Shonan Candle 2013 in Enoshima

EMU Odakyu 60000 series stands at Katase-Enoshima Station on the Enoshima Line

 

Enoshima Island is a convenient sightseeing spot in the Tokyo metropolitan area. It takes just an hour by Odakyu Romance Car from Shinjuku to Katase-Enoshima, which is the gateway station to the island.

I visited this island with my family last weekend. When we arrived at Katase-Enoshima Station, it was already late afternoon, and it was getting dark. Crossing a bridge, we walked to the island.

Why did we visit the island so late? It was to see "Shonan Candle 2013". Shonan Candle is a night event to promote visitors to Enoshima Island. In this season, the island is lit up by more than five thousand candles after sunset (see the following photo). It is a very beautiful and popular annual light pageant among families and couples. We also enjoyed this "ocean of light" on the island. For your information, "Shonan" is the name of the coastal area facing the Pacific Ocean. It extends along a beautiful beach from the historical city of Kamakura to the castle city of Odawara, including Enoshima Island.

When I returned Katase-Enoshima Station, the shadows had fallen completely. Our return train, the EMU Odakyu Romance Car 60000 series was waiting for us in the twilight (see the top photo). I often get on this train on the way home, but it was something special that day, since it was very beautiful and glaring in the evening gloom.

Enoshima night walk offers extraordinary experiences to visitors.
 

"Shonan Candle 2013" is held in Enoshima Island near Katase-Enoshima Station 

The 100th Anniversary of the Keio Line

EMU Keio 8000 series stands at Fuchu Station

 

The Keio Line is one of the main transportation arteries in the Tokyo metropolitan area. Connecting Shinjuku and the western suburban cities, such as Hachioji and Sagamihara, the total operating length is 72km. It carries an average of 1.25 million passengers per day.

On April 13th this year, Keio Electric Railway Company celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Keio Line. It was opened between Sasazuka and Chofu stations on April 13th in 1913. The track gauge is quite unique... 1,372mm, since the Keio Line was initially constructed as a tram line. For your information, 1,372mm special track gauge has been adopted several lines in Tokyo, such as the Toei (Tokyo Metropolitan Government) Arakawa and the Tokyu Setagaya lines.

As I mentioned before, my grandfather, who passed away in 1999, was a railway engineer of Keio Electric Railway. He introduced many trains during his assignment. The classic electric car, type 500, which debuted in 1931, is still seen in his photo album. I think he is also celebrating the centennial anniversary of the Keio Line on the other side.

Today, three types of trains are operated on the Keio Line. They are the EMU 7000, 8000 and 9000 series. My favorite one is the stylish 8000 series. It was launched in 1992 as the first EMU to adopt the VVVF (variable frequency drive) control system on the Keio Line. A total of 245 units have been manufactured so far.

The Keio trains are heading for their next century.
 

Evening rush hour in Shinjuku Terminal on the Keio Line

Silver Wave in Hakone

EMU Hakone Tozan 2000 series stands at Miyanoshita Station

 

There is a lot to see in Hakone, some 80km southwest of Tokyo. One of the recommended spots in this season is a vast silver grass field in Sengokubara. This area is a relatively flat land because of a crater floor of the caldera, which is surrounded by steep outer rim volcanic mountains. When I visited there last October, it was a bit early to view the silver grass looking still lush so, I visited Sengokubara in November this year.

Look at the following photo. You can see a "silver wave" in the field. It was the best season to view an awful lot of rabbit ears of silver grass. They changed color from green to silver, and they will then turn gold from exposure to the sun. The breeze blowing against them also created an autumn sound.

To see this silver wave, take Hakone Tozan Railway and get off at Miyanoshita Station. You can transfer to a bus to Sengokubara easily from the station. Hakone Tozan Railway is a dependable transporter that climbs up the mountain. It connects Odawara and Gora stations (15km). This railway was opened as Odawara Horse Tramway in 1888.

It's a lot of hard work to climb up Hakone Mountain, specifically between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora stations. The difference of elevation is nearly 500m and its maximum grade is 80 per mils, which is the second steepest railway in the world. EMU 2000 series trains, which were launched in 1989, climb the route powerfully.
 

Silver grass field in Sengokubara near Miyanoshita Station on the Hakone Tozan Railway

Tokyo Night Walk: Bundle of Tracks in Hamamatsu-cho

EMU Tokyo Monorail 1000 series (left) and EMU JR Central N700 series (right)

 

The weather has become cooler, giving Tokyoites a sense of the upcoming mid-autumn. Currently, the daytime maximum temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius every day. It is the best season for a stroll not only in the daytime but also in the evening. I visited the World Trade Center Building near Hamamatsu-cho Station after office hours, and enjoyed a night view of the urban area. My destination was the observatory deck on the 40th floor.

Look at the top photo. It is the railway tracks threading their way through the cluster of high-rise buildings. You can see a bundle of tracks such as the JR Central's Tokaido Shinkansen, the JR East's Tokaido Main Line, the Yamanote Line and the Keihin-Tohoku Line. Furthermore, you can also see the elevated tracks of the Tokyo Monorail Line, crossing the JR tracks obliquely. The EMU Shinakansen N700 series and the Tokyo Monorail 1000 series were just heading North. These trains were beaming their frontal lights into the night.

The advantage of this observatory is its photographer-friendly services. For instance, the indoor lighting is modest. Use of a tripod stand is allowed. As you may know, there are many competing night viewing spots in Tokyo, such as Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower.

For your information, this observatory has a special viewing spot for couples. It is perhaps the best spot to view Tokyo Tower (see the following picture) in Tokyo.
 

Special spot for couples in World Trade Center Building near Hamamatsu-cho Station 

EMU 9820 Series: Commuter Train in the Ancient City

EMU Kintetsu 9820 series approaches Yamato-Saidaiji Station on the Nara Line

 

I still have some more pictures of my summer trip to Nara Prefecture.

Look at the top photo. It is 9730F (set number 9730) of the EMU Kintetsu 9820 series on the Nara Line. The 9820 series debuted in 2001 to replace the old EMU 8000 series. A total of 10 sets, 60 units, have been manufactured so far. The 9820 series belongs to the group of commuter trains, which is called "SERIES 21". They are new generation trains developed by Kintetsu to meet the needs for transportation in the 21st century. The 9820 series is currently operated on the Kyoto and Nara lines. It is also directly operated into Hanshin Electric Railway to Sannomiya in Kobe City.

The grayish brown and white colored body with a yellow stripe is modern-looking. It is Kintetsu's first color design of commuter trains in 32 years. The 9820 series fits into the scenery of Nara, which is Japan's ancient capital city (see the following picture). The other feature of this train is the windshield on the front. Can you see that it is tinged with a slightly green color? That is for ultraviolet protection to keep drivers healthy. The EMU Kintetsu 9820 series is the modern commuter train in the ancient capital city.

This is the last post on my summer trip to Nara Prefecture this year. It has become 7 posts long. Thanks for reading.
 

EMU Kintetsu 9820 series and Former Imperial Audience Hall