Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation x Hatobus Collaboration Project: "8500 Series Mitooka Design Train Charter Ride and Arakawa Depot Tour" to be operated!

Hatobus Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Ota-ku, Tokyo; Representative Director and President: Reiko Takeichi; hereinafter "Hatobus"), in collaboration with the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation, will operate the "Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation x Hatobus Collaboration Project: 8500 Series Mitooka Design Train Charter Ride and Arakawa Depot Tour" for one day only on Saturday, May 30, 2026, limited to 20 participants per session, for a total of 40 people (first-come, first-served).

The 8500 series, which has been operating on the Toden Arakawa Line, Tokyo's only tram, for over 30 years, has been renovated by Eiji Mitooka, who has designed many railway vehicles, including those for JR Kyushu. The renovated vehicle is painted in a yamabuki-iro (golden yellow) reminiscent of old Toden trams, reborn as a sophisticated vehicle that evokes a sense of nostalgia. Please enjoy this renovated vehicle to the fullest on a chartered ride.

Renovated Vehicle Poster Renovated Vehicle Interior

On this tour, you will enjoy a chartered ride on the valuable renovated vehicle, which is the only one of its kind, and experience the depot departure line and the Otsuka-Ekimae turnaround line, which are normally inaccessible. Before boarding, you will visit the Arakawa Tram Office to see the depot, which is usually off-limits, guided by staff, and enjoy photo opportunities in the driver's seat.

Arakawa Tram Office "Toden Omoide Hiroba" (Toden Memory Plaza) Hatobus

*All photos are for illustrative purposes only.

Additionally, a Toden Monaka (Japanese sweets) gift will be provided to enjoy inside the 8500 series tram.

This is a very valuable experience-filled tour that can only be accessed through a Hatobus tour. Please take this opportunity to participate.

<Tour Details> ◆Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation x Hatobus Collaboration Project: 8500 Series Mitooka Design Train Charter Ride and Arakawa Depot Tour Operation Date: Saturday, May 30, 2026 Price: Adults/Children 25,000 yen (tax included; children under elementary school age cannot participate) Itinerary: Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit (AM session 8:30 / PM session 14:00 departure) = Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation Arakawa Tram Office (Arakawa Depot tour, traverser viewing, photo session in vehicle and driver's seat) ... Toden Arakawa Line (chartered ride on Mitooka Design Train! Arakawa Depot departure line ~ Otsuka-Ekimae ~ Minowabashi) = Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit (AM session 13:00 / PM session 18:30 arrival scheduled) Notes: While safety is fully considered during the Arakawa Depot tour, some areas have uneven footing, so please participate in comfortable clothing and walking shoes. The event content may change or be canceled due to weather or other circumstances. For safety reasons, please refrain from bringing monopods, tripods, selfie sticks, and ladders. Some programs will be held outdoors, so please prepare your own heatstroke prevention measures. If participants aged 15 to 18 participate alone, a consent form from a guardian is required. Reservation Start: April 15, 2026 (Wednesday) 14:00 Reservation Site: https://www.hatobus.co.jp/course/2026/spring/R8500