View source for Yamanote Line

{{short description|Railway loop line in Tokyo, Japan}}
{{Infobox rail line
|box_width        = 
|name             = Yamanote Line
|color            = 9ACDd32 <!-- YellowGreen -->
|mapcolor         =  {{color sample|#{{rcr|JR East|Yamanote}}}} Yellow green
|native_name      = 山手線
|native_name_lang = ja
|logo             = {{JRLS|JY|50}}
|logo_width       = 
|image            = Yamanote-Line-E235.jpg
|caption          = Yamanote Line [[E235 series]] EMUs in March 2019
|type             = Heavy rail
|system           = 
|status           = 
|locale           = [[Tokyo]], Japan
|start            = {{STN|Shinagawa|S}} (loop)
|end              = 
|stations         = 30
|routes           = 
|daily_ridership  = 
|open             = {{Start date and age|1885|03|01|df=y}}
|close            = 
|owner            = JR East
|operator         = {{ric|JR East|name = y}}
|character        = 
|depot            = Tokyo General Rolling Stock Centre (near [[Ōsaki Station]])
|stock            = [[E235 series]]
|linelength       = {{cvt|34.5|km}}
|tracklength      = 
|tracks           = [[double-track railway|2]]
|gauge            = {{RailGauge|1067mm|lk=on}}
|electrification  = {{1,500 V DC|conductor=overhead}}
|speed            = {{cvt|90|km/h|round=5}}
|trainprotection  = [[D-ATC]]
|maxincline       = 3.4%
|elevation        = 
|map              = {{switcher
  | [[File: Yamanote Line (April 2020).svg|250px]]
  | Show static map
  | {{Yamanote Line RDT}}
  | Show route diagram
  }}
}}

The '''Yamanote Line''' ({{langx|ja|山手線|Yamanote-sen}}) is a railway [[Circle route|loop service]] in [[Tokyo]], [[Japan]], operated by the [[East Japan Railway Company]] (JR East). It is one of Tokyo's busiest and most important lines, connecting most of Tokyo's major stations and urban centres, including [[Marunouchi]], the [[Yūrakuchō]]/[[Ginza]] area, [[Shinagawa]], [[Shibuya, Tokyo|Shibuya]], [[Shinjuku]], [[Ikebukuro]], and [[Ueno, Tokyo|Ueno]], with all but two of its 30 stations connecting to other railway or underground (subway) lines.

Internally, JR East refers to the "Yamanote Line" as the [[Quadruple-track railway|quadruple-track]] {{Convert|20.6|km|adj=on}} corridor between Shinagawa and [[Tabata Station (Tokyo)|Tabata]] via Shinjuku.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=路線別ご利用状況（2014～2018年度） |trans-title=Usage by route (2014-2018) |url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/rosen_avr/pdf/2014-2018.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220607083835/https://www.jreast.co.jp/rosen_avr/pdf/2014-2018.pdf |archive-date=7 June 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=jreast.co.jp |publisher=[[JR East]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=線路別ご利用状況（2011～2015年度） |trans-title=Usage status by track (2011-2015) |url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/rosen_avr/pdf/2011-2015.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220123083039/https://www.jreast.co.jp/rosen_avr/pdf/2011-2015.pdf |archive-date=23 January 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=jreast.co.jp |publisher=[[JR East]] |language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=7 March 2009 |title=山手線 命名100年－38年前に読み統 |language=ja |trans-title=Yamanote Line Naming 100-38 years ago |edition=3rd evening |page=14 |work=[[Asahi Shimbun]]}}</ref> The corridor consists of a pair of tracks used by Yamanote local trains and another parallel pair of tracks called "the Yamanote Freight Line" used by the [[Saikyō Line|Saikyō]] and [[Shōnan-Shinjuku Line|Shōnan-Shinjuku]] line trains, some limited express services, and freight trains.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=山手線電車100周年 |date=1 February 2010 |work=Japan Railfan Magazine |publisher=Koyusha CO., LTD. |volume=50 |pages=9–50 |trans-title=Yamanote Line 100th Anniversary}}</ref> In everyday usage, branding on maps and station signage, the "Yamanote Line" refers to the local service (also called "system") running the entire {{Convert|34.5|km|abbr=on}} line looping between the Yamanote corridor via Shinjuku Station and the central portions of the [[Tōhoku Main Line|Tōhoku]] and [[Tōkaidō Main Line|Tōkaidō]] Main Lines Via Tokyo Station.<ref>{{Cite book |title=命名100周年！山手線のヒミツ70 |date=10 November 2009 |publisher=Ikaros Publications Ltd. |isbn=9784863202597 |location=Japan |language=ja |trans-title=100th anniversary of naming! The secret of the Yamanote line 70}}</ref> (This article uses the same definition unless noted otherwise.)

==Service outline==
Trains run from 04:26 to 01:04 the next day at intervals as short as 2 minutes during peak periods and four minutes at other times. A complete loop takes 59 to 65 minutes. All trains stop at each station. Trains are put into and taken out of service at {{STN|Ōsaki|x}} (which for timetabling purposes is the line's start and terminus) and sometimes {{STN|Ikebukuro|x}}. Certain trains also start from [[Tamachi]] in the mornings and end at {{STN|Shinagawa|x}} in the evenings. Trains which run clockwise are known as {{nihongo|''sotomawari''|外回り||"outer circle"}} and those counter-clockwise as {{nihongo|''uchi-mawari''|内回り||"inner circle"}}. (Trains travel on the left in Japan, as with road traffic.)

The line also acts as a fare zone destination for [[Japan Railways Group|JR]] tickets from locations outside Tokyo, permitting travel to any JR station on or within the loop. This refers to stations on the Yamanote Line as well as the [[Chūō-Sōbu Line|Chūō-Sōbu]] and [[Chūō Line (Rapid)|Chūō Rapid]] Lines and between {{STN|Sendagaya|x}} and {{STN|Ochanomizu|x}}.

