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

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)

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)

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

The 12th Anniversary of Keio Rail-Land

Keio’s first-generation 5000 series EMU at Keio Rail-Land

On October 10, 2025, Keio Corporation quietly marked a happy milestone—the 12th anniversary of the grand opening of Keio Rail-Land. It felt like a good moment to revisit the museum, so I’d like to share a few impressions with you today.

To begin with, let me briefly look back at what Keio Rail-Land is all about. Operated by Keio Corporation (formerly Keio Electric Railway in English), the museum began life in 2000 as a modest model railway playground for children. Thirteen years later, it blossomed into the museum we know today, complete with a spacious exhibition hall showcasing Keio’s preserved rolling stock. You’ll find it right beside Tama-Dobutsukoen (Tama Zoological Park) Terminal on the Keio Dobutsuen Line—a fittingly peaceful spot for a museum devoted to precious trains.

I had thought that all the vehicles preserved at the museum had already been introduced in this blog, but there was one important omission—the first-generation 5000 series EMU. Please take a look at the top photo. Yes, this is KuHa 5723 from the first-generation 5000 series. The series made its debut in 1963 when the Keio Line’s voltage was upgraded to 1,500 V DC. A total of 155 cars were built by Nippon Sharyo, Tokyu Sharyo, and Hitachi. Unlike earlier models such as the 2400 and 2000 series, both the design and the livery of this train were thoroughly modernized. In addition, the eighth-batch cars introduced in 1968 are known as Japan’s first air-conditioned commuter trains equipped with longitudinal seating. The first-generation 5000 series received the 1964 Laurel Prize from the Japan Railfan Club as the most outstanding new train of the previous year.

And one more small discovery: during my visit I also noticed a 12th-anniversary plate displayed on a 7000 series train running on the Dobutsuen Line (please see the photo below). It may look modest at first glance, but the birthday-cake motif is rather charming, isn’t it?

Happy 12th anniversary, Keio Rail-Land.

The 12th-anniversary plate on a 7000 series EMU

Related links:

・Official information from Keio Rail-Land (in Japanese)

・Official video from Keio Rail-Land (in Japanese)

Sacabambaspis: Keio’s New EMU

Set 2701 of Keio’s new 2000 series EMU at Wakabadai Station

I recently joined another event hosted by the Japan Railfan Club—a test ride of Keio’s new commuter train, the 2000 series EMU. Let me share this memorable experience with you today.

As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words, so please take a look at the photo above. Yes—this is the 2000 series EMU. Quite an impressive face, isn’t it? Japanese railfans affectionately call it “Sacabambaspis.” What an elaborate nickname! Sacabambaspis was an extinct jawless fish that lived in the Ordovician period (from about 488 to 445 million years ago), and is closely related to the modern lamprey. As I’ve mentioned several times before, I’m a fossil collector—a paleo-organism enthusiast—but even I never have come up with such a nickname. Keio accepts this one (see the related link). Hats off to the godfather of this nickname.

By the way, the 2000 series features a special space called “Hidamari Space (Sunny Spot)” for wheelchair and pram users in car No. 5. Please take a look at the photo below. This is the Hidamari Space. The windows here are set lower, so even small children can enjoy the passing scenery while sitting in their prams. This spot is similar to Seibu Railway’s “Partner Zone” on the 40000 series EMU, but Keio’s Hidamari Space is more colorful and much brighter. The locations differ as well. Seibu’s Partner Zone is placed in the first or last car, which is usually less crowded. In contrast, Keio installs Hidamari Space in the middle of the train (Car 5 of a 10-car set), which will naturally be busier. Since there are no seats in this area, I wonder slightly how passengers will feel about this configuration. According to Keio, the location was chosen because many elevators on the Keio Line platforms are placed near the center.

The 2000 series will enter service on January 31. I’m running out of space today, so I’ll save the technical specifications of the 2000 series for a future post. Please look forward to it!

