“Tetsubun-usume?” Activities in Yokohama City

The preserved platform of the former Yokohama Minato Station

I imagine there are slang terms used by railfans in your country, too.

In Japan, we have some as well. For example, we use the term “yami-tetsu” to describe photographing trains and railway-related facilities in the dark, as well as the people who enjoy doing so. Today, I’d like to introduce another term: “tetsubun.”

・What Is “Tetsubun”?

In Japanese, the word for “railway” is tetsudō, which literally means “iron road.” Meanwhile, tetsubun means “iron content.”

I bet you’ve figured it out by now!

Among Japanese railfans, tetsubun refers to how much of a railway enthusiast someone is. When someone is particularly keen on railways, we jokingly say they have “tetsubun-koime” (a high iron content). On the other hand, when someone’s railway-related activities are relatively low-key, we call it “tetsubun-usume” (a low iron content).

・My Visit to Yokohama During a Holiday

Let’s move on to my recent outing. I visited Yokohama to meet an old friend. However, just before we were due to meet, I received a message from him saying that he would be two hours late because something urgent had come up.

What could I do to kill two hours?

・My “Tetsubun-usume” Activity, Part 1

I decided to keep my railway-related activities low-key and visited the preserved platform of the former Yokohama Minato Station (Yokohama Port Station).

Please take a look at the photo above. You can see a small platform and some preserved rails. This is the platform of the former Yokohama Minato Station, built in 1928. When international passenger ships were due to depart from Yokohama Port, special connecting trains ran from Tokyo to Yokohama Minato Station, bringing passengers to the port.

I sat down on a bench on the platform. It was just an ordinary bench, but sitting there, I could imagine how travelers must have felt just before leaving Japan. Was it just my imagination?

・My “Tetsubun-usume” Activity, Part 2

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see the gondolas of the Yokohama Air Cabin, which I photographed from a path along the canal.

The Yokohama Air Cabin is an urban gondola lift that opened in 2021. It connects Sakuragicho Station with Unga Park Station, covering 630 meters each way.

I found it rather strange to see gondolas moving against a backdrop of skyscrapers rather than natural mountains. I’ll take a ride and write a report on the experience in the near future.

・Final Thoughts

I had planned to keep my railway-related activities low-key. However, once I got started, I found myself getting carried away. In the end, my supposedly “tetsubun-usume” outing turned into a thoroughly enjoyable “tetsubun-koime” experience!

Gondolas on the Yokohama Air Cabin, with skyscrapers in the background

Related links:

・Official information from Yokohama Air Cabin 

Photographing Subway Trains: The Shinjuku Line

A Toei 10-300 series EMU emerging from a tunnel

This is the eighth installment in my “Photographing Subway Trains” series. You're getting quite familiar with it by now, aren't you? Today, I'm featuring the Shinjuku Line. The theme is “A Subway Line That Crosses Rivers.” But before getting down to the main topic, let me give you the usual introduction.

・What’s the Shinjuku Line?

The Shinjuku Line is Tokyo’s ninth-oldest subway line. It opened in 1978 and is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei). The line is 23.5 km long, connecting Shinjuku and Motoyawata. The 2.5 km section between Higashi-ōjima and Funabori runs above ground. Shinjuku Line trains also run directly onto the Keio Line via Shinjuku Station.

The Shinjuku Line’s route number is 10, and its official line color is leaf green (yellowish green). The line uses a 1,500 V DC overhead power supply. One unusual feature of the Toei Shinjuku Line is its track gauge of 1,372 mm, whereas most railway lines in Japan use either 1,067 mm or 1,435 mm gauge. This unusual gauge is inherited from the existing Keio Line, which the Shinjuku Line connects with.

Toei currently operates 10-300 series EMUs on the line. Meanwhile, Keio’s 5000 and 9000 series EMUs also run directly onto the Shinjuku Line.

・A Train Emerging from a Tunnel

All right, please take a look at the photo above. It shows a Toei 10-300 series EMU emerging from a tunnel near Funabori Station.

Why does a subway train emerge from a tunnel and run above ground here?

