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.
