【8.2km】つくばエクスプレス東京延伸＆臨海地下鉄構想ルートを自転車で徹底解説！

【8.2km】つくばエクスプレス東京延伸＆臨海地下鉄構想ルートを自転車で徹底解説！

Hello everyone! Today’s topic is two grand projects that could greatly change the future of the Tokyo metropolitan area: the extension plan of the Tsukuba Express to Tokyo and the concept of the Rinkai Subway. Today, I will clearly introduce the outlines of these plans using maps and charts, and while actually cycling along the planned extension and development routes, I want to experience their potential firsthand. First, let’s look at the plan to extend the Tsukuba Express, which currently terminates at Akihabara Station, to Tokyo Station. The 2.1 km section from Akihabara to Tokyo Station is being developed by the same Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company as the Tsukuba Express, and preparations are steadily progressing with the goal of opening in 2045. One major aim of this extension plan is to strengthen the time competitiveness with the JR Joban Line. By also considering an extension from Tsukuba to Tsuchiura on the Ibaraki side, the travel time between Tokyo and Tsuchiura is expected to be shortened by about 17 minutes compared to using the Joban Line. Additionally, access to the Shinkansen, which previously required transfers at Akihabara or Kita-Senju, will be dramatically improved by connecting directly to Tokyo Station. Furthermore, as we will discuss later, improved access to the Rinkai Subway and, in the future, to Haneda Airport is expected, making wide-area travel even smoother. Improved convenience will create new demand and strongly support the development of areas along the route. With improved access to the city center from places like Ibaraki Prefecture and Nagareyama in Chiba Prefecture, increases in commuting and school attendance demand are expected, along with population growth, accelerated development along the route, and regional economic revitalization. The extension of the Tsukuba Express is not just a railway extension, but a project with great potential to open up the future of the areas along the line. Now, let’s focus on the Rinkai Subway concept, which aims to maximize the potential of the Tokyo Bay area. This concept is a new 6.1 km subway line being developed mainly by Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit, the third-sector operator of the Rinkai Line. The plan connects major areas in the city’s bayside, such as Ginza, Tsukiji, Kachidoki, and Harumi, starting from Tokyo Station, and ultimately reaches Ariake and Tokyo Big Sight. Most of this line passes through Chuo Ward, which is one of the fastest-growing areas in Tokyo, with many high-rise condominiums in the bayside districts like Kachidoki, Tsukishima, and Harumi. Furthermore, there are many large-scale redevelopment plans along the line, increasing its importance as an international business hub. Also, by considering improved access to Haneda Airport, this project can be said to be essential for strengthening the international competitiveness of Tokyo and Japan as a whole. The Rinkai Subway is expected to dramatically improve transportation convenience in the bay area and act as a catalyst for new flows of people. Now, let’s actually cycle along these extension and development routes! First, I have arrived at Akihabara Station, the current terminus of the Tsukuba Express. Since its opening in 2005, the “Tokyo Station Extension” has long been considered a dream, but in fact, this mere 2 km extension ahead holds significant strategic importance for the entire Tokyo metropolitan area. Currently, about 500,000 people use the Tsukuba Express daily, making it a major artery of the metropolitan area. Akihabara Station itself is a huge terminal served by three JR lines and one Tokyo Metro line, but access to the Shinkansen and airports required additional transfers from here. If this extension is realized, research institutions like the University of Tsukuba will be directly connected to international business hubs such as Marunouchi and Yaesu. Let’s depart from Akihabara Station and follow the extension route. On the right flows the Kanda River. The extension section is planned to run through a deep tunnel about 40 meters underground beneath this river toward Tokyo Station. Although the surface is densely built up, proceeding deep underground minimizes the impact on existing buildings, traffic, and land rights issues. From here, we will proceed south along the JR tracks. Beneath this 2 km straight section, there are challenges such as complex ground conditions and existing underground structures. The route is carefully designed to avoid JR bridge piers, subway tunnels, and infrastructure like electricity, gas, and water. You can really feel the dynamism of urban development unfolding deep underground. At the foot of Gofukubashi Bridge over the Nihonbashi River is the candidate site for the end of