Yokohama Night Walk: Yamashita Park and MM21 Line

EMU Yokohama Minato Mirai Railway Y500 series stands at Takashima Station on the MM21 Line 

 

Yokohama is situated some 20km southwest of Tokyo. It is the second largest city in Japan. Yokohama has been developed as Tokyo's outport since the 19th century. Currently, it has an estimated population of 3.7 million.

If you go to Yokohama Port, you can see an old ocean liner, Hikawa Maru preserved in front of Yamashita Park. She was launched in 1929, and ran a regular route between Yokohama, Vancouver and Seattle before WWII. She had a reputation for service that combined splendid food and beautiful art deco interiors. So, she was called "The Queen of the Pacific". Charlie Chaplin travelled on her for part of his Round the World Tour that he made in 1932.

During WWII, Hikawa Maru served as a hospital ship. She was, then, used as a cargo ship and passenger liner. Eventually, she was permanently berthed at Yamashita Park and preserved. Currently, it is open to the public.

To visit this old ocean liner, the subway Minatomirai Line (the MM21 Line) of the Yokohama Minatomirai Railway is convenient. Connecting Yokohama and Motomachi-Chuukagai (Motomachi-Chinatown), the total length is 4.1km. It was opened in 2004 as an access route to the urban development area, Minatomirai 21, in downtown Yokohama.

A stylish EMU Y500 series and the other EMUs are operated every 3 to 4 minutes throughout the day. All trains are directly operated into the Tokyu-Toyoko Line. So, it is very convenient from Shibuya in the downtown Tokyo area.
 

Hikawa Maru is berthed at Yamashita Park near Motomachi-Chuukagai Station on the MM21 Line

Tokyo Night Walk: Rainbow Bridge and Yurikamome Line

EMU 7200 series stands at Daiba-kaihin-koen Station on the Yurikamome Line

 

It is early autumn in Tokyo. During the daytime, I feel comfortable when I'm still, but as soon as I start moving around, it gets really hot. So, I find it is better to do a night walk and feel the cool rush of evening air.

A recommended night walk spot is the Tokyo Bay area near the city center. You can enjoy a gorgeous night view on the coast. Look at the following photo. It is Rainbow Bridge connecting the downtown area and New Tokyo Waterfront Subcenter. It was opened in 1993 as a double decked suspension bridge. Currently, Rainbow Bridge is illuminated colorfully in celebration of the decision to host the 2020 Olympic Games.

You can drive through Rainbow Bridge using both the expressway and the ordinary roads; but I recommend you take the Yurikamome Line to enjoy the beautiful night view in the bay area. Yurikamome is an AGT (automated guide way transit) line, which was opened in 1995 between Shimbashi in downtown Tokyo and the New Tokyo Waterfront Subcenter. The current total operating length is 14.7km. It is a small-sized driverless train with rubber-tires instead of steel bogies.

The top photo shows the latest model, the EMU 7200 series standing at Daiba-kaihin-koen Station. This model was launched in 1999 as the second generation train on the line. The major differences from the previously-existing 7000 series are the control system (from thyristor to variable-frequency drive) and an increased number of guide wheels.

To be continued...

 

Night view of Rainbow Bridge near Daiba Station on the Yurikamome Line

 

More information about the Yurikamome trains (in Japanese): http://www.yurikamome.co.jp/contents/hp0082/index.php?No=50&CNo=82

EMU Tokyu 9000 Series: Update

EMU Tokyu 9000 series arrives at Jiyugaoka Station on the Ooimachi Line

Tokyu is a major private railway company in the Tokyo metropolitan area. They have a labyrinthine railway network in the southwestern part of Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture. Tokyu has been in a stable business position as the king of private railway companies in Tokyo; however, they can no longer rest on their laurels as the railway business in Tokyo has become very competitive in recent years.

