In Denmark DSB in Denmark uses a jingle by
Niels Viggo Bentzon. The jingle is a
musical cryptogram of the notes D, E♭ (pronounced
ess, homonymous with S) and B♭ (pronounced B, since Denmark uses German
letter notation). \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 190 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"piano" \key c \major \time 4/4 \hide Staff.TimeSignature d'4 r ees bes4 }
In France SNCF in France uses a jingle by
Michaël Boumendil: \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 120 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"vibraphone" \key c \minor \time 4/4 \hide Staff.TimeSignature c' g' as8. es8 }
In the United Kingdom In the past, some
National Rail stations in Great Britain used a four-tone British Rail jingle based on
Jerusalem: \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 90 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"glockenspiel" \key d \major \time 3/4 \partial 4. \autoBeamOff g'8 b d | e4. }
In Switzerland The
Swiss Federal Railways use three different jingles corresponding to the acronym of the company across three of the
four national languages, transposed according to
German note-naming conventions, with the final note as a chord. All three are played on the
vibraphone: SBB (German) written as "Es - B - B" \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 80 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"vibraphone" \key bes \major \time 2/4 \hide Staff.TimeSignature es'8 bes'8 4. } CFF (French) written as "C - F - F" \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 80 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"vibraphone" \key bes \major \time 2/4 \hide Staff.TimeSignature c''8 f,8 4. } FFS (Italian) written as "F - F - Es" \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 80 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"vibraphone" \key bes \major \time 2/4 \hide Staff.TimeSignature f'8 f8 4. } In large stations, all three are used; in small ones, only the jingle corresponding to the local language. In some situations, a melody made of all three can be used: \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 110 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"vibraphone" \key bes \major \time 2/4 es'8 bes'8 4 c'8 f,8 4 f'8 f8 4. }
In Indonesia In Indonesia, most railways stations used full-hour segment of
Westminster Quarters as its train melody. Upon arrival of a train, the chimes will be looped continuously until it departs from the station. Few stations are exceptions, with local folk songs acting as the train melody, mostly a
kroncong song. For example,
Semarang Tawang plays "Gambang Semarang" by Oey Yok Siang and Sidik Pramono,
Solo Balapan plays "
Bengawan Solo" by
Gesang, and
Yogyakarta plays "Sepasang Mata Bola" by
Ismail Marzuki.
In Israel Israel Railways in Israel formerly used a jingle on its first, old and withdrawn Alstom Modo diesel single-decker push pull trains from 1996: \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 190 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"piano" \key bes \major \time 4/4 \hide Staff.TimeSignature ees' bes' ees g g1 }
In Singapore In October 2023, train operator
SMRT introduced a 3-month pilot trial of melodic chimes, created in partnership with a local not-for-profit arts company, The TENG Company. The chimes were inspired from 3 local tunes - The Chinese children's ditty "San Lun Che" (The Tricycle), the Malay folk song "
Chan Mali Chan" and "Singai Naadu", the Tamil national day work composed and arranged by
Shabir Sulthan. These chimes were played at train platforms at selected stations on the
North–South Line, the
East–West Line, and the
Circle Line before a train arrives and inside trains when departing and arriving at stations along the Changi Branch of the
East–West Line and from
Stadium to
Bayfront on the
Circle Line. This pilot trial was successful and the chimes were rolled out progressively across more than 70 stations from February 2024. \relative { \set Score.tempoHideNote = ##t \tempo 4 = 100 \set Staff.midiInstrument = #"vibraphone" \key c \major \time 4/4 c'8 c d e16 f g8 g e r8 | % 2 g16 g g8 a16 g a b c4. e,16 d | % 3 c8 c d e16 f g8 g e r8 | % 4 g16 g g8 a16 g a b c4. e,16 f | % 5 g g g8 a16 g a b c4. } One of the melodies being played, that was inspired from the Chinese children's ditty "San Lun Che".
