Claude's Japanese Adventures

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Like a few other on here, last week saw Mrs Dreyfus and I fulfil a promise to revisit Japan; particularly Tokyo. We only had a week, but a full itinerary...including plenty of trains! :)

 

We arrived at Narita airport following an 11 and a half hour flight from London, having had barely any sleep. Travelling east means the jet-lag is pretty harsh (I am really badly affected coming home from the US), so we were not 100% compos mentis when booking the train at the airport and making our way to Tokyo

 

Narita Express at Tokyo station

 

From Tokyo station, we made our may to the platforms for the line we would become very well acquainted with on our visit; the Yamanote line. Our base for the next couple of days would be the Tokyo Grand Hotel near to Hamamatsuchō station.

 

E231-500 at Hamamatsuchō. A Keihin-Tōhoku E233 can be seen in the background.

 

Hamamatsuchō station; here be Bullets!

 

The station itself was quite interesting. As well as the two suburban lines, there was a frequent procession of Tokaido line trains, as well as the Shinkansen passing by. Also, Hamamatsuchō marks the start of the Tokyo Monorail.

 

The monorail crosses the Yamanote and Keihin-Tōhoku lines.

 

Our visit to Tokyo saw us take the Yamanote line most days, and we managed to complete at least two circuits of the line during our stay. One good thing about the 231 EMUs, and I am sure other in Japan, is the ability to see out of the front/rear cab windows. The following shots were taken from the rear of an E231-500.

 

 

Next instalment from Claude's Adventures...a day trip to Matsumoto!

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Part 2: Tokyo to Matsumoto

 

On the Friday (9th May) we had a day-trip to Matsumoto castle, via the Chuo line. Again, we took the Yamanote line from our local station around to Tokyo Shinjuku station. We arrived at about 7:00 ready for the 08:00 Super Azusa departure. 

 

There is a lot going on here, even during the early part of the rush-hour. A Chuo line E233, a Sobu E231 and a Yamanote Line E231-500 can be seen.

 

A portrait of a Chuo Line E233, pausing at Shinjuku on its way to Tokyo.

 

E257 unit arrives at Shinjuku

 

A Saikyo Line E233

 

At about 7:40 our steed arrived.

 

A portrait of the E351.

 

Just to prove I was really there...posing in front of the E351

 

We departed Tokyo for Matsumoto along the sinuous Chuo Main Line. It is an exceptionally attractive route, heading in-land from Tokyo, past Mount Fuji and into the mountains. There is still heavy freight along the line, although on my visit I only saw oil trains. A Hachioji station an EF210-173 about to take its rake of oil tankers onto the Yokohama line. I am not sure if these locos now operate on the Chuo line, or if it had just picked the tankers up for onward transfer.

 

Kofu was the next station where we passed a freight...this time a more usual EH200, number EH200-17, was doing the honour. Sadly, I did not manage to get any pictures of locos in Japan - a bit irritating - but there was enough variety in the multiple units to keep me happy.

 

Arghh;l that lamp post!!! Kobuchizawa station is the junction between the Chuo Line and the Kuomi line, still operated by DMU. I had about 20 seconds to take this picture of KiHa110-116, so had to remain in the doorway of my train; hence the annoying obstruction!

 

Finally we approached Matsumoto, passing the oil terminal just outside. In the yard was another EH200 - EH200-14 - along side an unidentified EF64-1000. I did wonder in an earlier thread if the remaining EF64s were being replaced by there much younger cousins on those duties not really suitable for the EH200s. Seeing an EF64-1000 here, as well as a couple further on, suggests that is the case. Also in the yard was one of the new HD300 shunters.

 

There is quite a lot of interest at Matsumoto station. It is a junction station, with pretty extensive carriage sidings, mainly holding class 115 and 211 units; although a 313 and E217 were present.

 

An E351 is serviced in the yard.

 

E257s in the yard

 

A Class 115 departs from Matsumoto.

 

Next instalment: Matsumoto - Tokyo via Nagano.

[the_weird_one]

Who'd you fly with? I tend to find I have bad journeys out with ANA but good coming back, with the opposite on JAL or Virgin.

 

Going to try BA next time see if thats any better.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

I booked with ANA, but ended up flying with Virgin. I've had bad experiences with Virgin in the past, but this was a vast improvement.

[JR 500系]

Oh nice shots! I love the E351 Super Azusa, and when you said Tokyo to Matsumoto I was almost sure it will be a E351~ How is the tilting mechanism?

 

Oh wow I realised quite a number of our members are in Japan now! Perhaps you guys can meet up for a nice chit-chat? Wished I was there....   :(

[Densha]

I guess you got on the E351 on time, as they've been scheduled to be replaced by the E353 next year.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Indeed. I was cursing the fact I may not get to see one at the start of the year...this trip was not booked until the end of March. When Mrs Dreyfus mentioned she fancied visiting Matsumoto castle I jumped at the chance.

 

Interestingly, the 08:02 service we took was shown as weekend only on the timetable I had, so the original intention was to take the 08:32, travelling on an E257.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Sa

Oh nice shots! I love the E351 Super Azusa, and when you said Tokyo to Matsumoto I was almost sure it will be a E351~ How is the tilting mechanism?

