Exploring Tokyo On The Yamanote Line

Above, Shibuya is one of the stops on the JR Yamanote Line. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The train line that encircles central Tokyo is the JR Yamanote Line. The line's cars have a distinctive green coloring (they are currently in the process of getting new train cars).

The JR Yamanote Line comes in quite handy after taking the Narita Express (N'Ex) from Narita International Airport into Tokyo. I usually get off the Narita Express at Tokyo Station and take the JR Yamanote Line to another station where I can catch a subway line that will take me near my hotel.

Gaijinpot.com has an article on one person's adventure in taking the entire route of the JR Yamanote Line. According to the article, a complete loop takes one hour and stops at 29 stations. I have ridden the entire route of the Yamanote Line, but not all at one time.

They wrote:

The Yamanote Line is a rapid transit line operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East) that connects many of Tokyo’s major urban centers. The Tokunai Pass allows unlimited rides on local and rapid JR East trains within the 23 Wards of Tokyo.

If you have a valid JR Rail Pass, you can use it on the Yamanote Line.

To read the article, which also includes a good video on exploring Tokyo on the Yamanote Line and plenty of photos, go here.