8月22日 チンチン電車の日 ～街を走る小さな旅人～

Hello everyone.
Did you know that August 22 is “Tram Day” in Japan?
It marks the day in 1903 (Meiji 36) when Tokyo’s first streetcar began operation.
Although the sound of “Chin-chin Densha” (ding-ding tram) now feels nostalgic, from a tourism perspective, trams are actually the perfect companions for exploring a city.

The first tram in Japan appeared in 1890 at an exposition in Ueno Park.
In 1895, the first streetcar to run on public roads began service in Kyoto.
Then in 1903, Tokyo’s streetcars started operating between Shimbashi and Shinagawa. The “ding-ding” sound of the bell echoed through the city, becoming a beloved new means of transportation that supported daily life.

This cute nickname has two origins:

• The sound of the driver ringing the foot bell (foot gong) to warn pedestrians.
• The bell used between the driver and conductor to signal each other.

At the time, the way the bell was rung conveyed messages such as “depart,” “stop,” or “emergency,” creating a network of small signal sounds across the city.

• 飛鳥山公園（春の桜・秋の紅葉が美しい名所）
• 鬼子母神堂（パワースポットとして人気）
• 庚申塚商店街（昔ながらの下町グルメが楽しめる）
• 大塚バラロード（地元住民が育てたバラが沿線を彩る）
• あらかわ遊園（子どもたちのオアシス、荒川の子はここで育つ）

Tokyo once had 41 tram lines, but today only the Toden Arakawa Line (Tokyo Sakura Tram) remains.
It runs 12.2 km from Minowabashi to Waseda, still serving as a lifeline for about 50,000 people each day.

Highlights along the line include:

• Asukayama Park (famous for cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage)
• Kishimojin Temple (a popular spiritual spot)
• Koshinzuka Shopping Street (old-fashioned downtown gourmet delights)
• Otsuka Rose Road (roses grown by locals brighten the line)
• Arakawa Amusement Park (an oasis for children, where generations have grown up)

Taking a leisurely ride and hopping off along the way reveals another side of Tokyo.

Beyond Tokyo, trams remain a highlight of many cities:

• Hiroshima Electric Railway: Connects Peace Memorial Park and Miyajima; Japan’s largest tram network.
• Nagasaki Electric Tramway: Runs through the hilly city of Nagasaki, linking exotic and historic attractions.
• Hankai Tramway (Osaka): From Ebisucho to Sakai, enjoy Osaka’s downtown and old townscapes.
• Hakodate City Tram: Convenient for reaching Mt. Hakodate’s night view and nearby hot spring areas.

In every city, a tram ride enhances the feeling of travel.

A tram is not just transportation—it’s a train that carries the stories of a city.
Listen carefully to the “ding-ding” of the bell, and you’ll glimpse the culture and daily lives unique to that town.

On your next trip, why not take a ride on a tram?
You’ll enjoy a special experience that blends nostalgia with discovery.

As the Japanese saying goes, “Strike while the iron is hot”—let’s spend our money on memories that truly come alive.