“Hidamari Space (Sunny Spot)” inside the 2000 series EMU

Related links:

・News release on the 2000 series EMU by Keio (in Japanese)

・Official video on the 2000 series EMU by Keio (in Japanese)

・An illustration of Sacabambaspis by Keio (in Japanese, see Page 3)

2025 Merry Christmas from the Inokashira Line

Set 1761 running along the Inokashira Line with its special “Merry Christmas” plate

It’s already mid-December — time really flies. Stores and streets around Tokyo are decorated for the Christmas season. You may find it curious that a Buddhist-majority country celebrates Christmas. That’s understandable, as only about 1% of Japan’s population is Christian. But please don’t take it too seriously. For us, it’s less a religious event and more a seasonal custom. Does that answer your question?

Railway companies join the celebration as well. I recently found that a train on the Keio Inokashira Line is again decorated with a Christmas plate this year, just like in previous seasons. Please take a look at the photos. Set 1761 of the Keio 1000 series EMU carries a special round plate on the front of the train. Its design features a Christmas tree, snowflakes, Santa’s reindeer, and a sleigh. Isn’t it charming?

Incidentally, the Inokashira Line is a short 12.7-kilometer commuter route connecting Shibuya and Kichijoji. The 1000 series EMU is the only model operated on this line. It entered commercial service in 1996 as the first 20-meter-long, 5-car train type introduced to the route.

A hot topic right now is the preparation for ATO (Automatic Train Operation). Modifications to the trains are underway, and I have confirmed with my own eyes that five sets of the 1000 series have already been completed. Keio aims for GoA2-level operation and is conducting verification tests. Under GoA2, only one crew member is required on board, mainly for train starting and safety monitoring.

“Merry Christmas, Inokashira” plate on the front of Set 1761

Revival-colored Train: The Beginning of the End？

Revival-colored train, Set 7728 of the Keio 7000 series EMU

On October 28, Keio Electric Railway brought back one set of its 7000 series EMU in the original color scheme. I’d like to share this topic and look into it a bit deeper today.

Please take a look at the photo above. Here it is—the revival-colored train, Set 7728 of the Keio 7000 series. The paint has been changed from the familiar double red-and-blue stripes to a single dark red stripe. In addition, the car number plates and company logo have been restored to their original designs.

For your information, the 7000 series debuted in 1984 to increase transport capacity on the Keio Line. A total of 190 cars were built. The trains were originally equipped with a field chopper control system, which was later replaced by a variable frequency drive with induction motors as part of a modernization program.

Why did Keio decide to bring back the original colors now? According to the company, “many passengers expect the 7000 series to return to its original color scheme.” That’s probably true—but I can’t help feeling there may be a deeper meaning behind this decision.

Let’s take a look at similar cases by other railway companies. Odakyu revived the original colors of its LSE Romancecar in 2012; six years later, it was retired. Keikyu also repainted its 800 series in the classic livery in 2016; three years later, it too was withdrawn from service. These examples suggest that a revival color train might sometimes mark the beginning of the end.

I sincerely hope the 7000 series will continue to run on the Keio Line for many more years.

Side view of Set 7728

News release by Keio (in Japanese):

https://www.keio.co.jp/news/update/news_release/news_release2025/pdf/nr20250925_keio7000.pdf

The 70th Anniversary of the Keibajo Line

EMU Keio 7000 series train with the Keibajo Line 70th-anniversary plate

Do you remember my post about the urban local route, the Keio-Keibajo Line (the Keio-Racecourse Line), last year? Today, I’d like to give you an update on this topic.

Let’s start with a quick look at the Keio-Keibajo Line. It’s a short branch of the Keio Main Line, connecting Higashi-Fuchu and Fuchu-keiba-seimonmae (the main gate of Fuchu Racecourse). The entire route is just 0.9 kilometers long. On weekdays, a 2-car train without conductors runs every 20 minutes. But on race days, it’s a completely different scene—many extra trains operate, including 10-car limited expresses straight from Shinjuku.

