Wakayama Electric Railway Ichigo Train from Kishi to Idakiso Train Review
After a Hot Cat brunch at Kishi Station, it was time to continue on the Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line exploration by visiting Yontama next at Idakiso. On top of visiting Yontama, Idakiso also houses the depot for the Wakayama Electric Railway. Now I wasn’t sure which is the better attraction.
Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line
Kishi Station
I got to the platform just in time for the next train’s departure at 11.36am, operated by the Ichigo Train. The Ichigo Train is the very first “renewal train” produced by Wakayama Electric Railway from the original Nankai Electric Railway set.
The interior of the Ichigo Train with a strawberry moquette on the seats.
A table area is provided in the section by the gangway, probably to cater to strawberries in season? I’m not too sure about this.
A souvenir stamp can also be collected on board the Ichigo Train. Bring your own notebook.
The seat layout in both cars are identical, with a different strawberry moquette in each.
Even the advertising panels bear the train’s theme instead of selling it as advertisement space.
Kanroji-mae Station
Making a brief stop at Kanroji-mae Station.
Heading beside a local road.
Nishiyamaguchi Station
Making a brief stop at Nishiyamaguchi Station.
Oikeyūen Station
Making a brief stop at Oikeyūen Station.
Sandō Station
Making a brief stop at Sandō Station.
As I was alighting at Idakiso, an intermediate station, I headed to the front door to prepare to disembark. For this one-man operated system, tickets and fares are checked by the driver upon disembarkation.
If on a regular one-way ticket, drop your fare into the fare box along with your numbered ticket upon alighting.
Approaching Idakiso Station, the main operational hub of Wakayama Electric Railway.
The route has been set for Platform 2.
The Umeboshi Train is already on Platform 1 waiting for crossing.
My Ichigo Train arrived at Idakiso Station on time at 11.47am, making this a journey of 11 minutes.
Once my Ichigo Train had arrived, the line was clear for the Umeboshi Train to depart.
The classic look of Idakiso Station.
Access out of the platform and out of the station is by a pedestrian railway crossing from the platform in front of the depot. Nice.
Taking the pedestrian railway crossing from the platform to the main station building.
With 3 sets running at off-peak, 3 other sets are resting in Idakiso Depot, namely, the Chuggington Train, the Tama Train Museum, and the Animal Welfare Train.
The Tama Train Museum was my main target to try, since it is the newest-refurbished set (it was previously the Toy Train or OMODEN with lots of gashapon machines) but unfortunately it was out of service on the day of my visit.
The Chuggington Train was parked slightly out probably to entertain children with a closer look.
A plaque in front of the depot also described the functions.
The depot is a restricted area and this viewing bay provides an overview of it.
Heading out of Idakiso Station.
Idakiso was probably a manned station before, with a booth and gate for passengers to walk through. Idakiso Station currently has staff, but is treated as an unmanned station with fares settled by the driver. The staff at Idakiso Station mainly provides information and sell souvenirs, which include souvenir tickets.
On the other corner is Yontama’s office.
Unfortunately, Yontama was very asleep throughout my short stay in Idakiso Station.
Yontama’s peak cap sits within her office, interestingly bearing the badge of the Ichigo Train.
The timetable at Idakiso is displayed by train set instead of chronological order. This makes it useful for joyriding, which a lot of tourists and railway fans are doing.
The working schedules of Nitama and Yontama are also displayed. While Nitama is permanently at Kishi, Yontama can work at both stations depending on Nitama’s rest days.
The weekly roster of Nitama and Yontama. Kishi Station is the main priority for manning (catting?) with shifts covered every day.
The small but compact concourse of Idakiso Station. The ticket booth is manned, but with the staff selling souvenirs.
I have about 20 minutes to explore Idakiso before the next train back to Wakayama.
The façade of Idakiso Station.
A cut-out photo spot of the cab of the Tama Train is available for kids or adults who squat, with a portrait of Tama on the middle window.
Another photo spot of the cab of the Animal Welfare Train is also available.
The Idakiso station car park is also just beside the depot entrance for staff.
The car park offers a closer look at the depot, with the Tama Train Museum now even closer.
This is as close I can get to the Tama Train Museum for now. Until my next trip to Osaka and Wakayama.
The Animal Welfare Train was in the shed. Both of these trains are not scheduled for service on the day of my visit.
On the other end of the station, there is a railway crossing, which I crossed to get another view of Idakiso Station.
Just like most good depots, the Wakayama Electric Railway also has an escape route from the depot just before the main line.
Looking at Idakiso Station from the other side.
Looking out to the line towards Wakayama, where I will be heading shortly.
Wakayama Electric Railway Kishigawa Line
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