Okayama Electric Tramway
{{Short description|Tram system in Chūgoku, Japan}}
{{Infobox public transit
| box_width =
| name = Okayama Electric Tramway
| image = Okayama_Electric_Tramway_9200.jpg
| alt = A white and blue low-floor light rail vehicle labeled "MOMO"
| imagesize =
| caption = Type 9200 "MOMO" light rail vehicle
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| native_name = {{lang|ja|岡山電気軌道}}
| owner = Okayama Electric Tramway Co., Ltd.
| area served =
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| transit_type = Light rail
| lines = 2
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| stations = 16
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| headquarters = 2-chome-8-22, Tokichi-cho, Naka-ku
Okayama-shi, Okayama-ken
703-8291
| website = http://www.okayama-kido.co.jp/
| began_operation = 21 May 1910
| ended_operation =
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| system_length = {{convert|4.7|km|mi|abbr=on}}
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| map = 500px
| map_name = System Map
| map_state = collapsed
}}
Image:Okaden_Okayamaekimae_eki.JPG
{{nihongo|Okayama Electric Tramway|岡山電気軌道|Okayama Denki Kidō}} is a transportation company in Okayama City, Chūgoku, Japan. The private company operates tram lines and bus lines. The company and its lines are officially abbreviated as {{nihongo|Okaden|岡電}}.
The company was founded in 1910, while its first tram line was opened in 1912. This is one of the few Japanese railway operators that maintained their original corporation names from the foundation in Meiji Period. The company is a core member of the Ryōbi Group, another core member being Ryōbi Bus. From October 1, 2006, together with Ryōbi Bus and Okayama bus company Shimotsui Dentetsu (Shimoden), Okaden introduced Hareca, a smart card ticketing system accepted on trams and buses in Okayama. Okaden also accepts the 10 Nationwide IC Cards including PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica and PASMO.
Tram lines
At just 4.7 km long, Okaden's tram system is the shortest in Japan.{{Cite web |title="Photo of the Month" Archive December 2002 |url=http://www.japaneserailwaysociety.com/jrs/month/y02/dec/y0212.htm#:~:text=The%20Okayama%20Electric%20Tramway%20has%20two%20lines,Adtranz%20GT%20series%20and%20is%20named%20%22Momo%22. |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=www.japaneserailwaysociety.com}}{{Cite web |title=Okayama Tram Tramway Streetcar Trolley Strassenbahn 岡山電気軌道 |url=http://ymtram.mashke.org/japan/okayama/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=ymtram.mashke.org}}
=Lines=
| class="wikitable"
!Route !Length !Stops |
| ■ {{Ill|Higashiyama Line (Okaden)|lt=Higashiyama Line|ja|岡山電気軌道東山本線}}
|Okayama-Ekimae — Yanagawa — Higashiyama |{{Convert|3.1|km|mi|abbr=on}} |10 * |
| ■ Seikibashi Line
|Okayama-Ekimae — Yanagawa — Seikibashi ‡ |{{Convert|1.6|km|mi|abbr=on}} |6 † |
| colspan="2" |Totals:
|{{Convert|4.7|km|mi|abbr=on}} |16 |
† Excludes 3 stations listed on Higashiyama Line.
‡ Seikibashi Line is officially Yanagawa — Seikibashi only ({{Convert|1.6|km|mi|abbr=on}}), though all services continue on the Higashiyama Line to/from Okayama-Ekimae.
* Excludes temporary stop Kyobashi Iryujo [ja] which is only used on specific days. It is not listed in company maps/timetables/etc.
Services
{{Asof|2025|February}}, trams operate at the following frequencies:{{Cite web |title=路線図・時刻表・運賃 - Time |url=https://okayama-kido.co.jp/tram/route-map/#time |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=路面電車 {{!}} 岡山電気軌道 |language=ja}}
| class="wikitable"
! ! colspan="3" |Weekdays ! colspan="3" |Weekends & Holidays |
| !Morning
Peak !Daytime & Afternoon Peak !Evening !Before 09:00 !Daytime !Evening |
|---|
| Higashiyama Line
|{{align|center|5 minutes}} |{{align|center|6 minutes}} |{{align|center|10-15 minutes}} |{{align|center|6-9 minutes}} |{{align|center|6 minutes}} |{{align|center|10-15 minutes}} |
| Seikibashi Line
|{{align|center|12 minutes}} |{{align|center|12 minutes}} |{{align|center|20 minutes}} |{{align|center|12 minutes}} |{{align|center|12 minutes}} |{{align|center|20 minutes}} |
Higashiyama Line has running time of 16-24 minutes, operating betweeen approx. 06:00 and 22:00 every day.
Seikibashi Line has running time of 13-18 minutes, operating between approx 06:30 and 21:30 every day.
