Along with Tokyo, Yokohama is a super-high-density city in the metropolitan area. It's the second largest city in Japan in population after Tokyo. As of January 1, 2022, it has a population of 3.7 million.
In contrast to the city center of Yokohama, there are several spacy areas in the city. They are industrial suburbs on the coast of Tokyo Bay. Take for example Asano's case. It's a quiet area surrounded by large factories and public parks. To get to Asano, JR East Tsurumi line is convenient. It was originally opened as a freight line in 1926 by Tsurumi Rinko Railway. Currently, the Tsurumi line belongs to East Japan Railway Company (JR East), and both the freight and passenger trains are operated on the line.
Asano is a junction station of the Tsurumi line and the Umishibaura branch line. The station building is small and unmanned. Passengers just put up a prepaid card to pass through the entrance gate of the station. Platforms of the two lines are separated. During the daytime, trains are operated at a pace of about half an hour on the Tsurumi line; meanwhile, every once an hour on the Umishibaura branch line. There are only a few passengers.
The main fleet of the Tsurumi line is a 3-car train of the EMU 205-1100 series. The yellow and light blue colored stripes are distinct accents of these trains. I was relaxed, and enjoyed the urban countryside atmosphere at Asano station on the Tsurumi line.
