Why Does "Yurikamome" Draw a Massive Circle at Shibaura-futo? — Two Contrasting Solutions to Climb 30 Meters

Have you ever noticed that the

scenery changes completely as you

cross the Rainbow Bridge on the

Yurikamome?

On the Odaiba side, you travel along a

straight, 600-meter slope.

In contrast, on the Shinbashi side

(Shibaura-futo), the train draws a

massive loop. Why do these two sides

look so different despite overcoming

the same 30-meter elevation gain?

The answer lies in practical design

choices made to utilize limited urban

space effectively.

The Odaiba side climbs a steep grade

of 50‰ (a 50-meter rise over 1,000

meters) in a single straight line.

However, on the Shibaura side, where

space is extremely limited, engineers

employed a loop with a diameter of

270 meters. By leveraging the AGT’s

inherent strength in handling sharp

curves, the system achieves the same

elevation gain using only about half the

footprint of the Odaiba side.

This was a functional choice to install

the rail line while preserving existing

roads, buildings, and port functions.

Why was it necessary to climb so high

in the first place—to a clearance height

of 60 meters? It was originally

designed to allow world-class cruise

ships, such as the Queen Elizabeth 2,

to pass under the bridge.

The bridge was built high to

accommodate these ships, and the

loop was created to connect the

transit line to that height.

Ironically, modern cruise ships have

become even larger, and an increasing

number can no longer pass under the

bridge despite its 60-meter clearance.

As a result, a new hub called "Tokyo

International Cruise Terminal Station"

was built outside the bridge.

On days when no large ships are

docked, the area remains a quiet, still

landscape.

The loop made for ships to pass under

, and the modern mega-ships that can

no longer pass—this scenery reflects

how infrastructure evolves to meet the

optimal needs of its time.

The next time you pass through this

loop, take a moment to feel the urban

history carved into the curves beneath

your feet.

I hope you look forward to the next

AGT Blog!