Wednesday 25 September 2013

Old Ceramic Factory on the Higashiyama Line

EMU Nagoya Municipal Subway 5050 series stands at Nagoya Station on the Higashiyama Line
 
Noritake is Japan's representative ceramic tableware brand. It was established in 1904 in Noritake Village of Nagoya City. In commemorating the 100th anniversary of Noritake brand, a memorial garden was opened in 2001 on the premises of their headquarters, the very birthplace of modern pottery in Japan.

This area has already been completed as a role of their production base. The site of the main factory was changed to a forest and a garden, which are open to the public. Although most of the old buildings were demolished, some brick-built ones are still preserved. For instance, the following photograph shows old storage buildings, which were built in 1904 as some of the first buildings on this site. They were designated as the Nagoya City's historical construction property in 2012.

To get to this ex-factory garden, take the Nagoya Municipal Subway-Higashiyama Line and get off at Kamejima Station. The Higashiyama Line is the first subway line in the city. It was opened in 1957 between Nagoya and Sakae-cho stations (2.4km). The whole route was completed in 1982 between Takabata and Fujigaoka stations (20.6km). The track gauge is 1,435mm and the electric system is 600V DC with a third rail.

The EMU 5050 series is one of the major fleets on the line. It was launched in 1992 to replace old models. A total of 27 sets, 162 units, have been manufactured so far by Nippon Sharyo. The stainless steel body with yellow and white stripes is vivid for passengers.

 
Old strorages are preserved in ex-Noritake Factory near Kamejima Station on the Higashiyama Line
 
More information about the EMU Nagoya Municipal Subway 5050 series (in Japanese):