2018, 2021, and 2022.

First, you can see a maroon-colored diesel railcar in the center of the top photo. This is Unit KiHa 212 of the KiHa 200 series. It entered service in 1975 with the two-tone “fire orange” and “morn ivory” body, just like the other railcars of the same series. However, in April this year, its body color was changed to maroon to celebrate the 101st anniversary of the Kominato Line. Congratulations, KiHa 212! You were specially chosen.

Second, another unfamiliar diesel railcar appears to the left of Unit KiHa 212. If you have been visiting this blog for a long time, you may recognize its coloring — it’s the “Oga Line color” used by JR East in Akita Prefecture. This car, Unit KiHa 40-4 of the KiHa 40 series, was transferred from JR East’s Oga Line in 2022. It still keeps its original Oga Line colors: dark green and ivory. It looks beautiful.

Finally, I would like to introduce my favorite spot along the line: the Kominato Waiting Room and Café (please see the related link below). As its name suggests, it is both a train waiting room and a café next to Goi Station, directly operated by Kominato Railway. Visitors can enjoy food and drinks indoors or outdoors while watching trains come and go (see the photo below).

I enjoyed a delicious curry and iced coffee there. I couldn’t have been happier.

Units 40-4 (left) and 212 (right) viewed from the Kominato Waiting Room and Cafe

Related links:

・Official information on Kominato Railway’s rolling stock (in Japanese)

・Official information on the Kominato Waiting Room and Café (in Japanese)

Series 2000 EMU for My 2000th Post

Keio Series 2000 EMU with its commemorative introduction plate

Thanks for stopping by Tokyo Railway Labyrinth! Hard to believe this is already the 2000th post. I’m truly grateful for all the international rail fans who keep visiting this blog.

To celebrate this “2000” milestone, I’m revisiting trains with “2000” in their name. You might remember the post I wrote back in January about Keio’s new Series 2000 EMU. Today, I’m diving a bit deeper into the technical side—so let’s jump right in.

The Series 2000 is a commuter EMU built for 1,500 V DC and runs on 1,372 mm gauge track. Each trainset is 200 meters long with a 5M5T formation—five motor cars and five trailers. The stainless-steel bodies feature a repeating circular motif, giving the train a clean, modern look. Its traction system uses a full-SiC VFD paired with 150 kW induction motors. Keio plans to introduce four sets in total by March 2027.

One interesting technical highlight is its deceleration-feedback braking system. Even if Car 1 experiences wheel slip, Cars 2 and 3 automatically boost their braking force to maintain a safe stopping distance. The system adapts well to rain, snow, and different loading conditions, making it reliable in everyday operations.

Okay—enough heavy talk. Let’s switch gears and take a look at the photo above.

You’ll notice a special commemorative plate on the front of the train, celebrating the Series 2000’s introduction. It was displayed for only one month after its debut on January 31, so I’m glad I managed to catch it early.

Now, check out the photo below. The interior is bright and colorful—regular seats, priority seats, and even the flooring all have their own distinct tones. I can’t wait to ride this train myself again!

Interior of the Series 2000 EMU

（taken during a test run hosted by the Japan Railfan Club)

Related Links:

・Official video on the design of the 2000 series EMU from Keio

・Official video on the test run of the 2000 series EMU from Keio (in Japanese)

Chiba Urban Monorail: 2026 Update

Set 21 of the Chiba Urban Monorail 0-series EMU

I recently visited the Chiba Urban Monorail for the first time in two years. I was curious to see what had changed on this unique suspended monorail line, so today I would like to share a short report about my visit.

First, let me briefly introduce Chiba City and the monorail.

Chiba City is the capital of Chiba Prefecture, located about 40 kilometers east of Tokyo. The city is known for its heavy industries, large port facilities, and agricultural areas. Its population is close to one million.

The monorail is an important means of transportation in the city. It opened in 1988 and is operated by the Chiba Urban Monorail Company, a joint public–private organization. The system is famous for being the world’s longest suspended monorail, with a total length of 15.2 kilometers. It consists of two double-tracked lines, Line 1 and Line 2, and is electrified at 1,500 V DC.

Now, let me move on to what I found during my visit.

First, I noticed that the number of the newer 0-series EMUs has increased to 11 trainsets, while the older 1000-series fleet has decreased to 8 sets.

Second, there are now 14 trains with colorful advertising wraps. These wrapped trains belong to both the 0-series and the 1000-series.

