
Go forth, mighty heroes/rail passengers! Seek adventure in the magical realm of Yokohama!
The Tokyu Toyoko train line has a lot going for it. It’s clean and punctual (even by Japan’s lofty standards), affordably priced, and connects Tokyo and Yokohama, two of Japan’s most interesting and exciting cities.
As if all that wasn’t enough, there’s now one more reason to take the Toyoko Line. Like at most Japanese rail stations, there’s a musical chime that plays before the doors shut and the train departs, and as of July 5, the Toyoko Line’s customary jingle has been replaced with the opening fanfare of the theme from hit video game series Dragon Quest.
▼ Skip to the 0:10 and 0:46 marks to hear the iconic role-playing tune.
The Toyoko Line starts at Shibuya Station, which is also where you’ll find the Hikarie entertainment complex, venue for this summer’s Dragon Quest Museum exhibit. To commemorate the event, and also to salute the 30th anniversary of the Dragon Quest franchise, the Toyoko Line is sending its southbound trains on their way with the game’s theme. If you want to get an earful of nostalgia, southbound trains depart from platforms 3, 4, and 5. The rousing theme will fill any RPG fans with a sense of purpose as they begin their rail journey.
The Dragon Quest theme will be played between now and September 12, so don’t wait too long to set out on your quest to hear it. And if you’re in need of a destination, remember that you can take the Toyoko Line two stops south to Naka Meguro, then transfer to the Hibiya subway line and take that up to Akihabara Station, which uses idol megagroup AKB48’s “Koi Suru Fortune Cookie” for its departure music.
Images ©RocketNews24
[ Read in Japanese ]
Follow Casey on Twitter for more reasons the Toyoko Line is awesome.


Star Wars and Darth Vader theme melodies now being played at Tokyo train stations 【Video】
Awesome videos show Final Fantasy theme music sending trains on the their way at Japanese station
Gigantic real-life Dragon Quest video game slime to appear in Japan this Christmas
The unforgettable Dragon Quest theme music took an amazingly short time to write, composer says
Newsflash: Silver “Dragon Quest Metal Slime Edition” PlayStation 4 unveiled by Sony 【Updated】
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Say hello to Japan’s new stationmaster cat!【Video】
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Make miniatures of your miniatures with this kit from Mozu
Studio Ghibli director Hayao Miyazaki shares his beloved car with fans
Grand Hyatt Tokyo teaming up with artist Takashi Murakami for adorable take-out afternoon tea set
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Giant, paint-your-own Slimes appear as part of Dragon Quest public art event this summer in Yokohama
Dragon Quest town and adventure RPG attraction coming to Japanese theme park
Have a Double Dose of Nostalgia Listening to the Dragon Quest Theme Played On a Moog Synth Courtesy of Google’s Latest Doodle
Twitter users claim Dragon Quest theme is eerily similar to university song, North Korea’s anthem
Dragon Quest composer Koichi Sugiyama passes away
Japanese convenience store registers now playing Dragon Quest level-up music for shoppers【Video】
Dragon Quest’s Slime is now a geisha (and delicious)
Tokyo’s Shibuya holds its first Halloween costume contest aboard a train, we ride along
Tokyo’s labyrinthine Shibuya Station becomes a literal RPG dungeon in free smartphone game
Dragon Quest at Olympics opening ceremony? Game theme, Eva-connected song heard coming from stadium
Dragon Quest virtual reality attraction opens in Tokyo, and we join the adventure
Dragon Quest wedding: Japanese video game lovers celebrate with classic Sony PlayStation details
Japanese commercial for upcoming Dragon Quest XI evokes nostalgia and excitement all at once
Tokyo Dragon Quest ad made entirely with Lego lets commuters remove blocks to defeat the bad guys
Lawson Convenience Store Goes Dragon Quest X Crazy, Puts In-Game Goodies Up for Grabs
Japanese Dragon Quest fan finds her one-button fix for composer’s questionable politics
Leave a Reply