Welcome to September’s Japan Rail Enthusiasts Updates from TS Japan Rail
In recent years, summer in Japan has lingered well into September, sometimes even into early October. Although the past few days have been slightly cooler, we’re still experiencing days with temperatures around 30°C. The long-term forecast suggests it will remain warmer than usual through October, cool down in November, and possibly lead into a colder winter. This year, autumn may be shorter than usual.
We currently have a tour running in Japan, combining both rail enthusiast activities and cultural experiences. One of the highlights was riding the SL Yamaguchi (D51-200) in western Japan. This steam train operates along the scenic JR Yamaguchi Line between Shin-Yamaguchi and Tsuwano — the latter, along with nearby Hagi, is often called the “Little Kyoto of the West.” Shin-Yamaguchi (formerly Ogori) is one of my personal favorite spots, with most services still operated by JNR-era 115 series EMUs and KiHa 40/47 DMUs, as well as a good amount of freight traffic passing through.
This month’s updates are packed, including — unusually — several news items related to JR Tokai!
As always, if you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to contact us. And of course, if you’re planning a rail fan trip to Japan — whether as an individual or a group — we’re here to help you get the most value from your journey and experience the many fascinating sides of Japan’s railways!
Stephen Turner
JR Tokai to replace KiHa75 DMU’s with new Hybrid Diesel HC35
JR Tokai is continuing to update its conventional rail fleet with more efficient and eco friendly trains with the announcement that it will be replacing its fleet of KiHa75 DMUs that are used on the Rapid Mie services between Nagoya~Tsu~Iseshi~Toba with new hybrid diesel sets. The new trains will also be used on parts of the Takayama Line (Gifu~Gero) and Taita Line (Tajima~Minoota).
The new sets will use similar technology used on the Limited Express HC85 units used on the Limited Express Hida and Nanki services.
19 two car sets will be introduced starting in 2028 with full deployment being completed in 2030.
JR Tokai to introduce new Limited Express Shinano trains with advanced tilting technology
JR Tokai has also announced that it will be introducing new trains to replace the 383 series units that operate the Limited Express Shinano between Nagano~Matsumoto~Nagano along the Chuo Main Line (West) and Shinonoi Lines.
The west section of the Chuo Main Line, which also serves the popular Kiso area as well as having great views of the Japan Alps has lots of curves. The current 383 series electric units have tilting mechanisms but the 385 units will have latest technology tilting equipment using Gyro Sensors which are constantly monitoring for curves. Ride quality is said to said to improve by 15% compared to the 383 units.
The first 8 car unit will start testing in 2026 with commercial roll out expected from 2029 and all 383s to be replaced by 2030.
The 5th Railway Art Salon Photograph Exhibition (第5回鉄道アートサロン写真展) Oct 30th~Nov 4th 2025 Ikebukuro Tokyo.
The 5th Railway Art Salon Photograph Exhibition will be held in Ikebukuro Tokyo from 30th October to 4th November. This exhibition is run by a group of rail enthusiasts who are also very keen railway photographers. Exhibits from around 80 photographers.
The exhibition is held at 2-25-5 Higashi Ikebukuro on the 14th Floor. The building is easily identifiable as on the first floor is the Maruzan Bookshop with two Seibu Railway cabs at the front.
New Hiroshima Station Tram Stop
Last month we reported the opening of the new Hiroden Tram Stop at Hiroshima Station. We, TSJR, have since had a chance to visit Hiroshima and the new tram stop.
The new tram stop is definitely much more convenient than the old stop, which for the last few years had been surrounded by construction work. The new stop (which is a terminal stop) is just meters away from the JR ticket barriers, and on the same level.
The tram stop has 3 roads with the 3rd road divided into 2 stops (C&D) which are for lines using single car trams. Stops ! & B can take 2 & 3 car trams. Ths platforms are designed to allow easier boarding and disembarking, something that was an issue at the old tram stop.
