Yurindo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO: Kintaro Matsu Nobu) will publish a new book titled 'Reading Tama and Kanagawa Through Railway Line Maps' on Monday, August 3, 2026.

This book is a visual publication that deciphers the evolution of the railway network and suburban development in the Tama and Kanagawa regions through a variety of illustrated maps, including 'along-line guide maps' and 'bird's-eye view maps' from the Taisho to early Showa periods, as well as 'route maps' from the Meiji to Showa eras. It broadly introduces JR, private railways, streetcars, and trolley buses, ranging from the Seibu Shinjuku and Ome Lines in the north to the Tokaido and Keikyu Lines in the south, and the Hakone Tozan Railway in the west. The book brings to life the changing landscapes of these regions alongside their railways, tracing vanished lines and the urban scenery of the past.

'Reading Tama and Kanagawa Through Railway Line Maps'

Background of the Book

Since the 150th anniversary of Japan's railway opening in 2022, public interest in railway history, regional history, and old maps has remained consistently high. In the capital region especially, there has been growing intellectual curiosity—not only among history and map enthusiasts, but also from the perspective of urban sociology—about how the concept of 'suburbs' emerged alongside modern population growth.

The 'along-line guide maps' from the Taisho to early Showa periods, which are the stars of this book, were issued competitively by railway operators of the time using the latest design and printing technologies to attract passengers and potential residents. These were not merely accurate maps, but artistic illustrations that visually conveyed people's aspirations to 'want to visit' or 'want to live there,' making them first-rate historical documents.

This book has been planned as a comprehensive volume that allows readers to experientially revisit regional development from the perspective of past travelers and residents, featuring a wealth of these rare map illustrations.

[Table of Contents]

Chapter 1: Guide Maps of Main and Regional Railways

Chapter 2: Guide Maps of Streetcar Lines

Chapter 3: Guide Maps of Urban and Suburban Rapid Transit Lines

Chapter 4: Guide Maps of Postwar Railway New Lines

Final Chapter: The Formation History of the Railway Network in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area and Tama-Kanagawa Region

Highlights of the Book

1. Turn the Pages and Travel Back in Time to the Railway Suburbs of the Past — Rediscover the Scenery from Train Windows

The 'along-line guide maps' from the Taisho to early Showa periods are rich with information, depicting not only station names but also surrounding landscapes, temples and shrines, amusement facilities such as amusement parks, racecourses, and golf courses, as well as residential areas and factories. By examining the details, readers can vividly imagine the scenery seen from train windows of the era and enjoy a nostalgic journey from the comfort of their homes. One of the book's greatest appeals is the ability to instantly grasp what kinds of recreational spots, landmarks, and entertainment facilities once existed along the railway lines.

※Image is for illustration purposes only

2. Instantly Understand the Development History of Metropolitan Fringes — A Condensed View of the Vast Railway Network's Evolution

The metropolitan areas of Tokyo and Yokohama in the early Meiji period were far smaller than one might imagine from today's densely packed railway networks. As the railway network—the symbol of modern civilization—expanded and extended, suburban residential areas gradually spread outward.

Through a diverse array of railway maps, readers can visually and intuitively understand the process and mechanisms of urban development: 'When, where, and by whom was this line first established?' and 'How did it extend to form today's railway network?'

3. From Railway Ukiyo-e to Bird's-Eye View Maps by Geniuses like Yoshida Sanjuro — Appreciate as First-Class 'Artworks'

The guide maps featured in this book include masterpieces by renowned bird's-eye view artists such as Yoshida Sanjuro and Kaneko Tsunemitsu, as well as railway ukiyo-e prints by artists like Utagawa Yoshihige.

Beyond their function as mere route information, these maps hold significant artistic value and are a visual delight. With high historical and sociological value, this book is highly recommended for railway enthusiasts, map lovers, and researchers alike.

Title: 'Reading Tama and Kanagawa Through Railway Line Maps'

Author: Naoshi Okada

Publisher: Yurindo

Price: 1,870 JPY including tax (1,700 JPY before tax)

Format: A5 size, 152 pages

ISBN: 978-4-89660-264-7

Release Date: Monday, August 3, 2026

Available at: All Yurindo stores (some excluded), nationwide bookstores

Naoshi Okada

Geographer and historian. Born in 1967 in Shiga Prefecture. Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, University of Tokyo, and completed a master's program at Kyoto University Graduate School. After working as a book editor, he served as a research curator at the Yokohama Urban Development Memorial Museum, overseeing exhibitions such as 'The Journey of Maps in Early Showa,' 'Railways Extending, Roads Expanding,' and 'Yokohama Railway Chronicle' (recipient of the Sumita Incentive Award from the Railway History Society). His publications include '150 Years of Yokohama Railways and the City' (Yurindo Shinsho), 'Modern and Contemporary History of the Sotetsu Line' (Cross Culture Publishing), co-authored 'Enjoying Yokohama's Modernity Through Maps' (Fubaisha), commentary on 'The Collected Bird's-Eye View Maps of Yoshida Sanjuro' (Shobunsha), and edited and supervised 'Reading Japan's Mountain Railways Through Maps' (Kanzen), 'Fun Travel Map Encyclopedia of Taisho and Showa Eras,' 'Reading Tokyo Through Maps,' and other titles in the 'Reading XX Line Through Maps' series (Sansai Books), as well as 'Mysteries and Secrets of the Keikyu Line' (Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha).

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  • Source: PR TIMES
  • Category: New Product