Soyokaze

Soyokaze

A preserved 189 series EMU with a Soyokaze headboard, December 2004
Overview
Service type	Limited express
Status	Discontinued
Locale	Honshu, Japan
First service	26 July 1968
Former operator(s)	JNR JR East
Route
Start	Ueno
End	Naka-Karuizawa
Distance travelled	146.5 km
Line used	Shinetsu Main Line
On-board services
Class(es)	Green + Standard
Technical
	157 series, 181 series, 183 series, 185 series, 189 series, 489 series EMUs
Track gauge	1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification	1,500 V DC overhead

The Soyokaze (そよかぜ) was a limited express train service in Japan introduced by Japanese National Railways (JNR) in July 1968, and later operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) between Ueno in Tokyo and Naka-Karuizawa on the Shinetsu Main Line in Nagano Prefecture.

Services were originally formed using 157 series EMUs, and services later used 181 series, 183 series, 185 series, 189 series, and 489 series EMUs.

9-car 489 series formations operating in later years were typically formed as shown below, with car 1 at the Ueno end.

Soyokaze services were first introduced on 20 July 1968 as seasonal limited express servies operating between Tokyo and Naka-Karuizawa to supplement the Asama services which operated between Ueno and Nagano. The services initially used 157 series EMUs, which had been removed from former Hibiki services in September 1964.

From 1969, 181 series EMUs, also used on Asama services were introduced on Soyokaze services.

When first introduced, Soyokaze services featured reserved accommodation only, but from 15 November 1982, non-reserved cars were also included.

From the start of the revised timetable on 14 March 1985, 9-car 489 series EMUs were introduced on Soyokaze services.

From 3 December 1994, Soyokaze was down-graded to become an occasional service run between Ueno and Nagano, and was phased out before the opening of the Nagano Shinkansen.