The Hiroden main Line had to be rerouted and is now approached over the “Ekimae Ohashi” (Station bridge). The new route saves about 4 minutes on journeys, but meant that the Enkobashicho tram stop has closed.
In 2026 a new loop line will come into operation serving Hiroshima Station, Kamiya-cho, Hiroden Honsha-mae, and Minamimachi 6-chome.
JR West, JR Tokai, JR East & JR Kyushu sign agreement to link their online booking systems
JR West (e5489) JR Tokai (Smart-Ex) JR East (Ekinet) & JR Kyushu (Online Train Reservation) have signed an agreement to link their respective on line booking systems.
As rail enthusiasts who have travelled around Japan will know that the various JR rail companies have their own booking platforms, and although JR East’S Ekinet system and JR West’s e5489 system you can book trains throughout Japan, you need to be careful about where you pick up tickets.
The announcement only covers the Japanese platforms, we need to wait and see whether English platforms, which are currently have less functionality than the Japanese platforms, are linked as well.
JR Tokai runs 483 trains on the Tokaido Shinkansen on a single day – the highest number ever…
The Tokaido Shinkansen has a core number of services that operate daily (around 300) with a full schedule of around 383 trains on days such as major holidays (end & new year /Golden Week & Obon) and events.
On the 9th August, 2025 which is also the start of the Obon Holiday for many people, speed restrictions were in place for much of the line due to an earthquake off Miyazaki Prefecture in Kyushu on 8th August (7.1 magnitude) and the fear of further earthquakes. JR Tokai added extra trains on that day, in fact a total of 483 trains were run on that day, the highest ever.
JR Tokai’s Shinkansen control center had to cope with the extra scheduled trains at short notice, something that current systems were not designed for. JR Tokai and other railway companies are looking to introduce AI to help with service rescheduling at times like this.
PlanningxChange podcast…
TSJR’s Turner was featured on the Australian PlanningxChange podcast discussing Japan’s Railways. PlanningxChange podcasts look at different aspects of urban planning. You can listen to the podcast “PlanningxChange 135: Stephen Turner on the Japanese Railway System”on your normal podcast platforms or by clicking on the image above.
TS Japan Rail’s Japan Steam Locomotive service ranking
Normally here at TSJR we do not like rankings things, despite being asked frequently. The problem is that there is so much variety and most trains or routes have their own special points.
We have relented and here is our ranking of the top 5 Steam Locomotive 8SL) runs in Japan. What we would say is that these rankings are purely subjective with no systematic evaluation and could change at any time!
- No. 1 JR East SL Banetsu Monogatari C57-180. 111km (each way) along the very scenic Banetsu West Line between Niitsu (Niigata) and Aizu Wakamatsu.
- No. 2 JR East SL Gunma Minakami D51-498 & C61-20. 59km (each way) between Takasaki and Minakami along the Joetsu Line. Another very scenic route going uphill on the outbound journey where you can feel the locomotive straining.
- No 3. JR West SL Yamaguchi D51-200. 62.9km each way. Runs through scenic Yamaguchi Prefecture in to Shimane Prefecture (Shin Yamaguchi~Tsuwano). Outbound journey uphill over some steep gradients. Cars are retro 35 series. The D51s were the workhorses of the Japan railways.
- No 4. Chichibu Railway SL Paleo Express C58-363. 56.8km each way between Kumagaya & Mitsumineguchi. Closest operating SL to central Tokyo. This is a relatively easy SL run to get lineside photos and video.
- No 5 Oigawa Railway C10-8;C11-190; C11-227; C56-4 Probably the nearest Japan has to a heritage railway, although it is a fully functioning and regulated railway. Runs along the Oigawa River railway in Shizuoka Prefecture. Oigawa Railway also operates its famous Thomas Steam Trains. (currently services are restricted which is why we are ranking it at number 5)
Have any suggestions or requests? Want more information on a particular subject? Need help planning a tail enthusiast trip to Japan (individual or group)? Please FeelFree to Contact us: Contact Form or info@tsjapanrail.com
