You can helpexpand this article with text translated fromthe corresponding article in Japanese. (September 2025)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
Machine translation, likeDeepL orGoogle Translate, is a useful starting point for translations, but translators must revise errors as necessary and confirm that the translation is accurate, rather than simply copy-pasting machine-translated text into the English Wikipedia.
Consideradding a topic to this template: there are already 1,379 articles in themain category, and specifying|topic= will aid in categorization.
Do not translate text that appears unreliable or low-quality. If possible, verify the text with references provided in the foreign-language article.
Youmust providecopyright attribution in theedit summary accompanying your translation by providing aninterlanguage link to the source of your translation. A model attribution edit summary isContent in this edit is translated from the existing Japanese Wikipedia article at [[:ja:小田急ロマンスカー]]; see its history for attribution.
You may also add the template{{Translated|ja|小田急ロマンスカー}} to thetalk page.
The name comes fromromance seats, two-person seats without separating armrests when one-person seats were a norm. SomeRomancecars are equipped with standard seats featuring armrests. Other railroad companies also used "romance cars" or "romance seats" (aJapanese portmanteau for "loveseat") for their special accommodation passenger cars, but Odakyu holds the trademark for the term "Romancecar".
Metro Home Way trains outbound fromKita-senju (on Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line) toHon-Atsugi
These are classified astokkyū (limited express) services, requiring limited express tickets and seat reservations.Bento meals are available on the train.
Odakyu 3000 series SE: These pioneering rapid rail trains were introduced in 1957 and were commonly used until 1968; one was used until 1991. They set theworld speed record for narrow gauge track in September 1957 at 145 km/h (90 mph) and were an inspiration for the world's firsthigh speed train, theShinkansen. They later earned Japan's Blue Ribbon design award. The 8-car trains could seat 354 people.
Odakyu 3100 series NSE: A taller, upgraded version of the 3000 series, it was used from 1963 until 1999. The 3100 series was the longestRomancecar in common service and gave it its distinctive look. TheNagoya RailroadPanorama Car design was based on the 3100 series. The 11-car trainset could seat 464 people, and had a maximum design speed of 170 km/h (106 mph).
Odakyu 7000 series LSE: Entering service in 1980, it has a 180-degree front view of scenery. It has seating for 464 people in 11 cars—identical to the 3100 series. It was manufactured byKawasaki Heavy Industries. The two remaining sets were withdrawn from regular service on July 10, 2018, and are scheduled to be operating seasonally until the end of the fiscal year.
Odakyu 10000 series HiSE: Introduced in 1988, like its predecessor, the 7000 series LSE, these two types are very closely related, and were once the top grade ofRomancecar service, but with larger seats than the 7000. Like the LSE and VSE, the driver's compartment is elevated so that passengers at the front of the train have an unimpeded 180 degree view of the scenery. These trains are used forHakone services, plying the same route as the VSE but stopping more often; the trip to Hakone takes about 90 minutes. Cabin attendants are available for food and drink service, except in the evening. The two remaining sets were withdrawn on March 16, 2012.
Odakyu 20000 series RSE: Introduced in 1992, and withdrawn in 2012, these trainsets were mainly used forAsagiri services toGotemba, where they alternated with the very similar JR Central371 series. They were the only Odakyu trains with first-class seating in "semi-compartments" on the upper deck of two bi-level cars in the center of each train. It was the first in the series to break from the traditional wine red color, being baby blue.
Odakyu 30000 series EXE: Introduced in 1996, these currently operate mostRomancecar services. Most are equipped with vending machines on board, and some also have cabin attendants. They are boxy and metallic bronze in color. From fiscal 2016, sets have undergone a programme of refurbishment; refurbished sets are branded EXEα (Excellent Express Alpha).[2]
Odakyu 50000 series VSE: Introduced in 2005, the white VSE featured the driver's compartment elevated over the cabin as with the HiSE. VSE trains were primarily used forSuper Hakone services and had cabin attendants who brought food, drinks, and on-board shopping to each passenger's seat during the 80-minute run to Hakone. There were also two cars with cafe spaces, leading to the VSE's reputation as a "moving café" (走る喫茶室). There are seats for 358 people.[3][4] The two sets were withdrawn from regular service on March 11, 2022,[5] and were completely retired on December 10, 2023.[6]
Odakyu 70000 series GSE: The newest "Romancecar" model, with an elevated driver's compartment similar to the HiSE and VSE. Entered service in March 2018.[7]
3000, 3100 and 7000 series Romancecar trains, left to right, in traditional colors
Open Me!, the series finale ofUltra Q, features a flying Odakyu 3100 Series calledThe Train In The Vary Dimension. It journeys to a pocket dimension with its passengers, a place where those within can be free of the hardships and struggles of daily life, but upon returning, those aboard are left forever insane and unable to go back.
Romansu (Round Trip Heart), a 2015 Japanese film about a train attendant who works on Romancecar services between Shinjuku and Hakone
In Vol. 21 of mangaJujutsu Kaisen, the character Kinji Hagari's personal technique of "Sitetsu Junai Ressha" features several station names fromOdakyu Odawara Line.
^５０年前の特急ロマンスカーが登場 (in Japanese). Asahi. October 3, 2007. RetrievedNovember 30, 2007.
^「特急ロマンスカー・EXE（３００００形）」をリニューアル ～ＥＸＥは、「EXEα」へ進化します～ [EXE 30000 series Romancecar to be refurbished - becoming "EXEα"](PDF).News Release (in Japanese). Japan: Odakyu Electric Railway. October 20, 2016.Archived(PDF) from the original on October 20, 2016. RetrievedMarch 16, 2022.
^"小田急50000形ロマンスカー「VSE」の定期運用終了" [Regular operation of Odakyu 50000 series "VSE" Romancecars has ended].Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese). Japan: Koyusha Co., Ltd. March 12, 2022.Archived from the original on March 12, 2022. RetrievedMarch 16, 2022.
^Miyamoto, Yasuhiro (December 11, 2023).小田急50000形ロマンスカー「VSE」がラストラン [Odakyu 50000 type Romancecar “VSE” makes its last run].Japan Railfan Magazine Online (in Japanese).Archived from the original on December 10, 2023. RetrievedDecember 10, 2023.
^小田急電鉄、新型ロマンスカー70000形デビューへ 高さ1mの側面窓や展望室 [Odakyu Electric Railway to debut new 70000 series Romancecar with 1 m high side windows and observation saloon].tetsudo-shimbun.com (in Japanese). Japan: Tetsudo Shimbun. October 20, 2016.Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. RetrievedOctober 20, 2016.
Odakyu trainsets
