Yamanote Line

a Graphic Design in Yamanote Line

Yamanote Line (JR) forms a loop around Tokyo. Millions of people use it every day, along the underground Tokyo metro. It is also relatively cheap method to go from one place or another inside Tokyo. Should you miss your stop, all you need to do is to switch to the tracks that take you to the opposite direction.

Yamanote line was not designed to be like this from the start. It naturally developed, stations were being added to connet new centers in growing Tokyo.

Some say that the history of Yamanote Line goes back to March, 1885 when the Shinagawa line was first opened. This train line ran from Akabane station, north of the present day Yamanote Line, to Shinagawa statino through the Yamanote side (west side) of Tokyo. There were only six stations at this time. Since then, the station have been added. And now there are thirty stations.

Every single train of Yamanote Line sports a green colour and is roughly about 200 meters long. These are the typical Japanese commuter trains, which don't have individual seats but passengers sit next to each other in long benches. This allows room for more passengers in crowded times. Some trains have seats which can be folded down during the not so crowded times.

Usually the crowded times occur in five a clock something or six. Then usually situation calms down, only to become worse again in eight or nine a clock. Weekends are different.

Using Yamanote Line is very easy. You follow the similar method than while using Tokyo Metro. First you need to buy the ticket from the ticket machine. You need to check from the map how much it costs (If you choose wrong, don't worry, you can adjust the amount later) and then insert the money. You get the small, easy-to-lose ticket, which you need to put through the gate machine. When you exit the station, you can feed the ticket to the machine. Even better, use IC cards like Suica for smooth travelling.

Yamanote Line itself is very easy to use. All you need to do is to check from the station map where you are going, and then choose whether you want to go clockwise or counter-clockwise.

But in case if you are heading to the opposite side of the ring, remember that it is often worth while to catch a metro, which will save you at least some time and also probably little money.

Tip: Get JR East in Greater Tokyo Railway Map here as PDF

The following are JR Yamanote Line stops in clockwise order. Click the links to find out more of the stations.