Yorushika x Trains & Night Buses (Part 1: Heading to Yokohama with Puratto Kodama!)
It has been a little over a week since I saw Yorushika's live concert "Plagiarism Re-enactment" at the IG Arena in Nagoya. Today is September 30th, the day of the Yokohama performance of the same tour. I hadn't originally planned to go, as I was aiming for the Kobe show, but after failing to get tickets the first time, I applied for Yokohama on a whim, thinking, "I'll just give it a try." Unexpectedly, I won the lottery.
Since I had missed out on the Kobe show, I decided to go on a trip anyway. I made it a whirlwind journey, taking the "Kodama" train on the way there and a night bus (yakoba) immediately after the concert on the way back.
What is "Puratto Kodama"?
"Puratto Kodama" is a travel product sold by JR Tokai Tours. It allows you to book reserved seats in ordinary or Green cars on the Tokaido Shinkansen "Kodama" at a discount compared to regular prices.
For trips from Tokyo or Shin-Yokohama to Shin-Osaka, you can travel for as low as 11,000 yen, or 12,000 yen for a Green car seat. This is cheaper than the 13,870 yen for an unreserved seat. However, you cannot change the train at normal times, and you cannot change your train even if you miss it. Also, boarding from an intermediate station is not possible.
I messed up...
I have used this service several times in the past. It has become easier to use now that it's ticketless. It's familiar territory for me personally, but I made a bit of a mistake the day before the trip.
Wait a minute, I intended to board from Kyoto Station, but why does it say Shin-Osaka Station!? Wait, isn't this bad!?
I booked it a few weeks ago, and the "EX App" screen showed "Shin-Osaka Station." I had assumed it was fine to board from an intermediate station and left it at that, but when I checked again, I realized that boarding from an intermediate station is not allowed.
I refunded the reservation departing from Shin-Osaka and rebooked it departing from Kyoto. The refund fee was 4,864 yen...
I feel like it would have been cheaper to just pay the 5,000 yen or so rather than making such a blunder. I managed to notice just in time, but it still hurts my wallet. I got what I deserved for being so absent-minded.
Kyoto Station
Having narrowly avoided a blunder, the next morning arrived. I passed through the ticket gate safely and had 30 minutes to kill before the Shinkansen. I'll use this time to buy a bento and some tea.
"Puratto Kodama" comes with a 1-drink exchange voucher that can be redeemed for soft drinks or alcoholic beverages priced at 320 yen or less. You can exchange it by scanning a QR code at convenience stores like "PLUSTA" inside the station. This time, I'll have it with my bento.
I sat in the driver's seat of that train, didn't I? 🥰
Kodama No. 708
A familiar face, even as the number of S-series trains increases.
There are two types: the N700A from the start, and the "Small A," which is an early model updated to the A specifications.
The Kodama No. 708 has arrived! When I stepped inside, it was surprisingly empty. Not many people use the Green Car.
Come to think of it, it was updated in 2025.
But if I use this, I'll need sandals to go to the restroom.
A shopping mall where you can view the Shinkansen from the terrace.
Commonly known as 'Omi Fuji'.
Local signs.
I think the Lotteria factory was adjacent to it, right?
Many trains are parked here during the morning rush, letting the Special Rapid trains pass through.
I found a rail transport train!!
Since the Shinkansen stops at Maibara, long-distance commuting is possible.
I traveled through Shiga Prefecture many times during my childhood. When going to visit my maternal grandmother, my mother, my younger sister, and I would sit in seats A, B, and C. Since I basically love scenery, I was always in the window seat, my sister in the middle, and my mother in the aisle seat—my designated, or rather, prime seat.
I have an image of there being an excessive number of hotels.
The train stops at every station in the order of Maibara, Gifu-Hashima, and Nagoya. Although it picks up speed, the stop times are long, ranging from 3 to 5 minutes. It's not extreme, but the stop times are generous.
Two-tier bento box 'Mountain' - Chicken and Rolled Omelet
I decided to have my station bento after leaving Nagoya. This time, it's a two-tier box filled with chicken. It's a dish full of chicken, chicken, and more chicken, including chicken rice, fried chicken, and thick rolled omelet. I enjoyed this along with a 'Kyoto Blend' coffee I exchanged for my one-drink voucher.
Ryoku-shaka is really doing great, aren't they...
Wait, there's a diesel locomotive carrying rails!! (Hey, hey, hey!)
When I went to Nagoya for Yorushika, I thought about staying in front of this station, but I wanted to ride the Meitetsu line, so I chose Chiryu.
I notice things like this and end up remembering them.
The Tokaido Line runs parallel right in front of me.
A freight station that also serves as a vehicle dismantling yard.
The setting of Mina Miyajima's novel 'Konkatsu Maestro'.
I really want to go on a pilgrimage there.
There are so many N700S trains here.
I notice that there are so many 'N700S' trains when I see the Shinkansen passing by. I don't know why there are so many. Still, the timing is just way too off!
N700A x 'The Old Man and the Sea'
Since it looked like I would be able to see the ocean after leaving Shizuoka, I chose 'The Old Man and the Sea'. Riding the Shinkansen, just like the lyrics say, 'Far away, even further away'.
Playlist
This time, in addition to Yorushika, I also selected tracks by support bassist Tatsuya Kitani. This night, too, he was supporting Yorushika. I feel his sense of loyalty in how he continues to provide support like this, even after his big break and even as his own tour is about to begin.
Man, his upright bass playing was really good though🥰
I can't help but react to new train models lol
Local trains don't stop here, but there is a Toyoko Inn.
I heard that hotel chain is at every single Tokaido Shinkansen station!
The only station where the automated announcement 'The exit is on the right side' plays.
