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Japan Railways

By Shibuya246 · · 3 min read · 15 photos · 23 comments

All aboard the Kodama Bullet Train for NagoyaPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/20sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:10
All aboard the Kodama Bullet Train for Nagoya

While out the other day at Ikspiari, Maihama, next to DisneyLand, I found a store that specialized in model railway parts, bus models and generally all types of accessories connected with JR Railways.

Rilakkuma thumbing a ride to HakataPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/25sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:15
Rilakkuma thumbing a ride to Hakata

Amongst the items I particularly liked was this old fashioned manual sign changer to show the different destinations for the Shinkansen.

There are many images that define this unique train series as it has advanced through the years, having originally started operation in time for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic games.

This sign changer is a strong image I have from my first trip on a Hikari Shinkansen many years ago.

You can turn the dials to display this list of stationsPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/15sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 22:41
You can turn the dials to display this list of stations
A closer look at the station display choices. Thanks RilaPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/20sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:13
A closer look at the station display choices. Thanks Rila

I also picked up a model of the 0 series Shinkansen (０系) which went into service in 1964. In December, 2008 the final train in this series was decommissioned in favor of newer models.

scale model of the 0 series ShinkansenPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/8sISO400Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:18
scale model of the 0 series Shinkansen
Disappointingly, when I turned it over it said 'Made in China'Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/15sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:21
Disappointingly, when I turned it over it said 'Made in China'

A fellow tweeter gave me a tip off for a great magazine special on Japan Railways. Thank you to @tamuro for this great information. The magazine is called pen and is published by Hankyu Communications. The edition with the Japan Railways special is the June 15 2009 release, No 246. (Is that a coincidence for Shibuya Route 246 or what?)

June 2009 edition of pen magazine, Edition 246Photo dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/20sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:23
June 2009 edition of pen magazine, Edition 246

The magazine article spans about 50 pages and has some great photos of the trains, stations, museums for trains, train restaurants, old books, tickets, eki-bento, scale models, music scores for the station melodies and much much more including an official station cat at Tama station in Wakayama.

This magazine special covers so much and has so many great pictures, even if you cannot read the Japanese you will really enjoy this.

A photo from the magazine showing an old style train in KagoshimaPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/15sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:24
A photo from the magazine showing an old style train in Kagoshima

This train looks fantastic, almost European in style. I am certainly going to put this on my list of trains to try in Japan.

official cat mascot at Tama stationPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/8sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 21:42
official cat mascot at Tama station
railway factories explainedPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/8sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 21:43
railway factories explained
music score and background on station melodiesPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/15sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 21:42
music score and background on station melodies
a quick spin around the Yamanote line and some historyPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/13sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 21:43
a quick spin around the Yamanote line and some history

Some of the quiz questions on the right ask,
Q. "When did the Yamanote line start service?"
A. (1) 1872, (2) 1874, (3) 1880, (4) 1885

Do you know the answer?

Did you know the Yamanote line is 34.5km in distance. How many minutes does it take to cover that distance?

Another page from the magazine looks at the history of the Shinkansen series and explains the difference in all of the models.

My 0系 model faces off with the magazine onePhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/8sISO250Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:20
My 0系 model faces off with the magazine one

The magazine would make a great collectors item, and can be found both at convenience stores and book stores. The cost is just YEN 600, which for 178 pages of high quality is real bargain. If you want a copy and cant find one, let me know and I will try and organize.

Here are some of the other goodies I picked up including Yamanote line sticky tape, note book, Shinkansen fridge magnets, small key ring chain, memo pad, and model train

lots of goodies for everyonePhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/13sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 22:29
lots of goodies for everyone
Rilakkuma ready to head back to TokyoPhoto dataCameraCanon PowerShot G10Focal length6mmAperturef/2.8Shutter1/20sISO200Taken4 Jun 2009, 19:12
Rilakkuma ready to head back to Tokyo

If you dont want to get lost, like Rilakkuma, when traveling around Japan, have a quick read of The Nihon Sun's article on Getting Around in Japan for some handy tips from @ShaneSakata.

