JR Yokosuka & Sobu Line Rapid Services for Tokyo, Chiba and Narita Airport

Yokosuka & Sobu Line Rapid services are through train services that run along both the Yokosuka and Sobu Lines connecting key destinations in Kanagawa Prefecture, Tokyo, and Chiba Prefecture.

As well as running to and from various cities and seaside towns in Chiba Prefecture, some of these through services also run to and from Narita Airport, Japan’s busiest international airport. Just one service — the train for Kashimajingu — goes to Ibaraki prefecture.

While running on the Yokosuka Line these through services act as local trains stopping at every station, but they then become rapid services after joining the Sobu Line at Tokyo Station.

From Tokyo Station these services run along the Sobu Line as far as either Tsudanuma Station or Chiba Station — or they continue beyond Chiba Station toward one of the following destinations: Sakura, Narita, Narita Airport, Kimitsu, Kazusa-Ichinomiya, Naruto, and Kashimajingu. For information on stops along the Yokosuka Line please see our Yokosuka Line article.

This article will first introduce the stops along the Sobu Line between Tokyo Station and Chiba Station and then introduce the services that run beyond Chiba Station to the other destinations listed above.

For all destinations, example train fares and travel times are given from Kamakura Station.

The Sobu Line – Tokyo to Chiba

Trains running on the Sobu Line between Tokyo and Chiba stop at the following stations.
On this route trains terminate at either Tsudanuma Station or Chiba Station, or they continue on to destinations beyond Chiba Station.

Tokyo > Shin-Nihonbashi > Bakurocho > Kinshicho > Shinkoiwa > Ichikawa > Funabashi > Tsudanuma > Inage > Chiba

Example train fares and travel times are from Kamakura Station.

Tokyo Station

Tokyo Station is the northern terminus of the Yokosuka Line and a major interchange station. This is the main Shinkansen terminal for Tokyo receiving inter-city bullet train services on the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Tohoku Shinkansen, the Joetsu Shinkansen, and the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

Transfers can be made here for local services on the JR Yamanote Line, the JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, the JR Chuo Line, the JR Tokaido Line, the JR Ueno-Tokyo Line, the JR Keiyo Line and the subway Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line.

Tokyo Station is convenient for Tokyo Imperial Palace, some gardens of which are accessible to the public. Also nearby is the nearby Mitsubishi Ichigokan Museum, which exhibits mainly 19th century European art. The Marunouchi district on the west side of Tokyo Station is a commercial district with many high rise buildings packed with shops, cafes, and restaurants.

The Tokyo Station Hotel is a luxury heritage property inside Tokyo Station’s historic red-brick Marunouchi Building, combining classic European elegance with direct access to Japan’s busiest rail hub.

Ichikawa Station

Ichikawa is a city bordering Tokyo in western Chiba Prefecture that has a number of attractions.

Katsushika Hachimangu is a Shinto shrine dating from the 9th century that is known for the giant gingko tree growing in its grounds. The tree, which has many trunks, is said to be 1,200 years old.

Nakayama Hokekyo-ji is a Buddhist temple dating from the 13th century. Several buildings on the temple grounds, including the five-story pagoda, are designated as Important Cultural Properties. The temple is also known for its 400-year-old weeping cherry tree.

The Gyotoku Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan, is a 56-hectare natural habitat for wild birds such as herons, egrets, and cormorants — and a popular spot for bird watchers.

Close by Ichikawa Station is the i-Link Town Observation Deck, which is free to use. From the 45th floor of the i-Link Town building you can enjoy stunning views not only over Ichikawa but Tokyo too.

Funabashi Station

This station serves Funabashi City in Chiba prefecture. The top attractions in Funabashi are Ohi Shrine and Funabashi Andersen Park.

Ohi Shrine, also known as Funabashi Daijingu is a large Buddhist temple which is said to be 1,900 years old. On its grounds you can see some unusual buildings such as the Funatama Shrine which is shaped like a boat and the Tomyodai, a rare wooden lighthouse dating from the 19th century.

Funabashi Andersen Park is one of Japan’s most popular theme parks. The park celebrates the fact that Funabashi is the sister-city of Odense, Hans Christian Andersen’s hometown in Denmark. The park recreates the atmosphere of Denmark in the 19th century, with a windmill, farmhouses, flower gardens, a boating pond, a children’s museum, a fairy tale museum, a nature experience zone — and more!

Tsudanuma Station

This station serves the city of Narashino in Chiba Prefecture. Narashino is home to the Yatsu-higata tidal flat, a protected wetland site where many migratory birds like plovers and sandpipers can be seen. The birds can be viewed from the Yatsu-higata Nature Observation Center.

Chiba Station

This station serves the city of Chiba, which is the capital city of Chiba Prefecture. The city’s top attractions include Inage Beach, Chiba Zoological Park and Chiba City Folk Museum, which is housed in a replica castle.