The Yamanote Line colour used on all rolling stock, station signs and diagrams is [[JNR]] Yellow Green No.6<ref>{{cite book |title=ＪＲ全車輌ハンドブック (JR Rolling Stock Handbook) |date=2002 |isbn=4873668735 |page=433}}</ref> (<span style="color:#9acd32;">■</span>, [[Munsell color system|Munsell]] code 7.5GY 6.5/7.8), known in Japanese as {{nihongo|"[[Japanese bush warbler]] green"|ウグイス色|uguisu-iro}}.

== Ridership and overcrowding ==
Due to the Yamanote Line's central location connecting most of Tokyo's major commuter hubs and commercial areas, the line is very heavily used. Sections of the line were running over 250%{{Ref label|notes1|a}} capacity in the 1990s, and remained above 200%{{Ref label|notes1|a}} for most of the 2000s<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2011 |title=JR山手線上野－御徒町間が混雑率ワースト2位に－ワースト1位は総武線 |language=ja-JP |trans-title=JR Yamanote Line Ueno-Okachimachi is the worst congestion rate-The worst is the Sobu Line |newspaper=Ueno Economic Newspaper |url=http://ueno.keizai.biz/headline/752/ |access-date=20 January 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220504003135/https://ueno.keizai.biz/headline/752/ |archive-date=4 May 2022}}</ref> with most sections dropping below 150%{{Ref label|notes1|a}} in 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 July 2019 |title=混雑率データ（平成30年度） |trans-title=Congestion rate data (2018) |url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001299797.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920002726/https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001299797.pdf |archive-date=20 September 2019 |access-date=15 July 2022 |publisher=[[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]] |language=ja}}</ref> This is due to larger and more frequent trains being introduced to the Yamanote Line and the opening of parallel relief lines such as the [[Tokyo Metro]] {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|F}} and [[Ueno–Tokyo Line]]. The maximum overcrowding during rush hour is about 158%.

The ridership intensity of the Yamanote Line in 2018 was 1,134,963 passengers - km / km of route.<ref name=":0" />{{Ref label|notes2|b}}{{Ref label|notes3|c}} The daily ridership of the Yamanote Line estimated in a 2015 MLIT National Transit census was about 4 million people per day.<ref name="ridership2">{{Cite web |date=March 2017 |title=平成27年 大都市交通センサス 首都圈報告書 |trans-title=2015 Metropolis Metropolis Report |url=http://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001179760.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220425000202/https://www.mlit.go.jp/common/001179760.pdf |archive-date=25 April 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=mlit.co.jp |publisher=国土交通省}}</ref>{{Ref label|notes2|b}} However, in both cases "Yamanote Line" refers to JR East's internal definition of the entire rail corridor between Shinagawa and Tabata stations via Shinjuku which includes the ridership of the [[Saikyō Line|Saikyō]] and [[Shōnan–Shinjuku Line|Shōnan–Shinjuku]] Lines on the parallel Yamanote freight line. Meanwhile, the ridership of the Yamanote Line services between Tabata and Shinagawa Station via Tokyo are excluded and counted as part of the [[Tōhoku Main Line|Tōhoku]] and [[Tōkaidō Main Line|Tōkaidō]] Main Lines.

== Name ==
"[[Yamanote and Shitamachi|Yamanote]]" literally refers to inland, hillier districts or [[foothills]] (as distinct from areas close to the sea). In Tokyo, "Yamanote" lies along the western side of the Yamanote Line loop. The word consists of the Japanese [[morpheme]]s ''yama'', meaning 'mountain', the [[Genitive case|genitive]] [[suffix]] ''no'', and ''te'', meaning 'hand', thus literally translating as "mountain's hand", analogous to the English term "foothills". ''Yamanote-sen'' is officially written in Japanese without the ''[[kana]]'' {{nihongo|''no''|の、ノ}}, which makes its pronunciation ambiguous in print. The characters {{Nihongo2|山手}} may also be pronounced ''yamate'', as in Yamate-dōri (Yamate Street), which runs parallel to the west side of the Yamanote Line. The [[Seishin-Yamate Line]] in [[Kobe]] and the [[Yamate]] area of [[Yokohama]] also use this pronunciation. After [[World War II]], [[Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers|SCAP]] ordered all train placards to be romanized, and the Yamanote Line was romanized as "Yamate Line" due to a mistake made by one of the workers at [[JNR]]. It was thus alternatively known as "Yamanote" and "Yamate" until 1971, when the [[Japanese National Railways]] changed the pronunciation back to "Yamanote", as people started riding trains heading for Yamate thinking it goes to the [[Yamate Station]] located in Yokohama. Some older people still refer to the line as the "Yamate Line".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-09-08 |title=意外と知らない「山手線」の秘密 なぜ「やまてせん」と呼ぶ人がいるのか？ |url=https://www.moneypost.jp/702718 |access-date=2025-02-12 |website=マネーポストWEB |language=ja}}</ref>

== Station list ==
* Stations are listed in clockwise order from Shinagawa to Tabata, but for operational purposes trains officially start and terminate at Ōsaki.
** {{nihongo|Clockwise|外回り|sotomawari|"outer circle"}}: Shinagawa → Shibuya → Shinjuku → Ikebukuro → Tabata → Ueno → Tokyo → Shinagawa
** {{nihongo|Counter-clockwise|内回り|uchimawari|"inner circle"}}: Shinagawa → Tokyo → Ueno → Tabata → Ikebukuro → Shinjuku → Shibuya → Shinagawa
* All stations are located in the [[special wards of Tokyo]].
* All trains on the Yamanote Line are local trains that stop at all stations.

