LIMITED EXPRESS IN KANTO AND CHUBU Kanto Area In Kanto Area around Tokyo, various type of express trains run, some specialize in airport access services and tourist holiday demand. Type 651 'Super Hitachi' (left) and type 653 'Fresh Hitachi' (right). Both are express of Joban line from Tokyo Ueno to Mito, Iwaki and Sendai, which is the busiest limited express train route in eastern Japan except Shinkansen. Type 251 'Super View Odoriko' has front observation car of unique style,mainly for holiday resort demand from Tokyo to Izu peninshula with sea scenary and onsen hotels. Type 253 'Narita Express' from Tokyo to Narita Airport. It has baggage space and high grade Green car for exective international business persons. Chubu Area It is mountainous area of Japan Alpus range, and Chuo line runs though curving route by tilt express trains. Hokuriku line along Japan Sea coast is the businest route in conventional line, and lively scene of train departing is enjoyed in Kanazawa ,Toyama or Fukui station. Many kinds of express runs at first 130 km/h speed. Type 485, the most common Limited Express train in the former JNR era before 1986 and was the symbolic style of Japanese limited express till thirty years ago. It runs still actively in Hokuriku line 'Raicho' express from Osaka to Kanazawa and Toyama. Type 485 old bonnet style express 'Noto', stopping at midnight Takasaki station. Many of type 485 trains are now reformed and repainted to meet the demand of present travellers. Type 485 'Raicho', reformed and have observation seats in front. Type 683 'Hakutaka', Limited Express in Hokuriku Line from Kanazawa to Echigo Yuzawa connecting Tokyo by Joetsu Shinkansen. Maximum speed is 160 km/h in new Hokutsu Kyuko Line (Hoku-hoku line). Type 351 tilting 'Super Azusa', from Tokyo to Matsumoto through mountainous Chuo line. Type 383 tilt limited express 'Shinano' from Nagoya to Nagano. BACK HOME