One of the symbols of Japans sudden growth and its "economic miracle" of rebuilding after the war, was the Bullet Train. The Tokyo Olympics in 1964 was a chance for Japan to showcase its developments in many fields.

If Tokyo is successful in its bid for the 2016 Olympics, I wonder what technological marvels will await us and will become part of the brand that is Japan.

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23 comments

Comments are closed. These are from readers when the post was first published.

  1. Shibuya246

    Model railroads can be real fun. The Japanese styled ones are miniature in size and have really cute figures. I will go to visit some of the railroad museums soon and will take photos. Thanks for dropping by.

  2. whipcracker

    Konnichi wa, I too thought it was funny when you turned over the model and it says "Made in China" lol :D I thought i had read before that each train station had it's own musical theme and i remember one of them had the theme song from "Astro Boy". One of the first animes I saw as a youngster on tv in Green Bay,Wi, many moons ago. Late sixties I believe. When I heard it I had it in my head all day long. Good to see Rilakkuma along for the ride. Did he have fun? hope so. That looks like a great magazine to look at. Won't be able to buy it . What a great bunch of loot you picked up...jealous lol. I'll post again ja mata ne

  3. whipcracker

    BTW, You should have had Rilakkuma with you when you met up with Danny, he would have had a great time.Bring him with you when you go to the next CGM. Have a great day!!

  4. maru

    I'm not much of a fan when it comes to trains, but the railway system in Japan never cease to amuse me.

  5. Fernando Lopez

    Great Blog. I believe we can both benefit if you post at FoodBizDaily.com also. Please contact me by email so we can talk. I tried to find another way to reach you ... Plese email or DM at twitter ( foodbizdaily)

  6. Andoryu

    I am jealous of the train set you bought. I have always wanted to set up a little railroad in my place but have not gotten around to it.

  7. Shibuya246

    sounds like a great idea. thanks :)

  8. Shibuya246

    they sure have a great system don' they? thx

  9. Shibuya246

    they sure have a great system don't they? thx

  10. Shibuya246

    A lot of the stations have original music. I'm not sure which one plays Astro Boy. Might have to look into that. The magazine was tops. Thanks

  11. Shibuya246

    have replied by DM

  12. Cailin Coilleach

    Mmm, it'd be great if you could post a link to the shop's website or to its location on Google Maps. I've tried to find it, but haven't been successful.

  13. Shibuya246

    Here is the link http://www.tenshodo-models.com/ginza/index.html and a map of how to get there half way down the page. Good luck :) I visited the store in Maihama, but this page is the main store in Ginza

  14. Cailin Coilleach

    Thank you! The company name was all I needed and Google Maps was able to provide me with the location of both stores. I've saved them for my next trip :) I'm really looking forward to visiting the shop.

  15. Jamaipanese

    ooh god I love this post. I must visit this store when in Japan itt's hard to br a train otaku without trains

  16. Stephanie Chan

    Takadanobaba station!

  17. Stephanie Chan

    Damn! Came home to Canada too soon! I'll have to snag myself an N700 engine and the Ebisu station theme tune next time. Hmmm, I'll have to see if my local import shop can get that magazine. It looks really cool.

  18. Shibuya246

    Thanks. Always nice to have some helpers. :)

  19. Shibuya246

    Saw the magazine in the conbini tonight and almost bought it again. it was that good :)

  20. Shibuya246

    the trains are pretty cool. i might have to put up some video clips as well

  21. Shibuya246

    sounds good. the store in the Ginza is the HQ so you will find a lot more there I imagine. The store at Ikspiari is a little small, but very interesting. I spent about 2 hours in there.

  22. freedomwv

    Some of this stuff looks pretty cool. I would like to grab a few of the items at some point.

  23. Shibuya246

    I would definitely recommend you try the Tenshodo store in the Ginza