In Taiwan The
Taipei Metro uses the following sounds as arrival music on
its lines (except for the
Wenhu line, due to most of its stations being elevated and close to residential buildings) including
New Taipei Metro's
Circular Line. In other hand, all of its lines (
Wenhu,
Tamsui-Xinyi,
Songshan-Xindian,
Zhonghe-Xinlu,
Bannan) use the same transfer and terminal sound.
Taoyuan Metro's Airport MRT uses the following music and has three versions that is played during
lunar new year and
christmas.
In Brazil In April 2026, the
São Paulo Metro Line 4 (Yellow) operated by Motiva (f.k.a CCR) introduced departure melodies in all of its 11 stations, with variations depending of the time of the day and weekends. A example of the departure melody in
Butantã station: For other stations, the melodies can be listened on the operator page: https://trilhos.motiva.com.br/linha-4-amarela/amarela-me-motiva/
In Japan Japan is home to many
railway operators, and each company uses its own unique departure melodies (some operators do not use them at all). In some cases, instead of using a single melody or a few, certain operators employ different departure melodies at many of their stations, resulting in an enormous number of melodies in use. For example, as of July 2025, the
Japanese Wikipedia entry on this topic lists over 150 used by
JR East. When adding the commonly used , over 400 melodies have been confirmed for JR East alone. Because the total amount of data will be so large, this section will focus on outlining the general trends of each operator rather than listing all melodies. For more comprehensive details, please refer to the corresponding
Japanese Wikipedia article.
Departure melody refers to the music used to indicate that a train at the station is about to depart for the next stop. ====
JR Group==== =====
JR Hokkaidō===== JR Hokkaidō once used a unique departure melody called at
Hakodate Station. It was played exclusively for the limited express
Hokuto, except during late-night hours. The melody, approximately 30 seconds long, stood out compared to those of other railway companies. In November 1990, the standard bell was abolished due to complaints from passengers who found it noisy. However, the station's assistant manager at the time decided a departure signal was still necessary due to high passenger volume. He asked Shigeru Kitamori, a transportation supervisor at the station who was also a bandleader, to compose an alternative melody with the theme "a melody that remains in the memory of tourists". After a month of effort, the melody was completed and named "Tabidachi no Kane" by the stationmaster. It began use in December. The piece opened with chime sounds reminiscent of
churches in western
Hakodate and incorporated a melody played on synthesizer to evoke an exotic atmosphere. During the first year, it even ended with the horn of the . However, in March 2024, following a
timetable revision, all seats on the
Hokuto were designated as reserved seating. As a result, the station ceased assigning platform staff to operate the melody switch, and the melody was discontinued as of March 31. =====
JR East===== Currently, JR East uses the largest number of departure melodies among Japanese railway operators. It first introduced departure melodies at
Sendai Station on November 22, 1988. At that time, however, there was no intention of widespread adoption. In the
Tokyo metropolitan area, electronically synthesized bells had been in use since the late 1970s during the
Japanese National Railways (JNR) era. However, these sounds were unpopular among passengers, who found them grating. Following the discontinuation of departure bells at
Chiba Station in 1988, a project led primarily by female staff members was launched.
