Soyokaze
Express train service in Japan (1968–2012)
title: "Soyokaze" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["named-passenger-trains-of-japan", "east-japan-railway-company", "railway-services-introduced-in-1968", "rail-transport-in-nagano-prefecture"] description: "Express train service in Japan (1968–2012)" topic_path: "geography/japan" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soyokaze" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Express train service in Japan (1968–2012) ::
::data[format=table title="Infobox rail service"]
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| name | Soyokaze |
| image | KuHa 189-506 Soyokaze Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park 20041211.JPG |
| image_width | 300px |
| caption | A preserved 189 series EMU with a Soyokaze headboard, December 2004 |
| type | Limited express |
| status | Discontinued |
| locale | Honshu, Japan |
| first | 26 July 1968 |
| formeroperator | JNR |
| JR East | |
| start | |
| end | |
| distance | 146.5 km |
| line_used | Shinetsu Main Line |
| class | Green + Standard |
| stock | 157 series, 181 series, 183 series, 185 series, 189 series, 489 series EMUs |
| gauge | |
| el | 1,500 V DC overhead |
| :: |
| name = Soyokaze | image = KuHa 189-506 Soyokaze Usui Pass Railway Heritage Park 20041211.JPG | image_width = 300px | caption = A preserved 189 series EMU with a Soyokaze headboard, December 2004 | type = Limited express | status = Discontinued | locale = Honshu, Japan | predecessor = | first = 26 July 1968 | last = | successor = | operator = | formeroperator= JNR JR East | ridership = | start = | stops = | end = | distance = 146.5 km | journeytime = | frequency = | trainnumber = | line_used = Shinetsu Main Line | class = Green + Standard | access = | seating = | catering = | stock = 157 series, 181 series, 183 series, 185 series, 189 series, 489 series EMUs | gauge = | el = 1,500 V DC overhead | speed = | owners = | routenumber = | map = | map_state =
The Soyokaze was a limited express train service in Japan introduced by Japanese National Railways (JNR) in July 1968, and later operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between in Tokyo and on the Shinetsu Main Line in Nagano Prefecture.
Rolling stock
Services were originally formed using 157 series EMUs, and services later used 181 series, 183 series, 185 series, 189 series, and 489 series EMUs.
Formation
9-car 489 series formations operating in later years were typically formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Ueno end.
::data[format=table]
| Car No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Numbering | Accommodation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KuHa 489 | MoHa 488 | MoHa 489 | SaRo 489 | MoHa 488 | MoHa 489 | MoHa 488 | MoHa 489 | KuHa 489 | |||
| [[File:No Smoking.svg | 15px]] Reserved | [[File:No Smoking.svg | 15px]] Reserved | [[File:Smoking pictogram (black).svg | 15px]] Reserved | [[File:No Smoking.svg | 15px]] Green | [[File:Smoking pictogram (black).svg | 15px]] Reserved | [[File:Smoking pictogram (black).svg | 15px]] Non-reserved |
| :: |
History
Soyokaze services were first introduced on 20 July 1968 as seasonal limited express services operating between and to supplement the Asama services which operated between Ueno and Nagano. The services initially used 157 series EMUs, which had been removed from former Hibiki services in September 1964.
From 1969, 181 series EMUs, also used on Asama services were introduced on Soyokaze services.
When first introduced, Soyokaze services featured reserved accommodation only, but from 15 November 1982, non-reserved cars were also included.
From the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 1985, 9-car 489 series EMUs were introduced on Soyokaze services.
From 3 December 1994, Soyokaze was down-graded to become an occasional service run between Ueno and Nagano, and was phased out before the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen.
Special services
''Salon Express Soyokaze''
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/Salonexpresstokyo.jpg" caption="The ''Salon Express Tokyo'' locomotive-hauled trainset"] ::
Seasonal Salon Express Soyokaze services operated between 28 April 1984 and 5 May 1988 using the Salon Express Tokyo Joyful Train locomotive-hauled trainset.
Revival ''Soyokaze''
::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/eb/Jnr_185-OM8-Soyokaze-20120715.jpg" caption="Reliveried 185 series EMU set OM8 on a special ''Soyokaze'' working, July 2012"] ::
On 30 and 31 August 2003, JR East operated a special Soyokaze service between Ueno and using 189 series EMUs.
On 15 July 2012, JR East ran a special Soyokaze service between Ueno and Yokokawa using a 185 series EMU in "Amagi"-style JNR era livery.
On 8 September 2012, JR East ran a Soyokaze service between Ueno and Yokokawa using a 185 series EMU in "Amagi"-style JNR era livery. The Shinano Railway also ran a special Soyokaze limited express service between Karuizawa and Ueda on the same day, as part of the 15th anniversary celebrations of the creation of the Shinano Railway.
References
References
- Teramoto, Mitsuteru. (July 2001). "国鉄・ＪＲ列車名大辞典". Chuoshoin Publishing Co., Ltd..
- (August 1995). "列車名鑑1995". Railway Journal.
- (May 1997). "JR特急10年の歩み". Kousai Shuppansha.
- (November 2012). "189系特急「そよかぜ」軽井沢～上田間で運転". Kōtsū Shimbun.
- (October 2012). "7/15, OM08編成による特急"そよかぜ"運転". Kōyūsha Co., Ltd..
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