Chuo-Sobu Line

Chuo-Sobu Line (JB) is a JR line that connects Mitaka Station in the western suburbs of Tokyo, downtown Tokyo, and Chiba Station in Chiba Prefecture. The trains on the line stop at nearly every community along the route and have a total of 39 stations. So, they feature a relatively slow overall speed. 

The representative color of the Chuo-Sobu Line is yellow, meaning the trains feature distinctive yellow decorative stripes, and all related signage of the line is yellow.

Introduction to the Major Stations

JB01 Mitaka Station
Nearby attractions: Ghibli Museum
You can transfer to:
JR Lines: Chuo Line (Rapid)

JB02 Kichijoji Station
Nearby attractions: Inokashira Park, Harmonica Yokocho
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Chuo Line (Rapid)
(2) Private Railways: Keio Inokashira Line

JB06 Koenji Station
Nearby attractions: Koenji Junjo Shotengai, Nakadori Shopping Street, Kisho Shrine
You can transfer to:
JR Line: Chuo Line (Rapid)

JB07 Nakano Station
Nearby attractions: Nakano Broadway, Nakano Sun Mall
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Line: Chuo Line (Rapid)
(2) Subway: Tozai Line

JB10 Shinjuku Station – An Important Transport Hub
Nearby attractions: Kabukicho, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observation Deck
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Yamanote Line, Chuo Line (Rapid), Saikyo Line, Shonan-Shinjuku Line, Narita Express
(2) Subway: Marunouchi Line, Toei Shinjuku Line, Toei Oedo Line
(3) Private Railways: Odakyu Line, Keio Line

JB11 Yoyogi Station
Nearby attractions: Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Yamanote Line
(2) Subway: Toei Oedo Line

JB14 Yotsuya Station
Nearby attractions: Suga Shrine, State Guest House Akasaka Palace
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Chuo Line (Rapid)
(2) Subway: Marunouchi Line, Namboku Line

JB17 Suidobashi Station
Nearby attractions: Tokyo Dome City, Spa LaQua, Tokyo Daijingu Shrine
You can transfer to:
Subway: Mita Line

JB18 Ochanomizu Station
Nearby attractions: Kanda Myojin Shrine, Holy Resurrection Cathedral, Yushima Seido, Hijiri-bashi Bridge
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Chuo Line (Rapid)
(2) Subway: Marunouchi Line

JB19 Akihabara Station
Nearby attractions: Mecca for Anime and Video Games, Electronics Shopping Paradise
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line
(2) Subway: Hibiya Line
(3) Private Railways: Tsukuba Express

JB20 Asakusabashi Station
Nearby attractions: Asakusabashi, Ichogaoka Hachiman Shrine, Torigoe Shrine
You can transfer to:
Subway: Asakusa Line

JB21 Ryogoku Station
Nearby attractions: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Edo-Tokyo Museum
You can transfer to:
Subway: Oedo Line

JB22 Kinshicho Station
Nearby attractions: Tokyo Skytree, Kinshi Park
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Sobu Rapid Line
(2) Subway: Hanzomon Line

JB30 Nishi-Funabashi Station
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Musashino Line
(2) Subway: Tozai Line
(3) Private Railways: Toyo Rapid Line

JB31 Funabashi Station
Nearby attractions: Oohi Jinja Shrine, Yamaguchi Yokocho
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Sobu Rapid Line
(2) Private Railways: Keisei Main Line, Tobu Urban Park Line

JB39 Chiba Station
Nearby attractions: Chiba Port Tower, Chiba Park, Chiba Shrine
You can transfer to:
(1) JR Lines: Sobu Rapid Line, Keiyo Line, Sotobo Line, Uchibo Line
(2) Private Railways: Keisei Chiba Line

Operating Hours & Train Frequencies

The Chuo-Sobu Line operates from approximately 4:30 to 24:30. During morning and evening rush hours, trains run every 2 to 3 minutes, and during other times, they run about every 5 minutes.

Fare

The Chuo-Sobu Line uses a distance-based fare system, with a base fare of JPY160 (USD1). The farther apart your starting and ending stations are, the higher the fare. The fare for the entire line, that is, from Chiba Station to Mitaka Station, is JPY1,230 (USD7.6).

Tips

1. Please note that the Chuo-Sobu Line does not stop at Tokyo or Kanda stations.
2. The Chuo-Sobu Line only operates local trains that stop at every station, and there are no rapid or special rapid trains.
3. During typhoon season from around August to September, service on the Chiba coastal section is prone to suspensions and speed reductions, so check the service status before traveling.
4. Some section trains terminate at stations such as Ochanomizu, so be sure to check the destination information on the electronic display before boarding.