Idly blog

Today my family and I took Ai Yoshinogawa Trolley (Torokko) which is operated in Tokushima line in Shikoku island.

We took the Tsurugisan (Limited express) from Tokushima to Awa-ikeda. This train conveys Yu Yu Ampanman Car, which has a play room for small kids. But the ticket was sold out so we rode on the regular car.

My sons enjoyed front view of the train. And we ate rice balls on the train, which we bought for lunch at Tokushima station.

We got off the train at Awa-ikeda, the last station. And my sons played in a small park in front of the station. We went back to the station befora Ai Yoshinogawa Trolley departs.

Then we rode on Ai Yoshinogawa Trolley. This train consists of a regular car same as limited express and a trolley car. The trolley train from Tokushima to Awa-ikeda was occupied but a train from Awa-ikeda to Tokushima are empty.

These pictures are side view from the Ai Yoshinogawa Trolley. A beautiful river in pictures is Yoshinogawa river. And I can see mountains over the river.

Because this train was empty, my sons moves from seat to seat to look nice view. Today weather was good. Temperature was also good. So today was the best day for trolley trip!

From Ishii station to Tokushima, we had to move to a regular car becaus this train runs high speed in this section (for safety reason).

It is the last day of this trip. Today we will get home by shinkansen and a flight.

My son and I had a breakfast in the hotel and checked out.

We had a time until train departure but my son wanted to go to the station earlier. So we moved to the station and saw shinkansens. And then, our train arrived at Koriyama station. This was the Yamabiko to Sendai and the Tsubasa to Yamagata (connected each other).

At first, we took series E2 the Yamabiko. It was connected behined the Tsubasa and disconnected at Fukushima, the next station. We got off the Yamabiko at Fukushima and saw disconnection work. And we waited for the next Tsubasa.

The next Tsubasa came 18 minutes later. This was the Tsubasa to Shinjo. My son enjoyed the train with drinking juice.

We got off the Tsubasa at Sakurambo-Higashine ("Sakurambo" means cherry in Japanese). We chose souvnir for my wife and wait for a taxi to Yamagata airport.

We took a taxi named as "one coin liner" to yhe airport. This was operated as a bus with reservation mandatory. The fare was just 500 yen due to subsidies. (usually about 1500 yen)

We arrived at Yamagata airport within about 10 minutes from the station. We passed security check and waited for our flight. There was no airline lounge...

We boarded our aircraft when started boarding. The aircraft was E170 same as outward. My son got a model plane as present for kids and he felt happy. But he slept again when taking off. I recieved a pack of juice for him and he drank after getting off.

We got home by Osaka monorail and Hankyu railway from Osaka international airport (Itami). Our travel finished. We could enjoy this journey. I want to go to trip with him more and more!

Today was the 2nd day of trip. We had a breakfast in the hotel and left for Niigata station.

At first, we took a local train to Niitsu from Niigata.The train was operated by series GV-E400, which is new train and has deisel electric propulsion system. It is driven by motors using electricity generated by diesel generator.

The motor was installed in rear end of this car so we could hear only engine sound. The difference from usual diesel car was only absense of transmission.

When arriving at Niitsu, "the water, forest, and nostalgia railway", SL Banetsu Monogatari had already come. Today we took this train pulled by a steam locomotive "C57".

We took pictures and rode on the train. Our seats was on the 2nd car from front, the car No.2. My son enjoyed to take the steam locomotive train and stepped on the passengefr car.

This was the inside of the train. It was equipped with good box seats. My son(3 yrs) can take train free of charge but I also purchased his ticket because this was long journey of 3.5 hours and we wanted to enjoy SL train comfortable.

The train departed from Niitsu station with whistle on time. We opened the window and enjoyed view.

The SL Banetsu Monogatari was equipped with kids room "Okojo Observation Room” and my son had looked forward to playing there. We asked a train staff to give a ticket of Okojo Observation Room. But all ticket had been already distributed. Now number of people entering Okojo Observation Room was limitted due to COVID-19.

My son gave up to play the room and we went to onboard shop. I bought a cup of coffee and my son bought a train toy (Choro-Q) of C57. He switched the mood and enjoyed leaning out of a window with Choro-Q. I also enjoyed the journey with drinking coffee and looking at train view and my son.

After running for a while, we arrived at Tsugawa station. The train stopped here for a moment for works of feeding water to boiler, removal of ash and checking condition because we would climb mountain path from here. We looked at and my son was interested in the works.

