2018 New Year’s Eve Japan Transportation Bulletin! (Updated December 29th)

Updated December 29th, info up to December 29th, 2018.

Items updated: Kansai, Chubu, Kyushu private and municipal train schedules, plus Hakodate tram schedules.

Stepping into December, and we are only a few weeks away from the biggest holiday in Japan. And no doubt some of you will be there to spend your holidays. New Year’s Eve is one of the busiest time on the road in Japan. People are returning home for the holidays. Within cities, people are going out for parties and worship. Navigating public transportation will be a challenge. Allow us to help you out, with our annual Japan NYE transportation bulletin!

This list will start with all major cities’ metro plus JR information. Throughout December, we will add info from other private railways and transportation companies. Check back here every Tuesday and Saturday all December for the latest update!

Tokyo

  • JR
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Yamanote Line: Running overnight at 12 minutes intervals (during 1 – 5 am).
      • Shōnan-Shinjuku Line: Running overnight at 60 minutes intervals, between Omiya and Zushi (during midnight – 6 am). <Note: for Kamakura/Eno-Jima sunrise.>
      • Chuo Line: Running overnight at 20-45 minutes intervals, will stop at all stops, between Tokyo and Takao stations (during midnight – 5 am). <Note: for Mount Takao temple visit and sunrise.>
    • Holiday schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 30th to January 3rd.
  • Tokyo Metro
    • New Year’s Eve
      • All lines except Ginza Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals.
      • Ginza Line: Running overnight at 7 minutes intervals, between Asakusa and Ueno, and 15 minutes intervals between Ueno to Shibuya.
    • Holiday schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Toei Transportation
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Asakusa Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals.
      • Mita Line: Running overnight at 30-60 minutes intervals.
      • Shinjuku Line: Running overnight at 30-40 minutes intervals.
      • Oedo Line: Running overnight at 30-40 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Keio Electric Railway
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Keio Line: Running overnight at 40 minutes intervals, trains will stop at all stations.
      • Inokashira Line: Running overnight at 20-30 minutes intervals, trains will stop at all stations.
    • Special trains on Keio Line
      • There will be two Limited Express trains going to Mount Takao from Shinjuku, departure time at Shinjuku on 0050 and 0240 hrs on New Year Day. Both trains had only reserved seats, so advance tickets must be obtained through Keio’s reservation site, Keio Ticketless Service (https://www.keio-ticketless.jp/keio-web/top.xhtml), or their ticket machines inside stations.
      • For non-reserved trains, there will be Rapid trains that run from 1-4 am, total five trains, three of them will depart from Shinjuku between 3-4 am.
    • Holiday Schedule: Keio and Inokashira Lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 30th to January 3rd.
  • Keisei Electric Railway
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Keisei Line: Running overnight at 20-50 minutes intervals, between Keisei Ueno and Keisei Narita stations.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Tokyu Electric Railway
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Toyoko Line: Running overnight at 10-30 minutes intervals.
      • Den-en-toshi Line: No overnight trains but will run additional trains with later close time, and first train on New Year Day will run one hour earlier than usual.
      • Minato Mirai Line: Running overnight at 10-30 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Seibu Railway
    • New Year’s Eve
      • No overnight trains, only add one additional train for all lines (usually the lines close down on or before midnight).
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Odakyu Electric Railway/Enoden
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Odakyu Line: Running overnight at 15-60 minutes intervals, with fewest trains heading out towards Odawara.
      • Enoshima Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Keikyu 
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Keikyu Main Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals between Sengakuji and Yokohama. Between Yokohama and Uraga no overnight service, but will have last train departing later than usual, and earlier first train on New Year Day.
      • Daishi Line: Running overnight at 7-10 minutes intervals between Keikyu Kawasaki and Kojimashinden.
      • Other lines: No overnight services, only had additional trains running up to 0100 hrs.
    • Special train: Hatsuhi no. 1 and 2 will run to Miura coast, from Asakusa-bashi (0400 hrs departure) and Shinagawa (0500 hrs departure) respectively.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Tobu
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Tobu Skytree Line: Running overnight at 35-60 minutes intervals, between Asakusa to Takenotsuka. The rest of the line will have delay last train and advance first train.
      • Tobu Daishi Line: Running overnight at 10-45 minutes intervals
      • Tobu Tojo Line: No overnight services, only delay last train to latest 1:09 am, and advance first trains to start at around 3:45 – 4:30 am.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Takao Tozan Railway
    • New Year’s Eve
      • The cable car up to Mount Takao will run overnight at 7-15 minutes intervals, and will stop service by 1800 hrs on New Year Day.
      • The open air lift cars will run from 0900 – 1600 hours, and start on 0500 on New Year Day.
    • Holiday Schedule:
      • The cable car will run from 0500/0600 – 1800 hrs on January 2nd and 3rd, and return to normal schedule from the 4th (0700-1730 hrs on weekend/public holiday, 0800-1730 hrs on weekdays).
      • Open air lift will run with special schedule of 0830-1700 on the 2nd and 3rd. From the 4th to 20th, the lift will run special schedule of 0900-1600 hrs on weekdays and 0830-1600 hrs on weekends/holidays.
  • Hakone Tozan Railway
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 30th to January 3rd.
  • Yokohama Subway
    • New Year’s Eve: Blue Line and Green Line will run overnight at 15-45 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.