Now for the main topic. On April 29, Keio Electric Railway celebrated the 70th anniversary of the Keibajo Line. To mark the occasion, the company held several special events. One highlight was a commemorative plate mounted on the front of Set 7421 of the EMU 7000 series. Take a look at the top photo—you can see the number “70” along with a horseshoe design. That’s the Keibajo Line’s signature style!

Since I’m a total beginner when it comes to horse racing, let me instead share a little local scenery from along the route. Please check out the photo below. It shows a train passing by Kokubu Hachimangu Shrine. In front of the shrine, you can see a peaceful forest. A stone pillar and a torii gate stand quietly among the trees, welcoming visitors. The atmosphere is so calming. This place truly feels relaxing.

Happy 70th anniversary to the Keio-Keibajo Line!

EMU Keio 7000 series train passing by Kokubu Hachimangu Shrine

New Sanrio Wrapping Train on the Keio Line

The third-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train on the Keio Line

I'm sorry this is a bit late, but Keio Electric Railway debuted the third-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train (also introduced as the Sanrio Poster Train in this blog) on March 10 this year. Let me introduce it today.

Let's start with a quick look at the Sanrio Wrapping Train. Sanrio Puroland is an indoor theme park located near Keio Tama-Center Station on the Keio Sagamihara Line. To promote tourism to Sanrio Puroland, Keio Electric Railway, Sanrio Entertainment, and Tama City have been working together. For example, in 2016 Keio Tama-Center Station was renovated and themed as “the welcome station” for Sanrio Puroland. That same year, they launched the first-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train, followed by the second-generation train in 2018.

Please take a look at the top photo. This is the third-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train. Its blue-colored front with gold accents is striking. You can also see adorable Sanrio characters such as Kerokerokeroppi (pictured below) along the sides of the train. Train set 9731 of the EMU 9000 series has been decorated as the third-generation Sanrio Wrapping Train.

Now, here are two more details for enthusiastic trainspotters. First, train set 9731 has been refurbished, with upgrades to its interior, such as seats and floors, as well as updates to onboard equipment, including the auxiliary power unit and variable-frequency drive control system. Second, a special heart-shaped pink plate was displayed on the front of the train until April 21, as seen in the top photo.

I hope this introduction was enjoyable!

Kerokerokeroppi, a Sanrio character

Preparation for ATO: Keio-Inokashira Line

 Trainset 1729 of the Keio 1000 series after ATO modification

As I posted before, Japan's population has entered into a decreasing phase. Railway companies can't keep their arms crossed in this situation. Railway companies have to recruit staff, but not so easy.

ATO (Automatic Train Operation) system is considered as one of the solutions. This technology has already been applied to subways, monorails and so on. Completely unattended trains are operated on the newly constructed AGT lines such as Yurikamome and Nippori-Toneri Liner. It seems easy at first glance, but not so on the traditional routes. Suppose we consider the case of the Keio-Inokashira line. There are many railway crossings. Not only local, but also express trains are operated. These issues are complicated.

Keio Electric Railway aims for Level GoA2 of ATO and conducts verification tests. At the GoA2, only one crew is required on board mainly for train starting and safety monitoring. In parallel, modification of the trains has started. Trainset 1729 of the EMU 1000 series has just been modified. There are many modifications on the train, but I would like to point out two portions as a trainspotter. First, please look at the top photo. The car number “1779” on the front was moved from the gangway to the upper right. Second, please look at the photo below. The window on the partition door between the driver’s cab and the passenger’s cabin became lower. Kids can easily enjoy scenic views through the frontal window of the train. It’s the best solution to secure the future railway employees!

Lowered window on the partition door

Official information on the ATO verification tests by Keio Electric Railway (in Japanese):

https://www.keio.co.jp/news/update/news_release/news_release2024/pdf/nr20250306_jidouunten.pdf

2025 Hydrangea Season on the Keio-Inokashira Line

Hydrangea flowers and the EMU Keio 1000 series near Hamadayama station

On June 10th, the Japan Meteorological Agency announced that this year’s rainy season had begun in the metropolitan area. As I post every year, we experience hot and humid days from early June to mid-July. At times like that, the only thing that lifts my gloomy feelings before midsummer is viewing hydrangeas, which bloom in this season. This year, I visited two beautiful spots along the Keio-Inokashira line.

