Yurikamome

Yurikamome is an automated guideway transit line in Tokyo, Japan, serving the city’s waterfront district. Operated by Tokyo Waterfront New Transit, Inc., a subsidiary of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the line uses automated, driverless trains that run on an elevated guideway along Tokyo Bay.

The route connects central Tokyo with the Odaiba area, running from Shimbashi in the west to Toyosu in the east. The line crosses the Rainbow Bridge and travels along the bayfront, serving districts such as Ariake and Odaiba, and providing access to major venues, shopping areas, and entertainment complexes. Its elevated alignment offers views of the Tokyo skyline and the bay, making the journey popular with both commuters and tourists.

Yurikamome opened in 1995 as part of the development of Tokyo’s waterfront and was among the early examples of automated guideway transit in Japan. The system operates with rubber-tired trains controlled from a central operations center, and stations are equipped with platform screen doors and automated doors for safety.

As a connector to the Odaiba district, Yurikamome complements other transit options in Tokyo and underlines the city’s approach to developing its bayfront area. The line remains a distinctive feature of Tokyo’s urban transit network, notable for its driverless operation, scenic route, and role in supporting access to a major commercial and entertainment hub.