Riding the Prince No.2 Gondola on Mt. Naeba

Prince No.2 Gondola on Mt. Naeba

I recently visited Niigata Prefecture with my family to escape the summer heat. One of the highlights of our trip was a ride on the Prince No.2 Gondola on Mt. Naeba, and I'd like to share the experience with you today.

・Why a Gondola?

You may be wondering why I'm writing about an aerial lift on a railway blog. To be honest, there isn't any special reason—I simply felt like sharing it! If I have to come up with an excuse, though, gondola lifts in Japan are legally classified under the Railway Business Act. So perhaps this topic isn't entirely out of place after all!

・Where Is Mt. Naeba?

Mt. Naeba, which rises to 2,145 meters, is well known for its beautiful alpine wetlands. It stands on the border between Niigata and Nagano prefectures, about 150 kilometers north of Tokyo. At the foot of the mountain is Naeba Ski Resort, one of Japan's best-known ski resorts, operated by Seibu Prince Hotels Worldwide.

・What Is the Prince No.2 Gondola?

Although the ski resort is naturally busiest in winter, several gondola lifts and chair lifts continue operating during the green season, allowing visitors to enjoy the mountain scenery. The Prince No.2 Gondola is one of them.

Built by Nippon Cable in 1995, it is a detachable monocable gondola that connects the Sanroku and Sancho stations. The line is 1,754 meters long and climbs 607 meters in elevation, with a maximum gradient of 37 degrees. Sixteen towers support the line, and the haul rope is driven by a 640-kW electric motor.

・The Gondolas

The cabins were manufactured by CWA of Switzerland. Each cabin accommodates up to eight passengers, and a total of 75 cabins are in service. They circulate continuously in a counterclockwise direction at a speed of 5.0 meters per second.

・The Ride and the Scenery

The ride to the upper station took only about ten minutes. Thanks to the back-to-back seating arrangement, we enjoyed unobstructed views throughout the journey.

After arriving at Sancho Station, we walked to the observation deck, which stands at an elevation of 1,518 meters. From there, we enjoyed panoramic views of Mt. Tairappyo (1,984 meters) rising above the surrounding clouds. The temperature was a pleasant 20°C—about 10 degrees cooler than in Tokyo—making it a wonderfully refreshing escape from the midsummer heat.

Our visit to Mt. Naeba turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip, thanks to the cool mountain air, magnificent scenery, and relaxing gondola ride.

View from the observation deck

A Jellyfish Aquarium on the Uetsu Main Line

JR East GV-E400 series diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU)

Let me start with a question: What brings you peace?

For me, it's trains with cross-seats, such as Odakyu's Romancecars.

Besides trains, what else?

That's what today's post is about.

I recently visited Kamo Aquarium in Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, about 470 km north of Tokyo. This municipal aquarium is famous for its impressive jellyfish exhibits. In fact, it currently displays around 100 species of jellyfish, earning official recognition from Guinness World Records as the world's largest jellyfish exhibit.

I'm proud that Japan is home to the world's largest jellyfish aquarium, but it has been a long road to success.

Kamo Aquarium opened in 1964. However, visitor numbers gradually declined, and by 1997 the aquarium was facing an existential crisis.

This was where the magic happened.

One day, the aquarium staff discovered a jellyfish in a small fish tank and immediately thought, "This is it."

Nearly 30 years have passed since that moment, and Kamo Aquarium has made a remarkable comeback. During my visit, I saw countless holidaymakers flocking to the aquarium to admire its wide variety of jellyfish. I was happily one of them.

I was fascinated by the many different species on display, especially the Blue Cannonball jellyfish from California (see the photo below). Its beautifully rounded blue form brought me a wonderful sense of peace.

Of course, I can't end this post without mentioning the railway side of things—after all, this is a railway blog.

The nearest station to Kamo Aquarium is Tsuruoka on JR East's Uetsu Main Line. There, I came across an unfamiliar local train: the GV-E400 series (see the top photo). It is JR East's first diesel-electric multiple unit (DEMU), which entered service in 2019. Each trainset consists of two single-cab cars.