First, I got off the train at Hamadayama Station. Full-bloom hydrangeas could be seen here and there along the railway tracks near the station. I also saw many photo enthusiasts taking pictures of the flowers and trains. We gave each other space and took our shots. Please look at the top photo. In addition to the classic purple flowers, the pink ones are so vivid, aren’t they? The passing train is Set 1771 of the EMU Keio 1000 series, which displays a special hydrangea plate on the front. It’s truly picturesque.

After enjoying the scenery around Hamadayama Station, I stopped by Meidaimae Station to photograph the hydrangeas in full bloom on the trackside embankments. Please look at the photo below. Since 1991, Keio has been planting hydrangeas on railway embankments to prevent slope failure and protect the environment. This is one of my favorite spots, which I also visited in 2012 and 2015. My recent visit was the first in ten years, and I was glad to find that the embankments are still beautifully maintained.

Hydrangea flowers and the EMU Keio 1000 series near Meidaimae Station

2025 Sakura Season on the Keio-Inokashira Line

A round "Sakura" plate displayed on the western side of trainset 1780

The sakura (cherry blossom) season in the Tokyo metropolitan area is almost over. Feeling a little sad to say goodbye to the 2025 blossoms, I’d like to keep sharing a few more scenes of this year’s cherry blossoms in Tokyo.

I recently visited Takaido on the Keio-Inokashira Line, just as I do every year. Beautiful cherry trees were blooming along the Kanda River and beside the railway track. I admired the blossoms in full bloom from the platform of Takaido Station. This place is filled with memories for me because I went to kindergarten in Takaido when I was a child. I remembered how we used to walk along the stream and track with our teacher. Where has the time gone?

About five minutes later, a westbound express train approached the station. It was the perfect timing for taking a train photo with the full-bloom cherry trees in the background. Now or never! I pressed the shutter—and thank goodness, I got it! Please take a look at the top photo. It’s trainset 1780 of the EMU Keio 1000 series. During the cherry blossom season, trainset 1780 displayed special round plates on the front and back of the train. The design of these plates was inspired by “Sakura (Cherry)”, a once-famous overnight sleeper train operated by the former Japanese National Railways. You can see the original Sakura plate design in my post in 2020. That really brings back memories!

I fully enjoyed the combination of the full-bloom cherry trees and the special “Sakura” train plate on the Keio-Inokashira Line.

Another "Sakura" plate displayed on the eastern side of trainset 1780

Plum Festival on the Keio Line

Set 8714 travels on the Keio Line, displaying the “Mogusaen Plum Festival” plate

We had a rather cold winter this year. Because of the low temperatures, plum trees started blooming one to three weeks later than usual. Mogusaen Garden in Hino City was no exception. Normally, the plums in this garden reach full bloom in mid-February, but they haven’t done so yet this year. Instead, I enjoyed the tsurushi-bina decorations displayed in a hermitage within the garden (see the photo below). For your information, tsurushi-bina is a Japanese tradition in which ornamental dolls are hung on strings for Girls' Day, also known as the Doll's Festival.

To visit this plum garden, the nearest railway station is Mogusaen on the Keio Line. During the plum-blossom season, Keio Electric Railway operates a train with a special head plate on the line to promote tourism to Mogusaen. It is trainset 8714 of the EMU 8000 series. The large plum-blossom-shaped plate on the front of the train makes me feel the arrival of spring.

The 8000 series was introduced in 1992 as Keio’s first train to adopt a variable frequency drive (VFD) control system. As you may know, the rotational speed and torque of induction motors are adjusted through frequency and voltage in this system. Together with a regenerative braking system and reduced vehicle weight, the electricity consumption of the 8000 series was cut by about 45 percent compared with its predecessors.

