Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation x Hato Bus: Special Chartered Tour on Eiji Mitooka-Designed 8500 Series & Arakawa Depot Visit

The Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Location: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; Director General: Tomohide Watanabe) has renewed the 8500 series, which has been running on the Toden Arakawa Line for over 30 years. This is part of the 'Toden Vehicle Renewal Project,' aimed at further enhancing the appeal of the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line) and revitalizing the areas along the line, with the cooperation of designer and illustrator Eiji Mitooka (Dawn Design Institute: Itabashi-ku, Tokyo), who has worked on numerous train designs.

Colored in a golden yellow reminiscent of Toden from a bygone era, the renewed vehicle has been reborn as a sophisticated train that evokes a sense of nostalgia. In a tie-up with Hato Bus Co., Ltd., we will hold a one-day-only tour where you can charter and ride this newly reborn vehicle.

In addition to riding the valuable renewed train, this highly exclusive tour allows you to observe the inside of the depot at the Arakawa Tram Depot—which cannot usually be seen—guided by staff, and enjoy taking photos of the vehicles before boarding.

Applications for this tour are accepted starting today. Please check the Hato Bus website for details.

(Reference) Image of the interior of the renewed train

1. Event Date
Saturday, May 30, 2026 *Will be held rain or shine (canceled in severe weather)
- Morning session: 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM
- Afternoon session: 2:00 PM - 6:30 PM
*Meeting/Dismissal location: Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit

2. Tour Course
- Morning session
8:30 AM: Board Hato Bus at Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit
9:10 AM: Arrive at Arakawa Tram Depot
Experience Arakawa Depot tour, traverser tour, commemorative photo session at the driver's seat, etc.
10:30 AM: Board the renewed train
Experience the turnaround line at Otsuka Station and arrive at Minowabashi
12:30 PM: Board Hato Bus
1:00 PM: Dismissal at Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit

- Afternoon session
2:00 PM: Board Hato Bus at Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit
2:40 PM: Arrive at Arakawa Tram Depot
Experience Arakawa Depot tour, traverser tour, commemorative photo session at the driver's seat, etc.
4:00 PM: Board the renewed train
Experience the turnaround line at Otsuka Station and arrive at Minowabashi
6:00 PM: Board Hato Bus
6:30 PM: Dismissal at Tokyo Station Marunouchi South Exit

- Tour Highlights
- You can take a chartered ride on the renewed 8500 series designed by Mr. Mitooka.
- You can tour the inside of the Arakawa Tram Depot, which is not usually open to the public, and enjoy taking photos.
- During the chartered ride, you can experience riding the turnaround line at Otsuka Station, which you cannot usually ride.

3. Tour Capacity and Target Audience
20 people per session (first-come, first-served)
(Children under elementary school age are not allowed for safety reasons.)

4. Tour Price
25,000 yen (tax included) (same price for adults and children)
*Transportation costs between your home and the meeting/dismissal location are your responsibility.

5. Application
Please check the Hato Bus website for application and tour details.
*Application period: From 2:00 PM on Wednesday, April 15, 2026
*Accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. (Ends when capacity is reached)

6. Notes and Requests
- While safety is given full consideration during the Arakawa depot tour, some areas have uneven footing, so please wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes.
- Event contents may be changed or canceled due to weather or other circumstances.
- To ensure safety, please refrain from bringing monopods, tripods, selfie sticks, and stepladders.
- Since some programs are held outdoors, please prepare your own heatstroke prevention measures.
- Children under 15 years old must be accompanied by a guardian.
- If minors between 15 and 18 years old participate alone, a guardian's consent form must be submitted.

Profile of Eiji Mitooka
Born in Okayama City in 1947
Graduated from Okayama Prefectural Okayama Technical High School, Design Department in 1966
Established Dawn Design Institute in 1972
Entered railway design with the 'Aqua Express' (JR Kyushu) in 1988