My first impression was that it looked similar to the HB-E200 series. Both trains feature angular front ends, although the HB-E200 series is actually a hybrid train equipped with rechargeable batteries.

My trip to Kamo Aquarium gave me the chance to enjoy both a fascinating world of jellyfish and another new railway experience on the Uetsu Main Line.

Blue Cannonball jellyfish at Kamo Aquarium

Related link:

・Official information from JR East (in Japanese)

・Official information from Kamo Aquarium

Aizu: A Rapid Train to the Samurai City

JR East E721 series EMU, Rapid "Aizu" service

Sorry for jumping from one topic to another, but today I’d like to follow up on my recent family trip to the Aizu region in a little more detail.

After arriving at Koriyama Station on the Tohoku Shinkansen, we stayed there overnight before heading to Aizu-Wakamatsu the following day. Aizu-Wakamatsu, also known as the Samurai City, is the largest city in the Aizu region, located about 65 km (40 miles) west of Koriyama.

Please take a look at the photo above. This was our train—the Rapid "Aizu" service bound for Aizu-Wakamatsu. You can see the beautifully designed "Aizu" headmark displayed on the front.

The train consists of two coupled two-car sets of JR East's E721 series EMUs. Although the E721 series is basically designed for ordinary commuter and regional services, the Rapid "Aizu" includes one reserved-seat car equipped with comfortable reclining seats. To use this car, we paid an additional reserved-seat charge of 530 yen (about 3.29 USD) per seat during the summer peak travel season.

I know many railway enthusiasts enjoy the technical aspects of trains, so here are a few details. The E721 series is a standard AC electric multiple unit designed for a 20 kV, 50 Hz electrified network and operates on 1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) narrow-gauge track. It entered service in 2007. Between 2007 and 2017, JR East built 170 cars, consisting of 67 trainsets in both two-car and four-car formations. A two-car set is configured as 1M1T (one motor car and one trailer car), while a four-car set is configured as 2M2T. The trains are equipped with IGBT-based VFD traction control systems driving 125 kW induction motors.

After arriving in Aizu-Wakamatsu, we visited Wakamatsu Castle, the symbol of this Samurai City (see the photo below). Construction of the castle began in 1384. It is best known as the site of the Battle of Aizu, one of the major battles of the Boshin War, the civil war fought between the Tokugawa shogunate and the Imperial forces from 1868 to 1869. Many samurai defended the castle until they were finally forced to surrender. The present castle is a reconstructed building and serves as a symbol of Aizu-Wakamatsu today. Its distinctive, maroon-tiled roofs are especially beautiful.

For your information, the red figurine in the photo below is an Akabeko ("red cow"), a traditional folk toy in the shape of a red cow. Its head gently bobs up and down when touched. Akabeko has long been regarded as a good-luck charm believed to protect people from illness. Interestingly, the black spots on its body are said to represent smallpox. I can't help wondering what the people who created this charming toy were thinking and feeling centuries ago.

Akabeko (foreground) and Wakamatsu Castle (background)

A Kintetsu-Liveried Train on the Tobu Line

Tobu's Series 10030 EMU Set 11267 in Kintetsu livery (the two cars on the right)

Do people in your country have any symbols of friendship?

In Japan, they do. For example, I sometimes see high school girls who are close friends attaching matching character charms featuring their favorite characters to their school bags. It always looks like they are having fun!

Now, here's another question. Do railway companies have symbols of friendship, too?

Again, the answer is yes in Japan. Railway companies with close ties sometimes adopt each other's train liveries as a symbol of their partnership. For example, Keikyu Corporation introduced the KEIKYU YELLOW HAPPY TRAIN in 2014. Its yellow livery resembles Seibu Railway's iconic yellow trains. In return, Seibu repainted one of its EMU sets into Keikyu's signature red livery to celebrate the friendship between the two companies.

