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Yokohama has 3.4 million inhabitants (second largest city in Japan) and is situated on the south-western shore of the Tokyo Bay, only 30 km from Central Tokyo. Yokohama has two real subway lines, which are complemented by several local railways that provide a high-frequency rail service also within the city (especially the Sotetsu and the Keikyu Lines).

MUNICIPAL SUBWAY

Subway construction began in 1968 and today's Blue Line, which was originally planned as two separate lines (Lines 1 and 3) meeting at Kannai, but it is now operated as one continuous line that runs from Azamino in the north to Shonandai in the south (total length 40.4 km, of which 7.6 km are above ground). The line counts 32 stations, most with central 120 m long platforms, 5 stations are on the surface (Center-Kita, Center-Minami, Nakamachidai, Nippa, Kaminagaya), average distance between stations is 1.3 km. The line uses 1435 mm gauge, power supply is via a 750V third rail. The 38 six-car trains (maximum in service on weekdays: 33) operate 159 runs on weekdays. One trip from Azamino to Shonandai takes 66 minutes. JR and Tokyu rail services to Tokyo leave from Yokohama Station, but the Shinkansen high speed service stops at Shin-Yokohama Station also served by the subway.

The Green Line (Line 4) was added to the system on 30 March 2008 (Hiyoshi - Nakayama, 13.1 km, 10 stations). This could be the first part of a future ring line.

OTHER LINES

The Minatomirai Line runs from Yokohama Central Station along the new habourside development area. It is 4.1 km long and began service on 1 Feb 2004. This subway is operated jointly with the Tokyu Toyoko commuter railway, which runs from Yokohama to Shibuya in Tokyo (35 min). Along the Minatomirai Line express and local trains are operated, with all trains stopping at Minatomirai and the terminus station Motomachi-Chukagai.

The Kanazawa Seaside Line is a 10.6 km long elevated fully automated light rail line opened on 5 July 1989 and running south from Shin-Sugita JR Railway Station to Kanazawa-Hakkei station on the Keikyu Railway (see map) The line in fact is not finished since during construction final planned 0.9 km to Keikyu Kanazawa-Hakkei station has not been built, so the present Kanazawa-Hakkei station is a temporary one.

Photo © John Tanini

16 Dec 1972 - Kamiooka - Isezaki-Chojamachi (5.2 km)
04 Sept 1976 - to Kaminagaya (2.8km) and to Yokohama (3.5km)
14 Mar 1985 - to Maioka (2km); - to Shin-Yokohama (7 km)
24 May 1987 - to Totsuka (1.6 km)
19 Mar 1993 - to Azamino (10.9 km)
29 Aug 1999 - to Shonandai (7.4 km)

01 Feb 2004 - Minatomirai Line Yokohama - Motomachi-Chukagai (4.1km)

30 Mar 2008 - Hiyoshi - Nakayama

 Projects

Line 3, from the current Line 1 terminus Azamino to Shin-Yurigaoka, is in planning stage for completion in 2015 at the earliest.

- OPERATION

5:30-24:00, every 4-5 minutes during morning rush hour, 8 minutes daytime, 6 minutes evening rush hours

- FARES

Single fare - 200-500 Yen depending on distance (180-200 on Minatomirai Line)

11-rides - 2000-5000 Yen (Daytime discount tickets for 12 rides for 2000-5000 Yen)

Monthly Commuter pass - 7,800-19,500 (Discounts for students)

Yokohama Trasportation Bureau

Minato Mirai Railway (Official site)

SORI YANAGI, Yokohama City Subway - Design

Sotetsu - The Sagami Railway

Yokohama Subway Stations and other details

Yokohama Municipal Subway at Wikipedia