Finally, please take a look at my previous posts as well about other famous plum gardens and groves in the metropolitan area, such as Taura Ume-no-sato, Haruna Plum Grove, and Ikegami Plum Garden, if you have time.

Tsurushi-bina decorations displayed in a hermitage of Mogusaen Garden

New Year Scene on the Inokashira Line

Set 1751 of the EMU Keio 1000 series arrives at Shimokitazawa station

In Japan, people usually spend the New Year holidays with their families, and I’m no exception. I visited my mother’s house in Suginami Ward on New Year’s Day and had a wonderful time with her and my family.

The next day, I went to Omiya-Hachiman Shrine near my mother’s house to pray for a healthy and prosperous year. Omiya-Hachiman was founded in 1063 to ward off evil spirits. After praying, I happened to see a New Year ceremony called Hikime-no-gi being held at the archery range in the precincts. When the special arrow was shot, it cut through the air with a sharp “whoosh,” a sound said to drive away evil. I fully enjoyed watching this traditional event.

To reach this historic shrine, the nearest station is Nishi-Eifuku on the Keio Inokashira Line. Following the “Merry Christmas” headmark, a train on the Inokashira Line was now displaying a “Geishun” (New Year’s greeting) plate on the front for the season. It was Set 1751 of the EMU Keio 1000 series. Set 1751, introduced in 1996 as the very first of the series, has a bluish-green face.

By the way, here’s a small delight for old-school trainspotters. The 1000 series trains vary not only in their front colors but also in their details. For example, the early 15 sets, including Set 1751, have boxy destination indicators on the front, while the later 14 sets feature smooth ones. Finding such subtle differences between trainsets is one of the greatest pleasures for railfans like me.

Hikime-no-gi ceremony held at Omiya-Hachiman Shrine near Nishi-Eifuku Station

Merry Christmas from the Inokashira Line

“Merry Christmas, Inokashira” plate on the front of a Keio 1000 series EMU

Following the “Merry Christmas” tramcar on the Toei Arakawa Line, I’d like to introduce another festive train running in Tokyo today.

Keio Electric Railway put a special Christmas plate on one of their trains during the holiday season. Please take a look at the photos. This is Set 1729 of the EMU 1000 series. Set 1729 is a rather rare train on the Inokashira Line. It features a distinctive white front mask and a rainbow-colored stripe along its sides. The set was built by Tokyu Sharyo in 2009. Its original front color was bluish green, but it was changed to white in 2012 to serve as a flagship train on the line. The train also displays beautifully designed posters featuring scenic spots along the route, such as Inokashira Park and the Kanda River.

When I saw the rounded Christmas plate on the front the other day, I felt excited about enjoying this year’s festive atmosphere. I then tried to photograph the train at my favorite railway crossing near Higashi-Matsubara station, where we can enjoy good forward lighting in the afternoon.

Incidentally, the Inokashira Line is Keio’s short commuter route connecting Shibuya and Kichijoji. The 12.7-kilometer line has 1,067-millimeter gauge double tracks and is electrified at 1,500 V DC. The EMU 1000 series is the only model operated on the line. Commercial service for this series began in 1996 as the first 20-meter-long car type on the route.

Set 1729 running along the Inokashira Line with its special “Merry Christmas” plate

Holy Beach and Train in Shimane Prefecture

EMU Ichibata 5000 series stands at Matsue-Shinjiko-onsen Railyard

Continuing from my previous post, I would like to introduce one of the trains of the Ichibata Electric Railway. The EMU 5000 series is Ichibata’s high-end train (see the photo above). It has mainly been used as a limited express train connecting Dentetsu-Izumoshi and Izumotaisha-mae, transporting worshippers to the holy Izumotaisha Shrine. Each car is 18 meters long with a steel body, and one trainset consists of two motorcars. Unlike other trains, it has only four doors per unit.

As with the Ichibata 2100 series, which I introduced in an earlier post, the Ichibata 5000 series is also an ex-Keio 5000 series train. The Ichibata 2100 series still keeps the original design of the Keio 5000 series. On the other hand, the Ichibata 5000 series looks somewhat different. It was modified before moving from the Keio Line in 1998.

