Iiyama Line “Oykot”
Logos, Visual Identity, Train Exterior
A sightseeing train that runs in the mountains of Shinshu, with the theme of Furusato, a “hometown”. The scenery from the train window is splendidly primitive, recalling the so-called world of old Japanese tales. Since the birthplace of the lyricist of the famous children’s song, Furusato, was along the railway line, I picked his song as a design motif. The train name, OYKOT, a backwards reading of TOKYO, represents the calm flowing of time in the quiet countryside, in contrast to the city.
Coincidentally, I became a good friend with an American from the West Coast, whose wife is from near Iiyama. He was intrigued by this poster, has been on the train cars I designed, arranged an appointment with me, and now shares our office in Tokyo.
Coincidentally, I became a good friend with an American from the West Coast, whose wife is from near Iiyama. He was intrigued by this poster, has been on the train cars I designed, arranged an appointment with me, and now shares our office in Tokyo.
Client: East Japan Railway Company, Omiya Branch
Planning / Direction: EAST JAPAN MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Planning / Direction: EAST JAPAN MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Producer: Entertainment Bowl Co., Ltd.
Design: Shunpei Yokoyama Design Office
Copywriting: Hidekazu Kobayashi
Poster Illustration: Keiko Shibata
Train Photography: Kei Shimizu