The reason is that the line has to cross three rivers in succession in this area: the Kyu-Nakagawa, Arakawa and Nakagawa. As I mentioned in my previous post, building an underground section between Higashi-ōjima and Funabori was expected to be very expensive because of the poor ground conditions. Building an elevated section instead was a more economical option.

Thanks to these challenging construction conditions, railfans can now capture dramatic shots of subway trains emerging from tunnels.

The 10-300 series — so cool!

・A Train Crossing a River

Next, please take a look at the photo below. It shows a 10-300 series train leaving Higashi-ōjima Station and heading towards the Arakawa-Nakagawa Railway Bridge. I used a super-telephoto lens to capture the scene and highlight the bridge’s location in the distance. You can just make out the bridge as a small bump on the horizon.

The 10-300 series — over the river we go!

I thoroughly enjoyed photographing these unique features of the Shinjuku Line!

A Toei 10-300 series EMU heading towards the Arakawa-Nakagawa Railway Bridge

Related link:

・Official information from Toei (in Japanese; machine translation available)

The Nambu Line in Autumn

JR Freight’s petroleum train running on JR East’s Nambu Line

Autumn is in full swing in Tokyo. Autumn flowers are blooming here and there, and the trees are beginning to turn color. It’s the perfect season for a stroll. One day, I took JR East’s Nambu Line north with my family.

Since this was a family outing, and since I had already taken plenty of photos of commuter trains on the Nambu Line, I had been trying to resist the urge to do any trainspotting. However, when I spotted a freight train hauled by a blue locomotive at Bubaigawara Station, I couldn’t resist taking photos of it.

Please take a look at the photo above. It shows a JR Freight petroleum train heading south. That’s cool!

The blue locomotive at the head of the train is JR Freight’s Class EH200 electric locomotive. It entered service in 2001 and runs on a 1,500 V DC system. The locomotive consists of two permanently coupled units, giving it a UIC wheel arrangement of (Bo-Bo)+(Bo-Bo). It is equipped with eight 565 kW induction motors and uses an IGBT-VFD (insulated-gate bipolar transistor–variable-frequency drive) control system.

The green tank cars, on the other hand, are Class TaKi 1000 cars operated by Japan Oil Transportation Company. This class of tank car entered service in 1993. One of its most notable features is its maximum operating speed of 95 km/h. That may not sound particularly fast, but bear in mind that many conventional railway lines in Japan pass through mountainous terrain and use a narrow track gauge of just 1,067 mm.

After taking the photos, I came back to my senses and boarded a Nambu Line train. Our destination was Showa Kinen Park, near Tachikawa Station. Covering 165.3 hectares (408 acres), it is one of the largest parks in Tokyo.

We enjoyed strolling around the park, admiring the autumn flowers … and, of course, eating soft-serve ice cream!

Please take a look at the photo below. You can see colorful dahlias and kochia plants turning red. They look so vibrant!

And one more thing: there’s also a blue park train in the photo. After all, this is a railway blog!

I thoroughly enjoyed both the Nambu Line and the beautiful park along the line that day.

Showa Kinen Park near Tachikawa Station

Limited Express “Kinugawa” and “Nikko”: 2026 Update

JR East Series 253 EMU operating as the limited express “Kinugawa”

Are there any blue trains in your country?

I know that South Africa has its famous Blue Train. I’ve also heard of PeruRail’s luxury blue train that takes passengers to the famous sightseeing destination of Machu Picchu.

Japan has blue trains, too! There used to be “Blue Trains” in Japan, a term referring to blue-colored sleeper trains. You may remember my previous posts featuring some of them, including Hokutosei and Akebono.

Although Japan’s Blue Trains have all been retired, blue-colored trains can still be found here. Famous examples include Kintetsu’s limited express “Blue Symphony” and Sotetsu’s commuter trains in their distinctive navy-blue livery.

I’m particularly fond of blue trains, especially those in ultramarine. They have a calming effect on me. I think blue trains look especially beautiful in the evening. Don’t you agree?

Let’s take a look at one. Please check out the top photo. I photographed this train just after sunset. Doesn’t it have a calming effect on you, too?

You may remember this train from my previous post. Yes, it’s JR East’s Series 253 EMU, operating as the limited express “Kinugawa” and "Nikko!"