Yamaha, a well-known maker of audio equipment and musical instruments, was commissioned to develop a new departure melody system. This was introduced at
Shinjuku and
Shibuya Stations on March 11, 1989. The new melodies featured calming tones such as piano, bells, and harp. Considerable care was taken to ensure musical harmony across platforms—the JR section of Shinjuku Station had 12 tracks at the time (later 14)—to avoid dissonance. Today, both stations use different melodies than those originally introduced. In the 1990s, as the initial melodies gained popularity, there was increasing momentum to introduce them at more stations. However, cost-saving systems were adopted for subsequent installations. A representative example was the use of systems by Uni-Pex (), an audio equipment manufacturer, which featured original pieces as well as music by ocarina player , such as and . These melodies were likely chosen to align with the company's automated announcement systems and reduce costs. Although initially introduced at stations in the Tokyo area, Sōjirō's melodies began to be phased out starting in March 2005 due to contractual issues. By March 2014, with the removal of the melody from
Takasakitonyamachi Station on the
Jōetsu Line, they had disappeared entirely. At
Tsuruoka Station on the
Uetsu Main Line in
Yamagata Prefecture, a shortened version of "Seiryū" was used as an approach melody until its use ended on September 22, 2023. From the late 1990s, more stations began using "local departure melodies" based on songs related to the station's area, such as at
Kamata Station and the
Astro Boy theme song at
Takadanobaba and
Niiza Stations. In July 2010, for about one month,
Shimbashi Station used the song as a departure melody. This was part of a
Suntory advertisement campaign and marked the first time JR East used a departure melody for advertisement purposes. Overall, in JR East's service area, most conventional (non-
Shinkansen) train platforms and some Shinkansen platforms in the
Kantō region have transitioned from traditional bells to departure melodies (excluding stations that never used bells to begin with). Only a small number of platforms still use bells. Conversely, in areas like the
Nagano Branch's jurisdiction, some stations originally using departure melodies reverted to bells due to broadcasting system upgrades (e.g.,
Kami-Suwa and
Minami-Otari Stations). JR East's
Niigata Branch had long refrained from introducing departure melodies, but began using them at
Hakusan Station from September 1, 2013; at
Murakami Station from March 2014; and at
Niigata Station from April 15, 2018. Some JR East trains (such as the
E129,
E233,
E531, and
E721 series) are equipped with onboard external speakers that play departure melodies. These are primarily used at stations without installed departure melodies, or when operating on interlining routes with other railway companies such as
JR Central,
Odakyū, or
Tokyo Metro's
Chiyoda Line. Also, due to concerns that departure melodies may encourage passengers to rush onto trains, an experimental project began on August 1, 2018, on the
Jōban Line (Local) between
Kameari and
Toride Stations. In place of station-based melodies, the trains' external speakers were used to see if they could reduce last-minute boarding. As the results proved effective, the system was officially adopted from March 16, 2019. Moreover, in February 2025, JR East announced a policy shift, indicating that it would begin phasing out local departure melodies, using only standard melodies from train speakers. JR East's local departure melodies are played through speakers on the platform when the conductor presses a button before departure. However, due to a
shortage of labor in Japan, JR East is promoting
one-person (driver-only) train operations. When a line switches to one-person train operation, conductors are no longer present, so the departure melody must be played from the train itself as described above. This system, however, cannot accommodate station-specific melodies, leading to the gradual discontinuation of local departure melodies. On March 15, 2025, the melodies were standardized on the
Nambu Line and the
Jōban Line (Local). Starting in the spring of 2026,
Yokohama and
Negishi Lines will follow suit, and by around 2030,
Saikyō,
Kawagoe (between
Ōmiya and
Kawagoe),
Keihin-Tōhoku,
Chūō-Sōbu, and
