Enjoy an elegant and comfortable journey. Learn about the history of the Odakyu Romance Car in a fun way.
The Odakyu Romancecar is one of the most famous express trains in Japan.
Its history is long, and it is said to date back to the weekend hot spring train that ran nonstop from Shinjuku to Odawara before the war. During the Pacific War, it was discontinued, but it reappeared after the war and underwent several improvements, now connecting Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto and Shinjuku to Katase-Enoshima.
Did you know that the Romancecar was not originally an exclusive name for Odakyu Electric Railway?
Around 1950, two-seater seats designed for couples to watch movies together were featured in the media as "Romance Seats." As a result, the name Romance Car was used for express trains equipped with similar two-seater seats, and there are several Romance Cars in Japan. It wasn't until the 1990s that the name became Odakyu's exclusive property.
One of the greatest attractions of the Odakyu Romance Car is undoubtedly its exquisite design.
All of the Romancecars currently in operation are unique and instantly recognizable, and just looking at them makes you feel happy, and you can't help but take a photo.
GSE is an abbreviation of "Graceful Super Express", a romantic car that runs gracefully through the time leading to Hakone.
The train's body is Vermeer Blue, a shiny blue that was favored by the Dutch painter Vermeer, and its name is MSE, an abbreviation of "Multi Super Express."
The VSE, an abbreviation of "Vault Super Express" (Vault: dome-shaped ceiling, sky, space), features a striking silky white color.
The EXE, which stands for "Excellent Express," has the largest seating capacity of any Romancecar.
Another of the Romancecar's greatest features is the view. The GSE and VSE have observation seats, and the view from the front and rear cars is so beautiful that it can be considered one of the aims of the journey.
The Romancecar is a train that will lift your spirits just by looking at it and riding on it, making those about to embark on a journey and those returning home feeling special until the very end.
The Romance Car Museum, where you can experience the history of this fascinating Romance Car, opened in front of Ebina Station on April 19, 2021. On the first floor, the history of Odakyu and the Romance Car are on display, along with past Romance Cars, and even the Moha 1-type cars from when the company was founded. The sight of five Romance Cars from the past lined up is spectacular.
On the second floor, there are dioramas of Odakyu's most famous stations and their surrounding areas, with many trains running through them. Musical events are regularly held, and you can even drive the trains, making this an area where time flies by before you know it.
Adjacent to the park is Kids Romance Car Park, a children's playground themed around the Romance Car. This is an exciting area where children can learn about the Romance Car and operate their own original crafts, including a Romance Car simulator, a craft room, and an athletics facility (which may be closed due to the COVID-19 situation).
The museum's goods shop sells many limited edition Romance Car goods and sweets. (This time, we will be giving away limited edition goods. See below for details.)
From the attached cafe you can get a panoramic view of the trains arriving and departing from Ebina Station, and since there is a Romancecar maintenance base nearby, you can also see the Romancecars entering and leaving the maintenance yard.
In 1948, Odakyu Electric Railway set a goal of connecting Shinjuku and Odawara in 60 minutes. With the completion of quadrupling in 2018, they were able to realize that goal by shortening the journey to 59 minutes.
The Romancecar will continue to evolve, becoming more convenient and comfortable, so keep an eye on it.
*This campaign has ended.
Two lucky winners will receive Romancecar Museum exclusive merchandise!
Gift Contents
・Hello Kitty Plush Box: 1 winner
・Romancecar sticky note set: 1 person
Qualification requirements
・People who live in Japan
・ Those who have a Twitter account and follow the official Magcal.net Twitter account (@MAGCUL).
Application period
Hello Kitty Plush Toy Box
September 6, 2021 (Monday) 18:00 - September 12, 2021 (Sunday) 12:00
Romance Car Sticky Note Set
September 13, 2021 (Monday) 18:00 - September 19, 2021 (Sunday) 12:00
*Please retweet the "relevant tweet" for the gift you want during the period above.
Application method
① Follow the official Magcal.net Twitter account (@MAGCUL) .
② “Retweet” the “relevant tweet.”
Click here for the official Magcal.net account
Lottery and Winner Announcement
・ After a strict lottery, only the winners will be contacted by message from the "Magcal Editorial Office".
Please note that you cannot choose the product.
・Winners will be notified in early October 2021.
・If you are a winner, please let us know the shipping address for your product.
*If you have set your account to not receive direct messages, your winnings will be invalidated.
*Please turn on the notification settings (push notifications) for the Twitter app on your device.
*Each person can only win once.
*Due to unavoidable circumstances, notification of winners may be delayed.
*Prizes can only be delivered to addresses within Japan.
*If we are unable to deliver the prize due to an unknown address or other reason, your winnings will be invalidated.
* Personal information provided will not be used for any purpose other than the lottery.
