Yurikamome line is one of my favorite railways in Japan. Is one of the main connections between Tokyo and Odaiba island. Is not really a train, neither a monorail… it works somehow using wheels and traveling on top of an elevated concrete structure. It doesn’t need a driver, everything is controlled by computers. Not having a driver means that you can sit down in the first wagon and enjoy incredible views as if you were controlling the train. I really enjoy Yurikamome line, I feel like I’m in Gotham or New Port
Views from the first wagon.
If you want to give it a try, go to Shinbashi station using Yamanote line and then change to Yurikamome line until Odaiba.
8 replies on “Yurikamome”
hehe….and you always sit in front π ….the view must be nice at night too.
wow … we have a similar type of transport in Singapore called the LRT except that it only goes around the neighbour hood estates instead of through the city.
Every time ive been to Tokyo, we always get the yurikamome to odaiba from shinbashi. Great ride – loads to look at and i love the curl it makes as you approach rainbow bridge. I just get surprised when you see loads of work-weary businessmen with their heads stuck in a paper rather than gazing outside…
Riding the Yurikamone is always a great thing! Each time I went to Odaiba i’m curious whether the uncrowded areas on the island have been used to build new buildings or shopping malls (but most of them are still plain or used as parking spots). I think Odaiba would be a great place for living if i would work in Tokyo. Maybe even nicer than Roppongi or Kanda.
I’d love to give it a try but then I have to get to Japan first !! π
For me, the best thing about riding Yurikamome (other than the view) is going to Miraikan ^_^
When I visited Tokyo for a few days, Odaiba was on our destination list. We took one of the cheaper trains onto the island, but I insisted that we take the Yurikamome back towards the Yamanote Line. It was fun ride. It’s not very direct, but the stations were beautiful and the ride was very smooth.
The only other train I’ve been on that uses rubber tires is the Metro in Montreal, Canada.
There’s trains like this in London too called the Docklands Light Railway. Otaku travel on it when they are going to the MCM Expo convention, the trains stop right outside! The DLR was originally built in Victorian times (“Docklands” doesn’t really have “docks” any more!) and the structures the tracks are built into are all made of sturdy old bricks with nice arches and stuff. Unfortunately the stations have all been “upgraded” to aluminum and glass, rather than ornate ironwork.