The Series 253 is an older EMU originally designed for limited express services. It entered service in 1991 as the first-generation train for the Narita Express (N’EX), which served the New Tokyo International Airport (now Narita Airport). The train featured in the top photo originally entered service in 2002 as part of the fifth batch of N’EX trains.

It was later refurbished and repainted red before entering service as a limited express train on the “Kinugawa” and “Nikko” services in 2011. Since then, it has connected central Tokyo with popular destinations in the northern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area, including Kinugawa and Nikko.

Now, 15 years later, the Series 253 has been given a new blue livery. What a surprise! On June 13, it made its debut in its new colors on Tokyo-area tracks.

Welcome back, the Series 253! I thought you might be heading for retirement soon. You look great in blue. Keep up the good work!

Set OM-N02, a Series 253 EMU, after arriving at Shinjuku Station

Related link:

・Official information from JR East

Photographing Subway Trains: The Mita Line

A Toei Series 6300 EMU, Set 6326, arriving at Hakusan Station on the Mita Line

Photographing subway trains has become part of my routine. Today, I’d like to share the seventh installment in this series, featuring the Mita Line. The theme is “something unique about the Mita Line.” But before getting down to the main topic, let me go through the usual introduction.

・What’s the Mita Line?

The Mita Line is Tokyo’s sixth-oldest subway line. It opened in 1968 and is operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei). The line is 26.5 km long, connecting Meguro and Nishi-takashimadaira. For your information, the 2.3 km section between Meguro and Shirokane-takanawa is shared with Tokyo Metro. Another 5.1 km of the line, mainly in the northwest, runs above ground.

The line has a track gauge of 1,067 mm and uses a 1,500 V DC overhead power supply. Its subway line number is “6,” and its line color is blue. Mita Line trains also run directly onto the Tokyu and Sotetsu lines.

Toei currently operates Series 6300 and 6500 EMUs on the line. Meanwhile, Tokyu’s Series 3000, 3020, and 5080 EMUs, along with Sotetsu’s Series 21000 trains, run directly onto the Mita Line from their respective lines.

・Something Unique: A Photo Spot at an Underground Station

All right, please take a look at the photo above. It shows a Toei Series 6300 EMU arriving at Hakusan Station, which is underground. Until recently, I had been photographing Mita Line trains mainly on above-ground sections. However, I recently discovered that this underground station also offers a good spot for train photography.

Here, we can photograph a train with its bogies clearly in the frame. Why is that possible? The station has separate side platforms, and there are no pillars between the two tracks. Thanks to Hakusan Station’s unusual layout, I was able to get the shot without much difficulty.

・Something Unique: A Railyard Directly Beneath an Apartment Complex

Next, please take a look at the photo below. It shows a blue Toei Series 6500 EMU standing on Siding No. 6 at Shimura Railyard. The Series 6500 is one of the newest train types on the Mita Line.

But what I’d like you to notice is the building immediately above the railyard—a large, older apartment complex! Here’s a little history behind it.

Shimura Railyard was built at ground level in 1968, when the Mita Line opened. At the time, Tokyo’s population was growing rapidly. To make effective use of the space above the railyard, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government built an artificial ground over it. A large Toei apartment complex was then constructed on this platform in 1970 to help address the housing shortage.

Looking at this structure, I got a sense of how hard Tokyo was struggling to accommodate its rapidly growing population more than a half century ago.

I thoroughly enjoyed discovering these “unique” features of the Mita Line!

Shimura Railyard, with Toei’s Nishidai Apartment complex directly above it

Tokyu Series 3000 EMUs (left and center), Toei Series 6500 EMU (right)

Related link:

・Official information from Toei

Stay Strong, Uchibo Line!

JR East Series 209-2100 EMU approaching Anegasaki Station on the Uchibo Line

(May 2024)

Are there many natural disasters in your country?

In Japan, unfortunately, yes. Japan is a disaster-prone country. We experience earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, heavy snow, and heavy rain, including typhoons.

