The Tama Toshi Monorail is a straddle monorail system operating in the city of Tama in Tokyo, Japan. Commonly referred to as the Tama Monorail, it provides a vital transport link between the suburbs of Tama and Higashiyamato in the western region of Tokyo. The system shares similarities with the monorails in Kitakyushu and Osaka, as well as the Alweg system in Seattle.
It is also known as the Tama Monorail. It serves approximately 120,494 passengers per day. Unfortunately, no fare information is available. The system does not operate 24 hours a day and has no air conditioning. However, walking between platforms is allowed and the trains are not driverless.
There are no screen doors on the platforms. Trains run at an average speed of 65 km/h. Operating hours are from 5:30 to 23:50 from Monday to Sunday. The fare is 100 yen.
Monorail Map of Tama
Map of Tama Toshi Metro showing different lines. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the Tama Toshi Metro map in PDF format.
About the Tama Toshi Monorail
The Tama Toshi Monorail currently operates on a single, double-track line 16 km in length. The line has 19 stations, including terminal stations at Tama Center and Kamikitadai. The monorail uses Hitachi Type 1000 trains and is operated by Tokyo Tama Intercity Monorail Co. Ltd. The monorail system is an important part of the public transport network and carries approximately 120,494 passengers daily.
Historical Overview
The idea of the Tama Toshi Monorail was conceived as a means of connecting the northern and southern regions of Tama City by public transport. The monorail opened on 27 November 1998, initially serving a 5.4km stretch between Kamikitadai and Tachikawa-Kita. A commemorative stamp was issued to mark the opening of the monorail. The line was extended to Tama Centre on 10 January 2000, bringing the system to its current length.
Operating Hours
The Tama Toshi Monorail System operates from 5:30 am to midnight. Trains are scheduled to arrive every 10 minutes. However, the frequency of trains may vary slightly at weekends and in the early morning or late evening hours.
To view the timetables for each station, click here.
Lines and Stations
Starting in Higashiyamato, the Tama Toshi Monorails pass through the suburbs of Hino, Tachikawa and Hachiōji before terminating in Tama. The entire line is within the geographical boundaries of Tokyo. Trains run at 65 km/h and a full journey on the line takes approximately 36 minutes.
Each station on the line is user-friendly, with features and services designed to cater for both domestic and international travellers. Each station is identified by a unique image and has two platforms and a station building. The track itself is built 15 metres above the ground. The Tama Toshi Monorail offers convenient connections to several other rail systems, including JR East’s Chūō Main Line, Odakyu Tama Line, Keio Sagamihara Line and Nambu Line.
Stations on this line include:
Tama Centre
Tama-Center station is located in the centre of Tama New Town, surrounded by many shops and government buildings. This is the terminus for both the Odakyu Tama Line and the Keio Sagamihara Line.
Matsugaya
Located above Tokyo Metropolitan Route 156, Matsugaya Station is conveniently located near schools, parks and shopping areas. The station mainly serves the Matsugaya and Kashima areas of Tama New Town.
Ōtsuka-Teikyo-Daigaku
This station is located near the Ōtsuka campus of Teikyō University, the OK Store supermarket (Tama-Ōtsuka branch), and the Festa Resort Yaen Hotel.
Chūō Daigaku-Meisei Daigaku
The Chūō-Daigaku-Meisei-Daigaku station is unique in the Tama Toshi monorail system as it is the only station that is not elevated. It is close to the campuses of Meisei University and Chūō University, as well as the FamilyMart convenience store.
Tama-Dōbutsukōen
Tama-Dōbutsukōen station is conveniently located near Tama Zoo and Keio Rail-Land. Passengers can transfer to the Keio Dobutsuen Line at this station.
Hodokubo
Located above Tokyo Metropolitan Route 503, Hodokubo Station serves as a central hub in a densely populated residential area. Nearby attractions include the Hino Takahatadai Post Office, the Hino City Yumegaoka Elementary School, and the Hino City Furusato Museum.
Takahatafudō
This station is frequented by students commuting to nearby university campuses. It offers connections to the Keio Dobutsuen Line and the Keio Line. Popular attractions accessible from this station include Kongōji Temple and several nearby shopping malls.
Manganji
Located just above the junction of Tokyo Metropolitan Route 503 and National Route 20, this station is close to attractions such as Sekiden Bridge, Atagosan Sekidenji, Tokyo Metropolitan Hino Senior High School and Hino City Clean Center.
Kōshū-Kaidō
Located above the Tokyo Metropolitan Route 503, this station is surrounded by residential areas.
Shibasaki-Taiikukan
Located above Tokyo Metropolitan Route 149, this station provides easy access to the Tama River and Tachikawa Municipal Shibasaki Gymnasium.
