TOKYO - Odakyu Electric Railway unveiled images of its next-generation Romancecar limited express train on November 10, revealing a striking blue-green design featuring enormous circular windows that will allow passengers to enjoy panoramic views from ceiling to floor when the new trains enter service in March 2029.
According to Odakyu, the new Romancecar has been designed around the theme of water, with a distinctive blue-green exterior and observation seating at both the front and rear of the train, continuing a signature feature of the Romancecar series.
The new design places windows lower than on previous models, making it easier for young children to enjoy the passing scenery. Among the most distinctive features are large circular windows measuring 1.8 meters in diameter, offering expansive views that stretch from the ceiling down to passengers' feet.
The interior will also introduce new seating arrangements, including group seating for four passengers and wider, more spacious seats measuring approximately 60 centimeters across, designed to provide greater comfort during journeys.
The new train will be the first addition to the Romancecar lineup in 11 years, with commercial operations scheduled to begin in March 2029.
The new Romancecar is expected to serve the popular route between Tokyo's Shinjuku Station and Hakone-Yumoto, one of Japan's leading hot spring destinations, with the trains designed to continue beyond Odawara onto the Hakone Tozan Line. Odakyu has not yet announced the full operating schedule or confirmed whether the new model will also serve other routes within its limited express network, which currently includes services to Fujisawa and Katase-Enoshima on the Shonan coast.
The journey from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto takes approximately 80 to 90 minutes, carrying passengers from central Tokyo through the western suburbs and into the increasingly mountainous landscape of Kanagawa Prefecture. The route offers views of rivers, farmland and distant mountain ranges, with Mount Fuji visible from some sections in favorable weather. The new train's expansive windows are expected to make the changing scenery a central part of the travel experience.
Hakone is particularly popular for its hot springs, mountain scenery and views of Mount Fuji. Visitors arriving at Hakone-Yumoto can continue into the mountains using the Hakone Tozan Railway, cable cars and the Hakone Ropeway, which passes over the volcanic landscape of Owakudani. Other attractions include Lake Ashi, where sightseeing boats offer views of Mount Fuji on clear days, the Hakone Open-Air Museum and the historic Hakone Shrine.
The wider Romancecar network also connects Tokyo with the coastal resort area of Enoshima, known for its beaches, island shrine, sea caves and views across Sagami Bay. Nearby Kamakura, accessible by connecting railway services, is another major sightseeing destination, famous for its Great Buddha, historic temples and traditional streets. Whether the new 80000 series will operate on the Enoshima route has yet to be confirmed.
The introduction of the new trains is expected to strengthen the appeal of Odakyu's sightseeing services, particularly for overseas visitors seeking convenient access to destinations outside Tokyo. With observation seating at both ends, large circular windows and new group seating arrangements, the company is placing greater emphasis on making the railway journey itself part of the tourist experience.
Source: FNN