'''Legend'''

* ● : Trains stop
* '''｜''' : Trains pass
* ▲ : [[Keihin–Tōhoku Line|Keihin–Tōhoku]] Rapid trains stop only on weekends or holidays
* ▼ : Some [[Shōnan–Shinjuku Line|Shōnan–Shinjuku]] trains stop

{| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" rules="all"
|-
!rowspan="2"|Line name
!rowspan="2"|No.
!rowspan="2"|Station
!rowspan="2"|Japanese
!colspan="2"|Distance (km)
!rowspan="2"|Keihin–Tōhoku<br>Line Rapid
!rowspan="2"|Yamanote Freight Line<br>Shōnan–Shinjuku and Saikyo services
!rowspan="2"|Transfers
!rowspan="2"|Location
|-
!Between<br />stations
!Total
|-
| style="text-align: center" colspan="10" |— ↑ Loop line towards {{STN|Takanawa Gateway|x}} (Inner Circle) ↑ —
|-
| rowspan="17" style="text-align: center" |Yamanote<br />Line
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|25|tlc=SGW|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shinagawa|x}}
|{{lang|ja|品川}}
| align="right" |<small>from<br />{{STN|Takanawa Gateway|x}}</small><br />0.9
| align="right" |0.0
| style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;" |●
|
|{{Plainlist|
* {{ric|JR Central|TS|name=y}}
* {{JRLS|JK}} [[Keihin–Tōhoku Line]] (JK20)
* {{JRLS|JT}} [[Tōkaidō Line]] (JT03)
* {{JRLS|JU}} {{JRLS|JJ}} [[Ueno-Tokyo Line]]
* {{JRLS|JO}} [[Yokosuka Line]] (JO17)
* {{KQLS}} [[Keikyu Main Line]] (KK01)
}}
|[[Minato, Tokyo|Minato]]
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|24|tlc=OSK|size=40}}
|{{STN|Ōsaki|x}}
|{{lang|ja|大崎}}
| align="right" |2.0
| align="right" |2.0
| rowspan="15" |
| style="text-align: center"|●
| {{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JS}} [[Shōnan-Shinjuku Line]] (JS17)
* {{JRLS|JA}} [[Saikyō Line]] (JA08)
* {{RKLS}} [[Rinkai Line]] (R08)}}
| rowspan="3" |[[Shinagawa, Tokyo|Shinagawa]]
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|23|size=40}}
|{{STN|Gotanda|x}}
|{{lang|ja|五反田}}
| align="right" |0.9
| align="right" |2.9
|style="text-align: center"|｜
|{{Plainlist|
* {{TQLS|IK}} {{lnl|Tokyu|IK}} (IK01)
* {{TSLS|A}} {{lnl|Toei Subway|A}} (A-05)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|22|size=40}}
|{{STN|Meguro|x}}
|{{lang|ja|目黒}}
| align="right" |1.2
| align="right" |4.1
|style="text-align: center"|｜
|{{Plainlist|
* {{TQLS|MG}} {{lnl|Tokyu|MG}} (MG01)
* {{TSLS|N}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|N}} (N-01)
* {{TSLS|I}} {{lnl|Toei Subway|I}} (I-01)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|21|tlc=EBS|size=40}}
|{{STN|Ebisu|x|Tokyo}}
|{{lang|ja|恵比寿}}
| align="right" |1.5
| align="right" |5.6
|style="text-align: center"|▼
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JS}} [[Shōnan-Shinjuku Line]] (JS18)
* {{JRLS|JA}} [[Saikyō Line]] (JA09)
* {{TSLS|H}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|H}} (H-02)
}}
| rowspan="4" |[[Shibuya, Tokyo|Shibuya]]
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|20|tlc=SBY|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shibuya|x}}
|{{lang|ja|渋谷}}
| align="right" |1.6
| align="right" |7.2
|style="text-align: center"|●
| {{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JS}} Shōnan-Shinjuku Line (JS19)
* {{JRLS|JA}} Saikyō Line (JA10)
* [[File:Number prefix Inokashira.PNG|18px]] [[Keio Inokashira Line]] (IN01)
* {{TQLS|DT}} {{lnl|Tokyu|DT}} (DT01)
* {{TQLS|TY}} {{lnl|Tokyu|TY}} (TY01)
* {{TSLS|G}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|G}} (G-01)
* {{TSLS|Z}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|Z}} (Z-01)
* {{TSLS|F}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|F}} (F-16)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|19|size=40}}
|{{STN|Harajuku|x}}
|{{lang|ja|原宿}}
| align="right" |1.2
| align="right" |8.4
|style="text-align: center"|｜
|{{Plainlist|
* {{TSLS|C}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|C}} ({{STN|Meiji-jingumae|x}}: C-03)
* {{TSLS|F}} Fukutoshin Line (Meiji-jingumae: F-15)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|18|size=40}}
|{{STN|Yoyogi|x}}
|{{lang|ja|代々木}}
| align="right" |1.5
| align="right" |9.9
|style="text-align: center"|｜
| {{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JB}} [[Chūō-Sōbu Line]] (JB11)
* {{TSLS|E}} {{lnl|Toei Subway|E}} (E-26)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|17|tlc=SJK|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shinjuku|x}}<ref group="Note">The southern half of Shinjuku Station is in Shibuya ward, so technically the Yamanote Line has 4.5 stations in Shibuya ward and 2.5 stations in Shinjuku ward.</ref>
|{{lang|ja|新宿}}
| align="right" |0.7
| align="right" |10.6
|style="text-align: center"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JC}} [[Chūō Line (Rapid)|Chūō Line]] (Rapid, JC05)
* {{JRLS|JB}} Chūō-Sōbu Line (JB10)
* {{JRLS|JA}} [[Saikyō Line]] (JA11)
* {{JRLS|JS}} [[Shōnan-Shinjuku Line]] (JS20)
* [[File:Number prefix Keiō.PNG|18px]] [[Keio Line]] (KO01)
* [[File:Number prefix Keiō.PNG|18px]] [[Keio New Line]] (KO01)
* [[File:Odakyu odawara logo.svg|18px]] [[Odakyu Odawara Line]] (OH01)
* {{TSLS|M}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|M}} (M-08)
* {{TSLS|S}} {{lnl|Toei Subway|S}} (S-01)
* {{TSLS|E}} Ōedo Line (E-27, {{STN|Shinjuku-nishiguchi|x}}: E-01)
* [[File:Seibu shinjuku logo.svg|18px]] [[Seibu Shinjuku Line]] ({{STN|Seibu-Shinjuku|x}}: SS01)
}}
| rowspan="3" |[[Shinjuku, Tokyo|Shinjuku]]
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|16|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shin-Ōkubo|x}}
|{{lang|ja|新大久保}}
| align="right" |1.3
| align="right" |11.9
|style="text-align: center"|｜
|&nbsp;
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|15|size=40}}
|{{STN|Takadanobaba|x}}
|{{lang|ja|高田馬場}}
| align="right" |1.4
| align="right" |13.3
|style="text-align: center"|｜
|{{Plainlist|
* [[File:Seibu shinjuku logo.svg|18px]] Seibu Shinjuku Line (SS02)
* {{TSLS|T}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|T}} (T-03)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|14|size=40}}
|{{STN|Mejiro|x}}
|{{lang|ja|目白}}
| align="right" |0.9
| align="right" |14.2
|style="text-align: center"|｜
|&nbsp;
| rowspan="5" |[[Toshima, Tokyo|Toshima]]
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|13|tlc=IKB|size=40}}
|{{STN|Ikebukuro|x}}
|{{lang|ja|池袋}}
| align="right" |1.2
| align="right" |15.4
|style="text-align: center"|●
| {{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JA}} [[Saikyō Line]] (JA12)
* {{JRLS|JS}} [[Shōnan-Shinjuku Line]] (JS21)
* [[File:Seibu ikebukuro logo.svg|18px]] [[Seibu Ikebukuro Line]] (SI01)
* {{TBLS|TJ}} [[Tōbu Tōjō Line]] (TJ01)