Tachikawa-Minami
Tachikawa-Minami Station is also located above Tokyo Metropolitan Route 149 and is a short walk from JR Tachikawa Station. The station provides connections to the Nambu Line, Ōme Line and Chūō Main Line. Major attractions near this station include the Tokyo Metropolitan Tama Cultural Centre and Library, and the AREAREA shopping centre.
Tachikawa-Kita
Like Tachikawa-Minami, this station provides connections to the Nambu Line, Ōme Line and Chūō Main Line. It is a short walk from JR Tachikawa Station. Nearby you’ll find the Cinema City / Cinema Two complex and Isetan (Tachikawa Branch).
Takamatsu
Several key units of the Tama Toshi Monorail, including its headquarters, are located near Takamatsu Station. Other nearby attractions include the National Institute of Polar Research, the National Institute of Japanese Literature, the Showa Commemorative National Government Park, and the National Hospital Organization Disaster Medical Center.
Tachihi
Tachihi station is also built over Tokyo Metropolitan Route 43 and is mainly surrounded by warehouses. From this station, passengers can easily reach the Tachihi Driving Range, the headquarters of Tachikawa Enterprise Co. Ltd, Shinnyo-en and the ABC Housing World Tachikawa showroom.
Izumi-Taiikukan
Izumi-Taiikukan station is located above Tokyo Metropolitan Route 43 in a predominantly residential area. Nearby attractions include Tokyo Metropolitan Sunagawa Senior High School, Tachikawa Municipal Izumi Gymnasium, TOTO Tachikawa Showroom and Tachikawa City Fifth Junior High School.
Sunagawa-Nanaban
Sunagawa-Nanaban Station is located just above the junction of the Tokyo Metropolitan Routes 7 and 43. There are residential areas and shops nearby. Nearby attractions include Kobushi Kaikan, Tachikawa City Library (Saiwai Branch), and Tachikawa Kominkaen.
Tamagawajōsui
Tamagawajōsui Station is a transfer station for the Seibu Haijima Line. The station is located near residential and commercial buildings. Tamagawa-J ōsui is nearby. You can get off at this station to reach the Risshō Kōsei Kai cemetery.
Sakura-Kaidō
This station is located above Tokyo Metropolitan Route 43. Nearby attractions include Casio Hitachi Mobile Communications (Tokyo Plant), Morinaga Milk Industry (Tokyo Tama Plant), and Sakura Kaidō.
Kamikitadai
Kamikitadai station is also located above Tokyo Metropolitan Route 43. Nearby attractions include Higashiyamato City Fourth Junior High School, Higashiyamato Kamikitadai Post Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Route 5 and Kita-Tama-Seibu Fire Station.
Expansion
While the company’s long-term vision is to build a 93km line, construction has yet to begin. The monorail system is currently facing financial challenges. Unlike the Tokyo Monorail, which carries passengers to Haneda Airport, the Tama Toshi system has no such connection. At present, there is no concrete information on the expansion of the system.
Fare and Ticket
The fare for the Tama Toshi Monorail is calculated according to the distance travelled. Every passenger over the age of 6 must purchase a ticket to ride the Tama Toshi Monorail. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 can purchase children’s tickets, which are usually half the price of adult tickets. Tickets can be purchased from ticket machines or from ticket counters at the stations.
In addition to regular single-ride tickets, the monorail authority offers several discounted tickets, including day tickets, ticket books and Tama Monorail Ticket Sets. For students and daily commuters, a Commuter Pass is best. Separate machines and windows are available at stations to facilitate the sale of these passes. Commuter passes can be purchased with your Suica or PASMO card.
Facilities and Services
The journey on the Tama Toshi Monorail is enjoyable thanks to the following facilities:
- All elevated stations are equipped with escalators and lifts for easy access.
- CCTV cameras are installed in the stations for remote monitoring and security.
- Ticket vending machine instructions are in both English and Japanese for the convenience of international travellers.
- Trains are either air-conditioned or heated depending on the outside weather conditions.
Rules
When riding the Tama Toshi Monorail, please remember the following to ensure that you comply with the monorail rules:
- Only disassembled or folded bicycles are allowed on the trains.
- Passengers are not allowed to carry items over 2 metres in length.
- Animals and flammable objects are not allowed on the trains. Pets may be carried in suitable carriers.
- If you wish to film or photograph in the vicinity of the monorail, you must obtain prior permission from the company.
Tips
Here are some tips to help you make the most of your monorail journey:
- Students should always ask for a delay certificate if their train is more than 10 minutes late and they will be late for their class or exam.
- Station staff check under the platforms every day, but only after the last train has stopped. If you have left any of your belongings there, come back a day or two later.
- If you have several unused Ticket Book tickets, you can return them and get part of your money back.