This kind of partnership can even be found overseas. In 2014, Hakone Tozan Railway introduced the Allegra train, whose red livery was inspired by that of the Swiss Rhaetian Railway (RhB). In return, the RhB repainted one of its electric locomotives in Hakone Tozan's livery as a symbol of the partnership between the two railways.

Now, let's take a look at the latest example. The photo above shows Tobu Railway's Series 10030 EMU Set 11267, painted in Kintetsu's livery (Series 1252 EMU). It entered service on April 20 this year.

Both Tobu and Kintetsu operate the largest private railway networks in their respective regions. Tobu serves Nikko, one of Japan's best-known tourist destinations, while Kintetsu serves the Ise-Shima area. The two companies certainly have much in common.

I found that Tobu's Kintetsu-liveried train looked even more like a real Kintetsu train than I had expected. That's probably because the front design of Set 11267 is similar to that of Kintetsu's commuter train. I really enjoyed seeing it.

Incidentally, Set 11267 was built in 1995. It consists of two 20-meter stainless-steel cars configured as one motor car and one trailer car (1M1T). The set is also known as Tobu's first train equipped with single-arm pantographs. On the day I photographed it, it was coupled to the four-car Set 11433, which retained Tobu's standard livery.

Finally, you may be thinking, "I'd like to see Kintetsu's Tobu-liveried train as well."

Unfortunately, I haven't had a chance to visit the Kintetsu network since that train entered service. However, please take a look at the photo below. You can at least catch a glimpse of it in the lower-right corner of the overhead advertisement inside a Tobu train. It's painted in Tobu's livery (Series 8000 EMU).

Overhead advertisement promoting the Tobu–Kintetsu partnership

Related link:

・Official announcement from Tobu Railway (Japanese)

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)

New Gondolas on Mt. Bizan

Bizan Ropeway in Tokushima City

(Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

I recently received something I had been hoping for again from a Danish railfan. During his trip around Shikoku Island in Japan, he took many photos, and today I would like to introduce one of them. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly shared this picture with me.

Please look at the photo above—the new gondolas of the Bizan Ropeway. You can see blue and red box-shaped cabins standing out against the urban scenery. They look gorgeous.

As I wrote before, the Bizan Ropeway is convenient access to the popular sightseeing spot, Mt. Bizan, in Tokushima City on Shikoku Island. It is a single-cable aerial tramway. It connects Awa-odori Kaikan and Sancho stations. The route length is 787 meters, the height difference is 242 meters, and the maximum gradient is 30.23 degrees. The system operates every 15 minutes, and the maximum speed is 4.1 meters per second. It takes about six minutes for a one-way trip.

This aerial tramway opened in 1957, and the current fourth-generation gondolas started operation on March 30 last year. One unique feature of this system is the double gondolas to secure enough transportation capacity. Each gondola can carry up to 14 passengers, so a total of 28 people can ride on each trip.

For your reference, I would also like to share the older, third-generation gondolas. Please look at the photo below. These round-shaped gondolas are the ones I boarded two years ago. The present cabins obviously have larger windows, so the views are even wider. They have really evolved.

By the way, you may wonder why I posted a topic about an aerial tramway on this “railway” blog. To be honest, there is no deep meaning. But if I have to say something, in Japan, the operation of aerial tramways is governed by the “Railway Business Act.” That is a good excuse!

Third-generation gondolas (December 2022)

Related link:

• Official information from Tokushima City (Japanese only)

Afterglow of JNR on Shikoku Island

Set R12 of JR Shikoku’s 7200 series EMU (Photo: Nicolai Okkels)

I recently received exactly what I had been hoping for from a Danish railfan. During his travels around Shikoku Island in Japan, he photographed many trains, and today I would like to introduce one of his works. My sincere appreciation goes to Nicolai Okkels, who kindly shared this photograph with me.

Please take a look at the top photo. The train you see is a nostalgically styled two-car set—the 7200 series EMU operated by JR Shikoku.