* {{TSLS|M}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|M}} (M-25)
* {{TSLS|Y}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|Y}} (Y-09)
* {{TSLS|F}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|F}} (F-09)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|12|size=40}}
|{{STN|Ōtsuka|x|Tokyo}}
|{{lang|ja|大塚}}
| align="right" |1.8
| align="right" |17.2
| rowspan="19" |
|{{ric|Toei|TA|name=y}} (Otsuka-ekimae: SA23)
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|11|size=40}}
|{{STN|Sugamo|x}}
|{{lang|ja|巣鴨}}
|align="right"|1.1
|align="right"|18.3
|{{TSLS|I}} {{lnl|Toei Subway|I}} (I-15)
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|10|size=40}}
|{{STN|Komagome|x}}
|{{lang|ja|駒込}}
|align="right"|0.7
|align="right"|19.0
|{{TSLS|N}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|N}} (N-14)
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{JRSN|JY|09|size=40}}
| rowspan=2|{{STN|Tabata|x|Tokyo}}
| rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|田端}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:right;"|1.6
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:right;"|20.6
| rowspan="2" style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|●
| rowspan=2|{{JRLS|JK}} [[Keihin–Tōhoku Line]] (JK34)
| rowspan=2|[[Kita, Tokyo|Kita]]
|-
|style="text-align: center" rowspan="9"|Tohoku<br />Main<br />Line
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|08|size=40}}
|{{STN|Nishi-Nippori|x}}
|{{lang|ja|西日暮里}}
|align="right"|0.8
|align="right"|21.4
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|｜
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK33)
* {{TSLS|C}} Chiyoda Line (C-16)
* {{TNLS}} {{lnl|Toei|NT}} (NT02)
}}
|rowspan="2"|[[Arakawa, Tokyo|Arakawa]]
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|07|tlc=NPR|size=40}}
|{{STN|Nippori|x}}
|{{lang|ja|日暮里}}
|align="right"|0.5
|align="right"|21.9
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|｜
| {{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK32)
* {{JRLS|JJ}} [[Jōban Line]] (Rapid, JJ02)
* {{KSLS|KS}} [[Keisei Main Line]] (KS02)
* {{TNLS}} Nippori-Toneri Liner (NT01)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|06|size=40}}
|{{STN|Uguisudani|x}}
|{{lang|ja|鶯谷}}
|align="right"|1.1
|align="right"|23.0
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|｜
|{{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK31)
|rowspan="3"|[[Taitō, Tokyo|Taitō]]
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|05|tlc=UEN|size=40}}
|{{STN|Ueno|x}}
|{{lang|ja|上野}}
|align="right"|1.1
|align="right"|24.1
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* {{ric|JR East|Tohoku Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Yamagata Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Akita Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR Hokkaido|shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Joetsu Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Hokuriku Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{JRLS|JK}} [[Keihin–Tōhoku Line]] (JK30)
* {{JRLS|JJ}} [[Jōban Line]] (JJ01)
* {{JRLS|JU}} [[Utsunomiya Line]] ([[Tōhoku Main Line]], JU02)
* {{JRLS|JU}} [[Takasaki Line]] (JU02)
* {{JRLS|JU}} {{JRLS|JT}} {{JRLS|JJ}} [[Ueno–Tokyo Line]]
* {{TSLS|G}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|G}} (G-16)
* {{TSLS|H}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|H}} (H-18)
* {{KSLS|KS}} Keisei Main Line ({{STN|Keisei Ueno|x}}: KS01)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|04|size=40}}
|{{STN|Okachimachi|x}}
|{{lang|ja|御徒町}}
|align="right"|0.6
|align="right"|24.7
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|▲
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK29)<ref group="Note">Stops on weekends and national holidays only.</ref>
* {{TSLS|E}} {{lnl|Toei Subway|E}} ({{STN|Ueno-okachimachi|x}}: E-09)
* {{TSLS|G}} Ginza Line ({{STN|Ueno-hirokoji|x}}: G-15)
* {{TSLS|H}} Hibiya Line ({{STN|Naka-okachimachi|x}}: H-17)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|03|tlc=AKB|size=40}}
|{{STN|Akihabara|x}}
|{{lang|ja|秋葉原}}
|align="right"|1.0
|align="right"|25.7
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK28)
* {{JRLS|JB}} [[Chūō-Sōbu Line]] (JB19)
* [[File:Tsukuba Express mark.svg|18px]] [[Tsukuba Express]] (TX01)
* {{TSLS|H}} Hibiya Line (H-16)
}}
|rowspan="5"|[[Chiyoda, Tokyo|Chiyoda]]
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|02|tlc=KND|size=40}}
|{{STN|Kanda|x|Tokyo}}
|{{lang|ja|神田}}
|align="right"|0.7
|align="right"|26.4
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK27)
* {{JRLS|JC}} [[Chūō Line (Rapid)|Chūō Line]] (JC02)
* {{TSLS|G}} Ginza Line (G-13)
}}
|-
| rowspan=2 align="center"|{{JRSN|JY|01|tlc=TYO|size=40}}
| rowspan=2|{{STN|Tokyo|x}}
| rowspan=2|{{lang|ja|東京}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:right;"|1.3
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:right;"|27.7
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* {{ric|JR Central|ts|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Tohoku Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Yamagata Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Akita Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR Hokkaido|shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Joetsu Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{ric|JR East|Hokuriku Shinkansen|name=y}}
* {{JRLS|JK}} [[Keihin–Tōhoku Line]] (JK26)
* {{JRLS|JC}} [[Chūō Line (Rapid)|Chūō Line]] (JC01)
* {{JRLS|JT}} [[Tōkaidō Line]] (JT01)
* {{JRLS|JT}} {{JRLS|JU}} {{JRLS|JJ}} [[Ueno-Tokyo Line]]
* {{JRLS|JO}} [[Yokosuka Line]] (JO19)
* {{JRLS|JO}} [[Sōbu Line (Rapid)|Sōbu Line]] (Rapid, JO01)
* {{JRLS|JE}} [[Keiyō Line]] (JE01, some through services to {{JRLS|JM}} [[Musashino Line]])
* {{TSLS|M}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|M}} (M-17)
* {{TSLS|T}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|T}} ({{STN|Ōtemachi|x|Tokyo}}: T-09)
* {{TSLS|C}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|C}} (Ōtemachi: C-11)
* {{TSLS|C}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|C}} (Nijubashimae: C-10)
* {{TSLS|Z}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|Z}} (Otemachi: Z-08)
* {{TSLS|I}} {{lnl|Toei Subway|I}} (Otemachi: I-09)
}}
|-
| rowspan="6" style="text-align: center" |Tokaido<br />Main<br />Line
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|30|size=40}}
|{{STN|Yūrakuchō|x}}
|{{lang|ja|有楽町}}
|align="right"|0.8
|align="right"|28.5
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|｜

