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ー OVERVIEW ー Overview of “fifty two seats of happiness”

ー SPECIFICATION ー Specifications

  • [ Service started ]

    April 17, 2016

  • [ Vehicle model ]

    52 series (Remake of the 4000 series four-car set)

  • [ Capacity ]

    Four-car set / 52 passengers total

  • [ Operational routes ]

    Ikebukuro to Seibu-Chichibu Station; Seibu-Shinjuku to Seibu-Chichibu Station; Seibu-Shinjuku to Hon-Kawagoe Station; etc.

  • [ Days of operation ]

    This is a special train line that has around 100 days of scheduled service per year, focusing primarily on Saturdays and holidays.

  • [ Train car layout ]

    Train car layout(1. Multipurpose car: Flexible open area that can handle a variety of events, 2. Passenger car
26 seats, kakishibu-washi Japanese paper ceiling, 3. Kitchen car: Cedar board ceiling, 4. Passenger car: 26 seats, nishikawazai cedar/cypress lattice ceiling

ー DESIGN ー Design

[ Exterior ]EXTERIOR

These car exteriors dynamically express the four seasons of Chichibu, one of the most prominent sightseeing areas along Seibu train lines; as well as the water of the Arakawa River that flows through nature-rich Chichibu and Musashino.

Car No. 1-Image:Spring, moss pink, Nagatoro cherry blossoms

[ Car No. 1 ]
-Image:Spring, moss pink, Nagatoro cherry blossoms

Car No. 2-Image: Summer, the green of the mountains of Chichibu

[ Car No. 2 ]
-Image: Summer, the green of the mountains of Chichibu

Car No. 3-Image: Autumn, fall leaves of the Chichibu Mountains

[ Car No. 3 ]
-Image: Autumn, fall leaves of the Chichibu Mountains

Car No. 4-Image: Winter, icicles of Ashigakubo

[ Car No. 4 ]
-Image: Winter, icicles of Ashigakubo

*The above diagrams are conceptual illustrations and differ from the actual cars' appearance.

[ Interior ]INTERIOR

The designs of the car interiors are based on nature themes such as valleys and ravines. Traditional handicrafts and local timber from the areas along the train route are also used for parts of the interiors. Chichibu-Meisen silk is used to partition the car interiors and the deck (Car No. 2 and Car No. 4).
Kakishibu-washi Japanese paper is used for the ceiling of Car No. 2. Nishikawazai cedar/cypress lattice is used for the ceiling of Car No. 4.

  • Car No. 2 (Open dining)

    [ Car No. 2 ]
    (Open dining)

  • Car No. 4 (Open dining)

    [ Car No. 4 ]
    (Open dining)

  • Car No. 3 (Kitchen car / open kitchen space)

    [ Car No. 3 ]
    (Kitchen car / open kitchen space)

Google Street View
(This service can be used to view the interiors of all cars.)

ー NICKNAME ー Nickname

Seibu Travelling Restaurant: fifty two seats of happiness

The name “fifty two seats of happiness” expresses the relaxation and the sense of specialness / exclusiveness that characterizes the time spent in this sightseeing train, which has a capacity of 52 passengers. Another reason for the name is its originality and memorability. Meanwhile, the catchphrase “Seibu Travelling Restaurant” serves to support the more distinctive “fifty two seats of happiness.” This catchphrase was decided upon in order to easily communicate that this is a Seibu Railway sightseeing train as well as a restaurant car on which to enjoy a delicious meal.

ー LOGO ー Logo

Logo (Travelling Restaurant in Seibu  fifty two seats of happiness) Beginning with the number “52,” this logo design renders the rich natural features of Chichibu, the prominent Seibu sightseeing location, as suits of playing cards. This achieves a usage of color that harmonizes with the train’s exterior.
The spade represents water, the diamond represents autumn leaves, the four-leaf clover represents both greenery and happiness, while the heart represents the space and time in which we and our customers understand one another’s feelings…

ー MUSIC ー On-board Melody

The “on-board melody” that plays after the train’s departure and before its arrival was composed by music producer Minoru Mukaiya, who has worked on many chimes that play on-board trains or when trains depart (at Seibu Railway, Mr. Mukaiya was also responsible for arranging the departure chime for Nerima-Takanodai Station).

