Sakuragichō Station

Sakuragichō Station. It is a railway station located in Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East). The station is served by the Keihin-Tōhoku Line and is a major gateway to the central waterfront and business districts of Yokohama. Its history is deeply intertwined with the development of the Port of Yokohama and the early Japanese railway network.

History

The station first opened on June 12, 1872, as the original terminus of Japan's first railway, connecting Shinagawa in Tokyo with Yokohama; it was initially named Yokohama Station. This historic line was built with technical assistance from British engineers like Edmund Morel and was pivotal during the Meiji Restoration for modernizing Japanese transport. The station was renamed to its current title in 1915 when a new, larger Yokohama Station was constructed further inland to serve the expanding Tōkaidō Main Line. The station building and surrounding area were heavily damaged during the Great Kantō earthquake of 1923 and again by Allied air raids in 1945. Major redevelopment occurred in the late 20th century, including elevation of the tracks in 1980 to eliminate level crossings and the station's integration with the Minato Mirai 21 development project, which transformed the adjacent Yokohama waterfront.

Station layout

Sakuragichō Station consists of a single elevated structure above National Route No. 133. The station building is located beneath the elevated tracks, with concourses and ticket gates on the ground level providing access to the platforms above. Facilities within the station include JR East ticket windows, automated ticket vending machines, and Suica card readers. The station is designed for accessibility, featuring elevators and escalators connecting the concourse to the platforms. Its architectural design is modern, reflecting the station's role as a key transit point for the Minato Mirai 21 business district and landmarks like the Yokohama Landmark Tower.

Platforms

The station has two elevated side platforms serving two tracks. Both platforms are exclusively used for trains on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line. Platform 1 is for northbound trains toward Ōmiya via Tokyo Station, Ueno Station, and Akabane Station. Platform 2 is for southbound trains toward Ōfuna via Yokohama Station, Totsuka Station, and Kannai Station. The platform can accommodate trains with up to 15 Green Car coaches, typical of JR East's commuter services. Platform signage and announcements are provided in both Japanese and English.

Surrounding area

The station is a primary access point for the Minato Mirai 21 district and the historic Kannai area. Major attractions within walking distance include the Yokohama Museum of Art, the Yokohama Landmark Tower housing the Yokohama Royal Park Hotel, and the Yokohama Cosmo World amusement park with its iconic Cosmo Clock 21 Ferris wheel. The station also provides direct pedestrian access to the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and the Osanbashi Pier terminal for international cruise ships. Other notable institutions nearby are the Kanagawa Prefectural Government offices, the Yokohama Archives of History, and the Nippon Maru sailing ship museum. The area is a hub for business, with numerous corporate headquarters, and is connected to the Minato Mirai Line via a short walk to Bashamichi Station.

Passenger statistics

In fiscal 2019, the station was used by an average of 42,202 passengers daily, making it one of the busier stations on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line within Kanagawa Prefecture. Passenger numbers have grown steadily since the 1990s, correlating with the development of the Minato Mirai 21 project and the increase in tourism to the Yokohama waterfront. The station handles significant commuter traffic from residents of southern Kanagawa Prefecture working in central Yokohama and Tokyo, as well as a large volume of leisure travelers visiting attractions like Yokohama Chinatown and Yamashita Park. These statistics are compiled annually by JR East and reported to the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. Category:Railway stations in Kanagawa Prefecture Category:Railway stations opened in 1872 Category:Keihin-Tōhoku Line