If 'Passing through Soshu Odawara Isshiki-cho...' came to mind, you must be aiming to be an actor or an announcer.
Green and orange train
Around Atami and Odawara stations, you start to see the orange and green Tokaido Line 'E231 series' and 'E233 series' trains. Seeing commuter trains unique to the Tokyo metropolitan area really gets me excited!!
Shin-Yokohama Station
I arrived at Shin-Yokohama Station after 3 hours and 20 minutes. To get to Yokohama Station, there are two choices: the Municipal Subway Blue Line or the JR Yokohama Line. But, I'll ride the one I want to ride!
You should give Hiyoko a more proper name.
Like 'Toi-chan' or something, similar to ICO-chan.
Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line
Going down underground, there's the subway Shin-Yokohama Station. For the Yokohama direction, the 'Rapid/Shonandai-bound' arrives first. It is a rare line that operates rapid services despite being a subway-only line without through-service.
It used to be used for rapid services on the subway line only.
The train cars were retired in 2023.
In the Kansai region, the Kobe Municipal Subway Seishin-Yamate Line also operated rapid services, but it was effectively abolished due to low ridership and the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake. Both lines did this because of their good facilities where stations with depots allowed for overtaking, but it seems it wasn't that effective.
3000 series
The one that arrived was the 3000 series. The streamlined 3000 series was manufactured for 25 years starting in 1992 while undergoing minor changes. They are distinguished by letters depending on the period.
The earliest model that debuted in 1992.
It's quite round.
Reuses the brakes and bogies of retired vehicles.
The light blue front is the mark.
Initial car 3000A series (The 'A' was added due to one-man operation modifications.)
2nd batch 3000N series (N = New)
4th batch 3000S series (S = Satisfaction)
5th batch 3000V series (V = Roman numeral for 5)
3000R Series
The difference from the S Series is the silver front.
Of these, the one I'm riding is the 3000R Series. It was named the R Series from "Replace," meaning to replace. It was literally manufactured to replace the older 1000 and 2000 series cars.
After leaving Shin-Yokohama Station, the next stop is Yokohama Station. It passes through four stations in a row, which is quite a shortcut. Because there are continuous curves, the speed is moderate, but it's a sight you rarely get to experience on the Osaka Metro.
Kinuta Dental Clinic
The door sticker features an advertisement for "Kinuta Dental Clinic," which is familiar in the Kanto region. However, it says "Kamoi (JR Yokohama Line)" instead of Nishi-Hachioji. When I thought, "Huh?", it turned out to be the older brother of Hachioji's "Dr. Kinuta Yasuhazu," "Dr. Kinuta Hisakazu." It's what you call a franchise branch.
I mean, why does a person from Kansai know this? lol
I arrived at Yokohama Station in 7 minutes. I started to want to take a few pictures of the trains in the opposite direction as well.
What came along was the 4000 Series. It's the latest model of the Blue Line and the first full model change in a long time. Not only has the model number changed, but the front shape has also been completely redesigned.
GREEN EXPO
On the Yokohama Municipal Subway, all lead cars have "GREEN EXPO 2027" stickers. It will be the international exposition that comes after the Osaka-Kansai Expo, and momentum is building up, starting at the Osaka-Kansai Expo venue.
What's going on with this creature's limbs?
The character for GREEN EXPO is Tunk Tunk. It has legs growing out of a sphere that looks like the Earth, and a heart-shaped body inside the sphere is waving its hands. It's a creature that invites mystery just like Myaku-Myaku, but I'm sure I'll get used to it before I know it.
I mean, should I go?
Yokohama Station
It's like "Umeda Hankyu" or "Nara Family," isn't it?
Supports QR codes and credit card touch payments.
It's white and super flashy.
You can walk from Yokohama Station to K-Arena, but as a train nerd, I naturally want to ride a train I'm not used to. I go through the underground labyrinth to the Minatomirai Line platform. I take the "Motomachi-Chukagai-bound" train to Shin-Takashima Station.
Minatomirai Line
Yokohama Station is the boundary between the Minatomirai Line, which heads toward Minatomirai, and the Tokyu Toyoko Line. Both lines are a jumble of routes from many different railway companies.
The BayStars-colored Minatomirai Line
Characterized by its arched front.
It can be seen over a wide area as a Limited Express or Express train.
While waiting, you can see trains from a total of five companies: the Minatomirai Line (Yokohama Minatomirai Railway), the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line, the Tobu Tojo Line, and the Seibu Ikebukuro Line. You don't see this kind of chaotic mix of different companies in the Kansai region.
The face of the Toyoko Line, wrapped in a cherry-blossom-colored band.
The 10-car sets are distinguished by the '4000' series numbering.
After letting the limited express pass, a local train arrived. The 8-car sets have a cherry-blossom-colored sticker that says '8Cars.' These are operated by either Tokyu, Tokyo Metro, or the Minatomirai Line; Tobu and Seibu trains do not enter this section. A Tokyu train happened to be the one that arrived.
Shin-Takashima Station
I arrived at Shin-Takashima Station in one minute. The Minatomirai Line, which opened in 2002, features stations with a chic, black-based design. The station name signs are also different, telling you that you've entered a different company's line, not Tokyu's.
The atrium is quite large. To a Kansai native, it looks very similar to Umeda Station on the Midosuji Line or Senri-Chuo Station on the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway.
The Midosuji Line has also become brighter and shinier after its renovation, getting closer to the feel of the Minatomirai Line. I can't help but think of the Kansai region.
From here, I'll head to K-Arena to check out the Yorushika gacha, photo spots, and more. Meanwhile, my inner train nerd is getting all excited, haha.
いいなと思ったら応援しよう！
ストリートミュージシャンの投げ銭のような感覚でお気軽にどうぞ。