Rinkai Line
The Rinkai Line (りんかい線, Rinkai-sen) is a rapid transit railway line in Tokyo, Japan, operated by the third-sector company Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit (TWR), connecting Osaki Station in Shinagawa Ward to Shin-Kiba Station in Koto Ward over a distance of 12.2 kilometers.[1] It serves the redeveloped Tokyo waterfront subcenter, including the Odaiba area, and provides direct through services with JR East's Saikyō Line to central Tokyo destinations such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro.[1][2] The line was developed to enhance urban renewal and railway accessibility in the waterfront region, following recommendations from Japan's Transport Policy Council in 1985 to repurpose former freight lines for passenger service.[1] TWR was founded on March 12, 1991, specifically to construct and operate the line, with construction starting in 1992 at a total cost exceeding 410 billion yen.[1] The initial 4.9-kilometer eastern section from Shin-Kiba to Tokyo Teleport opened on March 26, 1996. The line was extended westward to Tennōzu Isle on March 30, 2001, and fully to Osaki on December 1, 2002, completing the 12.2-kilometer route.[1] In October 2025, the line introduced the new TWR 71-000 series trains as part of fleet modernization.[3] The Rinkai Line features eight stations: Osaki, Ōimachi, Shinagawa Seaside, Tennōzu Isle, Tokyo Teleport, Kokusai-tenjijō, Shinonome, and Shin-Kiba.[1] All stations are barrier-free with elevators and escalators, and the line operates on standard gauge (1,067 mm) tracks electrified at 1,500 V DC.[1] Trains run every 5 to 15 minutes during peak hours, with a journey time of approximately 18 minutes end-to-end, and it uses dedicated rolling stock such as the TWR 70-000 and 71-000 series multiple units (as of 2025).[1][3] The line plays a key role in transporting passengers to major attractions like the Tokyo International Exhibition Center (Kokusai-tenjijō Station) and supports connectivity to nearby sites including Haneda Airport and Tokyo Disney Resort.[2]Overview and Route
General Description
The Rinkai Line is a rapid transit railway line in Tokyo, Japan, operated by the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit (TWR), a third-sector company established to connect the city's waterfront districts, including reclaimed islands like Odaiba, to central Tokyo via seamless integration with the national rail network.[3] It primarily serves business areas such as Tennōzu Isle, event venues like Tokyo Big Sight at Kokusai-Tenjijo Station, and residential zones in the Tokyo Bay area, facilitating commuter and tourist traffic to key urban hubs. As of October 2025, the line began operating the new TWR 71-000 series trains, replacing older rolling stock.[4][5] Spanning 12.2 km from Osaki in Shinagawa Ward to Shin-Kiba in Koto Ward, the line is predominantly underground, including undersea sections beneath Tokyo Bay to link artificial islands.[6] The infrastructure features a 1,067 mm gauge and 1,500 V DC overhead electrification, enabling efficient urban transit over its double-tracked route.[4] In fiscal year 2024 (ending March 2025), the line recorded an average daily ridership of 225,431 passengers, reflecting post-pandemic recovery and growth in waterfront development.[5] Through-running services with JR East's Saikyō Line allow direct connections from Rinkai Line stations to destinations such as Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Ōmiya, and Kawagoe, enhancing its role in Tokyo's commuter rail system without the need for transfers at junction points.[7]Route and Stations
The Rinkai Line commences at Shin-Kiba Station in Koto Ward, Tokyo, and extends westward 12.2 kilometers to Ōsaki Station in Shinagawa Ward, traversing the Tokyo Bay waterfront area predominantly through underground tunnels.[8][1] The route passes beneath reclaimed land and artificial islands, including Odaiba and Aomi, facilitating access to commercial, exhibition, and redevelopment zones in the Tokyo Waterfront City.[2] All eight stations lie entirely within the Tokyo Metropolis, with an average inter-station distance of approximately 1.7 kilometers across seven segments.[9][1] In 2016, the Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit implemented a station numbering system for the line, assigning sequential codes from R01 at the eastern terminus to R08 at the western end to aid navigation, particularly for international visitors. The stations, listed below from east to west, include key transfers and notable features where applicable.| Code | Station Name (English/Japanese) | Location (Ward) | Key Features and Connections |
|---|---|---|---|
| R01 | Shin-Kiba / 新木場 | Koto | Transfer to JR Keiyō Line; eastern terminus serving nearby residential and industrial areas.[8][10] |
| R02 | Shinonome / 東雲 | Koto | Underground station in a redeveloped residential district; no major rail transfers.[8][11] |
| R03 | Kokusai-Tenjijō / 国際展示場 | Koto | Proximity to Tokyo Big Sight convention center; supports event and exhibition access.[8][12] |
| R04 | Tokyo Teleport / 東京テレポート | Koto | Transfer to Yurikamome line at adjacent Odaiba-Kaihin Koen Station; gateway to Aomi district and Daiba attractions with sunlight-reaching underground design.[8][13][14] |
| R05 | Tennōzu Isle / 天王洲アイル | Minato | Transfer to Tokyo Monorail (14 minutes to Haneda Airport); hub for office and cultural facilities in redeveloped waterfront.[8][15][16] |
| R06 | Shinagawa Seaside / 品川シーサイド | Shinagawa | Serves Shinagawa Seaside high-rise complex; no major rail transfers, focused on local business access.[8] |
| R07 | Ōimachi / 大井町 | Shinagawa | Transfer to Tōkyū Ōimachi Line and JR Keihin-Tōhoku Line; multi-level underground structure connecting to central Tokyo routes.[8][17] |
| R08 | Ōsaki / 大崎 | Shinagawa | Western terminus with transfers to JR Yamanote Line and Shōnan-Shinjuku Line; enables through-services to broader JR network.[8] |