The JR East Yokosuka Line is one of the longest commuter routes in the Tokyo metropolitan area, stretching about 70 kilometers. Many trains continue directly onto the Sōbu Rapid Line via Tokyo Station and head toward destinations such as Chiba, Kimitsu, and Narita Airport.
The other day, I boarded a southbound Yokosuka Line train at Tokyo Station. It first traveled along the underground section beneath the densely built-up central area. My train consisted of 15 cars, including two Green Cars (first-class cars). After emerging from the tunnel, it ran through the urban business and residential districts in Tokyo Metropolis and Kanagawa Prefecture—still with its 15-car formation.
However, after leaving Zushi, the train entered the countryside along the line’s marginal section. My train was now made up of only 4 cars. Farmland and forest spread out along the tracks. I got off at Higashi-Zushi Station and enjoyed the beautiful autumn leaves along the line (see the top photo). The marginal section of the Yokosuka Line offered a very relaxing atmosphere.
Incidentally, I witnessed a rare scene at Zushi Station on my way home. Odakyu’s new train, Set 5064 of the EMU 5000 series, was standing in the station yard. Set 5064 had just been completed and was on its delivery run from the J-TREC Yokohama Factory to a railyard on the Odakyu Line via JR East tracks. I was very lucky, so I photographed it together with JR East’s EMU E235-1000 series (see the photo below).