Chubu area

  • Nagoya Municipal Subway
    • New Year’s Eve: All lines (except Kamiiida Line) will run overnight at 30 minutes intervals. Kamiiida Line will not run overnight.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines (except Higashiyama Line) will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd. Higashiyama Line will run on weekend/holiday schedule from December 29th to 30th, and run special New Year schedule on December 31st to January 3rd.

Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe area

  • JR
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Kyoto Line/Kobe Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals between Nishi-Akashi to Kyoto (during midnight – 5 am)
      • Osaka Loop Line: Running overnight on both directions on 15-30 minutes intervals (during midnight – 5 am).
      • Yamatoji Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals between JR Namba and Ōji stations; at 60 minutes intervals between Ōji and Nara stations (during midnight to 5 am).
  • Osaka Metro
    • New Year’s Eve
      • All lines except Nanko Port Town Line: Running overnight on all directions on 30 minute intervals.
      • Nanko Port Town Line: Running overnight on all directions on 15 minute intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines (including Nanko Port Town Line) will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Kyoto Municipal Subway
    • New Year’s Eve: All lines (Tozai and Karasuma Lines) will run overnight at 20 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Kyoto Municipal Bus
    • New Year’s Eve: three special overnight buses will run at the following intervals, for pilgrims visiting shrines and temples:
      • Special no.50, from Kyoto Eki Mae Bus Stop to Kitano Tenmangu, at 20-30 minutes intervals. First bus leaves Kyoto Eki Mae Stop on 9:30 pm on December 31st.
      • Special no.201, from Mibusoshajomae Bus Stop (near JR/Kyoto Subway Tozai Line Nijo Station) to Kitano Tenmangu and Heian Jingu, at 10-60 minutes intervals. First bus leaves Mibusoshajomae Bus Stop on 9:03 pm on December 31st.
      • Special no.206, from Kyoto Eki Mae Bus Stop to Yasaka Jingu and Kiyomizu Dera, at 20-30 minutes intervals. First bus leaves Kyoto Eki Mae Bus Stop on 11:30 pm on December 31st.
  • Kobe Municipal Subway
    • Holiday schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Hankyu Railway
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Kobe Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals.
      • Takarazuka Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals.
      • Kyoto Line: Running overnight at 30 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Nankai Electric
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Nakai Line: No true overnight service, but there will be additional trains running on the line from midnight to about 5 am.
      • Takao Line: Additional trains running hourly from 1-5 am.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 30th to January 3rd.
  • Keihan Electric Railway
    • New Year’s Eve: Only Keihan Lines and Otokoyama Cable will run overnight, at 20-40 minutes and 5-10 minutes intervals respectively. Otsu Lines will run weekend/holiday schedules on New Year’s Eve, and has no overnight service.
    • Holiday Schedule: Otsu Lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd. Keihan Lines will run on New Year schedules at 12 minutes intervals from January 1st to 3rd. Otokoyama Cable will run New Year schedule at 5-10 minutes intervals from January 1st to 3rd.
  • Keifuku Electric Railway
    • New Year’s Eve: No overnight service available.
    • Holiday Schedule: Eizan Cable and Eizan Ropeway will start service around 6 am on New Year day, and run two to three cars per hour until 4:30 pm / 4:10 pm respectively. On January 2nd and 3rd, service will start after 10 am with three cars per hour, until 4:30 pm / 4:10 pm respectively.
  • Hanshin Electric Railway
    • New Year’s Eve: Running overnight at 15-30 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Kintetsu
    • New Year’s Eve: Running overnight at the following intervals ~
      • Osaka Line: Limited express at 20-40 minutes intervals, other trains at 30-60 minutes intervals.
      • Kyoto Line: Limited express at 60 minutes intervals, other trains at 30 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Eizan Electric Railway
    • New Year’s Eve: No overnight service available.
    • Holiday Schedule: Trains will run on weekend/holiday schedule from December 29th to January 3rd.