Tokyu's new strategy is clear... "reorganization of the railway network" to secure passengers from an extensive region. For instance, the Tokyu-Toyoko Line was connected with the Tokyo Metro-Fukutoshin Line at Shibuya Terminal on March 16th this year. As a result, direct operations between Toyoko, Tokyo Metro, Tobu and Seibu lines were started. Tokyu expects a new flow of people from Tokyo Metro, Tobu and Seibu lines to the Toyoko Line, where Tokyu have many commercial facilities such as shopping malls, department stores and theaters.

What results have Tokyu had after reorganization of the line network? I don't care about their business, but I am getting worried about the trains. For instance, the EMU 9000 series has disappeared from the Toyoko Line. The 9000 series has been cut from eight-car to five-car trains, but still survives on the Ooimachi Line. It is good news for me, as the 9000 series is one of my favorite trains in Tokyo.

For the time being, I will be able to enjoy the distinctive groaning modulated sound being generated from the VVVF control system on the EMU 9000 series.
 

EMU Tokyu 9000 series arrives at Mizonokuchi Station on the Denentoshi Line

Preserved EL and Tunnel on the Chuo Line

 Electric locomotive EF64 18 is preserved in Katsunuma-budokyo Station on the Chuo Line

 

It is autumn harvest season again in the Tokyo metropolitan area. We can enjoy fresh grapes in Yamanashi Prefecture now. Last Sunday, I took a local train on the Chuo Line and got off at Katsunuma-budokyo (Katsunuma Grape Country) Station. There were vast vineyards extending on the slope in front of the railway station. Although new wine was still in the making, I enjoyed as many fresh grapes as I could, visiting several vineyards around the station.

After collecting fresh grapes, I visited ex-Oohikage Tunnel on the Chuo Line. It is a 1.4km long railway tunnel, opened in 1902. This tunnel had made a large contribution to the local economy, but it was abandoned in 1968, when the new tunnel was completed. Currently, ex-Oohikage Tunnel is opened to the public as a walking track. The inner wall of the tunnel was paved with smoke-covered brick. It is dark and thrilling to walk inside the tunnel.

A classic electric locomotive (EL), which was preserved in front of the station, was also attractive for me. It was unit number 18 of the EF64 manufactured by Toshiba in 1966. EF64 was a direct current electric locomotive and a specialist to be operated on steep tracks in mountain areas. Unit number 18 had been operated until 2005, pulling freight trains. This old EL spends the rest of his life warmly watching over the changing of the Chuo Line.

Fresh grapes, an ex-railway tunnel and an old preserved EL... Katsunuma was filled with attractions.

Ex-Oohikage Tunnel on the Chuo Line

Sulfur Cosmos Field on the Kanto Railway

DMU Kantetsu 2100 series (new color) approaches Mitsukaido Station

 

It is still hot in Tokyo. I took a stroll in the suburban area to look for the advent of autumn. My destination was Ibaraki Prefecture, which is located north of downtown Tokyo.

I visited Kokaigawa Fureai Park, since Sulfur Cosmos are at their best in this season. Together with Bush Clover, it is an early autumn flower that represents Japan. Kokaigawa Fureai Park is one of the prestigious fields of Sulfur Cosmos in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This park commands you a total of three million Sulfur Cosmos flowers during the height of the season. The large field along the Kokai River was filled with a carpet of dark yellow-colored flowers backed by Tsukuba Mountain.

To visit this vast Sulfur Cosmos field, take the Kanto Railway (Kantetsu) and get off at Shimotsuma Station. Kantetsu penetrates Ibaraki Prefecture from south to north. Connecting Toride and Shimodate cities, the total operating length is 51.1km. The whole route is un-electrified.

The DMU KiHa 2100 series is one of the main fleets of Kantetsu. It was launched in 1993. A total of 6 sets, 12 units were manufactured by Niigata Tekko. It is the Kantetsu's first DMU model, which has bolsterless bogies. Recently, a new coloring design was applied on their bodies (The old coloring design is here).

By enjoying the beautiful Sulfur Cosmos flowers and the new colored DMU, I spent a great weekend again.
 

Sulfur Cosmos field backed by Mt. Tsukuba in Kokaigawa Fureai Park near Shimotsuma Station