Many passengers take this “holy train” to visit Izumotaisha Shrine. Taking this opportunity, I would like to introduce a holy beach, “Inasanohama,” located near the shrine. According to a local legend, deities from all over Japan gather at Izumotaisha Shrine for an annual meeting held in October of the lunar calendar, and they are welcomed by local people here on this beach.

It is a beautiful bow-shaped sandy beach featuring a sacred rock named Benten-jima. It is said that the setting sun is especially stunning here, but the morning scenery was also beautiful (see the photo below).

I fully enjoyed both the holy beach and the train in Shimane Prefecture.

Inasanohama Beach near Izumotaisha-mae Station on the Ichibata Electric Railway

Related link:

・Official information about the trains of Ichibata Electric Railway (in Japanese)

Beautiful Garden and Train in Shimane Prefecture

Set 2104 of the Ichibata EMU 2100 series standing at Kawato Station

Continuing from what I covered last time, I would like to introduce a beautiful Japanese garden and a charming local train in Shimane Prefecture.

After spending a night on the Sunrise Express, I got off the train at Yasugi Station on the San-in Main Line the next morning. My destination was the Adachi Museum of Art in Yasugi City, Shimane Prefecture. The museum was founded by Adachi Zenko, a businessman born in the area. It is well known for its seamless harmony between modern Japanese-style paintings inside and the traditional gardens outside. These gardens have been ranked Number One among Japanese-style gardens by The Journal of Japanese Gardening, published in the United States.

After enjoying both the paintings and the gardens, I took the Ichibata Electric Railway and headed toward Izumotaisha-mae. On the way, I came across an orange-colored train—Set 2104 of the EMU 2100 series—at Kawato Station. This nostalgic train was transferred from the Keio Electric Railway in 1995. Its former name was the Keio EMU 5000 series, a well-regarded commuter train that served from the 1960s through the 1990s. It even won the 1964 Laurel Prize from the Japan Railfan Club as the most outstanding newly introduced train of the previous year. The curved front windows and double rounded headlights of this more-than-50-year-old train felt nostalgic, yet still very stylish. Incidentally, the body color of Set 2104 is inspired by Ichibata’s old baggage car, the DeHaNi 50 series.

(To be continued…)

Japanese-style garden at the Adachi Museum of Art

Related link:

・Official information about the EMU, Ichibata Electric Railway (in Japanese)

Changing of the Seasons: Keio-Inokashira Line, Part 3

Set 1729 of the EMU Keio 1000 series and hydrangeas near Nishi-Eifuku station

Continuing with what I covered in June, I'm going to show you the change of the seasons on the Keio-Inokashira line today.

First, I’m going to show you hydrangeas again. Please look at the top photo. That’s the best hydrangea flowers for me this year. It was shot near Nishi-Eifuku station during a break in the rainy season in June. You can see beautiful blue and purple-colored flowers at the side of the tracks. The train is Set 1729 of the EMU 1000 series. This unique set has a white colored front mask with a rainbow-colored stripe on the side body of the train. Designed posters of several scenic spots on the Inokashira line, such as Inokashira Park and Kanda River, are displayed on the body of this train. It fits into the hydrangea flowers in full bloom.

Next, please look at the photo below. That’s a small rice field near Komaba-Todaimae station. It was shot in the end of August. You can see green-colored heads of rice were drooping. You may feel that it’s a sight you can find anywhere in Tokyo, but in fact, we seldom see rice fields in the central area (twenty-three special wards) of Tokyo. This rice field is known as “Kellner” Rice Fields. Oskar Johann Kellner was a German agricultural scientist. He was invited by the Japanese Government in 1881, and taught people how to improve on agricultural productivity. This rice field had been used for his research activities. Currently, local junior-high and high school pupils maintain this field.

Set 1714 and Kellner Rice Fields near Komaba-Todaimae station