|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK25)
* {{TSLS|Y}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|Y}} (Y-18)
* {{TSLS|H}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|H}} ({{STN|Hibiya|x}}: H-08)
* {{TSLS|C}} Chiyoda Line (Hibiya: C-09)
* {{TSLS|I}} Mita Line (Hibiya: I-08)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|29|tlc=SMB|size=40}}
|{{STN|Shimbashi|x}}
|{{lang|ja|新橋}}
|align="right"|1.1
|align="right"|29.6
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|｜
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK24)
* {{JRLS|JT}} Tōkaidō Line (JT02)
* {{JRLS|JU}} {{JRLS|JU}} {{JRLS|JJ}} Ueno-Tokyo Line
* {{JRLS|JO}} Yokosuka Line (JO18)
* {{TSLS|G}} {{lnl|Tokyo Metro|G}} (G-08)
* {{TSLS|A}} {{lnl|Toei Subway|A}} (A-10)
* [[File:Yurikamome line symbol.svg|18px]] [[Yurikamome]] (U-01)
}}
| rowspan="4" |Minato
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|28|tlc=HMC|size=40}}
|{{STN|Hamamatsuchō|x}}
|{{lang|ja|浜松町}}
|align="right"|1.2
|align="right"|30.8
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK23)
* {{JRLS|MO}} [[Tokyo Monorail]] (MO01)
* {{TSLS|A}} Asakusa Line ({{STN|Daimon|x|Tokyo}}: A-09)
* {{TSLS|E}} Ōedo Line (Daimon: E-20)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|27|size=40}}
|{{STN|Tamachi|x|Tokyo}}
|{{lang|ja|田町}}
|align="right"|1.5
|align="right"|32.3
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} Keihin–Tōhoku Line (JK22)
* {{TSLS|A}} Asakusa Line ({{STN|Mita|x}}: A-08)
* {{TSLS|I}} Mita Line (Mita: I-04)
}}
|-
| align="center" |{{JRSN|JY|26|size=40|tlc=TGW}}
| {{STN|Takanawa Gateway|x}}
| {{lang|ja|高輪ゲートウェイ}}
|align="right"| 1.3
|align="right"| 33.6
|style="background:#89d9ff; text-align:center;"|●
|{{Plainlist|
* {{JRLS|JK}} [[Keihin–Tōhoku Line]] (JK21)
* {{TSLS|A}} Asakusa Line ({{STN|Sengakuji|x}}: A-07)
* {{KQLS}} [[Keikyu Main Line]] (Sengakuji: A-07)
}}
|-
| style="text-align: center" colspan="10" |— ↓ Loop line towards {{STN|Shinagawa|x}} (Outer Circle) ↓ —
|}
{{Reflist|group="Note"}}

==Rolling stock==

{{As of|2020|1}}, the line's services are operated exclusively by a fleet of 50 11-car [[E235 series]] EMUs, the first of which was introduced on the line on 30 November 2015. However, a number of technical faults, including problems with door close indicators, resulted in the train being taken out of service the same day.<ref name="chunichi20151130">{{cite web |url= http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2015113001001567.html|script-title=ja: 山手線に「次世代通勤電車」 Ｅ２３５系が営業運転を開始 |trans-title= E235 series "next-generation commuter train" enters service on Yamanote Line|date= 30 November 2015|work= Chunichi Web|publisher= The Chunichi Shimbun|location= Japan |language= ja |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151208072643/http://www.chunichi.co.jp/s/article/2015113001001567.html|archive-date= 8 December 2015 |access-date= 19 February 2016}}</ref> The E235 series returned to service on the Yamanote Line on 7 March 2016.<ref name="nhk20160307">{{cite web|url=http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20160307/k10010434571000.html |script-title=ja: 山手線 新型車両が３か月ぶりに運転再開 |trans-title=New Yamanote Line train re-enters service after 3 months |date=7 March 2016 |work=NHK News Web |publisher=NHK |location=Japan |language=ja |access-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307085551/http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20160307/k10010434571000.html |archive-date=7 March 2016 }}</ref> All Yamanote Line rolling stock are stored and maintained at {{ill|東京総合車両センター|ja|lt=Tokyo General Rolling Stock Centre}} near [[Ōsaki Station]].<ref name="jrr2015_winter"/>