JR Shikoku is one of the railway companies of the JR Group. It was established in 1987 when the Japanese National Railways (JNR) was divided into seven companies. JR Shikoku operates nine lines totaling 853.7 km on Shikoku Island, of which 235.4 km are electrified at 1,500 V DC.

The 7200 series EMU was originally introduced by JNR in 1986 as the 121 series. A total of 19 sets—38 cars—entered service, and they were transferred to JR Shikoku upon JNR’s privatization. All cars remain in service today, now known as the 7200 series after a series of modifications.

The 7200 series features stainless-steel bodies, and each trainset consists of one motor car and one trailer car (1M1T). Between 2016 and 2019, the trains were upgraded from rheostatic control to a variable-frequency drive (VFD) system equipped with four 140 kW induction motors.

As a railway enthusiast, I am especially fond of this JNR-era EMU. Its nostalgic design truly resonates with me. In particular, the round, protruding headlights are one of my favorite features. However, if you look closely, you will notice that they are no longer lightbulbs but LEDs. JR Shikoku has been modernizing its trains while preserving their traditional character.

To me, this represents the afterglow of JNR on Shikoku Island.

Finally, although it may sound unnecessary, I also photographed the 7200 series myself in 2022 (see the photo below). However, I have never captured its entire form in one shot, so I would very much like to add the top photo to my collection. It feels as though another piece of the puzzle has fallen into place. I am truly delighted.

Set R17 of the EMU 7200 series at Kotohira Station (December 2022)

Related link:

• Official information from JR Shikoku (in Japanese)

Winter Travel to the Tohoku Region: Part 5

Abukuma Express AB900 series EMU (Set AB-7) approaching

Let’s pick up where we left off.

After enjoying the snow-covered landscape along the Tsugaru Railway Line, we went to Hirosaki Station in Aomori Prefecture, where the Train Suite Shiki-shima cruise train was waiting for us. This winter journey was full of unforgettable moments—beautiful scenery, local culture, and regional cuisine—but I’ll save those stories for another time. For now, let’s get back to the railway highlights.

On the return run to Tokyo, I spent quite a bit of time enjoying the forward view. The observation car was nearly empty, so I practically had the place to myself. For railfans, this spot is pure heaven.

One particularly memorable moment occurred near Tsukinoki Station in Miyagi Prefecture. Take a look at the top photo first. A green train was approaching in the distance. Any guesses?

It turned out to be a train of the Abukuma Express. As mentioned in my post from 2024, Abukuma Express is a regional railway operating between Fukushima and Tsukinoki, with a total route length of 54.9 km.

Interestingly, the tracks of Abukuma Express and JR East’s Tohoku Main Line run parallel for only about one kilometer near Tsukinoki Station. Despite that short shared stretch, Shiki-shima happened to meet an Abukuma Express train right there. Even better, it was the green AB900 series trainset (Set AB-7), which I had never seen before. What a lucky encounter!

Before wrapping up this post, let me share one more highlight from the journey. After departing Utsunomiya Station in Tochigi Prefecture, passengers were treated to a live jazz performance in the lounge car (see the photo below).

Utsunomiya is known in Japan as a “city of jazz,” and the musicians actually boarded the train at Utsunomiya Station. Their performance created a wonderful atmosphere on board. It was a refreshing and memorable way to end the day’s journey.

Live jazz performance in the lounge car of the Train Suite Shiki-shima

Related link:

・JR East official video: Making movie of the Shiki-shima theme music

Winter Travel to the Tohoku Region: Part 4

Tsugaru Railway diesel railcar, Unit 103 of the 21 series, “Run, Melos!”

Let’s pick up where we left off.

After watching the trains arrive at Aomori Station, we headed for the heart of the Tsugaru Plain. Our destination was Tsugaru-Nakasato, the northern terminus of the Tsugaru Railway.

