The Tokaido Main Line’s first small steps took place on June 12, 1872 (Meiji 5), when Japan’s very first railroad was opened between Yokohama and Shinagawa.
Because the military would not allow tracks on their land, it would take until October of the same year before the tracks were extended to Shinbashi (also: Shimbashi). On October 14, 1872 the line was officially opened by Emperor Meiji. The port city was now connected to the very edge of Tokyo’s city center.
The new railroad reduced traveling time between the cities significantly. On foot it took between 10 and 12 hours. Even at the trot, a horse took 4 hours. The train took only 53 minutes.
The opening of the new railroad attracted international attention. The New York Times even reported on the event twice, once shortly after the opening of June, and once again after the official opening on October 14 1872 (Meiji 5) when Emperor Meiji made a round-trip between Shimbashi and Yokohama stations.
In May 1874 (Meiji 7) the railway line connecting Osaka to Kobe, Japan’s second rail connection and the Tokaido Main Line’s western stage, was opened. This connection was extended to Kyoto in 1876. After that, it took another 13 years to finish the line.
On December 18, 1914 (Taisho 3), the Tokaido Main Line was officially extended to the new Tokyo Station, bringing it into the center of the Japanese capital.
The Tokaido Main Line is currently 589.5 km (366 miles) long.
