One of my favorite lines, because it goes to Tama Zoo and also it travels in hilly area. It starts at Tama Center station and the middle crosses very busy JR line Tachikawa. It even stops at North and South side of this big station. Further it travels over flat urban area till station Kamikitadai. I was filming rail switiching at this very last station - Kamikitadai.
This is all route from Yokohama to Tokyo in just 6 minutes. I increased speed 3 times, which makes this train look like it is running at speed 300 km/h.
Video: riding it fast
Image: Keikyuu train waiting in Kawasaki station
Some years ago I posted similar video.
This is Yokosuka line, which travels along Tokyo bay. In middle part, it goes below central part of Tokyo in underground tunnel. Fast way to cross Tokyo with few stops. See what camera eye can see in the dark tunnel.
Video: front view, speeded up 2x
This is Yurikamome line in Odaiba district Tokyo. This is automatic train line, so there is no driver.
Odaiba area is an artificial island (landfill). Tourists are usually brought there and its a must see place in Tokyo. You can see there a lot of space and new construction is going on.
Video: front view while riding around Odaiba. I speeded up 8 times
It is pretty expensive to take all this line. So, what I did - I took this line till the end while standing near front window with camera in hands and then came back to previous station with following train. In Japan there is no need to pay if not getting out of station. It means that I am enjoying the ride, but in the same time not going anywhere. I also did not see any conductor, but if they requesting to show ticket and ask what is your destination, need to pay adjustment.
Image: train passes modern buildings and vast meadows
In video I am taking Chiba monorail from Chiba railway station.
Video: look from front window
I will explain more about this monorail with information from their homepage. There are 4 wagons in monorail train and one can hold up to 79 persons (42 sitting and 37 standing). Self-weight of wagon is 21 tons. Supplied electricity – 1500 volts. This train can achieve velocity up to 65 km/h and acceleration speed is 3.5 km/h per second. To give you an idea how fast it is – it will reach velocity of 50 km/h in about 15 seconds (compare with standard 20 ton trolleybus acceleration to 50 km/h – about 30 seconds). They also have equipped with emergency chutes (similar to those in airplanes) for extraordinary situations so that passengers can slide down safely.
Chiba monorail website claims that it is longest suspended monorail system in the world with total length 15.2 km. There are two lines, which goes out from Chiba station. At the beginning of video – I am taking line No 2, which has total length of 12km and then line No 1 – 3.2 km.
Here is Chiba monorail homepage. They are also working on the new design of this train. I also hope they will extend this line to keep world record - for example, it would be nice to take monorail to some nice beach...
Map
This is that big junction, just after leaving Chiba station. Here lines split.
View Larger Map
Another example of futuristic transportation system in Japan - Yokohama Seaside line. This one is automatically operated train without driver.
I decided to remake video, so I will post it later. Now just small look.
Image: stations and tracks are elevated above ground
Image: tracks have guidance and power rails
Access:
From Yokohama station by Keihin-Tohoku line (blue color) to station Sugita. Sugita station is starting point for Yokohama Seaside line.
Have you ever wondered what train driver sees when driving train ? This is Keikyu line (京急線) train from Yokohama to Tokyo.
One example of futuristic transport systems in Japan. It is hanging from above and when looking down it seems like flying low airplane.
As it moves it actually shakes a lot, so it is difficult to film from this train.
Image: Look on monorail from street level
Image: Another look on monorail from street level
Image: This photo I took from monorail station in evening
I am traveling from Nagoya to Kyoto, two Japanese cities. Train goes at speed 300 km/h.
