I recently revisited Yokohama’s Green Line for the first time in two years, and I would like to share a few observations from this short but interesting metro route.
By way of background, the Green Line is Yokohama’s second subway line, opened in 2008 by the city’s Transportation Bureau. It runs for 13.1 kilometers between Nakayama (JR East’s Yokohama Line) and Hiyoshi (Tokyu’s Toyoko Line), serving ten stations in total. The line uses linear motor technology, which allows for smaller tunnel profiles. A distinctive feature of this system is the reaction plate installed between the rails, clearly visible from the platform.
The highlight of my visit was a specially wrapped train advertising GREEN×EXPO 2027, Yokohama’s upcoming international horticultural exposition. Shown in the top photo is Set 10011 of the 10000 series EMU, now running in this colorful promotional livery. A similar wrapped train has already appeared on the Blue Line, and it is good to see the Green Line joining in as well.
Next, please look at the photo below. You can see the EXPO’s mascot character, Tunk Tunk, with its cute pink, heart-shaped face next to the passenger door. However, there is one problem: a “6 cars” sign just above Tunk Tunk. As I mentioned two years ago, the trains on the Green Line have been in the process of changing from four-car to six-car formations. I had assumed that all 17 trainsets had already been converted to six cars. If that were the case, there would be no need to display a “6 cars” sign on a newly wrapped train.
After looking into the matter, I found that only ten sets have been converted to six-car trains for rush-hour service, primarily for peak-hour operation. As a result, two different train lengths—four-car and six-car sets—continue to coexist on the Green Line.
So, the Yokohama Municipal Subway—you are being frugal, aren't you?
