Odakyu Hakone will introduce the new Hakone Tozan Railway train, the “Series 4000,” in fiscal year 2028.
The Series 4000 will be configured as a fixed three-car trainset, developed under the concept of “providing heart-throbbing moments.” It will operate on the mountainous section between Hakone-Yumoto and Gora stations, aiming to offer both domestic and international passengers a way to travel while fully experiencing the natural scenery of the Hakone area in Japan.
For the exterior, the Series 4000 will be the first Hakone Tozan Railway train to adopt a streamlined front-end design, with large curved glass to secure expansive forward views. The body color will be based on red, inspired by Hakone Tozan Railway and its sister railway in Switzerland, the Rhaetian Railway, with the original color “Vermilion Hakone” as the primary tone. A silver line will run along the sides of the cars, expressing the sense of unity of the three-car formation and the journey circulating through Hakone.
The interior will feature large windows of the same size as those on the Series 3000 “Allegra” train, with some seats arranged facing the windows to make it easier to enjoy the seasonal landscapes. The interior design will incorporate patterns inspired by Yosegi marquetry, a traditional woodcraft of Hakone, creating an atmosphere that conveys the local character throughout the car.
The leading car will serve as an observation car where passengers can enjoy the view ahead, while the intermediate car will be centered on longitudinal bench seating. For the box seats, one side will be arranged as a single row, widening both the seat width and the aisle width to create a more spacious interior. Both end cars will include spaces that are easy for wheelchair users to access, and new luggage areas will be installed to accommodate large baggage.
This train type is positioned as the successor to the Series 100, for which retirement has been announced. The vehicle development concept and design were considered by the railway company’s own employees.
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