The train climbed up mountain. My son recovered from the shock by Choro-Q and the works at Tsugawa. He enjoyed view from window.

When my son went to toilet, a train staff said that someone exited from Okojo Observation Room and my son could play in the room. So he played in the room and enjoy, enjoy and enjoyed. It was vert good the train staff informed us!

We arrived at Aizu-Wakamatsu, the final destination of "the water, forest, and nostalgia railway", SL Banetsu Monogatari. I had worried before this trip that my son can stay on the train for 3.5 hours, but my son enjoyed all journey. He continued to look up the locomotive moving in the station.

My son enjoyed this journey and I also enjoyed. Steam locomotive is very very good.

We took the Aizu rapid servece to Koriyama. My son seemed to be tired by long journey and slept. He didn't wake up until arrival at Koriyama, the final stop.

We went to a hotel near to the station after arriving at Koriyama. After refreshed, we went back to Koriyama station for dinner. We ate "Tonkatsu" (Pork cutlet).

My son said to want to look at shinkansen after dinner. So we went to platform of shinkansen. We look at Series E2 Yamabiko and E3 Tsubasa which we would take tomorrow and passage of the Hayabusa and the Komachi at 320km/h. It was very very fast!

Today's jouney was also good. Tomorrow we will go back but enjoy also tomorrow.

Today, I depart for trip to take Series E2 (Hayate and Yamabiko) and E3 (Tsubasa) Shinkansen (Japan's high speed train) with my elder son (3 years old).

We went to Osaka Itami Airport by Hankyu railway and Osaka monorail. We passed security check and entered Sakura Lounge (Japan Airlines' lounge). I drank a cup of coffee and my son drank juice.

We moved to boarding gate on time and boarded an aircraft. Today's flight was Japan Airlines' to Niigata. The aircraft was E170.

When the aircraft taxied to runway, my son became sleepy. Then he slept when take-off. The drink service was a choice from a pack of tea or juice due to COVID-19. I recieved apple juice for my son and hand towl as present for kids.

My son woke up when landing. We arrived at Niigata airport almost on time and moved to Niigata station by bus. There was some time until the next train then he drank juice recieved in flight and had a lunch in restaurant.

Then we took Genbi Shinkansen, the main purpose of today. (*note: Genbi Shinkansen was discontinued to operate on December 2020)
The Genbi Shinkansen had beed converted from Series E3, the older "Komachi" shinkansen, and said as "World's Fastest Art Museum". The carbody design was image of "Hanabi" (fireworks) and seats were located only car No. 11. The other car was gallery and cafe.

There was a kids space near to onboard cafe. That's why we took this train today. Kids could play with "plarail", train toys, of shinkansen. There wer series E2, E4 and Genbi Shinkansen of plarail. My son liked series E4 "Max" and played it.

He connected series E4 with E2 because many passengers got off on halfway and there were only few kids. Then he continued to play until arriving at Echigo-yuzawa, the final stop. I wanted to drink coffee...

We, of course, took Genbi shinkansen again on return way. He wanted to play with plarail of Genbi shinkansen so we cued on boarding line. But another kid cut in the line and took Genbi shinkansen...

My son played with Series E4 Max. He waited for Genbi shinkansen but the kid played it until Niigata. I said for him to play a bit when getting off but he said "Don't play because arrived at final stop". He was more adultlike than me.

After arrival at Niigata, we moved to a hotel and cheked in. Then we went to dinner and ate chinese food.

This was the first time to take Genbi shinkansen and it was good. We looked forward to also tomorrow.

Today, my elder son (2 years old) and I went on a day trip to take the "Komachi" shinkansen (high speed train). He had wanted to take the train since a few months ago. This is the first time which only he and I go on a trip.

We departed after I wake him up and had a breakfast. He said to go on a trip before breakfast because he had been looking forward to this trip.

At first, we took Hankyu railway and Osaka monorail to Osaka international airport (Itami). We passed security check and entered Sakura Lounge (Japan Airlines' lounge). I drank a cup of coffee and my son drank orange juice.

We took JAL's (Japan Airlines) aircraft from Itami to Hanamaki airport in Iwate prefecture. We moved by bus and boarded the fight. So my son was very happy because he was very close to the aircraft. We departed on time and he slept when take-off.

When drink service onboard, the CA gave a small pack of juice for my son. He waked up later and the aircraft started to landing when he was drinking the juice. He delighted when the aircraft entered cloud. The aircraft continued to descend and arrived at Hanamaki airport on time.