Yamanote Lines are also expected to adopt standardized melodies, effectively marking the end of local departure melodies in these lines. These melodies were created with the cooperation of well-known music agencies and composers, though details about the creators have not been disclosed. For classification purposes, each melody is assigned a code in the format JRE-IKST-0xx-0x, where the "0xx" portion ranges from 001 to 023, and the "0x" portion denotes variations in tone, with values ranging from 01 to 10 (some numbers are unused). Among railfans, it is generally believed that these melodies are standardized by line and by direction, but JR East has only stated that "decisions are made internally after multifaceted consideration". and all other 15 stations by March 22, 2015. Examples include: • At Osaka Station, the melody is , a famous song by
Osaka-born singer
Takajin Yashiki, sung in
Osaka dialect. • At
Taishō Station, known for its large
Okinawan population, the
Okinawan folk song is used. • At
Sakuranomiya Station, a location famous for cherry blossoms, the melody is by
Ai Otsuka, a singer from Osaka. ======
Fukuchiyama Management Office====== At
Toyooka Station, a melody themed after the
stork (a local symbol) is played during the departure of certain trains. ======
Sanyō Shinkansen====== From March 9, 2016 (March 10 at
Hakata Station), , the theme song for the
anime with the same title, has been played at every station where all trains stop (
Shin-Kōbe,
Okayama,
Hiroshima,
Kokura, and
Hakata), excluding
JR Central's
Shin-Osaka Station. As of December 2021, this melody is also used at
Himeji,
Aioi,
Fukuyama, and
Shin-Yamaguchi Stations. =====
JR Kyūshū===== Along the
Kyūshū Shinkansen between
Shin-Tosu and
Kagoshima-Chūō Stations, melodies composed by
Minoru Mukaiya are used. Between Shin-Tosu and
Shin-Tamana as well as between
Shin-Yatsushiro and
Sendai Stations, original melodies are played. At
Kumamoto Station, the local
folk song is arranged as the melody, and at Kagoshima-Chūō Station, a version of the
Kagoshima folk song is used. Before the full line opened, a different original melody by Mukaiya was used between Shin-Yatsushiro and Kagoshima-Chūō. At
Hakata Station, "
The Galaxy Express 999" melody from the Sanyō Shinkansen is used. Since March 2012, Mukaiya's melodies have also been used on conventional line platforms at Hakata Station. Starting May 1, 2015, they were introduced at
Kokura,
Ōita, and
Miyazaki Stations, and from July of the same year at
Yufuin and
Miyazaki Airport Stations. Original melodies are used at most stations, while at Miyazaki Station, a rearrangement of song is used. ====
Private railways, public operators, and
third-sector operators==== =====
Sendai Airport Transit===== At
Sendai Airport Station, the ending theme from
Wake Up, Girls!, an anime set in
Sendai, is used as the departure melody. Prior to this, "twilight" by Sakurai Ongaku Kōbō (also used by
JR East) had been used. Additionally, the train cars are equipped with external speakers that play a melody ("Water Crown") upon departure. =====
Utsunomiya Light Rail (Lightline)===== When departing from the line's initial terminal stop, a melody is played from the external speakers of the rolling stock. All melodies were produced by the company Switch and composed by . These have been in use since the opening of the
LRT line on August 26, 2023. =====
Tōbu Railway===== Departure melodies were first introduced at
Tōbu-Utsunomiya Station in 1991. Initially, they were used only at select terminal stations, but starting around 2005, standard melodies began being used at intermediate stations as well. These melodies have been gradually introduced along the
Skytree/
Isesaki Line (south of
Tatebayashi Station), the
Nikkō Line (south of
Minami-Kurihashi Station), the
Urban Park Line (all stations), and the
Tōjō Line (south of
Ogawamachi Station). In most cases, the melody is triggered by the conductor using a remote control on the Main Line (Skytree/Isesaki/Nikkō Lines), while on the Urban Park and Tōjō Lines, a button installed on the platform is used. At most stations, the speaker system for departure melodies is separate from the PA system used for station announcements.
Standard Melodies The tone of Tobu's standard melodies was changed in 2020. Currently, there are four types: • One primarily used on upbound mainline tracks • One used on downbound mainline tracks • One used on upbound secondary tracks • One used on downbound secondary tracks Before 2020, there were also two other types: • One mainly used on the upbound Tōjō Line • One primarily used on the Urban Park Line This brings the total number of standard melody types used historically to six.
