If you woke up this morning planning to head into central Tokyo or toward Saitama via the Tobu Tojo Line, you likely encountered a sea of red on the departure boards. A significant signal failure has brought one of Tokyo’s busiest arterial railways to a grinding halt, leaving thousands—including anxious Tokyo Marathon participants—scrambling for alternatives.
The Incident: What Happened?
At approximately 4:46 AM on Sunday, March 1st, a major signal system malfunction was detected between Kami-Itabashi Station and Kawagoe-shi Station. This stretch covers roughly 25 kilometers of track, effectively severing the connection between Tokyo’s urban wards and the Saitama suburbs.
As a result, Tobu Railway was forced to suspend operations on both the up and down lines from the very first scheduled train of the day.
Widespread Network Impact
The ripple effects of this failure have extended far beyond the Tobu Tojo Line itself. Because the Tokyo rail network is highly integrated, the following disruptions are currently in effect:
- Through-Service Cancellations: Direct connections with the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line, Fukudoshim Line, and the Tokyu Toyoko Line have been suspended. Trains that usually run through to Shibuya, Yokohama, or Shin-Kiba are stopping short or being diverted.
- TJ Liner Cancellations: Three scheduled “TJ Liner” limited express trains have been officially cancelled.
- No Resumption Forecast: As of now, Tobu Railway has stated that there is no clear estimate for when the signal system will be repaired and service resumed.
The “Marathon Panic”
The timing of this incident couldn’t be worse. Today is the Tokyo Marathon, one of the world’s largest racing events. Many runners living along the Tojo Line had planned to take the 6:00 AM trains to reach the starting blocks in Shinjuku.
Social media has been flooded with “cries for help” from stranded athletes. One runner posted: “The 6:00 AM train is stopped and won’t budge. I need to get to the start line. Move, please!” For many who have trained for months, the mechanical failure feels like a heartbreaking obstacle before the race even begins.
Alternative Routes and Substitute Transport
Tobu Railway has coordinated with other operators to provide substitute transport (Furikae Yuso). If you have a valid ticket or commuter pass for the affected section, you can use the following lines at no extra cost:
- All other Tobu Lines
- JR Lines (specifically the Saikyo and Kawagoe Lines)
- Seibu Railway (alternative routes into Ikebukuro)
- Tokyo Metro Lines
Advice for Commuters
If you are currently at a station, expect extreme congestion at transfer points like Kawagoe, Wakoshi, and Ikebukuro. If you are heading to the Tokyo Marathon or a time-sensitive engagement, we strongly recommend looking into bus routes or ride-sharing apps, though traffic on the roads is also expected to increase.
We will continue to monitor the situation. Please check the official Tobu Railway X (Twitter) account or their website for the most “up-to-the-minute” status reports.