===Former rolling stock===
[[File:JReast SahaE230-500.jpg|thumb|right|Former E231-500 series 6-door car with the seats folded up, January 2010]]

Prior to the E235 series, the line's services were operated by [[E231 series#E231-500 series|E231-500 series]] EMUs, which were in use from April 21, 2002<ref name="jrr2015_winter">{{cite book |script-title=ja: JR電車編成表 2015冬 |trans-title= JR EMU Formations - Winter 2015 |publisher = Kotsu Shimbunsha |date = 21 November 2014 |location = Japan |language = ja |pages = 76–77|isbn = 978-4-330-51614-1}}</ref> to January 20, 2020. These trains originally each included two "six-door cars" with six pairs of doors per side and bench seats that were folded up to provide standing room only during the morning peak until 10 a.m. From February 22, 2010, the seats were no longer folded up during the morning peak,<ref name="hobidas20100217">{{cite web |date=17 February 2010 |title= |script-title=ja:山手線6扉車を順次4扉車に |trans-title=Yamanote Line 6-door cars to be gradually replaced with 4-door cars |url=http://rail.hobidas.com/news/info/article/113572.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002180708/https://rail.hobidas.com/news/info/article/113572.html |archive-date=2 October 2011 |access-date=15 July 2022 |work=Hobidas |publisher=Neko Publishing |language=ja}}</ref> and all trains were standardized with newly built four-door cars by 31 August 2011.<ref name="railfan20110906">{{cite web |date=6 September 2011 |title= |script-title=ja:山手線全編成の6扉車置換えが完了 |trans-title=Yamanote Line 6-door car replacement complete |url=http://railf.jp/news/2011/09/06/155600.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722164107/https://railf.jp/news/2011/09/06/155600.html |archive-date=22 July 2020 |access-date=15 July 2022 |work=Japan Railfan Magazine Online |publisher=Koyusha Co., Ltd. |location=Japan |language=ja}}</ref> This was due to reduced congestion on the line as well as preparation for the installation of platform doors on all stations by 2017.<ref>{{cite news |date=17 February 2010 |title= |script-title=ja:山手線、朝も全座席使えます 混雑率がちょっぴり改善 |language=ja |trans-title=Yamanote Line, seats available mornings too; crowding improved slightly |work=the [[Asahi Shimbun]] |url=http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0216/TKY201002160340.html |url-status=dead |access-date=17 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100217173713/http://www.asahi.com/national/update/0216/TKY201002160340.html |archive-date=17 February 2010}}</ref>

The E231 series supported a new type of traffic control system, called [[Automatic train control|digital Automatic Train Control]] (D-ATC). The series also had a more modern design and has two 15-inch [[LCD]] monitors above each door, one of which is used for displaying silent commercials, news and weather; and another which is used for displaying information on the next stop (in Japanese, English, Korean and more) along with notification of delays on [[Shinkansen]] and other railway lines in the [[greater Tokyo]] area.
[[File:Yamanote Line - in out harajuku station - on tracks near ebisu - 2023 July 30.webm|thumb|thumbtime=3|A train on the Yamanote Line arriving and departing [[Harajuku Station]] and on the tracks near [[Ebisu Station (Tokyo)|Ebisu Station]], 2023]]

* [[DeHa 6250 series|DeHo 6100 series]] (from 1909 until unknown date)
* [[30 series|MoHa 10]]
* [[63 series]]
* [[72 series]]
* [[101 series]] ("Canary" yellow livery, from September 1961 until circa 1968)<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/>
* [[103 series]] ("Uguisu" green livery, from December 1963 until June 26, 1988)<ref>[[Japan Railfan Magazine]], October 2008 issue, p.15</ref>
* [[205 series]] (from March 25, 1985 until April 17, 2005)
* [[E231 series#E231-500 series|E231-500 series]] (from April 21, 2002 until January 20, 2020)

<gallery class="center">
File:JNR EC TYPE63 Prototype.jpg|63 series
File:JRE-EC-101-Tsurumi-Line.jpg|A yellow (Tsurumi Line) 101 series train
File:JNR EC Tc103-347.jpg|A Yamanote Line 103 series train in March 1985
File:Yamanote Line 205 series set 30 Tabata Station 20030202.JPG|A Yamanote Line 205 series train in February 2003
File:Series-E231-500 550 Yamanote-Line.jpg|A Yamanote Line E231-500 series set in August 2018
</gallery>

===Timeline===
{{Simple Horizontal timeline

|from= 1960
|to= {{CURRENTYEAR}}
|inc=5

|styleDefault-borderbottom=solid 0.1em black;

|row3=timeline
|row3-style=styleDefault
|row3-bordertop=solid 0.1em black;
|row3-1-from=1960
|row3-1-to=1961.7
|row3-2-text= 101 series
|row3-2-to=1968.4
|row3-2-colour= Yellow
|row3-3-to={{CURRENTYEAR}}

|row4=timeline
|row4-style=styleDefault
|row4-1-from=1960
|row4-1-to=1963.9
|row4-2-text= 103 series
|row4-2-to=1988.5
|row4-2-colour= YellowGreen
|row4-3-to={{CURRENTYEAR}}

|row5=timeline
|row5-style=styleDefault
|row5-1-from=1960
|row5-1-to=1985.2
|row5-2-text= 205 series
|row5-2-to=2005.3
|row5-2-colour= YellowGreen
|row5-3-to={{CURRENTYEAR}}

|row8=timeline
|row8-style=styleDefault
|row8-1-from=1960
|row8-1-to=2002.3
|row8-2-text= E231-500 series
|row8-2-to=2020.1
|row8-2-colour= YellowGreen
|row8-3-to={{CURRENTYEAR}}