In August and September, the Tokyo metropolitan area was hit by heavy rains three times. Chiba Prefecture, particularly the Boso Peninsula, suffered the most damage. The Boso Peninsula is located east of Tokyo, between Tokyo Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

One of the major casualties was the JR East Uchibo Line. It is still closed due to landslides that occurred on September 21 along the tracks between Anegasaki and Nagaura stations. It is expected to take at least three months to restore train services. It was indeed a major disaster.

I can’t visit the Uchibo Line at the moment, so please take a look at the top photo, which I took two years ago. You can see a JR East Series 209-2100 EMU approaching Anegasaki Station, the station closest to the site of the landslides. The train, liveried in yellow and blue stripes, was shining in the spring sunlight. Unlike the disaster area, the surroundings here look flat, which may have helped keep them safe from landslides. I hope for the peace and well-being of the local people.

By the way, I have strong attachments to the Uchibo Line. They are its seasonal flowers, blue sea, and one more thing. Please take a look at the photo below. They are fossil shells found near Hota Station on the Uchibo Line.

As I have mentioned before, fossil collecting has been a lifelong hobby of mine, just like my enthusiasm for railways. The fossils in the photo are large marine bivalves called Ōhanegai (Acesta goliath), found in marine formation deposited about six million years ago. Their thin but large shells captivate me.

Stay strong, Uchibo Line! I’ll be right back as soon as train services resume.

Fossil Ōhanegai (Acesta goliath) found near Hota Station on the Uchibo Line

(Rock size: 20 cm)

Related link:

・Official railway map in the Boso area from JR East (in Japanese)

JR East’s “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen”

JR East Series E5 EMU, “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen,” at Tokyo Station

Following my visit to Tokyo Station to photograph JR Central’s anniversary train, I’d like to share another experience from Tokyo Station with you today.

Let’s take a look at the top photo first.

Just like the anniversary trains on the Disney Resort Line and the Tokaido Shinkansen, which I recently posted about, you can see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends featured on the trains.

Yes—this is JR East’s special wrapped train, the “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen,” on the Tohoku Shinkansen.

On June 19 this year, JR East put the “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen” into service. The special wrapped train celebrates the 25th anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea and promotes tourism to Tokyo Disney Resort.

The Magical Jubilee Shinkansen was the Series E5 EMU, Set U15. It was a 10-car train, and that day it was coupled with a seven-car train, the Series E8 EMU (see the photo below). Together, the two sets formed a 17-car train.

The two sets run together from Tokyo to Fukushima, where they are separated. The E5 then continues on its own to Sendai on the Tohoku Shinkansen. The E8 heads to Shinjo on the Yamagata Shinkansen.

Now, here’s something interesting I noticed about the nicknames of the three anniversary trains I’ve posted about so far.

- The Disney Resort Line: “Sparkling Jubilee” Liner

- JR Central: “Sparkling Dreams” Shinkansen

- JR East: “Magical Jubilee” Shinkansen

The names of these three trains are slightly different from one another. In other words, these three railway operators must have carefully coordinated their naming in advance.

That’s quite a discovery, isn’t it? Or maybe it’s just a trivial detail.

Finally, you may be wondering, “Have you ever been to Tokyo DisneySea recently?”

Unfortunately, not yet. I’m always busy, and my family is usually pressed for time, too. Lively and flashy places are not really my thing, as I’m a quiet nerd. The admission fee is a bit steep. And...

So many excuses, I know.

The Series E5, Set U15, “Magical Jubilee Shinkansen” (left), the Series E8 (right)

Related link:

・Official information from JR East (in Japanese)

Photographing Subway Trains: The Chiyoda Line

Tokyo Metro 16000 series EMU arriving at Shin-Ochanomizu Station

Photographing subway trains has become part of my routine. Today, I’d like to share the sixth post in this series—the Chiyoda Line. The theme is “a subway line with two faces.” But before getting down to the main topic, as usual…

・What’s the Chiyoda Line?

It is the seventh-oldest subway line in Tokyo. It opened in 1969 and is operated by Tokyo Metro. The line is 24.0 km long and connects Kita-Ayase and Yoyogi-Uehara. A 5.0-km section, mainly in the east, runs above ground. The track gauge is 1,067 mm, and the line uses a 1,500 V DC overhead catenary system. The Chiyoda Line’s subway line number is “9,” and its line color is green.

