Advent of Spring: Nippori-Toneri Liner

Set 38 of the EMU Toei 330 series, Nippori-Toneri Liner

Japan has four distinct seasons. Each season is beautiful in its own way. Cherry blossoms might be famous in spring, but they can't be the only beautiful flowers. In recent years, nemophila has become popular among people. It's an annual herb native to North America. The plant grows only up to 20 centimeters tall, and produces tiny blue flowers. The small flowers mean nemophila usually play a supporting role in gardens, but several parks are famous for nemophila flowers as their stars. Toneri Park in the northern part of Tokyo is one of such places. We can see a vast nemophila field in spring. It looks like a beautiful blue carpet on a gentle hill.

To get to Toneri Park, the nearest station is Toneri-koen on the Nippori-Toneri Liner operated by Bureau of Transportation, Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The route is known as the rubber-tired AGT (Automated Guide way Transit) system. Connecting Nippori in the downtown area and Minumadai-shinsuikoen, its operating length is 9.7 kilometers. Track is double and the electric system is 600V three-phase AC, 50 Hz. ATO (Automatic Train Operation) system is adopted, so there is no driver and conductor on the train. As a result, the front seat on the train is vacant, so passengers can freely sit on it. The EMU Toei 330 series was my vehicle to Toneri Park the other day. Needless to say, I sat on the front seat of the 330 series, and fully enjoyed the view ahead to Toneri-koen station. I felt awesome!

Nemophila field in Toneri Park near Toneri-koen station, Nippori-Toneri Liner

The Keio-Keibajo Line: An Urban Local Route

Set 7421 of the EMU Keio 7000 series travels on the Keio-Keibajo line

Do you like gambling? Is it about me? I don't like it that much. Why? Because, I'm always being lucky or unlucky when I go trainspotting. Before enjoying trainspotting, I never fail to review timetables and the related websites to get the latest train operation information; however, things aren't going according to plan. For example, my target trainset is often abruptly replaced by the other rollingstock. My train view is often blocked by the other trains. In other words, trainspotting is almost gambling. I don't want to bet on other games such as horse racing and lotteries.

Enough with the preamble. Let's get down to the main topic. One of the famous places for Japanese gamblers is Tokyo Racecourse in Fuchu City, about 30 kilometers west of the Shinjuku sub-center. To get to this holy place for gamblers, the nearest station is Fuchu-keiba-seimonmae (The main gate of Fuchu Racecourse) on the Keio-Keibajo line (Keio-Racecourse line). Connecting Higashi-Fuchu and Fuchu-keiba-seimonmae, the route length is 0.9 kilometers. The track is double and electrified with 1,500V DC. The gauge size is 1,372 millimeters. On a day at the races, many trains, including a 10-cars limited express, are operated from Shinjuku terminal. A large number of gamblers take this line... but, what does this route look like on a day with no races? Please look at the photos. A 2-car local train without conductors is operated every 20 minutes. The passengers seem like only local people. The spacey terminal looks empty and quiet. There is a big gap!

Fuchu-keiba-seimonmae terminal on the Keio-Keibajo line

Advent of Spring on the Iizaka Line

Set 1107 of the Fukushima Kotsu 1000 series, "the 100th anniversary train"

I'm glad to visit Fukushima City again. I didn't expect to be able to come again this month to Fukushima city, 270 kilometers away from Tokyo. What's new with this northern city?

Please look at the photo below. The Azumayama mountain range could be seen clearly from the urban area this time. It was still covered by the snow, but vivid under the strong sunlight. Spring has come! For your information, the Azumayama mountain range consists of volcanic groups, and extends about 25 kilometers from east to west. In recent years, it erupted in 1893 and 1977. The main and highest peak is 2,035 meters above sea level.

