Shin-Yokohama Depot: A Beloved Railway-Themed Izakaya Closes Its Doors

The railway-themed izakaya “Shin-Yokohama Depot” (located in Yokohama’s Naka Ward, Yoshida-cho), run by a former Japanese National Railways employee and based on the concept of “Showa-era National Railways,” closed its doors on July 26 under the name “Last Run.” A farewell gathering was held at the establishment on September 14.

Shin-Yokohama Depot opened on February 17, 2011. It was started as a “second life” by the owner, who had worked for the Japanese National Railways for 14 years beginning in 1971, upon reaching his 60th birthday.

The interior featured an N-gauge model railway, and from the windows, customers could watch JR trains pass by. The menu was also railway-inspired, with items like an “admission ticket” for the appetizer and an “express ticket” for chilled tofu. The love for railways was evident throughout, making it a popular spot among train enthusiasts.

As of July 26, there was still a possibility of reopening, but due to the health of a family member responsible for cooking, the decision was made to close permanently. On the day before vacating the premises, regular customers organized a “farewell gathering” as a gesture of gratitude.

One attendee stated, “In July, we still thought it might reopen, so we didn’t make a proper end. I wanted to express my gratitude to the owner one last time.” Another regular, who had visited around 150 times, recalled, “It was a tradition to gather here every December 30. We couldn’t meet from 2020 to 2023 due to COVID, but last year we gathered with 24 people, albeit a smaller group,” looking at a photo of the year-end party and reflecting on the time spent at the shop.

The owner smiled and said, “It was truly enjoyable. After turning 60, I started my own place, and even though people said it might fail multiple times, we made it this far. These are happy memories.” Regarding future plans, he laughed and said, “From now on, I’ll be cheering for baseball and soccer.”

The farewell gathering, scheduled from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, was attended by about 60 people. Even after 7:00 PM, more than a dozen guests remained, reluctant to leave.

As a final nod to the railway theme, one customer made an announcement mimicking a train conductor: “This is the final run for Shin-Yokohama Depot. This train is now heading to the depot.”

Shin-Yokohama Depot

The Shin-Yokohama Ramen Museum, also known as the “Ramen Museum” or “Shin-Yokohama Raumen Hakubutsukan,” is a unique food-themed amusement park that opened in 1994. It is dedicated to the history and culture of ramen, featuring a recreated 1958 downtown scene with branches of famous ramen shops from across Japan. The museum was designed to preserve and celebrate the various regional styles of this iconic Japanese noodle dish.

JR Negishi Line

The JR Negishi Line is a railway line in Japan, operated by JR East, connecting Yokohama Station to Ōfuna Station. It was originally opened in 1872 as part of Japan’s first railway and was later extended, playing a significant role in the development of the Keihin industrial region. Today, it serves as a vital commuter route in the southern part of the Greater Tokyo Area.

Japanese National Railways

Japanese National Railways (JNR) was the state-owned corporation that operated Japan’s national railway network from 1949 until its privatization and breakup in 1987. It played a crucial role in the country’s post-war economic recovery and modernization, famously launching the world’s first high-speed Shinkansen (bullet train) line in 1964. Due to massive debt, it was dissolved and succeeded by the Japan Railways (JR) Group of private companies.

Showa-era National Railways

The Showa-era National Railways (日本国有鉄道, or Kokutetsu) refers to Japan’s national railway system during the Showa period (1926-1989), a time of immense growth and modernization. It was instrumental in industrializing the nation and connecting its cities, most famously with the inauguration of the first Shinkansen bullet train line in 1964. The system was eventually privatized in 1987 due to financial pressures, leading to the formation of the Japan Railways (JR) Group.

N-gauge model railway

An N-gauge model railway is a miniature train system built to a scale of 1:148 (in the UK) or 1:160 (elsewhere), allowing for elaborate layouts in compact spaces. This popular hobby scale was developed and commercialized in the 1960s, with the letter “N” deriving from “nine,” representing the 9mm gauge between the rails. It enables enthusiasts to model complex landscapes, stations, and entire towns with a high level of detail.

JR trains

JR trains refer to the extensive railway network operated by Japan Railways Group, which was established in 1987 following the privatization of the government-owned Japanese National Railways. The system is renowned for its exceptional punctuality, cleanliness, and the iconic Shinkansen (bullet train) service, which revolutionized high-speed rail travel when it debuted in 1964. Today, JR trains remain a vital and efficient part of Japan’s transportation infrastructure, connecting major cities and regions across the country.