Motomachi-Chūkagai Station Explained

Motomachi-Chūkagai Station should not be confused with Ishikawacho Station.

Motomachi-Chukagai Station
Native Name:	元町・中華街駅
Native Name Lang:	ja
Address:	65 Yamashita-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa-ken
Country:	Japan
Coordinates:	35.4422°N 139.6508°W
Operator:	Yokohama Minatomirai Railway Company
Line:	Minatomirai Line
Distance:	4.1 km from
Platforms:	1 island platform
Tracks:	2
Structure:	Underground
Code:	MM06
Opened:	1 February 2004
Passengers:	54,172 daily
Pass Year:	FY2011
Map Type:	Japan Kanagawa Prefecture#Japan
Map Dot Label:	Motomachi-Chukagai Station

is an underground railway station on the Minatomirai Line subway in Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, operated by the third-sector railway operating company Yokohama Minatomirai Railway Company. It is numbered "MM06", and its official name, as shown on signage in the station, is with the sub-name (Yamashita-kōen, referring to Yamashita Park) in parentheses, although the use of this full name is limited.

Lines

Motomachi-Chukagai Station is served by the underground Minatomirai Line, and is from the starting point of the line at Yokohama Station. Trains through-run to and from the Tokyu Toyoko Line from Shibuya Station and beyond on the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line and Tobu Tojo Line and Seibu Ikebukuro Line.

Station layout

Motomachi-Chukagai Station is an underground station with a single island platform serving two terminating tracks on the fourth basement ("B4F") level.

Platforms

History

Motomachi-Chukagai Station opened on 1 February 2004, coinciding with the opening of the Minatomirai Line.^[1]

Passenger statistics

In fiscal 2011, the station was used by an average of 54,172 passengers daily.^[1]

Surrounding area

JR East's Ishikawachō Station, served by the Negishi Line, was renamed "Ishikawachō 'Motomachi-Chūkagai' Station" on 15 September 2016 to alleviate confusion on which Negishi Line station is closest to Motomachi and Yokohama Chinatown.^[2] Despite this, the two stations are located relatively far from each other, making transfer impractical.

• Yokohama Chinatown, one of the largest Chinatowns in the world with over 500 shops and restaurants. Exit from the Chūkagai Exit of the station.
• Motomachi Shopping Street, a fashionable shopping street, with stores carrying original style clothing and shoes, foreign imports, and European goods. Exit from the Motomachi Exit of the station.
• Yamate and Bluff areas, a historic neighborhood with many old foreign residences. Exit from the Motomachi Exit of the station, and walk east up the hill.
• Yokohama Marine Tower, the tallest lighthouse in the world. Exit from the Marine Tower Exit of the station, and walk north.
• Yamashita Park, a park facing Yokohama Harbor. Exit from the Yamashita Park Exit of the station, and walk north towards the ocean.
• Hotel New Grand, one of the oldest hotels in Yokohama. Exit from the Yamashita Park Exit of the station, and walk north.

See also

• List of railway stations in Japan

References

• Book: Harris. Ken. Clarke. Jackie. Jane's World Railways 2008-2009. Jane's Information Group. 2008. 978-0-7106-2861-9.

Notes and References

1. Book: Terada, Hirokazu . ja: データブック日本の私鉄 . Databook: Japan's Private Railways . Neko Publishing . 19 January 2013 . Japan . 232 . 978-4-7770-1336-4.
2. Web site: http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLZO05384520Y6A720C1L82000/ . ja: 駅名表示を石川町（元町・中華街）に変更　ＪＲ東日本横浜支社 . JR East to change station name signs to Ishikawachō 'Motomachi-Chūkagai' . 29 July 2016. Nikkei Shimbun . Nikkei Inc. . Japan. Japanese. https://web.archive.org/web/20170528084032/http://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXLZO05384520Y6A720C1L82000/ . 28 May 2017 . live . 28 May 2017.