We took a bus from the airport to Hanamaki Kuko station (means Hanamaki Airport station), which is the nearest station to Hanamaki airport. We took a train to Morioka station. We could sit down on the train and ate breads for lunch.

At Morioka station, we went up to Shinkansen platform. At the time, the "Hayabusa" and "Komachi" shinkansen from Tokyo arrived. Then we looked at decoupling work of the train. My son delighted to see real Hayabusa and Komachi.

After departure the "Hayabusa" and "Komachi", we moved to another platform to welcome another "Hayabusa". After the Hayabusa arrived, the Komachi also arrived and was coupled with the Hayabusa. My son was happy again to see the coupling scene.

After coupling, we rode on the Komachi then the train, the Hayabusa and Komachi to Tokyo, departed on time. My son enjoyed the Komachi during onboard to the next station Sendai (about 40 mins).

We arrived at Sendai on time. We saw the Hayabusa and Komachi departing, and moved to platform of conventional lines. we took a train to Sendai airport. He enjoyed front view of the train until arriving at the last staion.

We bought souvneir for my wife and passed security check. We waited for our flight for a while in waiting area because Sakura lounge was full.

We boarded JAL's aircraft to Itami airport. My seat was a solo seat of Class J. The aircraft departed on time. My son didn't sleep when take-off and got apple juice. He dropped the juice but the cap prevented the juice from spilling. And the CA changed the juice to new one. I felt apologetic.

After drinking juice, my son went to sleep. He seemed to be tired because he enjoyed today. When he slept on my lap, the CA brought branket. They were very very kind.

Our fight arrived at Itami airport on time. During taxing, my son waked up. After getting off, we took Osaka monorail and Hankyu railway to get home.

Today, my son got a miniature of A350 airplane (outward) and a mug cup (return) inflight. My son seemed to like them and bring them for a while during today trip. incidentally, a miniture of Boeing 767 was a present from CA when I went to Europe by the first class.

I succeeded a trip with my elder son. He was happy and I also enjoyed. I'd like to plan the next trip. I look forward to it!

Today I travelled to Kinosaki Onsen with my wife. Kinosaki Onsen is located in north area in Hyogo prefecture in which my home is, and one of the most famous Onsen (hot spring) in Japan .

At first, we took the Kani-Kani Hamakaze, the limited express for Kinosaki-onsen, from Akashi station.

The "Kani-Kani Hamakaze" is one of the Hamakaze, the limited express, but operated as an extra train only in winter season for people visiting north Hyogo to eat crab. ("Kani" in the train name means crab in Japanese)

This picture is inside the Kani-Kani Hamakaze, which is the same as regular Hamakaze. The train was very crowded by families, friends and couples who are visiting Kinosaki Onsen.

The Kani-Kani Hamakaze was operated by series 189, the DMU, and consisted of 6cars.

We arrived at Kinosaki Onsen station about 2 hours after departing from Akashi station. We moved to a hotel which we would have a lunch.

We enjoyed lunch filled by crab, crab and crab! It was very delicious and had too much volume. We could enjoy also Tajima beef.

After lunch, we drank coffee with green tea cheese cake and enjoyed hot spring!

We walked Kinosaki Onsen town and enjoyed shopping before departure. It was rainy but Kinosaki Onsen is a beautiful town. We could enjoy walking.

At 17:17, we left Kinosaki Onsen by the ragular Hamakaze No. 6. The rolling stock was the same as the Kani-Kani Hamakaze in the morning. The Hamakaze was also crowded.

After 2 hour trip, we arrived at Akashi station. Then We had a dinner and went back to our home.

Today I traveled to Kashikojima, in Mie Pref. with my wife.

At first, we took a limited express of Sanyo electric railway and Hanshin to Umeda, Osaka, and moved to Amagasaki. We transferred to a local train of Hanshin Namba line to Namba.

From Namba, we took the Shimakaze, the Sightseeing Limited Express of Kintetsu Railway, to Kashikojima (Ise-Shima) in Mie.

This is the logo of Shimakaze, which is drawn on car No. 2 and 5.

We rode on the Shimakaze. We reserved seats of middle on car No.1. But seats in the front row were empty then we moved to the seats.

We enjoyed the nice front view till Kashikojima. Good.

After leaving Tsuruhashi, a cabin attendant came and gave us boarding certificates and wet towels.

The Shimakaze contains various cars, such as...

Western style compartment (Only one room).

Japanese style compartment (Only one room).

Salon seats (Three rooms).

Double deck café car. Both floors have seats for dining.