|row9=timeline
|row9-style=styleDefault
|row9-1-from=1960
|row9-1-to=2016.2
|row9-2-text= E235 series
|row9-2-to={{CURRENTYEAR}}
|row9-2-colour= YellowGreen

|row11=scale
|caption= Rolling stock transitions since 1960

}}

==History==
[[File:Construction of the Yamanote Line en.svg|thumb|The construction of the Yamanote Line and current JR lines]]
[[File:Yamanote Line 1925.jpg|thumb|The Yamanote Line in 1925]]
The predecessor of the present-day Yamanote Line was opened on 1 March 1885 by the Nippon Railway Company, operating between [[Shinagawa Station]] in the south and [[Akabane Station]] in the north.<ref name="teishajo1998">{{cite book |script-title=ja: 停車場変遷大辞典 国鉄・JR編 |trans-title= Station Transition Directory - JNR/JR|publisher = JTB| editor1-last = Ishino| editor1-first = Tetsu| year = 1998 |location = Japan| volume = I|page = 89|isbn = 4-533-02980-9}}</ref> The top part of the loop between {{STN|Ikebukuro|x}} and {{STN|Tabata|x|Tokyo}} (a distance of {{Cvt|3.3|km}}) opened on 1 April 1903, and both lines were merged to become the Yamanote Line on 12 October 1909.<ref name="teishajo1998"/>

The line was electrified on December 16, 1909, soon after the Osaki &ndash; Shinagawa section was double-tracked on November 30.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} The loop was completed in 1925 with the opening of the double track, electrified section between {{STN|Kanda|x|Tokyo}} and {{STN|Ueno|x}} on 1 November, providing a north–south link via Tokyo Station through the city's business centre.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013">{{cite book |script-title=ja: 首都圏鉄道完全ガイド 主要JR路線編 |trans-title= Tokyo Area Complete Railway Guide - Major JR Lines |publisher = Futabasha |date = 6 December 2013 |location = Japan |page =13 |isbn = 978-4-575-45414-7}}</ref> A parallel freight line, also completed in 1925, ran along the inner side of the loop between Shinagawa and Tabata.

During the prewar era, the [[Ministry of Railways (Japan)|Ministry of Railways]] did not issue permits to private suburban railway companies for new lines to cross the Yamanote Line from their terminal stations to the central districts of Tokyo, forcing the companies to terminate services at stations on the line.{{citation needed|date=August 2014}} This policy led to the development of {{nihongo|new urban centers|新都心、副都心|shintoshin, fukutoshin}} around major transfer points on the Yamanote Line, most notably at {{STN|Shinjuku|x}} and {{STN|Ikebukuro|x}} (which are now the two busiest passenger railway stations in the world).

The contemporary Yamanote Line came into being on 19 November 1956 when it was separated from the Keihin-Tōhoku Line and given its own set of tracks along the eastern side of the loop between Shinagawa and {{STN|Tabata|x|Tokyo}}.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/> However, Yamanote Line trains continued to periodically use the Keihin-Tōhoku tracks, particularly on holidays and during off-peak hours, until rapid service trains were introduced on the Keihin-Tōhoku Line in 1988.

A major explosion on the Yamanote Freight Line in Shinjuku in 1967 led to the diversion of freight traffic to the more distant [[Musashino Line]]. To address severe undercapacity, the freight line was repurposed for use by [[Saikyō Line]] and [[Shōnan-Shinjuku Line]] trains, as well as certain limited express trains such as the ''[[Narita Express]]'' and some [[Home Liner|liner]] services. Likewise, from 14 March 2015 onwards, the [[Ueno-Tokyo Line]] starts services, which connects the [[Tōhoku Main Line]] and [[Jōban Line]] to the [[Tōkaidō Main Line]], to provide further relief on the busiest portion of the Yamanote Line today, the segment between Ueno and Tokyo stations.

Automatic train control (ATC) was introduced from 6 December 1981, and digital ATC (D-ATC) was introduced from 30 July 2006.<ref name="JRfutabasha2013"/>

Station numbering was introduced on JR East stations in the Tokyo area from 20 August 2016, with Yamanote Line stations numbered using the prefix "JY".<ref name="railfan20160821">{{cite web |url= http://railf.jp/news/2016/08/21/202000.html|script-title=ja: JR東日本で駅ナンバリングの導入開始|trans-title= Station introduced on JR East|date= 21 August 2016|work= Japan Railfan Magazine Online|publisher= Koyusha Co., Ltd.|location= Japan|language= ja|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160901070201/http://railf.jp/news/2016/08/21/202000.html|archive-date= 1 September 2016|url-status=live |access-date= 1 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 April 2016 |title=⾸都圏エリアへ 「駅ナンバリング」を導⼊します |trans-title=Introduce “station numbering” to the Tokyo metropolitan area |url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2016/20160402.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207004741/https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2016/20160402.pdf |archive-date=7 December 2022 |access-date=7 January 2023 |website=jreast.co.jp |language=ja}}</ref>