the Tsukuba Express extension. If “Tsukuba Express Tokyo Station” is established here, it will be just a five-minute walk from the Yaesu Exit to the Shinkansen platforms. The business districts of Marunouchi and Yaesu are also right nearby. For businesspeople and travelers, this is extremely convenient. Access to the city center will dramatically improve, and the flow of people on a wide scale could change significantly. Now, leaving Tokyo Station, we enter the section developed by Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit, which will operate the Rinkai Subway. Soon, you will see the planned site for the new Ginza Station on the Rinkai Subway, located very close to Yurakucho Station and Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Ginza Station. The elevated bridge overhead is the Tokyo Expressway, once part of the Metropolitan Expressway, which was decommissioned in April 2025 and will be reborn as a green promenade. Crossing the Sukiyabashi intersection, let’s cycle along Miyuki-dori, just south of Harumi-dori. The atmosphere shifts from the glamour of Ginza to a more calm and refined street. Continuing on, you will see the lively Tsukiji Outer Market. This area is the planned site for the “New Tsukiji Station,” the second station from Tokyo Station. As mentioned earlier, the former Tsukiji Market moved to Toyosu in 2018, and large-scale redevelopment is planned on the vast 190,000 m² Tokyo-owned site. A huge multipurpose stadium for 57,000 people and MICE facilities for international conferences and exhibitions are planned, and this area is expected to grow significantly as an international exchange hub. Leaving Tsukiji, we return to Harumi-dori to cross the canal. Ahead appears the imposing Kachidoki Bridge. After crossing the Sumida River, you will immediately reach Kachidoki Station. Although this bay area is lined with tower apartments, until now, only the Toei Oedo Line provided rail access. Let’s cross Kiyosumi-dori, which the Oedo Line runs under, and continue onward. Crossing the newly completed Reimei Bridge, a pedestrian-only bridge finished in 2024, you enter Harumi, Chuo Ward. This area is the planned site for “Harumi Station.” The Harumi area, long called a “railway blank zone,” has seen the development of a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) system in conjunction with the opening of the Harumi Flag neighborhood. However, once the subway opens, access to the city center will be greatly improved, and further revitalization is expected. There are still many warehouses and vacant lots around the station. It will be exciting to see what new urban development will take place alongside the Rinkai Subway’s construction. Now, let’s cross the Harumi Bridge. Here, we move from Chuo Ward to Koto Ward. Overhead is the Yurikamome, a new transit system running along the Tokyo waterfront. On the left is the huge Toyosu Market. The next station, “Toyosu Market Station,” will be built near Yurikamome’s Shijo-mae Station. This area is always bustling, with the Toyosu Market bringing in fresh seafood and the commercial and tourist facility “Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai” targeting visitors. Next to the station is a vast 180,000 m² site owned by the Tokyo Gas Group. Specific plans have not yet been announced, but large-scale redevelopment is also planned here, with the potential for a new landmark to be created. Finally, the last section. From Toyosu Market Station to Ariake/Tokyo Big Sight Station, the route runs almost straight. This area has well-developed cycling paths, making it very easy to ride. Along the route, there are many high-rise apartments and the large commercial facility Ariake Garden, which is already bustling, but there is still room for further development. Near Yurikamome’s Ariake Station and the Rinkai Line’s Kokusai-Tenjijo Station will be the terminus of the Rinkai Subway, “Ariake/Tokyo Big Sight Station.” This area, centered on Tokyo Big Sight, Japan’s leading exhibition center, is home to hotels and commercial facilities, serving as a hub for international events and business. With the opening of the Rinkai Subway, access to this area will greatly improve, and further development is expected. The Tokyo extension of the Tsukuba Express and the Rinkai Subway concept- Both are grand projects that could greatly change the metropolitan area’s transportation network and significantly impact the development of areas along their routes. I hope today’s cycling tour gave you a sense of the potential of each plan. Let’s keep an eye on future developments. See you in the next video!

2040年代の開業に向けた構想があり、計画が進むつくばエクスプレス東京延伸（秋葉原-東京）と臨海地下鉄（東京-有明・東京ビッグサイト）について、全長約8.2kmの想定ルートを自転車で走破・徹底解説します。

【あらすじ】
0:00 オープニング
0:25 延伸・整備の概要

【ルート探索】
3:08 秋葉原駅
5:19 東京駅
6:13 新銀座駅
6:55 新築地駅
7:36 勝どき駅
8:13 晴海駅
9:05 豊洲市場駅
10:04 有明・東京ビッグサイト駅

【まとめ】
10:37 まとめ