Tokyo Yamanote Line

Yamanote Line in 1963 - Screen capture from YouTube Michael Rogge film

Yamanote Line in 2018 with familiar lime green colour

Back in 1993, when I first visited Japan. Hotel Metropolitan, in Ikebukuro was where I had stayed and the Yamanote Line was the first train line I had taken. Japan was the first country I had travelled located at more than 5 hours in flight from my home. It had opened my eyes to the world beyond South East Asia. It had bullet train, Sony electronics, Matsushita electronics, Hitachi, Toyota cars, Honda cars etc. An economic power house. In 1993, Japan was at the start of recession. It had enjoyed economic growth since WW2 and lasted till early 1990s. Since then Japan inflation is close to zero. Back in 1993, a meal could be bought for 1000 yen or less. In 2018, 25 years later, a meal could still be bought for less than 1000 yen. (eg Ramen).

Back to Yamanote, the line was first opened back in 1885. It was unique in that it circled the major Tokyo metropolitan cities with line distance of 34.5km (21 mile). Ikebukuro is one of the city. Back in 1993, the Yamanote was a green line with the train highlighted in lime green. I remembered taking the first ride from Ikebukuro to Ueno Station. Till this date, the Yamanote is still a green line. Somehow, in 2018, I did not find the Yamanote line to be so crowded. On the other hand, I found that Chuo Line was much more crowded during peak hour and physically it was packed till the door.

The other difference is that now, the announcement in train station could include Japanese, English and Chinese. Back in 1993, it was first only the first and second language. A change in economic circumstances.

Nonetheless, it was really memorable to seat on Yamanote line and also equally memorable was the sound of the periodic train track vibration which was so unique of Japan.