Pentax K-1 II + DFA 28-105mm F3.5-5.6
53 mm ISO 400 for 1/125 sec. at ƒ/7.1

Tokyo Streetcar from 1962

Location: Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, Tokyo

Timestamp: 15:58 on October 25, 2023

The 7500 series streetcar was once a vital part of Tokyo’s tram lines, traversing three routes connecting Shibuya Station to Shinbashi Station, Shibuya Station to Hamacho-Nakanohashi Station, and Shibuya Station to Suda-cho Station (modern-day Kanda Station).

Originally operated by a two-man crew, a shift in 1972 saw a transition to a one-man crew, aligning with Tokyo's move towards expanding bus and subway networks, eventually leading to the scrapping of Carriage No. 7514 in 1977.

In 1999, recognition of the streetcar's historical significance led to a restoration of its interior and exterior, bringing it back to its original grandeur.

Placed in the Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum, it became a captivating piece of Tokyo's past for all generations to enjoy.

According to a 2011 article posted by the Asahi Shinbun newspaper, the streetcar underwent work again to remove rust, and to add a fresh coat of paint, including the addition of the red stripe down the side of the body. Furthermore, a fresh coating of coal tar was applied to the interior’s floorboards, helping protect the wooden floorboards from rot.

Distinguishing features of the 7500 series include dual headlights and an illuminated signboard near the roofline, facilitating easy identification of destinations, especially during nighttime travels.

With 40 municipal streetcar lines and around 500 stops, the network's complexity was addressed by assigning each car a line number, prominently displayed between the headlights, a feature that was illuminated on the 7500 series.

The 7500 Series was constructed in 1962 by Niigata Iron Works, a company tracing its roots back to 1895. Unfortunately, the company, facing difficulties as streetcars were being phased out, filed for bankruptcy and was fully liquidated in 2007.

The decline of streetcars/trams continued between 1963 and 1972 as the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation refocused on expanding bus and subway modes of transportation. Fortunately, the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) is still in use on a route between Waseda Station and Minowabashi Station.

A glimpse inside the streetcar evoked nostalgia for me, reminiscent of trains I rode in the early 1980s. For example, I used to take the Sagami Line, which, at that time, still used diesel locomotives. The carriages were much like the 7500 Series streetcar, with wooden floorboards and the same type of ceiling-mounted fans that swiveled around in full 360-degree circles.

Compared to old streetcars and trains, modern transportation is more accessible, especially for non-Japanese speakers, who benefit from multilingual signage and announcements, and have access to maps on their phones in their native language.

Having lived in Japan at a time when I had to learn to read kanji and use paper maps to reach my destination helps me appreciate the modern conveniences we have today. However, if we could phase out some buses running on smokey diesel and revert to using streetcars or trams, I think I would enjoy my daily commute much more.

References:

Tokyo Streetcar from 1962

Restored Tokyo Imperial Palace Bridge Lamp from 1888

Kodakara-yu Public Bathhouse (1929)