Transfers can be made at Chiba Station to JR East’s Narita Line, Sotobo Line and Uchibo Line as well as to the Chiba Urban Monorail and the Keisei Chiba Line. JR Sobu Main Line services continue beyond Chiba crossing the Boso Peninsula and terminating on the east coast in the city of Choshi.

Chiba to Narita Airport

Trains that continue from Chiba to Narita Airport stop at the following stations on the Sobu Main Line, Narita Line and the Narita Airport Line. A small number of services on this route terminate at Sakura Station in Sakura City or at Narita Station in Narita City and do NOT continue to Narita Airport.

Chiba >Tsuga > Yotsukaido > Monoi > Sakura > Shisui > Narita > Narita Airport Terminal 2, 3 > Narita Airport Terminal 1

Two weekday services bound for Narita Airport are coupled with other trains between Zushi Station (on the Yokosuka Line) and Sakura Station. One Narita Airport service is coupled with a four-car train bound for Naruto Station and another Narita Airport service is coupled with a four-car train bound for Kashimajingu Station. At Sakura Station these trains will separate before continuing on to their respective destinations. To be sure you are on the right train when you board this joint service, check the destination on the outside of the train car or ask railway staff.

Example train fares and travel times are from Kamakura Station.

Sakura Station

This station serves the city of Sakura, which has a number of attractions.

In Sakura Castle Ruins Park you can find the National Museum of Japanese History. Here you can also find several Old Samurai Residences which are open to the public, as well as Hiyodori-zaka, a scenic slope through a bamboo forest.

Sakura Furusato Square is a park with Dutch-style flower gardens and a large windmill.

Sakura City Museum of Art is housed in an old Meiji-era (1868-1912) bank building and displays the work of local artists.

Narita Station

The city of Narita is best known for Naritasan Shinsho-ji, a large and very popular Buddhist temple with a history dating back to the year 940. Several buildings on the temple grounds are designated National Important Cultural Properties, and the temple is surrounded by beautiful parkland. The Omotesando street that leads to the temple is lined with traditional restaurants and stores selling souvenirs.

Narita Airport Terminal 2, 3 Station

Terminal 2 serves the Oneworld alliance of airlines while Terminal 3 serves low-cost carriers.

Narita Airport Terminal 1 Station

Terminal 1 serves the Star Alliance and SkyTeam alliances of airlines. Of course it’s a good idea to check which terminal your flight goes from before arriving at the airport stations, but all the terminals at Narita Airport are connected by shuttle buses, so there is no need to panic if you get off at the wrong stop! The shuttle buses run every five minutes and take around 20 minutes to travel between the terminals.

If you are planning to stay near Narita Airport, Narita Airport Hotel website offers a simple guide to nearby hotels with convenient access, shuttle services, and options for every budget.

Chiba to Kimitsu

Trains that continue from Chiba to Kimitsu stop at the following stations on the Uchibo Line.

Chiba > Hon-Chiba > Soga > Hamano > Yawatajuku > Goi > Anegasaki > Nagaura > Sodegaura > Kisarazu > Kimitsu

Example train fares and travel times are from Kamakura Station.

Soga Station

Transfer here to the JR Keiyo Line.

Goi Station

Goi Station is located in the city of Ichihara. Here you can transfer to the Kominato Line, a private railway line that is famous for its scenic route and its old-fashioned wooden railway stations, many of which date from the early 20th century.

Sodegaura Station

The main attraction in the city of Sodegaura is Tokyo German Park, a family-friendly theme park with various attractions that include a boating lake, a Ferris wheel and a miniature railway.

Kisarazu Station

The top attractions in the city of Kisarazu are Egawa Beach and Kurkku Fields — an organic farm and outdoor art museum where you can enjoy working farm experiences, farm-fresh food and even stay the night.

Transfer here to the JR Kururi Line.

Kimitsu Station

The city of Kimitsu’s star attraction is Kururi Castle. The castle was originally built in the 15th century but destroyed on the orders of the Meiji government in 1872. The current castle tower is a reconstruction built in 1979. There is also a Kururi Castle Museum nearby where you can learn more about the castle’s history. Another popular scenic spot in Kimitsu is Lake Kameyama where people enjoy fishing and boating activities.

Chiba to Kazusa-Ichinomiya

Trains that continue from Chiba to Kazusa-Ichinomiya stop at the following stations on the Sotobo Line.

Chiba > Hon-Chiba > Soga > Kamatori > Honda > Toke > Oami > Mobara > Kazusa-Ichinomiya

Example train fares and travel times are from Kamakura Station.