Tohoku

  • JR
    • Holiday schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Sendai Subway
    • New Year’s Eve: No overnight service available.
    • Holiday Schedule: Trains will run on weekend/holiday schedule from December 29th to 30th, and January 2nd to 3rd. New Year’s Eve and New Year Day will have trains run on New Year schedule, at 15-21 minutes intervals through out the days.

Shikoku

  • JR
    • Holiday schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 30th to January 3rd.
  • Iyotetsu
    • New Year’s Eve: No overnight service available.
    • Holiday Schedule: Street cars and buses will run on weekend/holiday schedule from December 29th to January 3rd.

Kyushu

  • JR
    • All trains: There will be additional trains added to all lines during the holidays, to enhance services.
  • Fukuoka City Subway
    • All trains: No overnight service, though additional trains will be added to all lines (Hakozaki/Kuko/Nanakuma) up to around 3 am.
    • Holiday schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.
  • Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu)
    • New Year’s Eve
      • Tenjin Ōmuta Line: Running overnight at 6-40 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: Tenjin Ōmuta Line will run on weekend schedule from December 29th to 31st, and New Year Schedule from January 1st to 3rd. Kaizuka Line will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to January 3rd.

Hokkaido

  • JR
    • All trains: There will be additional trains added to all lines during the holidays, to enhance services.
  • Sapporo City Subway
    • New Year’s Eve: On December 31st, special schedule will be in effect, with daytime trains running on 9 minutes intervals. No overnight trains, though last trains will depart terminals around 2:30 am.
    • New Year Day: On January 1st, special schedule will be in effect, with daytime trains running on 10-11 minutes interval, and last trains depart terminals at midnight.
    • Holiday schedule: All lines will run on weekend/holiday schedules from December 29th to 30th, and from January 2nd to 3rd.
  • Sapporo Streetcar
    • Special schedule will be in effect for New Year Day to January 2nd/3rd, with streetcars running on 10-13 minutes and 8-11 minutes intervals respectively.
    • Holiday schedule: All line will run on weekend schedules from December 29th to 31st.
  • Hakodate Trams
    • New Year’s Eve: Running on weekend/holiday schedule at 6 minutes intervals, and will stop service by around 8 pm. However, between 11 pm to 2 am, trams will run for people going to midnight temple visits for free. The free trams will run at roughly 15 minutes intervals.
    • Holiday Schedule: On January 1st and 2nd, trams will run roughly 6 minutes intervals, and service will end by 7:30 pm. Trams will run on weekend/holiday schedule on January 3rd.