 

Oh wow I realised quite a number of our members are in Japan now! Perhaps you guys can meet up for a nice chit-chat? Wished I was there....   :(

Sadly I was only there for a week. The E351 is a very smooth ride and yes, the tilting mechanism is noticable.

[Densha]

I just noticed that while you say it was a Super Azusa, the headmark of the E351 you took at Shinjuku says Chuo Liner.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

To be honest, I don't know what the headcode reads. The timetable stated Super Azusa.

[Mr Frosty]

Excellent photos.

 

Dont know what your take off time was for the flight, but I prefer flights that leave at night when travelling east. After being up all day (and having a few drinks with your dinner), you have a reasonable chance of a few hours sleep. Then when you arrive in the afternoon, its only a short day until bed time again.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Unfortunately, it was the 13:05 from Heathrow, which landed at Narita at 08:50...an overnighter, but still rather painful upon arrival.

 

We have learned of a useful technique to help mitigate - but not eliminate - jet lag; picked up from a transatlantic pilot. When you arrive at your destination (assuming you do not arrive at bed time), go to bed from 1 to 2 hours. Set your alarm...and on no account stay in bed after the alarm goes off. You'll feel rotten getting up, but this passes in 10/20 minutes and you have that extra energy to last until bed time.

[Densha]

To be honest, I don't know what the headcode reads. The timetable stated Super Azusa.

Well, 中央ライナー is read as 'Chuo Rainaa' which means Chuo Liner of course. Maybe the previous service was a Chuo Liner service? I have no idea...

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Part 3: Matsumoto to Nagano

 

We begin this instalment with a view of Masumoto castle. This is a really impressive structure, and well worth paying a visit. Matsumoto town itself is quite attractive and makes for a pleasant day trip from Tokyo.

 

Back to the station, and an E127 EMU sits in the platform

 

In the yard, some additional carriages for a E257 await their next duty.

 

JR Central comes out to play. A class 313 sits at Matsumoto

 

An E351 arrives from Tokyo. Here the E351 did something a little strange. The train was formed of two units, with a shorter 4-car set forming the rear portion. Once the passengers left the train, it was separated, with the first unit heading off into the carriages sidings. The remaining 4 cars waited in the platform for a few more minutes before itself heading to the sidings.

 

 

A class 211 waits at Matsumoto with a local for Nagano

 

JR Central again...this time a class 383. This unit took us on our onward journey to Nagano

 

The Shinonoi line links Matsumoto with Nagano. It is almost all single track and traverses some very nice scenery, until just outside Obasute station, when the line emerges on the hillside and spectacularly descends to Nagano. Obasute station itself is one of those fascinating switchback stations I rather fancy modelling.

 

This is the view from the window near Obasute. This unit was my only taste of JR Central on my trip, and it seemed a little more down-at-heal than the JR East units.

 

Approaching Shinonoi, another oil train was passed, again headed by an EH200. At Shinonoi we passed another yard, with the resident yard shunter being a DE10. Also present was another EH200 and a pair of EF64-1000s; confirming yet again they had taken over from the EF64s.

 

Arriving at Nagano station, the yard sidings held a nice surprise - a class 183 unit. I did see a shorter 189 in pale blue livery near Tokyo, but it shot past so quickly I could not photograph it.

 

I do rather like these units...

 

Still to come...Nagano to Tokyo.   

[Claude_Dreyfus]

Part 4: Nagano to Tokyo

 

We spent about an hour in Nagano, quite a bit of it was spent investigating a supermarket...I love looking at food halls and supermarkets when away.

 

Back to the trains, and still at the main station at Nagano there was some activity - mainly in the form of class 115 units.

 

 

There were some interesting liveries here, the reason why the final picture was included as it was not great quality.

 

A pair of class 383s ready to return to Nagoya

 

Another view of the 183

 

Following this, we ventured up to the Shinkansen platforms and to out return train to Tokyo.

 

A pair of E2s at Nagano. Our train was on the right.

 

Just before we departed, an E7 arrived from Tokyo

 

It was getting dark now, but the journey back to Tokyo was comfortable on the E2. I think these are quite attractive units and I am glad we managed to travel on one before they are retired. That said. the E7 is also quite good looking; certainly better than the E5 and E6.

 

Back to Tokyo station, and a chance to grab a couple of Bullet pictures before going back to the hotel.

 

 

 

[JR 500系]

Well, 中央ライナー is read as 'Chuo Rainaa' which means Chuo Liner of course. Maybe the previous service was a Chuo Liner service? I have no idea...

 

Good spot! Didn't notice that... Yap usually the screen reads 'スーパーあずさ' or 'Super Azusa' followed by the number, like No.1 or 6 etc like in the picture.

 

Fantastic pictures Claude! It's like being there myself! Nice pictures, love Matsumoto castle. Gotta be one of the spot to visit for me~

[westfalen]

Like the E7.  Will have to keep an eye out for one when I get back to Tokyo in a couple of weeks.

[Claude_Dreyfus]

It is, and I was tempted to see if I could get hold of one. Fortunately for my wallet, Tam Tam did not have any in stock. I did see the Tomix one at the big Tobu store in Ikebukuro; but at 33,000 yen was probably a little more than I could stretch to this time around. Looked really nice though.