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.
