Yui Rail (Okinawa Urban Monorail)
Also written: ゆいレール · Yui单轨电车
A monorail serving Naha, used as a primary means of transport for residents and popular with tourists for its scenic views from the train windows.
An Illustrated Japan / Okinawa / Life & Daily
About this place
Yui Rail, formally Okinawa Urban Monorail Line, connects Naha Airport and Tedako-Uranishi across 17.0 km 19 stations as straddle type monorail, the sole railway in Okinawa returned after 58 year gap since prefectural light railways destroyed in 1945. Opened August 10 2003 between Naha Airport and Shuri 12.9 km, extended October 1 2019 to Tedako-Uranishi. Nickname yui comes from yui-maaru meaning mutual aid. After war, Ryukyu government requested railway revival 1947 but US military prioritized roads, motorization causing chronic jam. Daily ridership rose from 32,000 at opening to 52,000 in 2018, reaching 66,000 in 2025 amid 10.94 million tourists, rush doubling raising density to 120 to 170 percent akin to Yamanote, triggering three-car conversion from 2023, nine of 23 sets by 2026. Vehicle series 1000, top speed about 65 kmh, max grade 60 per mille climbing steep slopes. All double track, travel time Naha Airport to Shuri 21 minutes, to Tedako-Uranishi 37 minutes. Fare 240 to 370 yen, nationwide IC Suica supported from March 2020. Station design uses Shuri vermillion, shisa chair motifs. Shuri Station access to Shuri Castle, Makishi-Miebashi-Kenchomae to Kokusai-dori and markets, Asato to Eisa's Sakaemachi, Tedako-Uranishi to Urasoe Castle and Urasoe Yodore mausoleum. The view window shows East China Sea and dense urban Naha simultaneously, especially between Asahibashi and Omoromachi. Operation 6:00 to 23:30 every 4 to 8 minutes. Day pass 800 yen unlimited. Announcement in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean. IC card OKICA local remains usable. Night maintenance depot public viewing occasionally university open day train washing. Announcer voice former NHK Miss. Safety record near perfect no serious incident since opening. Gradient 60 per mille steepest Japan monorail challenging snowless but typhoon wind countermeasure sway brakes. IC card Okica point loyalty driving local retention. Elevated track shade creates micro shade streets community uses for markets during summer reducing UV. Photo spots Kumoji bridge crossing with ocean backdrop. Air-conditioned cabins strong cool 22C humidity adjustment for sweaty passengers. Pink seats reserved priority. Extended line future talk to Okinawa City and Nago high cost tunnel but tourist demand lobby strong. Night maintenance depot public viewing occasionally university open day train washing. Announcer voice former NHK Miss. Safety record near perfect no serious incident since opening. Gradient 60 per mille steepest Japan monorail challenging snowless but typhoon wind countermeasure sway brakes. IC card Okica point loyalty driving local retention. Elevated track shade creates micro shade streets community uses for markets during summer reducing UV. Photo spots Kumoji bridge crossing with ocean backdrop. Air-conditioned cabins strong cool 22C humidity adjustment for sweaty passengers. Pink seats reserved priority. Extended line future talk to Okinawa City and Nago high cost tunnel but tourist demand lobby strong.