Local Departure Melodies Tobu Railway also has a large variety of local melodies—over 50 are listed on the Japanese Wikipedia page. For more details, please refer to the Japanese article. For example: • At
Ikebukuro Station on the Tōjō Line, which is near the
Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, classical music is used—including
Mozart's and "
Eine kleine Nachtmusik" ("A Little Night Music"), and
Beethoven's "
Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral'". • At
Tōbu-Utsunomiya Station on the
Utsunomiya Line, the departure melody is , composed and performed by jazz saxophonist
Sadao Watanabe. This choice reflects both the fact that Watanabe is a native of
Utsunomiya and the city's efforts to promote itself as a "City of Jazz". • At
Tōbu-Dōbutsu-Kōen Station on the Skytree, Isesaki, and Nikkō Lines, the departure melody is the theme song of the nearby
Tobu Zoo. Similarly, at
Kinugawa–Onsen Station on the
Kinugawa Line, the theme song of the nearby theme park,
Tobu World Square, is used. Its short version is also played at
Tobu World Square Station, but only for the departure of certain
limited express and other select trains. • At
Kasukabe Station on the Skytree and Urban Park Lines, theme songs from the anime
Crayon Shin-chan are used, as the city of
Kasukabe is the setting of the series. =====
Seibu Railway===== Between 1994 and around 1998, approximately 50 types of melodies were used primarily at terminal stations with originating services. Today, only a few of those melodies remain in use—at stations such as
Kokubunji (
Tamako Line platforms),
Hagiyama (Platform 1),
Tamako, and
Koremasa Stations.
Musashi-Sakai Station on the
Tamagawa Line used an older melody but has since adopted an original tune. On other stations, melodies have been unified by line type and limited to six variations. Departure melodies have since been installed at stations that did not previously use them. In most cases, the melodies are played by pressing a button on a wireless microphone carried by the conductor. As a result, lines with
one-person (driver-only) train operations do not use the newer melodies. Some stations also use local melodies. As of the Japanese Wikipedia article, 22 local melodies are in use across 17 stations. For example: • At
Kami-Igusa Station, which was the nearest station to the animation studio
Sunrise (at the time of adoption), the theme song from the
Mobile Suit Gundam series is used. • On the
Sayama Line, which provides access to
Seibu Dome (Belluna Dome), home of the
Saitama Seibu Lions baseball team, support songs for the team are played at each station. =====
Tokyo Metro===== Since its inception, most lines have continued using the —a chime originally adopted during the Teito Rapid Transit Authority (TRTA) era. However, in 1991, the
Namboku Line became the first to introduce departure melodies. Later, with the opening of the
Fukutoshin Line in 2008, distinct departure melodies were introduced for each platform at each station, and now other lines have also adopted melodies. With the exception of the melodies used on the
Hibiya Line before
platform screen doors were installed, the duration of all songs is standardized to 7 seconds. ======
Namboku Line====== From the opening of its first phase on November 29, 1991, the Namboku Line adopted a shared melody (with the
Tōkyū Meguro Line,
Toei Mita Line, and
Saitama Railway) inspired by the imagery of rivers and waterfalls along the line. Originally, a chime was also played when trains arrived, but this was discontinued with the full line opening on September 26, 2000. At first, the same melody was used on both the A and B tracks, except at
Shirokane-takanawa Station, which shares a platform with the Toei Mita Line, where the melodies were reversed. All trains running on the Namboku Line were equipped with this melody as an onboard external melody. However, with the opening of
through service to the
Tōkyū Shin-Yokohama Line in 2023, these melodies were replaced with new ones composed by
Minoru Mukaiya. From March 10 to 13, 2015, the melodies were changed so that each station had its own unique departure tune (excluding
Meguro Station, which is managed by
Tōkyū).
