Travelling to Japan? Every rail enthusiast should includes Trams in Japan in their itinerary and visit at least one tram or light rail system to see a different aspect of Japan railways!
18 cities have tram systems...
In the early 1900s many cities and towns throughout Japan had tram systems, but like many places around the world cars and buses (and of course heavy rail networks) took the place of the trams in most cities. Today 18 cities have tram networks and in many of these cities the tram is a major part of the public transport system.
| City | Operator | Gauge (mm) | No of Lines | Route km | No of trams (April 2023) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fukui 福井市 | Fukui Tetsudō 福井鉄道 | 1067 | 1 | 0.6 | 16 (+2 Echizen Tetsudo units) |
| Hakodate 函館市 | Hakodate-shi 函館市 | 1372 | 4 | 10.9 | 32 |
| Osaka 大阪市 & Sakai 堺市 | Hankai Denki Kidō 阪堺電気軌道 | 1435 | 2 | 18.3 | 35 |
| Hiroshima 広島市 | Hiroshima Dentetsu 広島電鉄 | 1435 | 6 | 19 | 134 |
| Matsuyama 松山市 | Iyo Tetsudō 伊予鉄道 | 1067 | 6 | 6.9 | 38 |
| Kagoshima 鹿児島市 | Kagoshima-shi 鹿児島市 | 1435 | 4 | 12.6 | 58 |
| Kyoto 京都市 | Keifuku Denki Tetsudō 京福電気鉄道 | 1435 | 1 | 3.8 | 27 |
| Kumamoto 熊本市 | Kumamoto-shi 熊本市 | 1435 | 5 | 12.1 | 45 |
| Takeoka 高岡市 | Man'yōsen 万葉線 | 1067 | 2 | 39.2 | 11 |
| Nagasaki 長崎市 | Nagasaki Denki Kidō 長崎電気軌道 | 1435 | 5 | 11.5 | 71 |
| Okayama 岡山市 | Okayama Denki Kidō 岡山電気軌道 | 1067 | 2 | 4.7 | 25 |
| Sapporo 札幌市 | Sapporo Transportation Service Promotion Corporation. 札幌市交通事業振興公社 | 1067 | 4 | 8.9 | 36 |
| Tokyo-to 東京都（世田谷区) | Tōkyō Kyūkō Dentetsu (Tōkyū) 東京急行電鉄(東急) | 1372 | 1 | 5 | 10 |
| Tokyo-to 東京都(荒川区、北区、豊島区、新宿区) | Tōkyō-to 東京都 | 1372 | 1 | 12.2 | 33 |
| Kochi 高知市 | Tosa Denki Tetsudō 土佐電気鉄道 | 1067 | 3 | 14.1 | 62 |
| Toyama富山市 | Toyama Chihō Tetsudō 富山地方鉄道 | 1067 | 6 | 7.6 | 30 |
| Toyohashi 豊橋市 | Toyohashi Tetsudō 豊橋鉄道 | 1067 | 2 | 5.4 | 16 |
| Utsunomiya 宇都宮市 Haga Town 芳賀町 | Utsunomiya Light Rail 宇都宮ライトレール | 1067 | 1 | 14.5 | 17 (Aug 2023) |
- For consistency, articulated and multi-car trams are counted as 1 unit
- Fukui Tetsudo Fukubu Line is mostly heavy rail but for a short section is light rail, however low floor trams are used throughout. Some through services operate with Echizen Tetsudo who have 2 trams units (L series)
- Hiroshima Dentetsu (Hiroden) also operates a heavy rail line with trams operating to / from central Hiroshima via Hiroden Nishi Hiroshima through to Miyajimaguchi
A variety of old and modern trams can be seen...
Most tram networks in Japan have both modern and old trams in service. The Hiroshima Electric Railway (“Hiroden”) has trams that are more than 80 years old still in daily operation.
The need, however, for trams that provide easy access has meant that many modern trams, often based on European designs, have and continue to be introduced.
Newest tram network debuted in August 2023...
The newest tram network in Japan is the Utsunomiya Light Rail system that started public service on 26th August 2023. The 14.5km route links the main JR railway station to the industrial park areas of Utsunomiya and nearby Haga Town in the norther of the Kanto region.
