A Route That Feels Like a Diorama

When people think of AGTs, the first image that often

comes to mind is an elevated line. But some lines

are “curveballs,” running not only on viaducts but

also underground or at ground level.One of the best

examples is the Yukarigaoka Line in Sakura City,

Chiba Prefecture. Despite being just 2.5 miles

(4.1 km) long, it packs in elevated track, ground

-level sections, cuttings, and tunnels—almost like a

model train layout brought to life.

This line was built entirely with private funds by

Yamaman, the developer behind the area, and the

company has been operating it for more than 40

years since opening. Private railways running AGTs

are extremely rare in Japan—there are only two:

Seibu Railway’s Yamaguchi Line and the

Yukarigaoka Line.

The route forms a single-track loop shaped like a

tennis racket. A 14-minute ride connects six

stations, with scenery that changes dramatically

along the way. After leaving Kōen Station, you pass

through deep woods surrounding farmland and old

shrines, where the trees shift colors with each

season.

Soon after comes a cluster of mid-rise apartment

blocks, followed by quiet neighborhoods of single-

family homes.

Near the terminus, high-rise towers line the horizon,

pulsing with the energy of city life.

The variety of landscapes compressed into such a

short ride makes it feel as if you’re traveling

through a diorama. Each trip offers small discoveries

—“I never realized this scenery was here!”—making

it a hidden gem among Japan’s AGT lines.

Stay tuned for the next AGT blog!