JR Nagasaki Main Line Local from Urakami to Nagasaki Train Review
The Nagasaki Main Line goes through Nagasaki, with local trains calling at local stations. While it looks like a useful commuter line with lesser stops than the Nagasaki Electric Tramway, the JR Nagasaki Main Line trains are not as frequent. Nevertheless, I still wanted to have the experience of taking a JR Kyushu local train in Nagasaki, so here’s my trip.
Urakami Station
I got to Urakami Station by Nagasaki Electric Tramway Line 1. Do note that the Nagasaki Electric Tramway will almost always be faster than JR for this short journey leg, firstly due to the high frequency, and secondly due to the walk needed to get to the JR station and platforms from the main road.
Heading in to Urakami Station.
The line between Saigobashi Park and Nagasaki has been elevated to eliminate most level crossings in Nagasaki, and to meet the new elevated Nagasaki Station on elevated tracks with the opening of the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen.
Heading in to Urakami Station.
Interestingly, there are no automatic ticket gates at Urakami Station, despite it being a new station. Standing IC card readers are provided without a physical barrier restricting the paid and unpaid areas. With my JR Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu Area Pass, I headed through the manned lane on the right where the JR Kyushu staff is.
Also very interestingly, there is no train information displayed on the LED information panel hanging from above for trains to Nagasaki.
There is just an island platform at Urakami Station, so I headed up the escalator to the 1 island platform.
I was very surprised that there was no live train information provided on the platform in both directions.
Train information is just on the printed timetables in the middle of the platform.
The various train services serving Urakami Station. For the journey towards Nagasaki, simply board the train which stops and opens the door.
Platform 2 is for train services out of Nagasaki.
When a train is approaching, a sign will light up.
Nagasaki Main Line Local Train
And here comes my local train to Nagasaki, formed of a 2-car YC1 series hybrid DMU set.
Departing from Urakami Station.
Meeting the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen line on approach to Nagasaki.
Nagasaki Station
Entering Nagasaki Station.
The Local Line platforms are slightly lower than the Shinkansen platforms.
The journey from Urakami to Nagasaki took just 5 minutes. However, the waiting time can be irregular.
The train destination is displayed in Japanese, Korean, and English.
The branding on the exeerior of the YC1 series hybrid DMU.
With the passengers cleared out, here’s a shot of the empty interior of the YC1 series hybrid DMU.
The station sign of Nagasaki Station.
The local line and Shinkansen tracks are just beside each other at Nagasaki Station.
The local line concourse of Nagasaki Station.
Heading out of the local line ticket gates at Nagasaki Station.
Conclusion
The Nagasaki Main Line local trains offer an essential connection along the Omura Bay, but is not as useful for short commutes within Nagasaki due to the low frequency of trains. It is still better to use the Nagasaki Electric Tramway to commute around Nagasaki along National Route 206 for the higher frequency and accessible tram stops right at the road itself.