The Sazanami (さざなみ) is a limited express train service in Japan operated by East Japan Railway Company (JR East). It runs between Tokyo and Tateyama via the Keiyo Line and Uchibō Line.[1]

Seasonal Shinjuku Sazanami services operate at certain weekends between Shinjuku and Tateyama.

As of 12 March 2022, 5 outbound trains and 3 inbound trains are operated each day, except on Saturdays and holidays.[2] These trains stop at the following stations listed below:

Tokyo - Soga - Goi - (Anegasaki) - Kisarazu - Kimitsu

Rolling stock

  • A E257-500 series EMU on a Shinjuku Sazanami service in May 2010 at Akihabara Station
    A E257-500 series EMU on a Shinjuku Sazanami service in May 2010 at Akihabara Station
  • A 255 series EMU on a Sazanami service in March 2008
    A 255 series EMU on a Sazanami service in March 2008

Former rolling stock

  • A 189 series EMU on a Shinjuku Sazanami service in February 2007
    A 189 series EMU on a Shinjuku Sazanami service in February 2007

Formations

Sazanami trains are formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Tokyo end.[2]

5-car E257 series

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5
Numbering KuHa E256-500 MoHa E257-1500 MoHa E256-500 MoHa E257-500 KuHa E257-500
Accommodation Reserved Reserved Reserved Non-reserved Non-reserved

9-car 255 series (No. 6 only)

Car No. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Numbering KuHa 254 MoHa 254 MoHa 255 SaRo 255 SaHa 254 SaHa 255 MoHa 254 MoHa 255 KuHa 255
Accommodation Reserved Reserved Reserved Green Reserved Non-reserved Non-reserved Non-reserved Non-reserved

History

  • 15 July 1972 - Sazanami service starts coinciding with opening of the underground Sōbu Line platforms at Tokyo Station.
  • 16 March 1991 - Sazanami service are rerouted via the Keiyo Line from Tokyo.
  • 2 July 1993 - 255 series EMUs are introduced on View Sazanami services from Tokyo to Chikura.
  • 16 October 2004 - E257-500 series EMUs are introduced.
  • 10 December 2005 - The View Sazanami name is discontinued, and all services are made entirely no-smoking.[4]

The opening of the Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line road across the Tokyo Bay in 1997 saw increased competition from long-distance bus services offering cheaper fares, resulting in decreasing ridership figures on the Sazanami services.[5] From the start of the 15 March 2014 timetable revision, the number of services was reduced to six return workings daily.[5]

See also

References

  1. ^ JR新幹線＆特急列車ファイル [JR Shinkansen & Limited Express Train File]. Japan: Kotsu Shimbun. 2008. p. 66. ISBN 978-4-330-00608-6.
  2. ^ a b 千葉を走る列車＞さざなみ：EAST JAPAN RAILWAY COMPANY Chiba branch (Japanese)
  3. ^ a b 日本と世界の鉄道カタログ'97~'98 [Japan and World Railway Catalogue 1997-1998] (in Japanese). Japan: Seibido Publishing. 17 August 1997. pp. 147, 157. ISBN 4-415-09254-3.
  4. ^ ２００５年１２月ダイヤ改正について [Details of December 2005 Timetable Revision] (PDF) (Press release) (in Japanese). East Japan Railway Company. 30 September 2005. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  5. ^ a b 房総特急　引き潮　高速道充実で利用者減少 [Boso limited expresses ebbing: Passenger numbers falling due to improved expressway network]. Tokyo Shimbun Web (in Japanese). Japan: The Chunichi Shimbun. 25 March 2015. Archived from the original on 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.

External links