Inokashira Hydrangea Route: Meidaimae

Set 1729F of the EMU Keio 1000 series leaves Meidaimae Station on the Inokashira Line

 

I came back to my favorite spot for the first time in three years. Full blown hydrangeas are seen on embankments of the railway track near Meidaimae Station on the Keio-Inokashira Line. They are blue, pink and white colored large flowers. As you may know, Keio has been working on planting hydrangeas on the embankments of the railways to prevent slope failure and protect the environment since 1991.

To take photographs of these beautiful flowers, the best shooting position is an elevated platform number 1 at Meidaimae Station on the Keio Main Line. We can look down on the hydrangea flowers on the Inokashira Line tracks from a window beside the platform. The problem for shooting photos is the metal safety net on the window, since this obstacle is also caught by the camera.

For a long time I researched the problem, and I found that (1) cloudy weather is preferable to prevent an irregular reflection caused by the metal net, (2) a small diameter lens is better as photographic equipment, (3) the lens hood should be removed from the lens. As a result, I began to shoot beautiful photos in 2012.

Unlike the previous photo in 2012, I moved the shooting position a little bit this year and took the hydrangeas with the Inokashira Line train. This year, I could shoot set number 1729F of the EMU 1000 series. This special train has a round shaped plate to encourage passengers to see hydrangeas on the Inokashira Line.

 

Set 1724F of the EMU Keio 1000 series leaves Meidaimae Station on the Inokashira Line

Iris Garden in Yokosuka City

Set 1017F (Alminum body) of the EMU Keikyu 1000 series arrives at Shioiri Station

Yokosuka is known as the city of a naval port in the Tokyo metropolitan area. The U.S. Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have bases in the port area. The American style "Navy Burger", which is served in some restaurants around the bases, is one of my favorites in this city.

Turning to the inland area of Yokosuka, there are Japanese style traditional spots in contrast. For instance, Yokosuka Iris Garden is definitely my favorite. From early June to mid-July, purple, blue and white colored iris flowers are seen here and there in the large garden. Irises are typical blossoms of the rainy season. They attract many gardeners and flower lovers.

To visit this beautiful traditional garden, please get off at Shioiri Station on the Keikyu Main Line. It takes about 45 minutes by limited express train from Shinagawa in downtown Tokyo. You can then use the direct bus services from Shioiri Station to the garden during the peak season of Iris flowers.

On the way to the iris garden, I saw set number 17 of the EMU 1000 series (1st batch) at Shioiri Station. It had a red colored aluminum body with a white stripe on the center of its side. I prefer this red colored aluminum body to the bare stainless bodies, which were adopted from the 6th batch of the 1000 series.

As the colors of flowers attract flower lovers, the colors of trains attract rail fans.
 

Yokosuka Iris Garden near Shioiri Station on the Keikyu Main Line

EMU N700-R and S Series on the Kyushu Shinkansen

Set number S5 of the EMU JR West N700-S series stands at Kagoshima-chuo Station

 

Along with the EMU 800 series, another model is operated on the Kyushu Shinkansen. It is the EMU N700-R and S series jointly developed by JR Kyushu and JR West. The N700-R (JR Kyushu) and S (JR West) were launched in 2008, when the entire rooute of the Kyushu Shinkansen was inaugurated. A total of 30 sets, 240 units have been built so far by Hitachi, Nippon Sharyo, Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Kinki Sharyo.

As you know, the N700 series is operated by JR Central and JR West on the Tokaido Shinkansen as well. What is the difference of the N700 series between the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen? The main difference is their length. The N700 series for the Tokaido Shinkansen (N700-Z, N, X, K, G and F) is a 16-car train with a total of 400 meters, meanwhile the same model for the Kyushu Shinkansen (N700-R and S) is an 8-car train with a total of 200 meters.

The outer design is mostly the same, but the body color is slightly different. The N700 series for the Tokaido Shinkansen is white colored, meanwhile the same model for the Kyushu Shinkansen is celadon-porcelain colored. The cross seats of the standard class (reserved seats) train for the Kyushu Shinkansen are spacious with a 2+2 configuration, meanwhile the same class seats for the Tokaido Shinkansen are a 3+2 configuration.