Kōrakuen Station adopted "
Take Me Out to the Ball Game" in reference to its proximity to
Tokyo Dome baseball stadium. ======
Marunouchi Line====== Departure melodies began being used in June 2008. Initially, on-board melodies installed in trains were used, with the same melody applied to both the A and B tracks. However, at
Kōrakuen and
Myōgadani Stations, station-installed buzzers were used instead. Later, due to the introduction of
one-person train operations, Kōrakuen Station transitioned from trial use of a station melody to a boarding encouragement melody. Myōgadani Station also trialed a station melody and then temporarily stopped the boarding melody; eventually, it adopted buzzer sounds throughout the day except in early morning and late-night hours. Additionally, at major terminals such as
Shinjuku and
Ikebukuro Stations, buzzers operated by station staff are used during weekday morning rush hours. From February 1, 2012, different departure melodies were introduced at each station during weekday rush hours, excluding Myōgadani Station and the Hōnanchō Branch Line. (
Yotsuya and Ikebukuro Stations began using the melodies in March due to delayed equipment upgrades.) With the timetable revision on July 5, 2019, which included support for 6-car trains at
Hōnanchō Station, a departure chime was introduced on the Hōnanchō Branch Line (only used for 6-car trains). The names of the onboard melodies are: • A track : • B track: ======
Yūrakuchō Line /
Fukutoshin Line====== On the Fukutoshin Line (between
Kotake-mukaihara and
Shibuya Stations), departure melodies have been used since its opening. On the Yurakucho Line (between
Chikatetsu-narimasu and
Shin-Kiba Stations), melodies were gradually introduced from February 2011 to February 2014 in conjunction with the installation of
platform screen doors. In the section shared with the Fukutoshin Line between Chikatetsu-Narimasu and
Hikawadai Stations, the same melody is used.
Wakōshi Station introduced a station melody in July 2012, but reverted to a buzzer in December of the same year. Shibuya Station uses a different melody from that used for
Tōkyū's
Tōyoko Line trains. Both lines use shared onboard melodies: • A track: • B track: "Rapid" ======
Ginza Line====== Departure melodies were first introduced at
Asakusa and
Ueno Stations on October 30, 2012, followed by
Ginza and
Tameike-sannō Stations on October 31. Between June 16 and 20, 2015, melodies were expanded to stations between
Tawaramachi and
Kanda, and between July and November 2018, remaining stations adopted them. At certain stations, melodies are arrangements of songs with connections to the station or surrounding area.
Asakusa Station, for example, use the melody of , a song featuring the
Sumida River near the station, while
Ginza Station uses the melody of . At other stations, original melodies based on the local area concept are used. On March 26, 2019, onboard melodies were also introduced: • A track: • B track: ======
Tōzai Line====== Between May and June 2015, station-specific departure melodies composed and arranged by
Minoru Mukaiya were introduced (excluding
Nakano Station, which is managed by
JR East). While the melodies vary by station, they are structured so that, when played sequentially in the direction of travel, they form a single continuous composition. At
Kudanshita Station, the song by
Bakufu Slump was adopted, referencing the
Nippon Budokan nearby. At
Nihombashi Station, the
traditional folk song was chosen. Onboard melodies were added on November 26, 2018: • A track: • B track: ======
Chiyoda Line====== From June to September 2015, public submissions were accepted for suggestions on station melodies. As a result, at
Nogizaka Station, by
Nogizaka46 was selected and introduced on March 26, 2016. The version used features a piano performance by group member
Erika Ikuta. For other stations (excluding
Yoyogi-Uehara and
Kita-Senju), station-specific melodies were introduced between October 6 and 27, 2018. Onboard melodies were also implemented, with the following titles: • A track: • B track: Kita-Ayase Branch Line: • Toward Ayase: "Go Forward" • Toward Kita-Ayase: ======
Hibiya Line====== From June to September 2015, public submissions were invited for station departure melodies. As a result, at
Akihabara Station, by
AKB48 was selected and introduced on March 31, 2016. At
Ginza Station, by