See our article on Utsunomiya Light Rail (redirects to our main site) Click Here
Interesting tram networks in Japan
| City | Feature |
|---|---|
| Fukui | The tram in Fukui city is very short (0.6km) and actually part of the Fukui Tetsudo Fukubu Line. Tram cars only are used throughout the Fukubu Line. There are some through services to the Echizen Mikuni-Awara Line, and Echizen has two low floor tram units for this service |
| Sapporo & Hakodate | As both cities have a lot of snow, one feature of both cities tram networks are the snow clearing trams. |
| Tokyo | Both the remaing TOEI Arakawa Line and Tokyu Setagaya Line are the only remaining parts of what were large trams networks in Tokyo. |
| Toyama | Toyama use to have two tram networks; the original city trams and a one line Toyama Light Railway Toyamako Line, which uses part of the old JR Toyamaki Line. Both the Toyama city Tram and the Toyama light railway were joined and through services started in March 2020, operated by the single Toyama chiho Tetsudo who operated the city tram network. |
| Takaoka | Takaoka Manyosen Tram oprates a specail Doraemon (anime character) tram. |
| Osaka | Osaka is another city which had an extensive tram network. today only the Hankai Tram which operates in the southern part of Osaka linking Sakai city remains. One of the northern terminals Ebisucho has a very distinctive old style station. Currently under renovation to be preserved. (A new tram stop teminal was build just short of the old station). |
| Okayama | Okayama Shiden has a special Chuggington Tram, based on the UK childrens anime character. This train runs special services, primarily for children (adults must be accompanied) which need to be booked in advance. |
| Nagasaki | Nagasaki has a fairly extensive tram network, and like Hiroshima it is the main rail public transport in the city. |
| Hiroshima | Hiroshima has the largest tram network, covering 19km and more than 130 tram cars / units. the trams are operated by Hiroshima Electric Railway (“Hiroden”) with trams also operating on heavy rail link between Hiroden Nishi Hiroshima and Miyajimaguchi, popular with tourists. |
| Kumamoto & Kagoshima | Both Kumamoto and Kagoshima have tram networks, and both have modern tram depots. Kagoshima has a tram museum situated next to the tram depot. |
| Yokohama | Although trams have long disappeared from the streets of Yokohama, it does have a tram museum situated nexted to the Yokohama Negishi Bus Depot. |
| Utsunomiya | Utsunomiya Light Rail started service on 26th August 2023, the first wholly new tram / light rail system in Japan in 70 years. |
In reality all are interesting, so a detour is always worthwhile! We definitely encourage rail enthusiasts and others to try out the trams in Japan!
And many tram systems have some special trains
Takaoka has its Doraemon tram; many have retro trams (and some have genuinely heritage trams).
For those travelling in a group, why not consider hiring a tram for a party! (TSJR can help arrange).
Even Tokyo and Osaka have remnants of once extensive tram networks...
Tokyo has two trams lines, although one, Tokyu’s Setagaya Line, now only operates on its own dedicated track bed with no running; and the Tokyo Metropolitan Governments (TOEI) Arakawa Line, (known locally as “Toden” and branded Sakura Line) which is a 12.2km line, although only a small part now operates on roadway.
Osaka has the Hankai Tram that links the southern part of Osaka City and Sakai City.
Trams in Japan info...find out more...
For more information on Japan Trams please download our Trams in Japan fact sheet, which also includes links to the various operators websites (unfortunately many are Japanese)
Trams in Japan
Download our Trams in Japan Data Sheet
TS Japan Rail - The Japan Rail Experts
If you are planning to Explore Japan’s Railways or want to explore Japan by Train TS Japan Rail is here to help you. We can help you plan your trip so that you can experience the many aspects of Japan’s railways and travel on some interest trains.
TS Japan Rail Ideas and travel planning for Rail fans!
TS Japan Rail is here for the rail enthusiasts who want to explore Japan’s Railways. We can provide you with ideas on what to see and where to travel as well as help you plan your trip! Being locally based Japan Rail Experts we are best placed to ensure you get the most out of your trip!
For more information visit our main website