Among all of them, one train caught my attention—a “standard-colored train,” which is now relatively rare. This was Set 21 of the 0-series EMU (see the photo above). On the front of the train, there is a special round sticker promoting the Chiba Zoological Park on Line 2.

The animal shown on the sticker (see the photo below) is a male western gorilla named Monta. He was born in Spain in 1984 and came to Chiba City in 1990. He is a silverback, the leader of a gorilla group, but according to several websites, he is very gentle and kind. He even plucks the hair on his cheeks by himself, which gives him a neat and handsome look. Monta really seems like the perfect character to promote the zoo!

I would definitely like to visit the zoo next time.

Promotional sticker for Chiba Zoological Park on Set 21

Related Link:

・Official information from Chiba Urban Monorail

The 13000 Series EMU: Sotetsu's New Train Model

Sotetsu 13000 series EMU at Atsugi Railyard

I recently joined an event hosted by the Japan Railfan Club—a test ride and photo session featuring Sotetsu’s newest commuter train, the 13000 series EMU. Today, I’d like to share my experience with you.

To begin, let me briefly introduce Sotetsu and the new train models the company has rolled out over the past few years.

Sotetsu is a major private railway company based in Yokohama City, operating a 44.4-kilometer network in Kanagawa Prefecture. Until about seven years ago, its biggest business challenge was that its network did not connect directly to central Tokyo. To overcome this, Sotetsu constructed two new connecting lines—one linking to the JR East network and another to the Tokyu network. Since 2019, Sotetsu trains have been running through onto JR East lines using the 12000 series new EMU, and since 2023, onto Tokyu lines as well using the 20000 and 21000 series new EMUs.

Even after completing these major projects, Sotetsu did not slow down its capital investment. On March 30th this year, it introduced a brand-new train: the 13000 series EMU.

The 13000 series will replace the older 8000 and 9000 series EMUs, operating exclusively on Sotetsu’s own lines without interoperation with other networks. Each trainset consists of eight cars—two fewer than the existing 8000 and 9000 series trainsets. This reduction reflects the company’s projection of a declining population along the Sotetsu lines, in line with Japan’s broader demographic trend.

As a train enthusiast, I was impressed by Sotetsu’s meticulous attention to design details. Look at the photo above—you can see the 13000 series’ distinctive “face,” inspired by strong marine creatures and created collaboratively by an art director, a designer, and a generative AI system. I also noticed a brown-colored accent inside the front lights from very close range (see the photo below). According to Sotetsu, this represents the hue of rusty rails. Sotetsu’s attention to detail is remarkable!

I’m running out of space here, so I’ll save the technical specifications of the 13000 series for a future post. Please look forward to it!

Close-up of the brown accent inside the headlight assembly

Related link:

・Official video from Sotetsu

A Surprise Return: The 8500 Series EMU

8637F (8637 side) of Tokyu’s 8500 series EMU at Nagatsuta Station

This may sound sudden, but can you guess where the top photo was taken?

If you’re familiar with Japanese trains, you might say, “Somewhere on the Tokyu Den-en-Toshi Line.” A reasonable guess—but remember that the train in the photo, the 8500 series EMU, was supposed to have been retired from that line in 2022, as I mentioned before.

If you’re an international railfan, you might guess, “Somewhere in Jakarta, since the 8500 series EMUs were transferred to Indonesia.” Also a good guess—but please note that all 8500 series sets there were retired by early 2026.

Or perhaps you’d answer, “Somewhere on a local railway in Japan, since some 8500 series sets were transferred after their retirement from Tokyu.”

Thank you for joining my little quiz.

The answer is: Nagatsuta Station on the Kodomonokuni (Children’s Land) Line. Here’s the story.

All 8500 series EMUs were indeed retired from Tokyu lines by January 2023. However, one set—8637F—has been kept operational so Tokyu can preserve and pass down expertise related to DC motor technology. Its formation has been reduced from 10 cars to 4.

8637F had been “sleeping” for quite a long time, but it finally “awoke,” appearing on the Kodomonokuni Line as an extra train during this year’s spring sightseeing season. As I wrote earlier, the Kodomonokuni Line serves as an access route to the Children’s Land theme park. The line is owned by Yokohama Minatomirai Railway and operated by Tokyu.

When I heard the surprising news about the 8500 series making a comeback, I rushed to the Kodomonokuni Line and confirmed with my own eyes that 8637F was indeed running again.

8637F—long time no see! It’s great to see you back in action.

8637F (8537 side) at Nagatsuta Station on the Kodomonokuni Line

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