Here we are still in the gloomy rainy season in Tokyo. We have been having hot and humid days, but, once the sun's rays peep through the clouds, I never fail to go out to enjoy a stroll on weekends. My destination this time was Umino-Koen (Marine Park) in Yokohama City, about 50 kilometers south of Tokyo. There are a designated swimming beach and marine sports facilities such as beach volleyball courts and a windsurfing boathouse. You can also enjoy clam digging on the beach in spring. An outdoor BBQ facility, which was temporarily closed for the COVID-19 calamity, has been just reopened.
To visit this urban resort, the nearest railway station is Uminokoen-Shibaguchi on the Kanazawa Seaside line. Taking this opportunity, please let me review this public transportation system again. The Kanazawa Seaside line is so-called AGT (a rubber-tired automated guideway transit). There is no driver and conductor on the train. As a result, the driver's seat on the train is vacant except in an emergency case. A passenger can freely sit on it and can enjoy scenic views through the frontal window of the train. The route was opened in 1989 by Yokohama Seaside Line Company. Connecting Shin-Sugita on the JR East Negishi line and Kanazawa-hakkei on the Keikyu main line, its operating length is 10.8 kilometers. The track is double, and the electric system is a 750 V DC with the third rail.
I fully enjoyed the seaside walking on the Kanazawa Seaside line.
