A rare vintage friction-powered lithographed tinplate toy train designated for the "Shinjuku" line, manufactured in Japan by Ichiko. Measuring an impressive 35cm in length, this classic Showa-era collectible features vibrant red graphics and a fully operational flywheel motor.


For US buyers: Shipping is DDP (Delivered Duty Paid). All duties, import taxes, and handling fees are prepaid. No extra charges upon delivery.

For buyers outside the US: Shipping is DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid). Customs duties, import taxes, or handling fees may be charged by your local customs office and are the buyer’s responsibility.

Description

Grade: Vintage Condition
In remarkably clean cosmetic and fully operational condition for a classic mid-to-late 20th-century metal toy. The silver-finished roof accents and undercarriage show light hairline scuffs, faint surface abrasions, and minimal age wear consistent with authentic vintage display, but there are no deep rust patches, structural dents, or missing parts. The lithograph graphics remain remarkably bright and glossy, and the friction mechanism runs strongly.

Appearance of the item

  • Some Scuff as photos.
  • Some Scratch as photos.
  • Some the sign of use as photos.
  • Some stains as photos.
  • Some deterioration over time as photos.
  • Some peeling paint as photos.

Please check on the photos for detailed condition of the product.

Item Size & Weight

Length 35cm / 13.78in 

Width 7cm / 2.76in 

Height 10cm / 3.94in 

Weight 389g / 13.72oz


This is an authentic, highly detailed post-war Japanese tinplate train produced during the late Showa era by Ichiko, one of Japan's most celebrated vintage transport toy manufacturers.

The front of the crimson car features the iconic stamped Ichiko trademark alongside the "MADE IN JAPAN" text, with the destination sign reading "Shinjuku (新宿)," representing one of Tokyo's most famous major rail hubs. The side flanks are adorned with beautifully preserved, whimsical lithographed illustrations of mid-century commuters and train staff looking out the windows. The roof contains raised silver-toned plastic detailing for the air cooling systems and ventilation grilles, adding fantastic texture to its vintage display profile.

The internal mechanical flywheel motor remains in working order—when pushed forward, the heavy-duty chassis axles coast smoothly under friction power. It is an exceptional, high-grade acquisition for global antique toy historians, JNR/JR railway enthusiasts, and collectors of historic Japanese lithographed tinplate.

If you have any question or concern, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for visiting.

Please Note for International Buyers

  • We ship items from Japan.
  • Import duties, taxes (example VAT, GST), and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility.
  • Please check in advance about those additional costs in your customs office before buying. Generally, those additional costs will be charged by the carrier when you receive the item.
  • We write the customs declaration correctly. No undervalue. No checkmark gift.