For your information, the maximum speed of the N700 series for the Tokaido Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen is the same... 300 km per hour. It is the second fastest train in Japan.

The N700-R and S, they are operated as "Mizuho (rice-plants)" and "Sakura (cherry)" super-express trains on the Kyushu Shinkansen.
 

Side view of the EMU JR West N700-S series for the Kyushu and Sanyo Shinkansen

 

More information about the EMU N700-S and R series (in English):

http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/700series.jsp
https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/shinkansen/sanyo-kyushu-shinkansen/

More information about the EMU N700-S and R series (in Japanese):

http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/700/

http://www.jr-odekake.net/train/mizuho_n700/

The Nambu Branch Line: Urban Local Route, Part 3

EMU JR East 205-1000 series travels on the Nambu Branch Line

 

Following the Tsurumi Line and the Daishi Line, let me explain about the other urban local route in the Tokyo metropolitan area... the JR East Nambu Branch Line in Kawasaki City, some 20 km southwest of Tokyo.

The Nambu Branch Line was inaugurated in 1930 by Nambu Railway Company. Its highlighted mission was freight transportation, but the passenger trains also started operation in the same year. Currently, it is operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). Connecting Shitte on the Nambu Main Line and Hamakawasaki, there are only four stations over the 4.0-km single track route. The track gauge is 1,067 mm and the electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead.

A two-car train, the EMU 205-1000 series, is operated every 40 minutes on average during the daytime, and every 15 minutes during rush hour. All trains are run with a driver and no conductors. Passengers are mostly commuters and high school students. The 205-1000 series was moved from the Yamanote and the Chuo-Sobu Local lines in 2002 after modifications. The yellow and green-colored double stripe on the bodies is a good mark as the Nambu Branch Line train.

When I visited the Nambu Branch Line on a weekend last month, I saw that several families with cameras were on board. They must be rail-fan families. In fact, visiting this route is a good opportunity to get a feel for a local railway line, even in an urban area. Let's take it easy at the weekends on the Nambu Branch Line.
 

EMU JR East 205-1000 series arrives at Kawasaki-shinmachi Station on the Nambu Branch Line

The Daishi Line: Urban Local Route, Part 2

EMU Keikyu 1500 series arrives at Kawasaki-Daishi Station on the Daishi Line

 

Keikyu is a private railway company in the southern part of the Tokyo metropolitan area. To compete with next-door giant (JR East), Keikyu is putting in a lot of effort. Firstly, the maximum speed of the Keikyu train (120km per hour) is faster than that of JR East. Secondly, Keikyu operates a luxury train, the EMU 2100 series, "Kaitoku", without additional fares on the main line.

Turning to Keikyu's local line, circumstances alter cases. For instance, let's visit the Daishi Line. You will see a local train running leisurely. The maximum speed is only 60 km per hour. Connecting Keikyu-Kawasaki on the Keikyu Main Line and Kojima-shinden, the operating length of the Daishi Line is only 4.5 km. The track is double and the gauge size is 1,435 mm. The electric system is 1,500 V DC overhead.

A 4-car train, the EMU 1500 series, is operated on the line. The 1500 series was launched in 1985 to replace the old 1000 series. I like this angular and red colored steel body with its white stripe. The specification is a little old, as DC motors with a field chopper control system are still used on the train.

The major sightseeing spot on the Daishi Line is Kawasaki Daishi (Heigenji), a large Buddhist temple located near Kawasaki-Daishi station. This old temple was established in 1182 by Hirama Kanenori. The precinct is always crowded with local people and tourists. Please don't forget to taste "Kuzumochi", a cake made of arrowroot starch sold in front of the temple's gate.
 

Kawasaki Daishi (Heigenji Temple) near Kawasaki-Daishi Station on the Keikyu-Daishi Line

 

More information about the EMUs on the Keikyu Line (in Japanese):

http://www.keikyu.co.jp/train-info/train/index.html
More information about the Keikyu Line (in English):
http://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/transport/trainlinemap.html