On 5 October, Tobu Railway Co., Ltd. (Tobu Railway) and Hitachi, Ltd., have jointly won the '2023 GOOD DESIGN AWARD' for the design and manufacture of the car body of the new Series N100 'SPACIA X'.

The award was sponsored by Japan Institute of Design Promotion.

Tobu Railway started the operation of the new limited express train, SPACIA X - which connects Asakusa with the Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen areas - on 15 July 2023. Under the concept of 'Connect & Updatable', SPACIA X has been manufactured with the aim of becoming a more advanced and high-quality flagship limited express train, while maintaining and continuing the tradition and brand image that the conventional Series 100 SPACIA has built up.

Details are in the attached document.

SPACIA X exterior Cockpit Suite

Cockpit Lounge SPACIA X logo

Overview of receiving '2023 GOOD DESIGN AWARD ' by the Series N100 SPACIA X

1.	Award-winning vehicle

Tobu Railway's new limited express train Series N100 SPACIA X

2.	Award details

2023 GOOD DESIGN AWARD

(Sponsored by Japan Institute of Design Promotion)

3.	Comments by evaluation committee members

In recent years, the railway industry, which needs a shift from quantity to quality due to COVID-19 pandemic, has been introducing a series of unique limited express trains. Among them, this train has a great deal to mention. Most conspicuous of all is the revival of eating and drinking spaces, which were near extinction among Japanese train cars. It is also novel that 6 types of interiors are introduced, and chairs and tables reminiscent of furniture are adopted with consideration of safety. While the colour and shape of the destination's historic sites are incorporated into the car's colour and interior lighting, the destination indicator on the side also provided a passenger information video, showing off the appeal of train travel in various expressions.

4.	What is the GOOD DESIGN AWARD?

The GOOD DESIGN AWARD succeeds the Good Design Product Selection System (or G-mark system) established by the former Ministry of International Trade and Industry in 1957 and is the only comprehensive campaign for design evaluation and recommendation in Japan. As one of the largest and most successful design awards in the world, many companies and designers in Japan and overseas participate in the award, and it is also supported by many people as a campaign to promote good design in society.

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Tobu Railway's new limited express train Series N100 SPACIA X

1.	Start date of operation: 15 July 2023
2.	Model name: Series N100
3.	Number of cars: 24 cars in 4 trains

(Currently 12 cars in 2 trains have been introduced, and another 12 cars in 2 trains will be

introduced in FY2023)

4.	Number of seats: 212 seats
5.	Routes: Tobu Skytree Line, Nikko Line, Kinugawa Line between Asakusa and Tobu Nikko,

Kinugawa Onsen

6.	Vehicle overview
(1)	Concept 'Connect & Updatable'

By updating and providing various information and services beyond the physical connection

of the railway, from the moment you board the train, you will be able to connect with 'your

own optimal Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen area', aiming for a limited express train that will

make you wish to visit the same area again and again.

(2)	Vehicle design

The conventional form of SPACIA has been evolved to the present day and incorporated

into the design. The colours evoke a noble white reminiscent of the 'Gofun' painted on the

Yomeimon Gate, Karamon Gate, and main sanctuary of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. The

window frames are inspired by carefully handmade crafts such as the muntins

(Kumiko) in Kanuma and bamboo weaving that have been handed down from the Edo

period.

(3)	Seats

In addition to inheriting the private rooms in the conventional SPACIA, we will provide new

types of seats, such as lounges, to provide a higher quality of space, and aim to become a

limited express train that you will wish to ride many times.

(4)	Cafe counter (GOEN CAFE SPACIA X)

To be a place where you can meet 'your own optimal Nikko and Kinugawa Onsen area',

we will actively introduce new products and offer products that you can enjoy with your five

senses that can only be found here.

(5)	Carbon neutral operation

We will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 40% compared to the conventional SPACIA, and

virtually replace all of the electricity used for operations with electricity from

renewable sources, making CO2 emissions net zero.

For information about SPACIA X, visit https://www.tobu.co.jp/spaciax/en/

(C) 2023 Electronic News Publishing, source ENP Newswire