ー CREATIVE ー Creative showcase

  • Kengo Kuma
    Exterior and interior design

    Kengo Kuma architect

    PROFILE

    Born 1954. Received his Master’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Tokyo. In 1990, Kuma established Kengo Kuma & Associates. Currently a professor at the University of Tokyo. In 1997, Kuma won the Architectural Institute of Japan Award for “Noh Stage in the Forest”. In 2010, he won the Mainichi Art Award for “Nezu Museum”. In 2011, he won the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology’s Art Encouragement Prize for “Yusuhara Wooden Bridge Museum”.

    Kuma's recent work includes the Suntory Museum of Art, the Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center, Nagaoka City Hall Aore, Kabukiza Theatre, Toshima City Hall, Besançon Art Center and Cité de la Musique, and FRAC Marseille. He currently has projects underway in 16 countries.

    His many writings include Chiisana Kenchiku (Small Architecture) (Iwanami Shoten), Shizen na Kenchiku (Iwanami Shoten), Kenchikuka Hashiru (Shinchosha), Boku no Basho (Daiwa Shobo), and Hiroba (Tankosha Publishing).

  • Masayoshi Kodaira
    Logo design

    Masayoshi Kodaira art director / graphic designer (frame)

    PROFILE

    Born 1970 in Osaka Prefecture. Worked at Akita Design Kan before becoming independent in 1997. He founded FLAME in 2001.

    Major work: Art Fair Tokyo, Rolling Stone Japan art direction and design, Laforet Harajuku commercials and advertising, collaboration with BAO BAO ISSEY MIYAKE, artwork for INORAN (LUNA SEA) / GLAY / Yo Hitoto, etc.

    Major awards: Tokyo Art Directors Club, ONE SHOW Gold and Silver, D&AD Yellow Pencil, etc.

    His writing's include School of Design and School of Graphic Design (collaboration / Seibundo Shinkosha), etc.

  • Masakazu Taniyama
    Naming

    Masakazu Taniyama copywriter (Taniyama Kokoku)

    PROFILE

    Born 1961 in Osaka Prefecture. Joined Hakuhodo Inc. in 1984.
    Established Taniyama Kokoku Co. in 1997.

    Major clients: Tokyo Gas, Shiseido / TSUBAKI, Shincho Bunko, Nippon TV, Kirin Beverage, etc.

    Major awards: Tokyo Copywriters Club Award, Asashi Advertising Award, Mainichi Advertising Award, Shinbun Kyokai Advertising Award, and many more.

  • Minoru Mukaiya
    On-board Melody

    Minoru Mukaiya Composer

    PROFILE

    Minoru Mukaiya made his major debut in 1979 as the keyboardist for the band Casiopea. Since then, he has been responsible for the composition and arrangement of a great many songs and enjoys popularity in Europe, South America, Southeast Asia, and around the world. In recent years, Mukaiya has actively pursued video streaming while continuing to produce music. Enjoying tremendous attention, Mukaiya’s songs have maintained the number one spot on the iTunes J-POP rankings, leading to the release of a popular CD. A wildly enthusiastic train fan from a young age, Mukaiya in 1995 developed the game Train Simulator, the world’s first train simulation game made using real photographs and video.

    This game technology was well received by railway companies and museums, and today Mukaiya develops and produces commercial simulators. Due to his expansive knowledge and sharp commentary, Mukaiya has also long appeared on TV and radio, as well as given lectures and seminars.

    Comment from Minoru Mukaiya

    “Seibu Travelling Restaurant – fifty two seats of happiness” continues to show the glittering beauty of landscapes I’ve long since grown used to. I hope to have created a chime (“melody”) that matches the sights and tastes enjoyed by everyone gathered on the train, thereby making for an even more memorable and happy experience.