I’ve been running this railway blog for nearly 15 years, but this is the first time I’ve introduced this local railway. I rarely have the chance to visit the Tsugaru area.

Tsugaru Railway is a private railway in Aomori Prefecture, about 760 km north of Tokyo. The line opened in 1930 between Tsugaru-Goshogawara and Tsugaru-Nakasato. It has 12 stations along its 20.7 km route. The track is a non-electrified 1,067-mm-gauge single line, and diesel railcars usually run once an hour.

In winter, the railway operates its famous Stove Train, a seasonal attraction. These special trains are equipped with traditional coal-burning heaters known as “daruma stoves.” Passengers can even grill Japanese flying squid on the stove during the journey. It’s a wonderfully nostalgic experience.

Unfortunately, the Stove Train was out of service that day due to a coupler failure. I was disappointed, but as an optimistic railfan, I quickly got back on track. Instead, we boarded a diesel railcar from the 21 series (see the top photo). This vehicle carries the nickname “Run, Melos!”, after the famous short story written in 1940 by the local author Dazai Osamu.

Technically speaking, the 21 series is an 18-meter hydraulic diesel railcar equipped with a 243 kW engine. Five cars were built in 1996 by Niigata Engineering. Visually, it resembles the diesel railcars of JR Central’s Series 11 and JR West’s Series 120.

I took my place at the rear of “Run, Melos!”. By then the sky had cleared completely. Outside the window stretched a deep blue sky and wide snow-covered fields (see the photo below). It was breathtaking. Of course, the weather here can be severe when the blizzards arrive. The windbreak fences along the track quietly spoke of the harsh winter conditions. But on that day, I was simply able to enjoy the peaceful beauty of the Tsugaru winter landscape.

To be continued…

Snowy fields along the Tsugaru Railway Line

Related links:

・Official website: Tsugaru Railway (in Japanese)

・Official information on the Stove Train (in Japanese)

Winter Travel to the Tohoku Region: Part 3

JR East E751 series arriving at snow-covered Aomori Station

Let’s pick up where we left off.

After enjoying our first lunch aboard the Shiki-shima cruise train, we got off at Mizusawa Station in Iwate Prefecture and visited the factory of a local foundry company, OIGEN. It was a fascinating visit—but since this is a railway blog, let’s get back to the trains.

On the second morning, we rolled into Aomori Station. Everything was covered in snow—it felt like we had stepped into a winter postcard.

Just after stepping off the train, I spotted a sleek-looking train gliding into the opposite platform. Of course, I had to take a photo. That’s the “Tsugaru” in the top picture!

The Tsugaru is a limited express service operated by JR East, running between Akita and Aomori—two prefectural capitals in Japan’s snowy north. It uses the E751 series AC EMU.

If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you might be thinking, “Wait, haven’t I seen this train before?”

Good eye! The E751 series does look quite similar to the E653-1000 series that I wrote about 12 years ago. But look a little closer and you’ll notice the differences—especially in the headlights and the color scheme.

There’s also a technical distinction: the E751 is a single-system AC train, while the E653-1000 series is a dual-system AC/DC train.

The E751 series entered service in 2000, replacing the older 485-3000 series. A total of 18 cars were built, and today 12 of them remain in service, operating as 4-car sets.

E751 series—thanks for braving the northern winter!

Since this was a group tour, I couldn’t spend as much time observing the train as I would have liked.

Before wrapping up this post, let me share something special: a Suite Room on the Shiki-shima cruise train. The photo below shows the room after the beds had been made. I couldn’t find any pictures of this setup on JR East’s official website, so I hope this gives you a better idea of what it looks like at night.

More coming soon…

Suite Room on the Shiki-shima cruise train after the beds were prepared

Related link:

・Official video on the 5th anniversary of the Shiki-shima cruise train by JR East 

Winter Travel to the Tohoku Region: Part 2

JR East Series 701-100 AC EMU approaching

Let me pick up where I left off in my last post. And here’s a quick question for you:

When do you really feel like you’ve traveled far from home?