The train stopped at Yamatoyagi after Tsuruhashi, Iseshi, Uji-Yamada, Toba and Ugata before Kashikojima.

We arrived at Kashikojima, the destination on time. The Shimakaze from Kyoto was also at Kashikojima. Another one from Nagoya had already moved to rail yard. These two would stay at the station until the next departure.

We moved to a hotel by shuttle bus from the station and had a lunch.

We chose a lunch course. Cream soup of lobster was served after amuse bouche. Very delicious.

The main dish was seafood curry containing Black abalone, crab and shrimp with turmeric rice.

At last, dessert, coffee and small sweets. Everything was so delicious!

After lunch, we walked and entered aquarium. Then we go back to Kashikojima station.

We used the Shimakaze also on the round trip. But we couldn't get the front row.

Our seats were located on car No. 5.

After sunset, we went to the Café car to have a dinner.

I ate Matsusaka beef curry, while my wife ate seafood pilaf. It was a bit spicy different from seafood curry of lunch. Of course, both were good. Enjoying dining on the restaurant car is one of the best part of train journey!

After dinner, I bought on-desk calendar, which consists of pictures of the Shimakaze. We went back to our seats, and enjoy the last journey to Namba.

The Shimakaze arrived at Namba, the terminal, delayed by a few minutes. We left the Shimakaze. This picture is of the car No. 5.

From Namba, we came back to our home by Hanshin Namba line and Sanyo line as well as the outward journey. This was so good trip.

Today I traveled to Hiroshima by local trains.

Firstly I took rapid service train of JR West to Himeji. Then I transferred to a local train to Okayama.

In addition, I transferred to another local train to Mihara at Olayama. The local train was operated by yellow colored Series 117 (right in the picture). I got off the train at Itozaki, the previous station of Mihara.

I took a local train to Iwakuni from Itozaki. The train was operated by Series 227 Red Wing, the new train set (right in the picture).

This is inside of the Series 227. The direction of each seat can be changed by passengers. That is, most of passengers can sit with facing to train direction.

At end of each car, there are long seats.

I moved to Hiroshima and I got off the train.

And I had a lunch. I ate Hiroshima style Okonomiyaki, which is Japanese traditional food like pancake cooked on a hot plate with meats, cabbage and noodle.

After lunch, I bought souvenir and coffee then I took a train to get home.

The train was not Series 227 but Series 115 for Itozaki after a train to Itozaki operated by Series 227.

At Itozaki, I transferred to a local train of Series 115 to Okayama. This picture is window view just after departure from Itozaki.

From Okayama, I took a local train to Himeji operated by Series 115.

From Himeji, I took a special rapid service train operated by Series 223.

I transferred at Nishi-Akashi to a local train. Then I reached my home.

Today I took Tobu railway, urban railway company around Tokyo.

At first, I took the Spacia, the limited express operated by Tobu railway, for Kinugawa-onsen from Shinjuku. This train departs from Shinjuku station of JR East, and enters Tobu line from JR line at Kurihashi station.

The Spacia is operated by Tobu railway from Shinjuku and Asakusa in Tokyo to Nikko and Kinugawa-onsen in North Kanto region, and v.v.. The spacia accesses to Shinjuku is cooperated by Tobu railway and JR-East.

Inside of the Spacia. The seats are located in 4 rows. This train also has compartments for 4 persons.




I got off the Spacia at Tochigi station to return to Tokyo.





On the return trip, I took the Skytree train for Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa.




The Skytree train is operated by Tobu railway from cities in North Kanto region to Tokyo Skytree and Asakusa.

This is inside of the Skytree train. Single seats and pair seats are located in each car.




This train has panorama seats at both end of the train. We can enjoy front view of the train if we sit down in the seat.



Approaching Tokyo Skytree station, we can see the Tokyo Skytree, the new symbol of Tokyo. Tokyo Skytree station is the next station to Asakusa, the terminal of this train.




My trip was finished at Tokyo Skytree staton...

I took the ACCUM, the battery train operated between Utsunomiya and Karasuyama in North Kanto region near to Tokyo.

This is the ACCUM. This train charges to the battery at both end stations and during running in electrified section from overhead wire, then can run only by batteries even in unelectrified section.

This is a monitor in the driver's seat. This monitor shows status of the train system including batteries.



This train also has this monitor in the passenger's cabin for passengers. This monitor shows energy flow.



This is inside of The ACCUM. The interior design is standard one of Japan's commuter trains.




I took the ACCUM from Hosyakuji to Karasuyama and from Karasuyama to Utsunomiya/