Tokyo once had dozens of tram lines crisscrossing the city. Today, only one remains — the Toden Arakawa Line, now officially called the “Sakura Tram.” This single streetcar line runs 12.2km through northern Tokyo’s most nostalgic neighborhoods, from Waseda to Minowabashi. It is one of the best-kept secrets in Tokyo tourism.
Why Ride the Toden Arakawa Line?
- Last surviving tram in Tokyo — a living piece of history
- ¥170 per ride (or ¥400 day pass) — absurdly cheap
- Old Tokyo neighborhoods that tourists never visit
- Rose gardens along the tracks (peak bloom: May and October)
- No English tourists — this is genuinely off the beaten path
The Route
The line runs from Waseda (near Waseda University) to Minowabashi (near Arakawa), with 30 stops along the way. The entire journey takes about 50 minutes end to end.
Best Stops
Waseda (早稲田) — Start Here
Home to Waseda University, one of Japan’s most prestigious private universities. The neighborhood has a classic student-town atmosphere with cheap restaurants and bookstores.
Kishibojin-mae (鬼子母神前) — Hidden Shrine
Kishimojin Temple is a serene shrine hidden in a small forest. The approach path is lined with ancient zelkova trees. A traditional dagashi (penny candy) shop has been operating here since 1781.
Otsuka-ekimae (大塚駅前) — Transfer Point
Connects to the JR Yamanote Line at Otsuka Station. The area around the station has excellent izakaya and a lively local atmosphere. Good dinner stop.
Sugamo (庚申塚) — “Grandma’s Harajuku”
Walk to Sugamo Jizo-dori shopping street, nicknamed “Grandma’s Harajuku.” Older Japanese women come here to shop for red underwear (believed to bring health and luck), traditional sweets, and herbal remedies. Fascinating and endearing.
Arakawa-nichome (荒川二丁目) — Rose Garden
The Arakawa Rose Garden runs alongside the tracks. Over 13,000 rose bushes bloom in May-June and October-November. Free to view from the tram or walk along the tracks.
Arakawa Yuenchimae (荒川遊園地前) — Retro Amusement Park
Arakawa Yuen is a tiny, retro amusement park that feels frozen in the 1960s. Recently renovated but still charmingly old-fashioned. Great for families.
Oji-ekimae (王子駅前) — Nature in the City
Walk to Asukayama Park, one of Tokyo’s oldest cherry blossom spots (since the 1700s). The park has three small museums and a tiny monorail (free!) that climbs the hill. Connect to JR Keihin-Tohoku Line here.
Minowabashi (三ノ輪橋) — End of the Line
The terminus has a retro atmosphere — the station itself looks like it hasn’t changed in decades. Walk to Joyful Minowa shopping street, one of Tokyo’s oldest and most authentic shotengai.
Practical Information
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Fare | ¥170 flat rate (any distance) |
| Day pass | ¥400 (unlimited rides) |
| IC card | Suica/Pasmo accepted |
| Frequency | Every 5-7 minutes |
| Hours | ~6:00-23:00 |
| Payment | Board from the front, pay when boarding |
Recommended Half-Day Route
- Start at Waseda (10:00)
- Get off at Kishibojin-mae — visit the shrine (30 min)
- Ride to Sugamo area — walk to Jizo-dori shopping street, lunch (1 hour)
- Ride to Arakawa-nichome — see the rose garden if in season (20 min)
- Ride to Oji-ekimae — Asukayama Park (45 min)
- End at Minowabashi — Joyful Minowa shopping (30 min)
Total time: 3-4 hours. Total cost: ¥400 (day pass)
Other Trams in Japan
Enoden (Kamakura)
The famous seaside tram connecting Kamakura to Enoshima. Runs along the coast with stunning ocean views. One of Japan’s most photogenic train rides.
Hiroshima Streetcar (Hiroden)
Japan’s largest remaining tram network. Some cars date from the 1940s and survived the atomic bombing. The ¥220 flat fare covers the entire city.
Nagasaki Streetcar
Four lines covering central Nagasaki for just ¥140. The cheapest and most efficient way to see the city.
Kagoshima City Tram
Two lines with views of the active Sakurajima volcano across the bay. Ride the tram while watching a volcano smoke — only in Japan.
Toyama Light Rail (Portram)
A modern light rail system in Toyama Prefecture. Sleek, contemporary design. Connects to the beautiful Toyama waterfront.
Why Trams Matter
Trams represent a slower, more human-scale way of moving through a city. In Tokyo, where everything moves at incredible speed, the Toden Arakawa Line is a reminder of what the city used to be — neighborhoods connected by a gentle rattle of steel on tracks, passengers who recognize each other, and views of daily life that you cannot see from underground subway tunnels.
Ride the tram. You will see a Tokyo that guidebooks completely ignore.