The Yamanote train line [山手線] in Japanese is called Yamanote-zen, and it is one of the most important in Tokyo. Its name literally means “line of the mountain side.” It is a circular railway line about 35.9 km long and belongs to the JR East company in Japan.
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About the Yamanote Line
The Yamanote line is one of the busiest lines in Tokyo, as it passes through the main centers of the city (remember that Tokyo is a polycentric city): Marunouchi, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Station, Ikebukuro, Akihabara, and Ueno. The main characteristic of the Yamanote Line is that it is circular, and its route unofficially outlines the center of Tokyo.
A large part of the stations that are part of the Yamanote line connect with other subway or train lines, twenty-three out of thirty stations to be more precise. These lines lead to other areas of Tokyo or even to other cities. If you are in Tokyo, you already know the best way to get around the main tourist spots in the city.
The trains on the Yamanote line operate from 4:26 AM until 1:18 AM the following day, with trains arriving at the station every 2 to 4 minutes, every 2 minutes during peak hours.
The wait is very short, so if you see a train just leaving, you don’t need to worry because another one will arrive soon. Also, be aware of another parallel line that usually makes a similar route.
Another thing that can greatly facilitate the lives of people using the Yamanote line is the fact that there are two trains running in opposite directions, that is, clockwise and counterclockwise, stopping at all stations, so you won’t have to wait for the train to make a full loop if you pass a station.
History of the Yamanote Line
The origin of this line dates back to the construction of the Shinagawa line in 1885 between Akabane and Shinagawa, which passes through populated areas and offers the first north-south line crossing Tokyo.
The northern part of the line connecting Tabata and Ikebukuro was built in 1903 (between the Toshima line (豊島線)). In 1909, shortly after they were electrified, the two lines were merged to form the Yamanote line.
But until that moment, the loop had not been completed; it was necessary to also connect with the Keihin-Tōhoku and Chuo lines, between Tokyo and Nakano stations.
The loop was finally completed in 1925, with the opening of the section between Ueno and Kanda stations, which allowed for a north-south connection via Tokyo Station passing through the city center.
In 1971, Nishi-Nippori station was also connected to the line. Since then, the line has not been modified, and JR East considered creating a new station between Tamachi and Shinagawa stations, which are 2.2 km apart (the longest stretch of the line).
Nostalgia for those who used the Yamanote Zen
One of the most nostalgic things about riding the Yamanote line is the music that plays upon arriving at each station. Below is a video with all these songs:
Stations of the Yamanote Line
Millions of people travel the Yamanote line daily. The neighborhoods through which this line passes are among the best and most modern in the city, also passing by many tourist attractions in Tokyo.
For example, in Ueno, one of these neighborhoods, you can see the zoo, national museums, and Ueno Park, which is a park full of cherry trees that create a beautiful landscape during spring.
Tokyo station is close to the Zojoji Temple and the Tokyo Tower. This station is also the terminal station for the Tokyo monorail, which connects the city center to Haneda Airport.
Moreover, this station leads to all the Shinkansen lines. In this neighborhood is the Marunouchi shopping center, which is located near the Imperial Palace Gardens.
Sugamo, the Elderly Neighborhood
The line also passes through Sugamo, which is a commercial neighborhood that has become very popular among the elderly. In fact, this neighborhood is called “Harajuku for grandparents,” because instead of having stores aimed at teenagers and young people like Harajuku.
Sugamo has stores more focused on the elderly, in addition to many markets with traditional regional foods. The tourist attraction of Sugamo is the Kogan-ji Temple, known for relieving physical pains, which is why it is often visited by the elderly.
Neighborhoods for Youth and Otaku
Akihabara is like a big shopping center, mainly for electronic products and also products aimed at otakus. Harajuku, Shibuya, and Shinjuku are neighborhoods frequently visited by young people, as these neighborhoods are full of shops, bars, nightclubs, and dance halls.
Shibuya and Harajuku are also packed with shopping malls and boutiques, mainly focused on youth fashion. In Ebisu, there is a shopping center called Ebisu Garden Place, a place with many restaurants, shops, and places to relax and walk.
Shinjuku and Surroundings
The line also passes through Shinjuku, one of the busiest neighborhoods in Japan. This is considered one of the major commercial centers during the day and also a major entertainment center at night. It is very frequented mainly by teenagers and young people.
Another neighborhood is Yoyogi, which is close to Shinjuku. This one is a bit more elegant and sophisticated, composed of chic boutiques, cafes, gardens, and Yoyogi Park.
Other Highlights
Akadanobaba, popularly known simply as “Baba,” is the neighborhood where Waseda University (one of the best universities in Tokyo) is located. Being an area frequented by students, there is an abundance of cheap restaurants, especially ramen restaurants (which is a noodle soup), bookstores, and bars.
Shimbashi is a commercial area near Hama Rikyu Gardens, Tsukiji Fish Market, and Shiodome Shiosite. Okachimachi also has a very famous shopping street called Ameyoko. Komagome has a traditional Japanese garden called Rikugien Garden. And Ikebukuro is one of the largest entertainment and shopping centers in Tokyo.
Shin-Okubo showcases a more multicultural side of the city, which is rare to see in Tokyo. It is also called ‘Little Korea,’ thanks to a large presence of Koreans in this neighborhood. There, you can try typical Korean foods such as Teokbokki (a rice cake with spicy sauce), and Malaysian and Thai cuisines can also be found in the area.
Meguro is a neighborhood full of antiques, decoration shops, and household items. It is known as the Design neighborhood of Tokyo. Gotanda, Osaki, and Shinagawa are major commercial centers and have many tall buildings. In Gotanda, there is the Brazilian embassy and consulate.
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