Fares
{{As of|2025|February}}, Fares are ¥120 or ¥140 (¥60 or ¥70 for children under 12yo) dependent on distance travelled.{{Cite web |title=路線図・時刻表・運賃 - Rosen |url=https://okayama-kido.co.jp/tram/route-map/#rosen |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=路面電車 {{!}} 岡山電気軌道 |language=ja}}
1-day passes costing ¥400 (¥200 for children under 12yo) are available onboard trams, at sales outlets or by using the RYDE PASS smartphone app.{{Cite web |title=路線図・時刻表・運賃 - Day Pass |url=https://okayama-kido.co.jp/tram/route-map/#daypass |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=路面電車 {{!}} 岡山電気軌道 |language=ja}}
Fares can be paid for using cash (paid when exiting the tram), any of the 10 Nationwide Mutual Usage Service IC Cards (PiTaPa, ICOCA, Suica, PASMO, etc.) or Hareca card (Okayama tram/bus IC card).{{Cite web |title=路線図・時刻表・運賃 - IC |url=https://okayama-kido.co.jp/tram/route-map/#ic |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=路面電車 {{!}} 岡山電気軌道 |language=ja}} Commuter and student passes are also available.{{Cite web |title=路線図・時刻表・運賃 - Teiki |url=https://okayama-kido.co.jp/tram/route-map/#teiki |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=路面電車 {{!}} 岡山電気軌道 |language=ja}}
{{routemap
| title = Okayama Electric Tramway
| width = 300px
| legend = no
| map-title = System Diagram
| map = BUS\uKBHFa\~~20px Okayama-ekimae~~岡山駅前
\uBHF\~~Nishigawa-ryokudōkōen~~西川緑道公園
\uINT\~~Yanagawa~~柳川
uSTR+l\uABZgr\
uSTR\uBHF\~~Shiroshita~~城下
uSTR\uBHF\~~Kenchōdōri~~県庁通り
uSTR\uBHF\~~Saidaiji-chō~~西大寺町
uSTR\uhKRZWae\~~Asahi River~~旭川
uSTR\uBHF\~~Kobashi~~小橋
uSTR\uBHF\~~Chūnagon~~中納言
uSTR\uBHF\~~Kadotayashiki~~門田屋敷
uSTR\uKBHFe\~~Higashiyama~~東山
uBHF\\~~Yūbinkyoku-mae~~郵便局前
uBHF\\~~Tamachi~~田町
uBHF\\~~Shin-Saidaijichōsuji~~新西大寺町筋
uBHF\\~~Daiunji-mae~~大雲寺前
uBHF\\~~Higashi-chūōchō~~東中央町
uKBHFe\\~~Seikibashi~~清輝橋
}}
Chuggington Tram
File:岡山電気軌道9200形電車1081「おかでんチャギントン列車」.jpg
Since March 16, 2019, Okaden operates a special tramcar representing Wilson and Brewster from Chuggington, a British animated children's TV series.{{Cite web |title=おかでんチャギントン {{!}} 世界で大人気のチャギントンが路面電車で再現 おかでんチャギントンにレッツライド！ |url=https://okaden-chuggington.com/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=okaden-chuggington.com}}{{Cite web |date=2018-12-27 |title=チャギントン列車に乗ってみた！ 岡電、アニメモチーフ路面電車： 山陽新聞デジタル｜さんデジ |url=https://www.sanyonews.jp/article/845106 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181227061131/https://www.sanyonews.jp/article/845106 |archive-date=December 27, 2018 |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=web.archive.org}} Built by Niigata Transys in 2018, it is a low-floor articulated tram based on the design of the existing {{Ill|Okaden 9200 series trams|ja|岡山電気軌道9200形電車}} but with extensive modifications including fibreglass mouldings to represent a locomotive, raised driving position & driver's windows and custom-shaped windows. Designed by Eiji Mitooka, the tram interior features childrens play areas, special seating and video screens playing Chuggington videos.
Chuggington Tram operates similar to a tourist train, with tickets sold for a designated tour travelling on both of the company's tram lines. Ticket information is available at the [https://okaden-chuggington.com/ Okaden Chuggington Tram] website. Tours commence at Okayama Ekimae (tram stop opposite Okayama Station) and terminate at Higashiyama, adjacent to the Okaden Chuggington Museum.{{Cite web |title=運行ルートと時間 {{!}} おかでんチャギントン |url=https://okaden-chuggington.com/guide/timetable/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=okaden-chuggington.com}} Tour tickets include entry to Okaden Chuggington Museum as well as a 1-day tram pass.
Chuggington Tram only operates specified tours (as well as being available for private hire{{Cite web |title=よくあるご質問 {{!}} おかでんチャギントン |url=https://okaden-chuggington.com/guide/faq/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=okaden-chuggington.com}}) and does not operate any regular passenger services.
File:Okaden Chuggington tram - Brewster 01.jpg|Okaden Chuggington tram - Brewster
File:Okaden Chuggington tram - Wilson.jpg|Okaden Chuggington tram - Wilson
Bus lines
Generally speaking, Okaden operates lines with shorter distances within Okayama City, while Ryōbi Bus operates lines with longer distances. They also operate limousine buses linking Okayama Station and Okayama Airport, while Okaden Express is a highway bus that links Okayama and Kōbe / Kōbe Airport.
Supporting other railway lines
Okaden is known for its active stance to try to support other railway lines, when their operators announced to close them. So far, they have considered supporting 4 lines of Meitetsu (Gifu City Line, Ibi Line, Minomachi Line, and Tagami Line), as well as Hitachi Dentetsu Line, Nankai Kishigawa Line, and Hokkaidō Chihoku Kōgen Railway Furusato Ginga Line. Among them, they succeeded to support Kishigawa Line, now operated by Wakayama Electric Railroad, their subsidiary company.
See also
References
This article incorporates material from the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia.{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Okayama Electric Tramway}}
- {{Official website|http://www.okayama-kido.co.jp}} {{in lang|ja|en|ko|zh}}
- {{Official website|https://okaden-chuggington.com/|name=Okaden Chuggington Tram (Official Website)}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{Official website|1=https://okdweb.jcld.jp/okadensite/?lang=en-US|name=Okaden Smartphone Information}} (Timetable, tram locations, etc. Optimised for viewing on phones) {{in lang|ja|en|ko|zh}}
{{Okayama transit}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Bus companies of Japan
Category:Tram transport in Japan
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