Do you remember my post from three years ago about the urban secluded station, Yumegaoka? Today, I’d like to share a little update on how things have changed since then.
Let’s start with a quick look at Yumegaoka Station. It is located in Yokohama City on the Sotetsu (Sagami Railway) Izumino Line. When I visited in 2022, there were no shops or houses around the station at all. The daily ridership was only about 1,000 passengers. It really lived up to the name “urban secluded station.”
So, what does it look like three years later? Please take a look at the photo below. Yes — that’s a giant shopping mall, SORATOS, standing right in front of Yumegaoka Station. It was opened by the Sotetsu Group in July 2024. With more than 130 shops, restaurants, a theater, and much more, Yumegaoka now sees over 8,500 passengers per day.
Sotetsu is actively promoting shopping at SORATOS. In the top photo, you can see a special poster train called the Yumegaoka SORATOS, using Set 10707 of the EMU 10000 series. It commemorates the cumulative 3 million riders at Yumegaoka Station since SORATOS opened. The train features Sotetsu’s mascot character, Sounyan, on both the front and the sides — and it looks absolutely adorable!
I really enjoyed seeing the Yumegaoka SORATOS train and exploring the new mall. But at the same time, I felt a touch of sadness, because the once quiet, secluded station has transformed into a lively hub you might find anywhere in the city. Being a rail fan is a mixed bag, isn’t it?