Yūjirō Ishihara & was selected and introduced on April 8, 2016. On the
Shinjuku Line, melodies were introduced progressively at stations where
platform screen doors were installed starting in 2018. However, because the melody is played from the platform screen doors' speakers and not synchronized with the platform announcements, the original buzzers and announcements are still used. At
Shinjuku Station (formally under
Keiō jurisdiction), Toei's departure melody is still used—unlike the Asakusa Line where stations under other operators typically use their own sounds. On the
Mita Line, melodies began being introduced at stations (excluding
Meguro,
Shirokanedai, and
Shirokane-takanawa) starting from
Shin-takashimadaira Station on February 4, 2023. • "La candeur" ("Innocence") by
Burgmüller: Asakusa Line toward
Nishi-magome, Shinjuku Line toward
Shinjuku, Ōedo Line toward
Tochōmae, and Mita Line toward
Meguro. • "
Melodie" ("Melody") by
Schumann: Asakusa Line toward
Oshiage, Shinjuku Line toward
Motoyawata, Ōedo Line toward
Hikarigaoka, and Mita Line toward
Nishi-takashimadaira. =====
Toei Mita Line /
Tōkyū Meguro Line /
Saitama Railway===== To ensure system consistency with the
Tokyo Metro Namboku Line, the Toei Mita Line, Tōkyū Meguro Line, and Saitama Railway Line used the same departure chimes originally introduced on the Namboku Line (played via external speakers on Tōkyū trains). The Toei Mita Line began using these chimes just before the introduction of
one-person train operations in August 2000. However, at
Shirokane-Takanawa and
Shirokanedai Stations (managed by Tokyo Metro), the melodies were discontinued when the Namboku Line's melodies were updated. For all other stations (excluding
Meguro Station, managed by Tōkyū), the departure chimes were gradually replaced between February and March 2023 with standard melodies used on other Toei lines. On the Meguro Line, the departure chimes were updated starting in September 2022, and all
through services were updated by March 2023, followed by similar updates on the Saitama Railway Line. At
Urawa-misono Station, since November 2007, on days when
Urawa Red Diamonds soccer matches are held at
Saitama Stadium 2002, the team's cheer song "Keep On Rising" is used as the departure melody. =====
Tōkyū Corporation /
Yokohama Minatomirai Railway===== For the
Tōyoko Line,
Minatomirai Line,
Den-en-toshi Line, and
Ōimachi Line, departure bells are generally operated by the conductor using a remote control. On the Ōimachi Line, after the
quadruple-tracking project, an original departure bell exclusive to the Ōimachi Line is used between
Mizonokuchi and
Futako-tamagawa to distinguish it from the Den-en-toshi Line. On lines with
one-person train operations, the Meguro Line uses external train speakers to play departure melodies, while the
Ikegami Line and
Tōkyū Tamagawa Line typically use an external buzzer. Following the opening of the
Tōkyū Shin-Yokohama Line, the Tōyoko and Minatomirai Lines—which are also shifting to one-person train operations—switched to external buzzers at all stations except
Shibuya Station and
Motomachi-Chūkagai Station starting March 6, 2023. The Minatomirai Line plays different departure melodies for upbound and downbound trains at each station except
Yokohama. In the past, the Tōyoko and Minatomirai Lines also used various local-themed melodies. For example, at
Shin-Maruko and
Musashi-Kosugi Stations, the cheer song of the
Kawasaki Frontale soccer team—based at the nearby
Todoroki Athletics Stadium—was played from December 16, 2012, to March 5, 2023. =====
Odakyū Electric Railway /
Odakyū Hakone===== Starting from the third batch of the
Odakyū 2000 series, departure melodies have been installed in the
3000,
4000, and the refurbished
1000 series, as well as the Odakyū Hakone
St. Moritz,
3000 and
3100 series Allegra. Since May 2004, conductors have also been able to play these melodies through platform speakers using a
PHS device. However, it is common for the melody not to be played or for only the announcement portion to be used. Since March 26, 2016, express, commuter express, semi-express, and local services operated by
JR East's
E233 series (via
through service) may play the external melodies built into the E233 cars. On downbound trains toward
Isehara, "Water Crown" is used. On upbound trains toward stations like
Yoyogi-Uehara,
Ayase,
Abiko and
