Inauguration of the Odakyu Romancecar Service

On June 5, 1969, the Odakyu Electric Railway introduced its renowned Romancecar limited express service between Shinjuku in Tokyo and Hakone-Yumoto, Japan. Featuring sleek 3100 series SE trains with distinctive panoramic windows and streamlined noses, these trains were designed for scenic mountain routes and reached speeds up to 110 km/h. The service targeted tourists heading to the Hakone hot springs area, combining luxury seating with innovative suspension for comfort on winding tracks. This launch strengthened Odakyu's position in Japan's competitive private railway market and showcased advanced Japanese rail engineering. The Romancecar brand continues today with modern 70000 series sets, symbolizing reliable high-speed regional travel.