Tokyo Yurikamome Line: gateway to Odaiba and a fun ride in itself
- japansophy
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
If you are planning a day out in Odaiba, you are probably already looking at how to get there. There are a couple of ways (including the waterbus from Asakusa) but most guides will point you toward the Yurikamome Line, Tokyo’s fully automated, driverless transit system. But it's more than just a way to get from A to B: the views as you're looping your way through the Tokyo Bay area and crossing Rainbow Bridge are pretty fabulous. Here's the low-down on making the most of those views (we have a special tip!), what stations to get out at and getting the Yurikamome 1-day ticket.
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*Any prices quoted below are as of June 2026 and are subject to change
Let's look first of all at the Yurikamome route map and which stations are best for what attractions on Odaiba:
Station number | Station name | Get out here for... |
U-01 | Shimbashi | Yamanote Line |
U-02 | Shiodome | |
U-03 | Takeshiba | Waters Takeshiba shopping and entertainment centre |
U-04 | Hinode | Hinode pier for bay cruises (e.g. Symphony) |
U-05 | Shiba-ura Futo | Rainbow Bridge Promenade (to walk across the bridge) |
U-06 | Odaiba-Kaihinkoen | Odaiba Beach and Odaiba Marine Park; Decks Tokyo Beach; water-bus stop for Asakusa; Joypolis |
U-07 | Daiba | DiverCity, Gundam; Statue of Liberty; LOVE sign; AquaCity; |
U-08 | Tokyo International Cruise Terminal | |
U-09 | Telecom Center | |
U-10 | Aomi | City Circuit Tokyo Bay go-karting |
U-11 | Tokyo Big Sight | Tokyo Big Sight Conference Centre |
U-12 | Ariake | Nothing to see here! |
U-13 | Ariake Tennis no Mori | Ariake Garden shopping centre; Small Worlds |
U-14 | Shijo-Mae | Senkyaku Banrai; Toyosu Manyo Club onsen; Toyosu Fish Market |
U-15 | Shin-Toyosu | |
U-16 | Toyosu | Toyosu water-bus stop; LaLaPort shopping centre; Yurakucho subway line |
There's not that much distance between a lot of these stations, so you don't need to be hopping on or off the Yurikamome to get to the Statue of Liberty from Odaiba Beach, for example. In many areas, there are really lovely parks to walk through from one station to the next. If you are going to be taking more than 2 Yurikamome journeys, though, you should definitely invest in a Yurikamome 1-day pass.
Yurikamome 1-day pass
As a private railway line, the Yurikamome is a bit more expensive that the regular train or subway tickets in Tokyo, so it definitely pays off to get a Yurikamome 1-day pass if you're making more than just the round trip. Our kids are absolute TeamLab Planets fiends and we've been there several times in the last couple of years; so, we usually ride the Yurikamome from Shimbashi to Shin-Toyosu, then back to Daiba for some dinner and shopping and sights, then eventually back to Shimbashi. That would be 1050 yen for an adult in single fares. The one-day pass costs 820 yen per adult, so that's an immediate saving of almost 1000 yen for a family of four. The 1-day pass is good until the last train on the day that you first use the ticket. Another version - the Yurikamome 24-hour pass - is available for 900 yen. It's good for 24 hours from the first time you use it. Both of these passes are available from Klook so you have them ready to go when you get to Tokyo. Click on the button below to reserve yours:
The perfect view: our hot tip for the Tokyo Yurikamome Line
As we mentioned at the start, the ride on the Yurikamome out over the bay has some really cool views. As the train pulls out of Shimbashi, it snakes between skyscrapers before doing a massive, 270-degree loop to gain height before crossing Rainbow Bridge. Sitting in the front seat feels less like a commute and more like a slow-motion roller coaster ride through a futuristic cityscape. If you are heading out to Odaiba around sunset, the views of the Tokyo tower and the city lights reflecting off the bay are unbeatable.
And here's the thing: the Yurikamome is driverless, so if you manage to nab the seats at the very front, the views are unparalleled. If you board the Yurikamome mid-route, the train is almost certainly going to be packed. You'll end up in the middle of a carriage, staring at someone’s backpack instead of the Tokyo skyline.
A quick warning: These seats are legendary among local Japanese families. You will likely find yourself competing with enthusiastic 6-year-old train-obsessed kids for the prime real estate. We're not saying you should aggressively fight a first-grader for a seat... but we are saying you should walk briskly and position yourself where you'll have a chance. This means walking up to the front of the train in Shimbashi (or Toyosu) station, queuing at the very first door marker and maybe even waiting for the next train, if you're not the first in the queue. Professional seat-grabbers will get on in Shiodome and ride in the opposite direction to Shimbashi, just to already be on the train going to Toyosu. That's also a trick you can try if you have the time and patience to spare.
Practical information
Paying for your ride: If you're not buying a 1-day pass, you don’t need a special ticket for the Yurikamome. You can use your standard digital IC card (Suica, Pasmo, or Welcome Suica) at the gates.
Operating Hours: Trains run frequently (usually every 3 to 5 minutes during peak hours), starting around 5:45 am until midnight from Shimbashi, and 5:15 am to around 11:40 pm from Toyosu. Make sure you check the times of the last trains because not all of them go the whole way to Toyosu or to Shimbasi and a taxi ride from Odaiba to central Tokyo or the other way around will cost a pretty penny.
Tokyo Yurikamome Line: FAQ
Is the Yurikamome Line a monorail?
Technically, no. It looks like one, but it actually runs on rubber tires on an elevated concrete track. It's driverless and fully automatic, though.
Can I use a JR Pass on the Yurikamome Line?
No. The Yurikamome is a private line, so the Japan Rail Pass will not cover it. You will need to use an IC card or buy a separate ticket. 1-day passes are available.
Which station should I get off at for the giant Gundam statue?
Get off at Daiba Station. From there, it’s just a short, signposted walk to the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza mall where the life-sized Gundam stands.
Can I use Suica on the Yurikamome line?
Yes, you can. Or Pasmo. Or Icoca. But you might find a 1-day pass or a 24-hour pass cheaper if you plan to make more than just the return trip.
Is the Yurikamome covered by the Tokyo Metro Pass?
No, the Yurikamome is a private railway line, separate from the metro and subway. You'll need a separate ticket (Suica is OK) or a 1-day pass to ride the Yurikamome.
Planning your transportation options in Japan? These posts could also be helpful:
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