Azusa

Super Azusa Azusa
E351 series Super Azusa EMU, January 2010
Service type	Limited express
Operator	JR East
Line used	Chūō Main Line, Shinonoi Line
Maximum speed	130 km/h (80 mph)[1]
Started	1957 (Semi express) 1966 (Limited express)
Rolling stock	E351 series (Super Azusa) E257 series EMUs

The Azusa (あずさ^?) and Super Azusa (スーパーあずさ^?) are limited express services operated by East Japan Railway (JR East), which run between Shinjuku and Matsumoto via the Chūō Main Line and Shinonoi Line.

The name Azusa is taken from the Azusa River in Matsumoto, Nagano.

Route

Azusa

Shinjuku - Matsumoto - Minamiotari
(One train a day starts/terminates at Chiba)

Super Azusa

Shinjuku - Matsumoto

Formations

Azusa

Super Azusa

Rolling stock

E257 series EMU on Azusa service, April 2008

183 series EMU in revised Azusa livery, January 2001

183 series EMU in original "Grade-up Azusa" livery

Rolling stock currently used

• E351 series EMUs (Super Azusa, since 1993)
• E257 series EMUs (since 2001)
• 189 series EMUs (since 1975, now used for seasonal additional services only)
• 183 series EMUs (since 1972, now used for seasonal additional services only)

Rolling stock previously used

• 181 series 10-car EMUs (from 1966)
• 165 series EMUs (from 1966)

History

The Azusa service began on 1 October 1957 as a semi express operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto. This operated until 24 April 1960 when it was absorbed into Hakuba semi express services.^[2]

The Azusa name was revived from 12 December 1966 for use on limited express services operating between Shinjuku and Matsumoto.^[2]

The premier Super Azusa service commenced on 3 December 1994 with the delivery of the first new E351 series tilting EMUs.^[2]

New E257 series EMUs were introduced on Azusa services from the start of the revised timetable on 1 December 2001.^[1]

Smoking was prohibited in all cars from 18 March 2007.

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Azusa (train)

• JR E257 Azusa/Kaiji (Japanese)
• JR E351 Super Azusa (Japanese)

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