Chiyoda Line trains run directly onto JR East’s Joban Line via Ayase and Odakyu’s Odawara Line via Yoyogi-Uehara. Tokyo Metro currently operates 16000 and 05 series EMUs on the line. Meanwhile, JR East’s E233-2000 series and Odakyu’s 4000 and 60000 series EMUs run directly onto the Chiyoda Line from their respective lines.

・A Train Operating in the City Center

All right then—please take a look at the photo above. You can see a green-striped, ten-car 16000 series EMU arriving at Shin-Ochanomizu Station in the city center. It wasn’t rush hour, but many passengers were waiting for the train, making the platform quite busy.

What a busy city Tokyo is!

・A Train Operating on the Local Section

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see a 05 series EMU arriving at Ayase Station. Doesn’t it look like a train on a local line? Furthermore, take another look at the photo. You can see the platform number for this local section—“0 (zero)!” What’s going on here?

Here’s the story behind it. The section between Ayase (this station) and Kita-Ayase Terminal (2.1 km) was originally a siding track. It was later converted into a revenue service track in 1979. Having said that, this section is treated as a branch line, so three-car 05 series trains mainly operate here.

The branch line’s new platform, Platform 0, was built adjacent to the existing Platform 1. To avoid changing the existing platform numbers (1 to 4), Platform 0 was assigned to the new platform.

A train had just arrived at Platform 0, but no passengers were waiting—so quiet.

I thoroughly enjoyed the two faces of the Chiyoda Line that day.

Tokyo Metro 05 series EMU arriving at Platform 0 at Ayase Station

Related link:

・Official information from Tokyo Metro

Spot the Difference: Keio's 1000 Series EMUs

Keio Series 1000, Set 1756 EMU at Fujimigaoka Railyard

It’s already October, and the weather is getting more comfortable in Tokyo. The best season for railfan activities is here.

I joined a Japan Railfan Club event held at Fujimigaoka Railyard on the Keio Inokashira Line last weekend. The theme was “Photographing Series 1000 EMUs.” Today, I’d like to share my experience at the event with you. But before getting down to the main topic, as usual…

・What’s the Inokashira Line and the Fujimigaoka Railyard?

The Inokashira Line is a commuter line in the western suburbs of Tokyo. The line is 12.7 km long and connects Shibuya and Kichijoji. Keio Corporation operates the line. One of the features of the trains on the Inokashira Line is that each trainset has a different color on its front mask and side stripes. Railfans call them “rainbow-colored trains.”

Fujimigaoka is the only railyard on the line. It’s located next to Fujimigaoka Station. I visited there for the first time in eight years (please see my previous post).

・Set 1756 and Set 1779 EMUs: Our Photographic Subjects

Keio kindly provided Sets 1756 and 1779 as photographic subjects. Let’s take a look at the photos.

You can see Set 1756 in the photo above. It’s standing on Siding No. 24, which is adjacent to the forest of Takaido Park. Set 1756 was built in 1997 as part of the second batch of Series 1000 trains. The color of its front mask and stripes is orange-beige.

On the other hand, you can see Set 1779 in the photo below. It’s standing on Siding No. 20, next to the factory. Set 1779 was built in 2009 as part of the sixth batch of Series 1000 trains. Set 1779 is a rather rare train on the line. It features a distinctive white front mask and rainbow-colored stripes along its sides. Set 1779 was modified last year in preparation for the introduction of Automatic Train Operation.

・Spot the Difference: Set 1756 and Set 1779

All right, then—please take another look at the photos and let’s enjoy a game of “spot the difference.” I found many differences between the two trainsets, apart from their coloring and stickers.

First, I spotted a difference in the shape of the destination indicators. Set 1756 has a box-shaped indicator on the front, while Set 1779 has a flush-mounted one. Was this one a piece of cake for you?

Second, I found a difference in the sides of the stainless-steel bodies. Set 1756 has beaded bodies, while Set 1779 has flat bodies without bead presses. Was this one not so difficult for you?

