For both practical and financial reasons, it’s impossible to imagine Japan’s long gone trams ever making a reappearance. A shame really, as they are much more interesting than the admittedly convenient, but ultimately run-of-the-mill trains one sees everyday.
On the plus side, however, it does make those still in operation all the more special.
Hans ter Horst says
I love those tiny trams I used in Nagasaki or Matsuyama! Apparently they had plenty of them in Tokyo too, they were featured in the 1963 film High and Low by Kurosawa. Would love to see them return as they have done in Stockholm, etc. but with traffic as it is in Tokyo, I doubt it will be possible 🙂
BTW, still euphoric after watching that rugby game on TV last Saturday 😉
Lee says
Quite a result eh?!
Likewise. Can’t say exactly what it is, but there really is something a bit special about trams. The Toden Arakawa Line is still operating in Tokyo. Well worth a ride if you haven’t already. Plus Minowa, one of the start/end points, is a wonderfully old part of the capital. Makes for a good, varied day out.
But yeah, can’t see them ever making a return. My home city of Manchester reintroduced them and it has been a huge success. Doing the same in Tokyo, however, would surely be nigh on impossible…
Hans ter Horst says
I’ve ridden on the Toden Arakawa line and loved it, and indeed spent time in Minowa and ate lunch at one of those weird little restaurants which felt like entering somebody’s living room, so homely. 🙂
Lee says
Glad to hear it!
Tom says
Totally with you. A great way to travel. Great to see them still in use. 🙂
Lee says
Totally agree. Fortunately there are still a good few in operation throughout Japan. A situation that will hopefully remain the same for a long time to come.
Marc says
I’m pretty certain I rode one of these from Nagoya to Yamanouchi-town. It was in really good condition on the inside. I seem to recall it was worse for wear outside.
Lee says
Quite possibly. Thankfully a good few still about. And personally I like them even more if they look like they’ve had a long working life.
Valérie says
I love these old trams too. I took the Toden Arakawa line twice. On the way to Ikebukuro, there’s a stop, Kishibojin Mae, which is wonderful for cherry blossoms viewing. Walking from that stop to Ikebukuro on foot leads through two temples or shrines (I can’t exactly remember) that are preserved from tourists, far from Tokyo’s crowd. There’s also an old candy shop in the precincts of one of these temples. It’s quite magical. But Enoden stays my favorite, especially when riding in front of the ocean.
Lee says
Yeah, there are some interesting little places along the Toden Arakawa Line. Makes for a good day out.
But have to agree. The Enoden really does take some beating. Just a pity it’s always so busy…
cdilla says
I’m not a train, or even a general transport fanatic, but the Arakawa line was something I really wanted to experience and was well rewarded when I did with a myriad fleeting memories of complex suburban scenes crammed with intensely greebled architecture and the devils own tangled loom of power lines overhead.
And behind me on a shelf in my office is a tin replica of a green and cream tram I bought while there.
I don’t know if it’s just the ones I have but many anime films seem to have inredibly detailed train/tram scenes. Thinking 5cm and girl who leaped off hand.
Lee says
It’s a unique experience, isn’t it? I was surprised by how busy it is. And even better, the wide variety of people that use it. Wonderful to sit/stand and people watch.