Is it when the scenery suddenly looks completely different? When you try a local dish you’ve never tasted before? Or when you hear a dialect that makes you think, “Wow, I’m not in my hometown anymore”?

For me—as a rail fan—it’s simple. It’s when I see a train I’ve never seen before.

Right after departing Kuroiso Station in Tochigi Prefecture at 11:48 a.m., something interesting happens. The Tohoku Main Line switches its power system from 1,500V DC to 20,000V 50Hz AC. From that point on, the trains are AC-powered. As a train enthusiast, that’s exciting enough already.

Before long, I spotted a train approaching. Take a look at the top photo. It’s a 701 series AC EMU—a type you won’t normally see in Tokyo. But wait… it wasn’t just any 701 series. It was the rarer 701-100 series!

How could I tell?

Believe it or not, the giveaway was the gangway door. The standard 701 series in this area has a green door, while the older 701-100 series features a silver one. Such a tiny detail—but noticing it made my day. Moments like this remind me why I love being a rail fan.

By the way, both the driver of the Shiki-shima train and the driver of the 701-100 series raised their hands in greeting as they passed each other. I love those small, human moments on the rails.

Around 12:45 p.m., my stomach suddenly reminded me that it was lunchtime. So off we went to the dining car for our first meal aboard the Shiki-shima.

Today’s special? A Chinese-style seafood course lunch (see the photo below). Beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. Travel really does taste better on a train like this.

To be continued…

Chinese-style seafood course lunch in the Shiki-shima dining car

Related link:

・Official video on the “Shiki-shima” cruise train by Prime Minister's Office of Japan

Winter Travel to the Tohoku Region: Part 1

JR East’s cruise train, Series E001 EDC “Shiki-shima,” at Ueno Station

The day had finally come. When I arrived at the exclusive lounge “Prologue Shiki-shima” inside Ueno Station in Tokyo, the Series E001 train, “Shiki-shima,” slowly pulled into Track 13 (see the top photo). My long-awaited winter journey was about to begin.

But first—what exactly is “Shiki-shima”?

Last year, I introduced JR East’s luxury cruise train “Shiki-shima” on this blog. At that time, I only visited the station to photograph it. However, this time, I finally had the opportunity to board it with my family.

Operated by JR East, one of Japan’s major railway operators, “Shiki-shima” is a high-end sightseeing train that offers multi-day journeys through eastern Japan. Its name means “Island of Four Seasons,” reflecting Japan’s strong appreciation for seasonal beauty.

Our destination was the Tohoku region, located in the northern part of Japan’s main island, Honshu. Tohoku is known for its hot springs, traditional culture, and breathtaking winter landscapes. While it is less visited than cities like Tokyo or Kyoto, it offers a more tranquil and authentic experience of Japan.

The train itself is officially designated as the Series E001 EDC (electric/diesel hybrid cars) and began operation in 2017. One train set consists of six motor cars and four trailer cars. Cars 1 and 10 are equipped with diesel engines for running on non-electrified railway lines, and they also function as observation cars. Car 5 serves as a lounge, Car 6 as a dining car, and the remaining cars are private sleeper suites. The train is designed to provide not only transportation, but a luxury hotel-like experience on rails.

At 9:25 a.m., Shiki-shima departed quietly from Ueno Station, one of Tokyo’s historic railway terminals, as the station master and staff waved us off.

After settling into the train, there was only one thing I had to do as a railway enthusiast: head straight to the observation car. Take a look at the photo below. This is “View Terrace Ibuki” in Car 10, the leading car. From here, you can see the tracks of the Tohoku Main Line stretching northward, guiding us toward snow-covered landscapes.

Are you ready to travel with me?