Third, the shapes of the radio antennas above the drivers’ cabs are different. Set 1756 has a simple stick-type antenna, while Set 1779 has an L-shaped one.

It’s getting harder and harder. There are various other differences, such as the shapes of the passenger doors… but let’s call it a day.

I had a lot of laughs and fun photographing the trains with my railfan mates that weekend. I really appreciate Keio Corporation for holding this special event.

Keio Series 1000, Set 1779 EMU at Fujimigaoka Railyard

Related link:

・Official information from Keio (in Japanese)

JR Central's "Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" Train

"Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" train arriving at Tokyo Station

You may remember that I wrote about the 25th anniversary train on the Disney Resort Line last month. Today, I’d like to share its sequel on a different line.

Let’s take a look at the photos right away. What’s the train in the photos?

It should be an easy question for an international train enthusiast like you. Yes, that’s a Tokaido Shinkansen train—a JR Central N700A series EMU, Set G47. Its nickname is “Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen.”

On June 19 this year, JR Central put the “Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen” into service on the Tokaido Shinkansen. Needless to say, this special wrapped train celebrates the 25th anniversary of Tokyo DisneySea and promotes tourism to Tokyo Disney Resort.

Just like the anniversary train on the Disney Resort Line, you can see Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and their friends featured on the train bodies. It’s such a fun design!

To photograph this special wrapped train, I checked the special timetable released by JR Central in advance and visited Tokyo Station. I saw many rail fans, families with small children, and inbound tourists taking photos on the platform.

“Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen”—you’re so popular!

For your information, the Tokaido Shinkansen is Japan’s iconic high-speed railway, which opened in 1964. The line is 515.4 km long and connects Tokyo and Shin-Osaka. It has a track gauge of 1,435 mm and uses a 25,000 V, 60 Hz AC overhead catenary system. JR Central operates the line.

The maximum operating speed of Tokaido Shinkansen trains is 285 km/h—not as fast as that of other Shinkansen lines, such as JR East’s Tohoku Shinkansen. One reason is the tight curves along the Tokaido Shinkansen. JR Central is currently constructing a next-generation high-speed railway, the Chuo Shinkansen, with a maximum operating speed of 500 km/h. It is often referred to as the “SCMAGLEV.”

The railway world is changing rapidly.

JR Central Series N700A, Set G47 EMU, Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen train

 

Related links:

・Official information about "Sparkling Dreams Shinkansen" from JR Central

・Official information about the Chuo Shinkansen from JR Central (in Japanese)

Yamitetsu Part 6: Shin-Yokohama Tunnel

Inside the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel on the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line

I am fascinated by illuminated railway tunnels, and I enjoy “yamitetsu” there. I’m still at a beginner’s level when it comes to yamitetsu. But today, I’d like to share my recent experience in the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel with you.

・What’s Yamitetsu and Shin-Yokohama Tunnel?

As I mentioned before, “yamitetsu” is a Japanese slang term used by railfans for photographing trains and their related facilities in the dark, as well as for people who enjoy doing so.

The Shin-Yokohama Tunnel is a shield tunnel on the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line, which opened in 2023. This was my third visit there, three years after my first.

・A View of the Illuminated Tunnel

All right then—please take a look at the photo above. I stood at the edge of the Shin-Yokohama Station platform and looked into the tunnel of the Tokyu Shin-Yokohama Line. I could see the illuminated tunnel wall curving away into the distance.

There were many train approach warning lights to protect railway employees working on the tracks. The interior of the tunnel was very colorful. In fact, I saw several employees carrying out track maintenance work.

Thank you for your hard work. Have a good day!

・A Train Running in the Tunnel

Next, please take a look at the photo below. You can see a train running through the tunnel.

You may be thinking, “I’ve seen this scene in your previous post.”

But please take another look at the photo. The train is different from the one in my previous post. It’s a Saitama Railway 2000 series EMU. That’s the attention to detail you get from being a train enthusiast.

This train runs on three different railway lines and heads to Urawa-Misono, 53.6 km away. Have a safe trip!

I thoroughly enjoyed my yamitetsu adventure in the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel.

A Saitama Railway 2000 series EMU running through the Shin-Yokohama Tunnel