The Chuo Main Line (中央本線), commonly called the Chuo Line, is one of the trunk lines of JR, the intercity rail group in Japan. It runs between Tokyo and Nagoya, although it is the slowest railway connection between the two cities (the Tokaido Shinkansen is much faster).

The Tokyo-Shinjuku portion is a vital cross-town rail link, and also the city's best-known suicide location due to the high speed and cramped schedule of the trains.

Despite the huge urban areas at either end of the Chuo Line, its central portion is very lightly travelled: the Shiojiri-Nakatsugawa corridor is only served by bi-hourly trains.

The eastern portion is run by the East Japan Railway Company, while the western portion is run by the Central Japan Railway Company. The dividing point between the two jurisdictions is Shiojiri Station .

The section between Tokyo and Mitaka is grade-separated, with no level crossings. Between Ochanomizu and Mitaka the line has four tracks, two carrying local services (with through connection to the Sobu Line as far as Chiba) and two carrying rapid and long-distance express services.

Currently, construction is ongoing between Mitaka and Tachikawa to elevate the tracks and eliminate level crossings; this section of the line is notorious for its level crossings which can be shut for upwards of an hour during rush hour. Further plans have been proposed to add another two tracks as far as Tachikawa; however, this will not be included in the track elevation, due to be completed between 2008-2011.

History

The oldest portion of the Chuo Line is the segment from Nakano Station to Tachikawa Station, which dates back to 1889. The extension westward continued through the turn of the century, with Hachioji Station and eastern Yamanashi prefecture in 1901, and Kofu in 1903. The Nagoya-Shiojiri segment was completed by 1902, and connected to Kofu by 1905.

The section between Iidabashi Station and Nakano Station was the first electric railway in Japan.

Stations

Main Line

• Tokyo Station
• Kanda Station
• Ochanomizu Station
• Suidobashi Station
• Iidabashi Station
• Ichigaya Station
• Yotsuya Station
• Shinanomachi Station
• Sendagaya Station
• Yoyogi Station
• Shinjuku Station
• Okubo Station
• Higashinakano Station
• Nakano Station
• Koenji Station
• Ogikubo Station
• Nishiogikubo Station
• Kichijoji Station
• Mitaka Station
• Musashisakai Station
• Higashikoganei Station
• Musashikoganei Station
• Kokubunji Station
• Nishikokubunji Station
• Kunitachi Station
• Tachikawa Station
• Hino Station
• Toyoda Station
• Hachioji Station
• Nishihachioji Station
• Takao Station
• Sagamiko Station
• Fujino Station
• Uenohara Station
• Shiotsu Station
• Yanagawa Station
• Torisawa Station
• Saruhashi Station
• Otsuki Station
• Hatsukari Station
• Sasago Station
• Kaiyamato Station
• Katsunumabudokyo Station
• Enzan Station
• Higashiyamanashi Station
• Yamanashishi Station
• Kasugaicho Station
• Isawaonsen Station
• Sakaori Station
• Kofu Station
• Ryuo Station
• Shiozaki Station
• Nirasaki Station
• Shinpu Station
• Anayama Station
• Hinoharu Station
• Nagasaka Station
• Kobuchizawa Station
• Shinanosakai Station
• Fujimi Station
• Suzurannosato Station
• Aoyagi Station
• Chino Station
• Kamisuwa Station
• Shimosuwa Station
• Okaya Station
• Midoriko Station
• Shiojiri Station
• Seba Station
• Hideshio Station
• Niekawa Station
• Kisohirasawa Station
• Narai Station
• Yabuhara Station
• Miyanokoshi Station
• Harano Station
• Kisofukushima Station
• Agematsu Station
• Kuramoto Station
• Suhara Station
• Okuwa Station
• Nojiri Station
• Junikane Station
• Nagiso Station
• Tadachi Station
• Sakashita Station
• Ochiaigawa Station
• Nakatsugawa Station
• Minosakamoto Station
• Ena Station
• Takenami Station
• Kamado Station
• Mizunami Station
• Tokishi Station
• Tajimi Station
• Kokokei Station
• Jokoji Station
• Kozoji Station
• Jinryo Station
• Kasugai Station
• Kachigawa Station
• Shinmoriyama Station
• Ozone Station
• Chikusa Station
• Tsurumai Station
• Kanayama Station
• Nagoya Station

Old Line

• Okaya Station
• Kawagishi Station
• Tatsuno Station
• Shinanokawashima Station
• Ono Station
• Shiojiri Station

See also

Chuo-Sobu Line