Summary of Japan’s Transportation Performance During the 2025–2026 Year-End and New Year Holiday Period

JR Central (Tokaido Shinkansen)
Number of passengers over 10 days: 4.415 million
Passenger numbers on January 4 reached 516,000, setting a new all-time daily record since the company’s establishment in 1987. The average daily ridership over the 10-day period (442,000 passengers) was also the highest recorded since fiscal 1991.

JR West (Hokuriku Shinkansen)
Number of passengers over 10 days: 430,000 (up 9% year-on-year)
Average daily ridership reached 43,000 passengers, marking the highest level since the Kanazawa extension opened in 2015. In response to increased demand, approximately 30 additional train services were operated compared with the previous year, which appears to have contributed to the strong results.

JR Kyushu (Shinkansen and Limited Express Services)
Number of passengers over 10 days: 727,000 (up 1.7% year-on-year)
Favorable calendar conditions, including a maximum nine-day holiday period, combined with stable operations, drove an increase in ridership. Extremely high congestion levels were observed, with inbound Shinkansen Sakura services recording a 186% occupancy rate, and outbound Limited Express Sonic services on December 29 reaching 169% occupancy.

JR East (Niigata Branch Area)
Number of passengers over 10 days: 398,000 (up 3% year-on-year)
Passenger numbers on the Joetsu Shinkansen between Echigo-Yuzawa and Nagaoka totaled 353,000, representing a 4% increase from the previous year. Travel demand peaked on December 30 for outbound journeys and January 4 for inbound journeys, resulting in a noticeably busier period compared with the previous year.

2026年1月10日
鉄旅ライフ編集部
過去のコラムはこちら

Yokohama Iekei Ramen Guide: How to Order at Sugitaya + Access Info

This time as well, I decided to go out for ramen after watching a popular Japanese YouTube food channel.
The destination was Sugitaya, known as the holy ground of Yokohama Iekei ramen. While the channel visited the Chiba Yūkō branch,I visited the main branch in Yokohama for lunch on a weekday.

Based on my own experience, I’ll give a detailed report on the atmosphere of the shop, including how easy it is for a woman to enter and dine alone.

Exterior of Sugitaya Ramen Main Store in Yokohama

How to Get to Sugitaya Main Store (3 minutes from Shin-Sugita Station)

The shop is located just a short walk from JR Shin-Sugita Station. From Yokohama Station, it takes about 30 minutes on the JR Negishi Line bound for Ofuna to reach Shin-Sugita Station.

  1. Exit the ticket gates at Shin-Sugita Station, then go down the stairs on the right toward the West Exit.
  2. Once outside the station, continue straight ahead to the right.
  3. After about a three-minute walk, you’ll see the Sugitaya sign on your right-hand side.

After getting off the train, first head toward the West Exit.

Stairs to the West Exit on the right side after exiting Shin-Sugita Station ticket gate

Once you exit the station, turn right and continue straight.

Outside the West Exit of Shin-Sugita Station

Walk straight ahead for about three minutes.

Street view on the way from JR Shin-Sugita Station West Exit to Sugitaya Ramen Main Store

Sugitaya Ramen comes into view.

Exterior of Sugitaya Ramen Main Store with its distinctive ticket vending machines and waiting line

Important: Buy a Meal Ticket Before Lining Up — This Is the Sugitaya Rule

When I arrived around 11 a.m., there didn’t seem to be many people in front of the shop at first glance. I briefly thought, “Maybe it’s quiet because it’s a weekday?”
In reality, there was already a long line extending further inside.

At Sugitaya, you’re required to buy your meal ticket first, and only then join the line.

A large sign reminding customers to purchase their meal tickets first

A U-Shaped Line Spreading Across the Parking Lot

The parking lot right next to the shop was being used as a waiting area.
The line, guided by plastic tape and arranged in a U-shape, reminded me of waiting for a ride at an amusement park.

Estimated Waiting Time

I started lining up around 11:00 a.m. and was able to enter the shop at 12:05, meaning about a one-hour wait even on a weekday afternoon. Since the waiting area is in a shaded parking lot, it’s a good idea to dress warmly in winter or on cold days. I also saw one person waiting with a baby stroller.

While you’re still in line, a staff member will ask about your preferences for noodle firmness, flavor strength, and oil level. This time, I ordered everything as regular.

Ticket Machine

The ticket machines are located just inside the shop, on both the left and right sides. Please note that they accept cash only.

The meal tickets at Sugitaya Ramen Main Store are distinctive colored tokens

A plastic, color-coded ticket came out. It seems the colors are used to identify the menu items.

The colored meal tickets indicate the menu items.

This time, I chose four items: chashu ramen, rice, seasoned egg, and nori.

Inside the Shop and Service

I was shown to my seat inside the shop. It seems that several customers are seated at once in batches. I was guided to a seat at the very end, perhaps because the staff thought it would be more comfortable for a woman dining alone.Looking around, everyone had placed their meal tickets on the counter and was waiting for their food to arrive. At Sugitaya, this seems to be the unspoken rule.I put my meal ticket on the counter and waited for the ramen to arrive.

At Sugitaya, the system is to place your meal tickets on the counter while you wait

Tasting Sugitaya Ramen

Finally, the ramen has arrived!

Chashu ramen with seasoned egg and nori toppings at Sugitaya Ramen Main Store

Sugitaya Ramen Tasting

Every component—the broth, noodles, chashu, and nori—is top-notch, making this bowl absolutely worth the one-hour wait.

Broth


The soy sauce flavor is sharp and well-defined. It’s rich without being too heavy, and you can easily keep drinking it.

Noodles


The noodles are medium-thick, curly, and pleasantly chewy. Many of the male customers around me ordered theirs firm, so firmness might be a popular choice.

Chashu


The chashu appears to be carefully smoked to achieve the perfect level of doneness. You can tell a lot of effort goes into it—it’s delicious.

Nori


The nori is exceptionally flavorful. It’s perfect to dip in the broth and wrap around rice for a fantastic bite.

Shop Name Ramen Sugitaya Main Store
Address 3-5 Shinsugita-cho, Isogo-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
Opening Hours 5:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Closed Sunday
Access About a 3-minute walk from Shin-Sugita Station (JR Negishi Line)
Parking None
Map

After finishing the meal, I stretched my legs a bit and took a stroll around Yokohama Chinatown before heading back. If you’re traveling on the JR Negishi Line, get off at Ishikawacho Station—it’s just a short walk to the bustling streets of Chinatown. It takes about 15 minutes by train from Sugitaya. Walking around Chinatown is a perfect way to digest after a hearty bowl of ramen, making it a highly recommended course.