I can't be written off here as this is a railway blog. Let's head to the main topic. On April 13th, Fukushima Kotsu Company celebrated the 100th anniversary of its Iizaka line. This route was constructed to transport holidaymakers to the Iizaka hot spring resort. Currently, the passengers are not only holidaymakers, but also local commuters and students going to the urban area of Fukushima City. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary, Fukushima Kotsu launched a special revival-colored train on the line. The revival-colored train is composed of two cars, Set 1107 of the EMU 1000 series (the ex-Tokyu 1000 series). It has been changed to a two-toned of dark rose and beige colors. This color design was used from the 1940s to 1991. It's very nostalgic, and fits into the scenery on the line. Congratulations on the 100th anniversary of the Iizaka line!

View of the Azuma Mountain Range from Fukushima City

Official information about the 100th anniversary of the Iizaka line (in Japanese):

https://ii-den.jp/files/newsrelease/files/0107_file01.pdf

Official photo album of the Iizaka line (in Japanese):

https://ii-den.jp/gallery/?page=1

Calpis Express: My Favorite Branded Train

Set 205 of the EMU Tobu 200 series, "Calpis Express" branded train

Do you see branded trains in your country? In Japan, yes, I often see trains being wrapped by corporate advertisements on the tracks. They are, for example, "Magical Dream Shinkansen" on the JR East Tohoku Shinkansen and "Studio Tour Tokyo Express" on the Seibu line. They are unique, beautiful and eye-catching; however, some of the branded trains are too flashy for me, so, I often hesitate to introduce branded trains in this blog.

I recently came across a new branded train on the Tobu line. Please look at the top photo. That's Set 205 of the EMU Tobu 200 series, nicknamed the "Calpis Express". It's operated between Asakusa and Akagi (or Oota, Isesaki) terminals. Calpis is the most famous probiotic drinks brand in Japan. I have also been drinking Calpis since I was a child. It makes me feel refreshed specifically in the hot summer. The bodies of the Calpis Express also make me feel refreshed. They are two-toned of blue and white... very cool. The illustrations of Calpis bottles are also cute and my favorite.

Incidentally, Set 205 of the EMU 200 series was commissioned in 1992. It had two-toned of red and white-colored bodies. In contrast to its beautiful appearance, the technical specification of the 200 series is rather old. For example, the electric control system is traditional rheostatic. Please look at the photo below. There is a resistor, which creates uncomfortable heat under the floor... but, please don't worry! The bodies of the Calpis Express train will make it refreshing.

Logo of the Calpis Exress and the resistor under the floor

2024 Sakura Season on the Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi Line

EMU JR East E233-1000 series comes out from the 2nd Takenomaru Tunnel

Subsequent to the Odakyu line, I'm continuing to show you this year's sakura (cherry) blossoms in the metropolitan area.

Yokohama is located about 20 kilometers southwest of Tokyo, and is the prefectural capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture. It's the second largest city in Japan in terms of population after Tokyo. Just like Tokyo, there are many sakura viewing spots such as Sankei-en. Today, please let me introduce you a park located in the southern part the city.

Negishi Forest Park is a large public park on a hilly terrain. It was originally opened as Japan's first Western-style horse racing course in 1866. Unfortunately, it was closed in 1943 due to WWII, but opened again in 1977 as a public park. When I visited the other day, a gentle hill was fully covered by the light pink-colored sakura blossoms. It showed a vivid contrast with the blue sky and the green grass. Fantastic!

To get to this cherry blossoms' hill, the nearest station is Yamate on the JR East Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi line. Yamate means a place that's close to mountains. As its name suggests, Yamate station is situated in a valley within a mountainous area. There are tunnels in the vicinity of the station that cannot be imagined within the urban area. On the way back home, I enjoyed shooting trains, which were coming out from the 2nd Takenomaru tunnel, for a while. As you know, the train on the Keihin-Tohoku-Negishi line is the blue colored train, named the EMU E233-1000 series.

Sakura (cherry) trees in full bloom in Negishi Forest Park near Yamate station