The Joban Line runs from Ueno Station in Taito-ku, Tokyo, to Sendai Station in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, via Chiba, Ibaraki, and Fukushima prefectures, and is the longest line among JR lines not named "Main Line.
Until now, the Joban Line has operated to and from Ueno Station, but on March 14, 2015, the Ueno Tokyo Line began service, with some trains now running between Shinagawa and Ueno.
This DLC includes the Ueno Tokyo Line between Shinagawa Station and Ueno Station and the Joban Line between Ueno Station and Katsuta Station.
The line is characterized by the change of electrification system along the way, and there is a DC/AC switchover (dead section) between Toride and Fujishiro stations.
(Shinagawa Station to Toride Station: 1500V DC, Fujishiro Station to Sendai Station: 20,000V AC)
Another major feature of this line is that it can operate at 130 km/h, the highest speed on a conventional JR line.
The first half of the line shows a significant change in scenery along the line from an office area in central Tokyo to a bed town. The second half of the line features the peaceful green landscape of Ibaraki Prefecture.
The long-distance route, which takes about two hours, allows passengers to enjoy driving while viewing the changing scenery along the route.
Highlights
- Section running parallel to Keihin Tohoku Line and Yamanote Line/Shinagawa Station - Nippori Station
- Office district/Shinagawa Station - Tokyo Station
Skyscrapers tower along the line. - Dedicated section of the Ueno Tokyo Line (overhead bridge)/Tokyo Station - Ueno Station
This section newly opened in 2015. It straddles the tracks of the Tohoku Shinkansen Line and is high enough to provide a good view of the city. - Downtown Tokyo / Nippori Station - Kitasenju Station
The line veers sharply to the right from Nippori Station and runs through the downtown scenery along Nikko Kaido Road. - Merging with the Tabata Freight Line/Mikawashima Station - Minami-Senju Station
The Tabata Freight Line coming from the Tohoku Freight Line direction joins the Joban Line. - Sumida River/Minami Senju Station - Kita Senju Station
The train crosses a railroad bridge over the Sumida River. - Section running parallel to Joban Line local trains/Kitasenju Station - Toride Station
- Arakawa, Nakagawa and Edogawa Rivers / Minami Senju Station - Matsudo Station
After exiting Minami Senju Station, trains cross the Arakawa, Naka, and Edogawa Rivers, in that order, over railway bridges. After the Edogawa River, the line crosses from Tokyo to Chiba Prefecture. - Branching and merging with the Musashino Line freight branch line/Matsudo Station - Kashiwa Station
It branches or merges with a freight branch line connecting to the Musashino Line. - Matsudo Rolling Stock Center Abiko Depot/Abiko Station - Tennodai Station
- Tone River/Tennodai Station - Toride Station
The train will cross a railroad bridge over the Tone River, which has the largest basin area in Japan and the second longest total length of river in Japan after the Shinano River. Bordering the Tone River, the train crosses from Chiba Prefecture to Ibaraki Prefecture. - Remnants of the Beer Factory Line / Toride Station - Fujishiro Station
There used to be a dedicated line to a beer factory in Toride Station. - Switching the electrification method between DC and AC (dead section)/Toride Station - Fujishiro Station
The electrification system switches from 1500V DC to 20,000V AC. At this time, the line passes through a section where there is no electricity on the overhead wires (dead section). - Tsuchiura Station
This is the closest station to Kasumigaura, the second largest lake in Japan in terms of area after Lake Biwa. - Kairakuen Station (temporary station)/Akatsuka Station - Mito Station
This temporary station is the closest station to Kairakuen Garden, one of the three most famous gardens in Japan, and is open only during the Ume Festival. - Naka River/Mito Station - Katsuta Station
The train crosses the railway bridge over the Naka River.
Route Information
- Section: Joban Line Shinagawa鈫扠atsuta outbound
- Total length: 133.7 km
- Number of Stations: 29 *Includes a section of the Ueno Tokyo Line.
- Security equipment: ATS-P
Train schedules that can be operated
- Train Number: 1177M
- Type/Destination: Local train bound for Katsuta
- Section where you can drive: Shinagawa to Katsuta
- Type of train: Series E531-0 10 cars
- Responsible for real voice train announcements: Katsuta train crew depot
- Train Number: 1157M
- Type/Destination: Local train bound for Tsuchiura
- Section where you can drive: Shinagawa to Tsuchiura
- Type of train: Series E531-0 10 cars
- Responsible for real voice train announcements: Katsuta train crew depot
