2019 Sakura Season in Saitama

Set MU34 of the EMU JR East E231 series arrives at Higashi-Urawa station

Subsequent to Tokyo Metropolis, I am going to continue to show you this year's sakura (cherry blossoms) in Saitama City.

On March 25th, the Meteorological Agency of Japan declared that sakura (cherry) blossoms had started blooming in Saitama City. It was four days later than Tokyo Metropolis, and three days earlier than last year. I visited Cherry Promenade in the Minuma area of Saitama City with my family. Cherry Promenade is a 20 kilometer-long foot path with numerous cherry trees. When we visited there, it was fine weather and all the cherry trees were in full bloom. It was this year's best day to admire the cherry blossoms in Saitama City. My favorite spot was a "cherry tunnel", where cherry branches were arcuate and looked like a tunnel. It was very unique and beautiful. 

On the way back home, I enjoyed taking train photos at Higashi-Urawa station on the Musashino line. My target was the EMU 231 series, which was transferred from the Sobu line last year in accordance with JR East's relocation plan of their rolling stock. It was an 8-car train consisting of 4 motorcars and 4 trailers (4M4T). The bodies are stainless-steel made with orange, brown and white-colored stripes. The E231 series was once a very rare train on the Musashino line, but it has become a major fleet. A total of 8 sets, 64 cars, are currently operated on the line.

The Musashino line is significantly changing.

"Cherry tunnel" is seen near Higashi-Urawa station on the JR East Musashino line

2019 Sakura Season in Tokyo

1733F of the EMU Keio 1000 series arrives at Takaido station on the Inokashira line

Subsequent to Yokohama City, I am going to show you sakura (cherry blossoms) in Tokyo Metropolis this year.

On March 21st, the Meteorological Agency of Japan declared that the sakura (cherry) blossoms had started blooming in Tokyo. It was four days later than last year, and two days earlier than most years. As I post year after year, Japanese people harbor romantic emotions towards sakura blossoms. We are also reminded of the emptiness of life, seeing the beautiful blossoms dropping only a week after they fully blossom. This season is precious for us. Sakura viewing is a part of Japanese culture; famous sakura spots are crowded with admirers.

This year, I visited Takaido on the Keio-Inokashira line, the same as last year, since there are beautiful sakura trees on the bank of the Kanda River and along the track of the Keio-Inokashira Line. It is also a place filled with memories for me because I went to a kindergarten in Takaido when I was a kid. We kindergarten pupils often walked along the stream and the track with our teacher to see the fully bloomed sakura trees and the rattling trains.

I was able to take many train photos backed by full blown sakura trees from the platform of Takaido station. They were the EMU 1000 series with somei-yoshino cherries. They were very beautiful. I saw many rail-fans and photo lovers there. The only problem was the angle of the sunlight because it was close to sunset. I am going to show you two passable photos.

1725F of the EMU Keio 1000 series travels on the Inokashira line

2019 Sakura Season in Yokohama

Steam locomotive D51 516 is preserved in Hommoku Public Park in Yokohama City

Sakura (cherry blossoms) season has come in the Tokyo metropolitan area again. We can see beautiful faint pink blossoms here and there. People are feeling the herald of spring. With so many cherry blossom viewing spots available, it's hard to select which one is the best. After wavering, I headed to Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture with my family.

Our destination was Sankei-en, which is a traditional Japanese-style garden in the city. It was opened by a silk trader, Sankei Hara, in 1906. Although it was badly damaged during WWII, the garden was perfectly restored after it was donated to the City of Yokohama in 1953. I saw many visitors admiring full-blown cherry blossoms in the garden.

On the way back home, I found an old steam locomotive (SL) preserved in Hommoku Public Park near Sankei-en. It was unit number 516 of the Class D51 (D51 516). Class D51 was Japan's largest force of SL fleet. A total of 1,115 units were built from 1935 to 1950. It is a 2-8-2 (Whyte notation) type SL that has a tender attached. Currently, D51 200 and 498 are still operated on the track as sightseeing trains; while a total of 178 units are preserved in museums, public parks and schools throughout Japan. D51 516 was built by Omiya Factory of the Railway Ministry in 1941. After 29 years commission, it was retired from the tracks and moved to Hommoku Park in 1970. D51 516 is preserved in a very good condition.

Full-blown cherry trees in Sankei-en Park in Yokohama City

EMU 6020 Series: New Model on the Oimachi Line

EMU Tokyu 6020 series travels on the Oimachi line

Following the EMU 2020 series, I am going to show you another new model on the Tokyu lines.

On March 28th 2018, Tokyu launched a new commuter train named the 6020 series on their Oimachi line. The same as the 2020 series on the Den-en-toshi line, the 6020 series is characterized by its unique "face". It is white and round. The crescent-shaped accent strikes passengers' eyes. The large cowcatcher integrated with the face also stands out conspicuously. The 6020 series has an orange-colored stripe; while the 2020 series has a green-colored stripe.

The vehicle traveling system of the 6020 series is almost the same as that of the 2020 series. For example, it has a full SiC-MOFSET variable frequency drive electric control system. One control device controls four induction motors. Different from the 2020 series, the 6020 series is a 7-car train including 4 motor cars. A total of 2 sets, 14 cars, were built by J-TREC and operated on the line. 

By the way, car number 3 of the 6020 series is called "Q SEAT" car. What is Q Seat? It is a reserved seat car the same as the Keio Liner. It has multi-purpose seats, which the conductor can change from long seats to cross seats using a remote control system. The cross seat mode is applied when it is operated as a reserved seat car at night. The number of cross seat mode train operations is 5 on a weekday. The fee for a seat reservation is 400 yen.

Q SEAT car of the EMU Tokyu 6020 series

New Timetable on the Keio Line

5731F of the EMU Keio 5000 series, "Keio Liner", travels on the Keio line

On February 26th, Keio Electric Railway Company changed their timetable for the first time in a year. What was new with this commuter railway?

Keio increased the operation number of Keio Liner, which is the reserved seat train on their Keio and Sagamihara Line. Keio Liner debuted last year as Keio's first reserved seat train. The number of operations was 5 for Keio-Hachioji and another 5 for Hashimoto every day. They were all westbound trains operated at night. This time, Keio has started operation of an eastbound Keio Liner as well. The total number of operations increased from 10 to 14 on a weekday. It is convenient for long distance commuters, who live in the western suburb of Tokyo to secure their seats. The fee for a seat reservation is 400 yen.

Keio Liner has a similar concept with those of Keikyu Wing, Tobu TJ Liner, Seibu S-train and JR East's so-called Commuter Liner. The train model for Keio Liner is the EMU 5000 series launched in 2017. A total of five sets, 50 cars, were built by J-TREC. This model has multi-purpose seats, which the conductor can change from long seats to cross seats using a remote control system. The cross seat mode is applied when it is operated as Keio Liner train.

In commemoration of the new timetable, Keio displays a special plate on the front of 8712F of the EMU 8000 series. It is informative for passengers on the Keio lines.

In commemoration of the new timetable, Keio displays a special plate on the front of 8712F

Official movie about Keio Liner:

https://www.keio.co.jp/zasekishitei/special/movie/index.html