Tobu Railway have announced the introduction of a new series of N100 Spacia limited express trains that will run from Asakusa in Tokyo to Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen. The new trains will replace the current Spacia 100 series that was first introduced in 1990. Four six-car N100 trains are due to be introduced in 2023 and the details that have been released promise a higher level of comfort for travellers to the World Heritage sites of Nikko.
Each six-car train will have 212 seats, which will include spacious lounge seating and private compartments. There will also be a café counter offering snacks, refreshments and local specialty treats. The new N100 trains will reduce C02 emissions by 40% compared to the current Spacia 100 trains and by using renewable energy sources Tobu has stated that these services will be virtually carbon neutral. The trains will also be fitted with air purifiers with advanced sterilization and deodorization functions which will act as a coronavirus countermeasure.
The train’s white exterior coloring is meant to be reminiscent of the chalk-white paintwork at Nikko’s Toshogu Shrine, and the latticework design of the window frames is a tribute to traditional handicrafts of the Edo era. Tobu will release more details of the N100 train’s interior and exterior design at a future date.
Article by Japan Station. Image courtesy of Tobu Railway. All rights reserved.