2023 Summer trip to Japan (including Shikoku)

[ronin]

Thought I'd post a bunch of random train pics from my recent trip in case anyone enjoys.

 

The first batch are just random local trains I rode while wandering around the in-laws (Keisei in Chiba) and the Tokyo area.

Edited July 28, 2023 by ronin

[ronin]

Well clearly I have no clue what I am doing to be able to add pics to the post.  Open to any advice.  I found the images and clicked the insert button, but no images...

[ronin]

Maybe I got something in the first post finally.  Let's try the next one...

 

I took a week for some solo traveling armed with a JR Pass (Green) and a bunch of reserved seat tickets.

 

Since I had the JR Pass I could finally ride the double decker green car of the rapid Sobu line.  I lived in Ichikawa about 30 years ago.

 

Went to Shinagawa to catch the shinkansen to Nagoya to visit a friend.

Edited July 28, 2023 by ronin

[ronin]

In Nagoya, of course I went to the train museum.  I wanted to see the Maglev train and also the 113 series with the large headlights.  I love that train.  I wish it had the Sobu colors, blue and tan, but still loved it.  The museum was awesome with all the ages of shinkansen.

 

[ronin]

I moved over to Osaka the next evening to facilitate riding some special trains.  In Osaka I rode the Rapit out to the airport and then rode the Hello Kitty Haruka back.

 

The next morning I caught the 500 series shinkansen heading towards Okayama.  I love the exterior shape of this second only to the OG type 0.  This wasn't the fastest way to Okayama as the 500 has now been relegated to multiple stop duties, but I loved getting to ride it.

 

I actually went past Okayama so that I could catch another 500 series going the other way:

 

Edited July 28, 2023 by ronin

[ronin]

Okayama is a pretty cool station to stop at as they have quite a good number of older trains coming through.

[ronin]

From Okayama it was on to Shikoku and I made sure I traveled in style.  I rode the red one, but the blue/white one was there too so I grabbed some pics.  The special seats looked fun, but since I had green car access I got green car seats and they were awesome on this train especially. 

[ronin]

From Kochi I went to Uwajima and was lucky to catch the special shinkansen of Shikoku.  This one wasn't planned so it was a very pleasant surprise. 

The inside is awesome as a model rail fan as they have all kinds of n and ho trains inside to look at.

Edited July 28, 2023 by ronin

[ronin]

Shikoku shinkansen continued.  I loved traveling around Shikoku, it was very beautiful, and I want to go back.

[ronin]

Found this SL while looking around and then on to the next Anpanman train the next day.  Went to a number of old castles and onsen as well.

[ronin]

Another day, another Anpanman train!

Along with a couple of other interesting trains.

[ronin]

On my last night I was able to catch the Sunrise Express and travel from Shikoku back to Tokyo.  I was super excited to ride this train as the last regular overnight train running.

 

Made sure to grab a shower card first thing before they run out.

 

Woke up to the sight of a NE'X train outside.

Edited July 28, 2023 by ronin

[ronin]

That wraps up this trip (train-wise anyway).  Hope you could enjoy.

 

Eric

[cteno4]

Thanks!

 

jeff

[ronin]

You're welcome, glad you liked it.  If you have any questions, ask away.

[cteno4]

It’s always fun to take vicarious voyages!

 

jeff

[miyakoji]

thanks @ronin great pictures.  I never got down to the southern half of Shikoku but I often traveled from Okayama to around Imabari.  It was the Marine Liner across the Seto Bridge to Sakaide, then west on the Yosan Line by various local services.  Sometimes it was only two changes, maybe at Kanonji and Iyo-Saijo.  Sometimes a third possibly at Tadotsu.  It's been a long time 🙂

[Tony Galiani]

Thanks for posting.  Great to see the pictures from Shikoku - something new to me.  Looks like a great trip.

Tony

[ronin]

20 hours ago, miyakoji said:

thanks @ronin great pictures.  I never got down to the southern half of Shikoku but...

Thank you.  I really enjoyed my trip all around Shikoku.  Cutting across the island was awesome as the trains tended to follow the rivers which made for great views and the water is beautiful.

 

The coastal cities and towns were also nice.  The food was great and the people were friendly.

 

I really enjoyed the area around Dogo onsen as well.  Matsuyama has street cars that go all over so that was fun too.

 

Ritsurin gardens was another great spot over in Takamatsu.

[ronin]

15 hours ago, Tony Galiani said:

Thanks for posting.  Great to see the pictures from Shikoku - something new to me.  Looks like a great trip.

Tony

 

Hey Tony, 

Glad you enjoyed them.  I highly recommend going if you get the chance.

 

A few more pics to share:

[HankyuDentetsu]

Wonderful thread. Iyotetsu street car? Lovely stuff. JR Central 313 series? Cannot get enough - tbh JR Central's late 90's / early 00's rolling stock and livery is literally heaven for me, iconic and lesser spotted on international forums! Sunrise Express - still on the bucket list...

 

500 Series Shinkansen? It doesn't get any better.

[JR East]

I don't know why I did not saw this great serie of picture. Thx, very nice !

 

Shikoku is a part of Japan (like Hokkaido) I'm scheduling to explore. 

[tridentalx]

I missed this first time round too. Great selection of pics.

 

I must restart planning my next trip - would you recommend Shikoku for both trains and scenery? I could probably spare a couple of days to do a quick round the island tour.

[Kingmeow]

On 11/6/2023 at 3:08 AM, JR East said:

I don't know why I did not saw this great serie of picture. Thx, very nice !

Me too!  Just spotted this thread now.  I must be getting old!  😆