Toke Station

Toke Station serves the Midori ward of Chiba City. Exit here for the Hoki Museum, Japan’s first art museum dedicated to contemporary realist painting. The museum has around 500 works in its collection, of which about 120 are on display.

Oami Station

Oami Station in Oamishirasato City is a 25-minute taxi ride or a 35-minute bus ride from Shirasato Beach. The beach, which faces the Pacific Ocean, is very popular in the summer, and is also a popular spot for viewing the first sunrise of the year on New Year’s morning.

Transfer here to the JR Togane Line.

Kazusa-Ichinomiya Station

This station in the city of Ichinomiya is a ten-minute taxi ride from Tsurigasaki Beach, which is very popular with surfers. Surfboards and wetsuits can be rented from stores near the beach.

Chiba to Naruto

Just one service runs from Chiba to Naruto on the Sobu Main Line stopping at the following stations.

Chiba > Tsuga > Yotsukaido > Monoi > Sakura > Minami-Shisui > Enokido > Yachimata > Hyuga > Naruto

Between Zushi Station (on the Yokosuka Line) and Sakura Station this four-car train is coupled with a train bound for Narita Airport but at Sakura Station these two trains separate. To be sure you are on the right train when boarding this joint service, check the destination on the outside of the train car or ask railway staff. This service runs only on weekdays and not on Saturdays or national holidays.

Example train fares and travel times are from Kamakura Station.

Naruto Station

This station serves the city of Sanmu on the east coast of the Boso Peninsula. Sanmu has several popular beaches that are crowded with beach huts, sunbathers and swimmers from the end of July through August. Sanmu also has two sites that are famous for their weeping cherry trees: Chokoji Temple and Myosenji Temple. Chokoji Temple is said to have been founded by the 7th century Indian sage Hodo Sennin. The main hall of Chokoji Temple dates from the 14th century and is a designated National Treasure. Myosenji Temple, which was founded in 1361, is short walk from Chokoji Temple

Transfer here to the JR Togane Line.

Chiba to Kashimajingu

Just one service runs from Chiba to Kashimajingu in Ibaraki Prefecture, stopping at the following stations on the Sobu Main Line, Narita Line and Kashima Line.

Chiba > Tsuga > Yotsukaido > Monoi > Sakura > Shisui > Narita > Kuzumi > Namegawa > Shimosa-Kozaki > Oto > Sawara > Katori > Junikyu > Itako > Nobutaka > Kashimajingu

Between Zushi Station (on the Yokosuka Line) and Sakura Station this four-car train is coupled with a train bound for Narita Airport but at Sakura Station these two trains separate. To be sure you are on the right train check the destination on the outside of the train car or ask railway staff. This service runs only on weekdays and not on Saturdays or national holidays.

Example train fares and travel times are from Kamakura Station.

Sawara Station

This station serves the town of Sawara in Katori City. Sawara is famous for the preserved Edo-era (1603-1867) streetscapes, canals, and historic buildings of its old town area, which is known as “Little Edo.” Sawara is also home to the Suigo Sawara Aquatic Botanical Garden which is known for having a wide variety of aquatic plants. The irises at the botanical garden flower in late June and the lotuses flower in July.

Katori Station

Outside of Sawara, Katori’s main attraction is Katori Jingu, an important Shinto shrine on extensive grounds which is believed to date back to the year 643. Several structures on the shrine grounds are designated as Important Cultural Properties. The shrine is a 30-minute walk or 5-minute taxi ride to the south of Katori Station.

Itako Station

Itako is a city in Ibaraki Prefecture with attractions that include boat tours of its historic canals and bridges, the Zen temple of Choshoji, which dates from 1185; and the Suigo-Itako Iris Garden, which is at the center of a popular flower festival in June.

Kashimajingu Station

Kashimajingu Station is named after Kashima Jingu, an important Shinto shrine in the city of Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture. Kashima Jingu is the oldest and largest shrine in the Kanto region and is said to date back to 660 BC. The shrine is dedicated to a god of martial arts and has a long association with swordsmanship. In the shrine’s treasure house is a sword called Futsu-no-Mitama-no-Tsurugi, which is a National Treasure. The shrine’s main hall, prayer hall and tower gate all date from the Edo era (1603-1867) and are Important Cultural Properties. The shrine is a 10-minute walk from Kashimajingu Station.

Also in Kashima, Oritsu Beach and Hirai Beach are popular with families and surfers.

Transfer here to Kashima Rinkai Railway’s Oarai Kashima Line.

Useful Links

To plan your journey via the Yokosuka Line use an English language route finder like Jorudan’s Japan Transit Planner. JR East has a PDF route map of their railway network in which both the Yokosuka Line and Sobu Line are numbered 2 and colored dark blue. Current timetables for all services from Kamakura Station can be found on JR East’s English-language website.

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Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved. Last updated 29-Sept-2025.