The Tokyo Disneyland Band playing underneath the Christmas tree in World Bazaar @ Tokyo Disneyland during Christmas Fantasy 2016.

Picture taken by me in 2016.

Momokuri, episode 5

2025 is the year of the snake in Japan. The Disney Japan Online Store has added a bunch of (very cute) plushies and other New Year merchandise in celebration.

Article by SoraNews24.

Yes, this is real.

Image source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20241205_08/

Above: A then brand new JR East E353 series train set (S108) parked alongside the very first JR East E257 series train set (M101), both heading southbound on the Chuo Main Line @ Shinjuku Station in 2018.

I wonder who would win? They both have a top speed of 130kph.

Picture taken by me in 2018. Part of my Random Photo series of posts.

Intricate metalwork of Mickey and Minnie catching snowflakes near the SS Anne in American Waterfront @ Tokyo DisneySea, Christmas Wishes 2015.

Picture taken by me in 2015.

Above: An E653-1000 "Inaho" train set stopped at Niigata Station in 2021. The livery and plaque is meant to represent the sun setting over fields of rice against a view of the Sea of Japan.

The E653 was first built in 1997 for the new "Fresh Hitachi" limited express service on the Joban Line. Between 2011 and 2015, all E653 train sets were retired and replaced with E657s. The retired E653s were refurbished and repurposed for the Inaho limited express service on the Uetsu Main Line in 2013 and the Shirayuki limited express service on the Shin'etsu Line in 2015.

The Inaho fleet is eight E653-1000s. The original E653s were upgraded with wider seating, Green Cars (first class seating), and new liveries that depict the area of Japan they operate in. Starting in 2017, individual train sets were repainted with custom liveries, including a pair of trains repainted in 2023. One to resemble the original Fresh Hitachi service and another to resemble the old JNR 485 series that the E653-1000s replaced. Additionally, E653-1100 sets (also made from retired E653s) were added to the service in 2022.

Picture taken by me in 2021, part of my Rolling Stock series of posts.

One of the worst (best) fights in Star Trek. Absolutely no attempt to hide the stunt doubles, the corny (even for Star Trek) lines and acting, the doors that temporarily become pieces of plywood... What an experience!

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.dbzer0.com/post/31993603

> Ok but kids are the best

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.world/post/22298725

> This is not the temple you are looking for

(You have to go to their website to watch because, as of posting this, it's not listed on YouTube.)

These guys get it. This is what long-time Trek fans want from new Trek. Something daring and new and with tremendous respect for the existing franchise.

Some of the shots of Kirk look pretty plastic and almost humorous, but some of them are frighteningly real.

A critique of the new Fantasy Springs branch of Tokyo DisneySea's ride, restaurants and ambiance. Most of it is excellent... but some of it is not so good.

"the absolute WORST popcorn I have ever had the MISFORTUNE of EATING in my LIFE!" - Luke,

Posted to YouTube by ReviewTyme.

cross-posted from: https://slrpnk.net/post/15293375

Above: The billboard for Captain Eo, presented by JCB @ Tokyo Disneyland, just prior to the attraction's permanent closure.

After 14 years, Captain Eo reopened in Tomorrowland @ Tokyo Disneyland in 2010 and played until 2014 when it was replaced by Stitch's Encounter. Captain Eo originally ran in Tokyo Disneyland from 1987, replacing Magic Journeys, until 1996, when it was replaced by Honey, I Shrunk the Audience.

Unlike the American parks, the revival of Captain Eo wasn't billed as a "revival", rather it simply came back in its original form minus some of the special effects for which the hardware has since been removed from the theater.

Picture taken by me in 2013.

Above: An E5 Shinkansen with it's trademark aquamarine livery on the Yamabiko service at Ueno Station in 2022.

The E5 Shinkansen began life on the Tohoku & Hokkaido Shinkansen lines. It was the first new single-decker Shinkansen series since the E3s entered service in 1997. The Hokkaido Shinkansen uses an altered, nearly-identical model called the H5. H5s are designed specifically for cold weather operation and were originally incompatible with E5 sets. As of 2016, both versions can interoperate. The E5 train sets run four different services (Hayabusa, Hayate, Yamabiko, & Nasuno) in east & northern Japan, but the model, in general, is nicknamed Hayabusa (The Japanese word for the peregrine falcon) after the original service between Tokyo Station and Shin-Aomori Station.