A new station, [[Takanawa Gateway Station]],<ref>{{cite web |date=4 December 2018 |title=Introducing the newest stop on Tokyo's Yamanote Line: Takanawa Gateway |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/12/04/national/introducing-newest-stop-tokyos-yamanote-line-takanawa-gateway/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208141826/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2018/12/04/national/introducing-newest-stop-tokyos-yamanote-line-takanawa-gateway/ |archive-date=8 February 2022 |access-date=15 July 2022 |website=The Japan Times Online}}</ref> opened on 14 March 2020. This station was built on the Yamanote Line and Keihin-Tohoku Line between Shinagawa and Tamachi stations, becoming the first new station on the line since [[Nishi-Nippori Station|Nishi-Nippori]] was built in 1971.<ref name="jt20120105">{{cite news |date=5 January 2012 |title=New Yamanote Line station eyed |work=[[The Japan Times]] |agency=[[Kyodo News]] |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/01/05/national/new-yamanote-line-station-eyed/ |access-date=15 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190108013403/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2012/01/05/national/new-yamanote-line-station-eyed/ |archive-date=8 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Kameda |first=Masaaki |date=30 June 2014 |title=New station to boost Shinagawa's international role |newspaper=[[The Japan Times]] |agency=FYI (column) |url=http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/30/reference/new-station-to-boost-shinagawas-international-role/ |access-date=23 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111213910/https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/30/reference/new-station-to-boost-shinagawas-international-role/ |archive-date=11 November 2020}}</ref> The distance between Shinagawa and Tamachi stations was {{Cvt|2.2|km}}, making it the longest stretch of track between stations on the Yamanote Line.<ref name="jt20120105"/> The new station was constructed on top of the 20-hectare former railyard, which is undergoing rationalization and redevelopment by JR East; it is roughly parallel to the existing [[Sengakuji Station]] on the [[Toei Asakusa Line|Toei Asakusa]] and [[Keikyu Main Line|Keikyu Main]] lines. The Yamanote Line and the [[Keihin–Tōhoku Line|Keihin-Tohoku Line]] tracks were moved slightly to the east to be aligned closer to the [[Tokaido Shinkansen]] tracks. The area on the west side of the yard made available will be redeveloped with high-rise office buildings, creating an international business center with good connections to the Shinkansen and [[Haneda Airport]].<ref name="jt20120105"/>

In October 2022 JR East began performing trial runs for driverless trains on the line aimed to begin sometime in 2028. Two sets, 17 and 18, were fitted with the new system and re-entered service on the line as train crew conduct ongoing tests on their performance. Furthermore, the two sets are easy to distinguish with an “ATO” (Automatic Train Operation) sticker located on the front and sides of each set. Once ATO is fully installed, this will be the first line of JR East to feature driverless trains.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 October 2022 |title=Automatically-run train service begins on Tokyo's Yamanote Line {{!}} NHK WORLD-JAPAN News |url=https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221011_33/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018063856/https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20221011_33/ |archive-date=18 October 2022 |access-date=18 October 2022 |website=NHK World-Japan |language=}}</ref>

In August 2025, JR East announced that it obtained government approval to raise fare by an average 7.1% from March 2026, which was the first blanket fare hike since 1987.<ref>{{cite news |title=JR East gets OK to raise fares for Yamanote, other lines in March |url=https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250802/p2g/00m/0na/027000c |access-date=3 August 2025 |work=Mainichi Daily News |date=2 August 2025 |language=en}}</ref>

On 16 September 2025, JR East announced that it would be operating a pair of [[E235 series]] trainsets with a special design commemorating 100 years since the opening of the existing Yamanote Line loop route.<ref>{{Cite web |title=山手線環状運転100周年を記念して「つながる山手線フェス ～環状運転100周年～」を開催します！ |url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/press/2025/tokyo/20250916_to02.pdf |website=JR East |language=ja |format=PDF}}</ref> The design will pay tribute to former 103 series and 205 series that formerly operated on the line.

==See also==
{{Portal|Tokyo}}
* [[Osaka Loop Line]], a similar loop line serving Central [[Osaka]].
* [[Musashino Line]], a line regarded by [[JR East]] as part of the [[Tokyo Mega Loop]].
* [[Circle line (London Underground)|Circle line]], a line on the [[London Underground]] that goes round the centre of [[London]].
* [[Seoul Subway Line 2]], a line on the [[Seoul Subway]] that goes round the central of [[Seoul]].
* [[Circle Line (Singapore)]], a line on the [[Singapore MRT]] that goes around the city. It will be a completed loop line with a branch in the near future.
*[[Line 10 (Beijing Subway)]], the world's second longest subway loop line.
*[[Ringbahn]] (Ring Railway) in Berlin.
* [[Circle route]], the category of the Yamanote line.

==Notes==

{{refbegin}}
a. {{note|notes1}}Crowding levels defined by the [[Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism]]:<ref>{{Cite web|title=混雑率の推移|trans-title=Changes in congestion rate |url=https://www.mlit.go.jp/tetudo/toshitetu/03_04.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531211409/https://www.mlit.go.jp/tetudo/toshitetu/03_04.html|archive-date=31 May 2022|website=mlit.co.jp|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/06/national/tokyo-plans-new-effort-ease-crowding-rush-hour-trains/ |title=Tokyo plans new effort to ease commuter hell on rush-hour trains |first=Daisuke |last=Kikuchi |date=6 July 2017 |work=[[The Japan Times]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170706120354/http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/07/06/national/tokyo-plans-new-effort-ease-crowding-rush-hour-trains/|archive-date=6 July 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

:100% — Commuters have enough personal space and are able to take a seat or stand while holding onto the straps or hand rails.
:150% — Commuters have enough personal space to read a newspaper.
:180% — Commuters must fold newspapers to read.
:200% — Commuters are pressed against each other in each compartment but can still read small magazines.
:250% — Commuters are pressed against each other, unable to move.

b. {{note|notes2}}Ridership of the section between Shinagawa-Tabata (via Shinjuku) including ridership from the Saikyō and Shōnan-Shinjuku services operating through this section. Ridership in the report estimated from OD surveys and commuter pass data. {{note|notes3}} 「平均通過人員」or average passenger intensity is defined by JR East as Annual [[Units of transportation measurement#Passenger-distance|passenger-kilometre]] / route length / number of workdays per year.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jreast.co.jp/rosen_avr/|title = 路線別ご利用状況：Jr東日本}}</ref>  
{{refend}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite magazine|last = Shibata|first = Togo |script-title=ja: 山手線の車両史 戦後から今日まで|trans-title= Yamanote Line rolling stock history since the war until today|magazine = Tetsudo Daiya Joho Magazine |volume = 45|issue = 392|pages = 14–19 |publisher = Kotsu Shimbun |location = Japan |language= ja |date = December 2016}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.jreast.co.jp/estation/result.aspx?mode=2&rosen=66=1=山手線 Stations of the Yamanote Line] (JR East) {{in lang|ja}}

{{Tokyo transit}}
{{East Japan Railway Company Lines}}
{{Authority control}}

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[[Category:1067 mm gauge railways in Japan]]
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