By HIROTO MOTOI/ Staff Writer
January 4, 2022 at 07:30 JST
People board the Odensha tram at the Ekimae Dentei stop in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture, for a test operation on Dec. 8. (Hiroto Motoi)
TOYOHASHI, Aichi Prefecture--The Odensha tram resumed operations on Dec. 10 with offerings of alcohol and “oden” hotpot to passengers, as well as heightened COVID-19 prevention measures, including masks on the carriage.
Toyohashi Railroad Co. had to stop the tram’s operation midway through last winter because of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The continuing health crisis also threatened to cancel tram services for this winter season.
But Toyohashi Railroad decided to operate the Odensha tram after receiving support from fans who wanted the seasonal tradition to continue.
Underscoring the tram’s popularity, all tickets have been sold for the new limited schedule.
The tram will run once a day until Dec. 28 and between Jan. 5 and 30. It will operate in the evening on weekdays and Saturdays, and around noon on Sundays and holidays.
The 9.4-kilometer round trip from the Ekimae Dentei stop at Toyohashi Station takes about 90 minutes.
Passenger numbers are limited to 16, half the regular capacity, per service. Acrylic partitions have also been installed.
The Odensha tram started operations in the business year ending in March 2008.
The tram’s body features an illustration to mark its 15th anniversary. “Masks” were also placed near the headlights at the front and back.
The company operates the beer-themed Noryo Beer Densha tram in summer, but this service has been canceled for two straight years because of the pandemic.
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