The digital display on the outside of the train denoting the service and number. This E5 is on the Yamabiko service, bound for Tokyo Station. !

The livery of the E5 series is called "Tokiwa" green & "Hiun" white. The E5 sets have a "Hayate" pink stripe separating the green and white, while the H5 sets have a "Saika" purple stripe. Each E5 & H5 train set has an abstract logo on the side of the body designed to resemble a flower. These designs and colors are meant to evoke an image of the colorful fields of flowers found in northern Japan.

The E5 Shinkansen are often seen coupled to the E6 "Komachi" Shinkansen (red) while running between Kanto and Tohoku. An E5 & E6 set at Sendai Station in 2023. !

The E5 Shinkansen won the 2012 Blue Ribbon Award, an award issued by Japan Railfan Club to train models released the previous year that are considered to be the most outstanding. It was the fourth Shinkansen model to win the award.

A mockup conductor cab car of the E5 series at the National Railway Museum in Omiya in 2024. !

All pictures taken by me in 2022, 2023, & 2024. Part of my Rolling Stock series of posts.

Kekkon Surutte Hontou Desuka (365 Days to the Wedding), episode 7

> 東京ディズニーランドでは、\ > きらびやかなクリスマスツリーを\ > はじめとするデコレーションが施され、\ > ファンタジーあふれるクリスマスを\ > お楽しみいただけます。\ > 子どもからおとなまで\ > 心温まる素敵なクリスマスを\ > お過ごしください。

At Tokyo Disneyland, you can enjoy a fantasy-filled Christmas with decorations, including a glittering Christmas tree. Everyone from children to adults can enjoy a heartwarming and wonderful Christmas.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61m-F1pP_vg

Tokyo DisneySea Christmas 2024: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/treasure/christmas2024/tds/

Above: The two-car "experimental yellow & orange" 8000 Series set at Hikifune Station on the Tobu Kameido Line in 2019. All 8000 Series sets operating on the Kameido Line feature the updated facades and LED lights & signboards.

The 8000 Series was introduced by Tobu Railway for service on their lines in 1963. Between 1963 and 1983, Tobu built 712 sets. Despite being a smaller train operator, this is the largest number of any single model of train ever put into operation in Japan by a private company. The 8000 Series saw service on many different lines in the northern Kanto region. From the 2000s, many 8000 Series train sets began to get replaced by never models. In 2024, over 100 sets are still in operation, and six sets have already been preserved.

At its height, the 8000 Series was either the exclusive or the primary model on 10 different lines. All ten lines continue to operate some of the remaining 8000 Series sets, with some lines operating 800 & 850 Series sets which are modified 8000 Series sets.

The green & "jasmine white" set at Hikifune Station on the Kameido Line in 2019. This livery pays homage to a 7860 Series train set given the same livery as an experiment in the 1950s.The katakana on the left signboard (ワンマン) says "wanman" or One-Man, indicating that the train is operated by a single conductor. Almost all 8000 Series train sets were eventually modified to allow for a single person to drive the train. !

Starting in 2012, Tobu began painting random 8000 Series sets with custom liveries as a way to reinvigorate interest in the trains.

One set in particular, 8111, is a fully-preserved 8000 Series set kept in running order by the Tobu Museum. It features no modifications from the original design apart from safety improvements and some LED signal lights. It was repainted multiple times over the course of 15 years before being returned to regular service on the Urban Park (Noda) Line in 2023.

Set 8111, featuring the original "royal beige" & "international orange" livery, going out of service at Kasukabe Station on the Urban Park Line before preparing to "turn around" and return to Omiya Station in 2024. ! ! !

All pictures taken by me in 2019 & 2024. Part of my Rolling Stock series of posts.

Previous Rolling Stock posts:

• Joyful Train "Resort Yamadori" (repurposed JNR 485 Series)
• JNR 183/189/381 Series Limited Express
• JR East 253-1000 Series Express Train
• Izukyu 2100 Series "The Black Ship Train (Kurofune)" Resort Liner
• Toei 6000 Series Streetcar
• JR East E491 "East iE" Track Inspector
• JR E351 "Azusa" Express Liner
• JR East 185 Series Limited Express Liner
• Sotetsu 20000 Series
• JNR 9600 Class Steam Locomotive
• Tobu 100 Series "Spacia" Strawberry Edition

A giant Jack-o-Lantern Mickey hanging in a shopping arcade in Suginami in 2013.

(A little late to the party, I know.)

Picture taken by me.