To be continued…

“View Terrace Ibuki” on the cruise train “Shiki-shima”

Related link:

・Official information on the “Shiki-shima” cruise train by JR East

Class C10: A Super-Rare Working Steam Locomotive

Unit 8 of the Class C10 steam locomotive standing at Shin-Kanaya Station

I recently had a chance to visit the Tokai region with my family for the first time in six years. The Tokai area is relatively warm, allowing visitors to enjoy autumn colors for a long period. Since it was a family trip, I had been refraining from trainspotting. However, when I saw an extremely rare working steam locomotive at Shin-Kanaya Station on the Ōigawa (Ooigawa) Railway, I couldn’t help immersing myself in photographing it.

Please take a look at the top photo. Here it is — Unit 8 of the Class C10 steam locomotive (hereafter C10 8). It is neither preserved nor on display; it is still very much active on the tracks. How beautifully maintained it is!

The Class C10 debuted in 1930 to replace the Japanese Government Railways’ aging locomotives. It is a 2-6-4 tank locomotive (Whyte notation), and a total of 23 units were built. C10 8 was manufactured by Kawasaki Sharyō. The Class C10 looks similar to its younger colleague, the Class C11, but for example, the bottom of the driver’s cab door on the C10 is higher than that of the C11 (see the photo below). More importantly, the C10 has a larger axle load than the C11, so the Class C10 locomotives were mainly operated on trunk lines.

After 31 years of service, C10 8 was retired from the Japanese National Railways (formerly the Japanese Government Railways) in 1961 and was transferred to the Ōigawa Railway in 1997. Today, C10 8 is the only surviving Class C10 steam locomotive. None have been preserved or exhibited in museums or parks.

C10 8 filling up with water at Ieyama Station

Related link:

・Official information by Ōigawa (Ooigawa) Railway (in Japanese)

Rotating and Lifting Observation Tower on Mt. Yahiko

Yahiko-yama Panorama Tower

Let me pick up where I left off in my last post. After getting off the Yahiko-yama Climbing Car at the summit park, I enjoyed a superb view for a while. It was a precious time for me, but there was another spectacular lookout on this mountain. Please look at the top photo: you can see a tall column with a cylindrical observation deck. What is it?

The answer is the Yahiko-yama Panorama Tower. This is a rotating and lifting observation tower located right beside the climbing car. The cylindrical deck slowly rotates as it ascends the central column. The tower stands 85 meters high, with the top reaching about 605 meters above sea level—higher than the top of the climbing car track. The Panorama Tower was built in 1970, at the same time as the climbing car, by the Yahiko-yama Ropeway Company. It is the oldest rotating and lifting tower in Japan. The deck accommodates up to 52 passengers, operates every 15 minutes, and each ride lasts about eight minutes. Pets are even welcome at no extra charge—what a wonderful offer!

Now please look at the photo below. I’m really fond of this retro atmosphere. On top of that, the operating sound of the rotating deck somehow feels nostalgic, with its unique rattling noise. The seats inside the cabin are covered with red moquette fabric, reminding me of old commuter trains in Tokyo. From there I fully enjoyed the breathtaking 360-degree panorama of the Niigata Plain, Sado Island, and the Sea of Japan. Time really does fly when you’re having fun—eight minutes passed by in the blink of an eye.

Interior of the observation deck, Yahiko-yama Panorama Tower

Official website, Yahiko-yama Ropeway (in Japanese):

https://www.hotel-juraku.co.jp/yahiko/

Retro Climbing Car in Niigata Prefecture

Yahiko-yama Climbing Car in Niigata Prefecture

After returning from my trip to Miyazaki Prefecture, I visited Niigata Prefecture. It was family time, so I had temporarily put my trainspotting activities on hold—but I was soon drawn to a retro climbing car on Mt. Yahiko.

Let me start with a quick overview of Mt. Yahiko. It’s a sheer mountain with a great view in Niigata Prefecture, about 300 kilometers north of Tokyo. The summit rises 634 meters above sea level. The easiest way to reach the summit is by gondola, called the Yahiko-yama Ropeway. I first rode it eleven years ago—please check my previous post.

