
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】
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Chinese government’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning has heartwarming non-effect on Yokohama Chinatown
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Starbucks Japan now offers close-to-closing discounted items through its mobile order app
Why do people spend so long in jail without going to trial in Japan?
Upcoming themed cafe answers the question “What if Hokusai had opened an eatery?”
Fried sandwiches arrive in Tokyo, become hot topic on social media
Japan’s 10 best Ferris wheels for beautiful views, as chosen by travelers【Survey】
Epic cutlet sandwiches in Osaka are the best Shinkansen bento
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
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
Talking Pikachu ticket gates now welcoming travelers in Japan at this train station【Video】
Leave a Reply