So, what’s new in this post? To be honest, the “Sancho (summit) Station” of the gondola is not at the actual summit of Mt. Yahiko. You can reach a higher spot using a climbing car. Please look at the top photo: you can see the retro vehicle, the Yahiko-yama Climbing Car, on the mountainside. The climbing car was built in 1970 by the Yahiko-yama Ropeway Company. It’s neither a funicular nor a monorail—it’s an inclined elevator. Connecting the parking lot and the mountain park, its route is 62.4 meters long with a 50-degree incline. The vehicle accommodates 30 passengers and operates at a speed of 0.75 meters per second, taking about one minute to reach the mountain park.

Next, please look at the photo below. Aren’t you curious about the camera angle? It looks like the photo was taken from above the climbing car. Could there be a higher vantage point? To be continued…

The vehicle of the Yahiko-yama Climbing Car arriving at the mountain park

Nostalgic but New Train on Kyushu Island

EMU JR Kyushu 713 series, "Sunshine Miyazaki", stands at Miyazaki station

This is a continuation of my recent trip to Miyazaki Prefecture. On my way back to Miyazaki Airport, I came across an old, red-colored train stopping at Miyazaki Station (see the top photo). What was that? The answer is the JR Kyushu EMU 713 series.

The 713 series was developed by the Japanese National Railways (hereafter JNR) in 1983. It’s a standard commuter train for the 1,067-millimeter-gauge track with a 20,000 V, 60 Hz AC (alternating current) electric system. One set consists of one motorcar and one trailer (1M1T). What was new about this train? The 713 series was the first equipped with a regenerative braking system for AC tracks. It was a great achievement by JNR, but the good news didn’t last long. Facing a financial crisis, JNR cancelled the mass production of this advanced train. In the end, only four sets were built by Tokyu Sharyo and Hitachi. After the privatization and breakup of JNR, all of the 713 series sets were transferred to JR Kyushu. Currently, they are operated on the Nippo Main Line, Nichinan Line, and Miyazaki Airport Line.

I liked these ex-JNR trains. You can clearly see the characteristics of the so-called "JNR-type" EMUs in the front design: two large, rounded lights, panoramic windows, and a gangway connection. The lower part of the body is narrowed. On the other hand, the 713 series received JR Kyushu’s own color scheme after a modification in 1996. It was reborn as the vivid red-colored train nicknamed “Sunshine Miyazaki.”

Side view of the EMU 713 series, "Sunshine Miyazaki"

Takachiho Railway’s Preserved DMU TR-300 Series

Preserved Ex-Takachiho Railway DMU TR-300 Series in Takachiho Town

This is a continuation of my recent trip to Miyazaki Prefecture. After enjoying the train inn and the spectacular gorge, I headed to a shochu brewery near Takachiho Gorge. Why? Do I like shochu? Of course I do, but that wasn’t the only reason. I went there to see a preserved DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit). You may remember when I posted about the preserved steam locomotive at a shochu brewery last year. At that time, the beautiful photos were provided by Danish railfan Nicolai Okkels. After looking at his photos, I realized that another railway vehicle was preserved at the same site. That meant I had to go.

Please look at the top photo. These are units TR-301 and TR-302 of the former Takachiho Railway TR-300 series DMU. They were built by Niigata Engineering in 1991 and introduced as the reserved-seat sightseeing train Takachiho. Each unit was equipped with a 183 kW diesel engine and a fluid transmission system. At first glance, it looks like a fixed two-car trainset, but in fact it often operated coupled with the TR-100 series. To be precise, each TR-300 car could run independently and was usually connected to a TR-100 series car.

After only 12 years in service, the TR-300 series was retired in 2003. Today, it is preserved at the shochu brewery and used as a rest area (see the photo below). I stopped by there after shopping. I couldn’t drink shochu since I had to drive a rental car, but I was able to relax for a while sitting on the comfortable seats.

Interior of the DMU TR-300 series

Official information about the preserved DMU TR-300 series by the shochu brewery:

https://tonnerunoeki.com/en/train