Toride (the latter two on the
Jōban Line (Local)), "Gota del Vient" ("A Drop of Wind") is used. Since March 8, 2000, Odakyū Hakone (then Hakone Tozan Railway) has used three different arranged versions of at four major stations:
Odawara,
Hakone-Yumoto,
Gōra, and
Sōunzan. Separate arrangements are also used for the
Hakone Tozan Cable Car and . =====
Sagami Railway (Sōtetsu) /
JR East===== "Kids Station" is played on Platforms 1 and 2 at
Hazawa Yokohama-Kokudai Station. =====
Tsukuba Express (
Metropolitan Intercity Railway Company)===== Melodies are used at all stations. There are generally dedicated melodies for Platform 1 and Platform 2, and where additional main lines exist, Platform 3 and Platform 4 melodies are also used. However, test runs before the line's opening used different melodies from those currently in use. =====
Rinkai Line (
Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit)===== The Rinkai Line generally uses the same melodies produced by Toyo Media Links as
JR East. At
Tokyo Teleport Station, a specially arranged version of the theme song from the
TV drama Bayside Shakedown has been used since July 2008, with full cooperation from
Fuji Television. From December 7, 2012, to February 1, 2013, the theme song from the movie
One Piece Film: Z was temporarily used. At
Ōimachi Station, until June 2021, the melody was changed during periods when musicals were being performed at the nearby and , operated by the
Shiki Theatre Company. During the runs of productions such as
Beauty and the Beast,
The Little Mermaid, and
Cats, the melodies used were based on the theme songs from each respective musical. At
Kokusai-Tenjijō Station, the station used the
advertisement song from
Zenrin's "Itsumo Navi" (
map website) from August 9 to September 30, 2012, and the advertisement song for
Nissin's "Spa Oh" (
instant spaghetti noodles) from March 13 to June 22, 2015. Starting on September 22, 2021, to commemorate the opening of the on September 26, the melody was changed to themes from
The Lion King: "
Hakuna Matata" plays on the downbound platform (toward
Ōsaki), and "
Circle of Life" on the upbound platform (toward
Shin-Kiba). =====
Tokyo Monorail===== From June 26, 2017, to March 31, 2018,
Ōi Keibajō Mae Station, adjacent to the
Tokyo City Keiba (a
horse racecourse), used the racecourse theme song "
Twinkle Twinkle 2017". =====
Hokusō Railway===== Since March 31, 2017, departure melodies have been used at
Shin-Shibamata and
Yahiro Stations. The arrangement and composition were done by of the studio Switch. At Shin-Shibamata Station, the theme song from the film series
Otoko wa Tsurai yo, set in the local area, is used. At Yahiro Station, the melody , which references the nearby traditional ferry crossing, is played. =====
Tama Toshi Monorail===== Previously, the line used approach melodies similar to those used by
JR East, but around February 2019, they were changed to
music box-style versions. =====
Yokohama Municipal Subway (
Yokohama City Transportation Bureau)===== Departure melodies were introduced on the
Blue Line in November 2007. For about a month after the introduction, the beginning parts of the melodies were missing. The
Green Line has used these melodies since its opening. From April 3, 2012, to February 1, 2022, the Blue Line's
Kannai Station, adjacent to the
Yokohama Stadium, played the
Yokohama DeNA BayStars baseball team anthem . Since July 10, 2014, the Blue Line's
Shin-Yokohama Station, adjacent to the
International Stadium Yokohama (Nissan Stadium), has played the
Yokohama F. Marinos soccer team supporter song "
We are F・Marinos". =====
Kanazawa Seaside Line (Yokohama Seaside Line)===== To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the line's opening, all stations on the Kanazawa Seaside Line changed their departure bells and approach chimes to melodies on July 1, 2014. Five songs were introduced: the
children's song , the two
traditional students' songs and , and the two songs and by
Kazumasa Oda, a native of
Kanazawa Ward in
Yokohama. Starting April 16, 2016, the promotional song was added, and on April 13, 2019, it was replaced with . Each station and platform uses a different melody. =====
Kantō Railway===== Original melodies are used at
Sanuki and
Ryūgasaki Stations on the
Ryūgasaki Line. In the past, a variant was also used at
Toride Station. "
Amaryllis" is used on the
Jōsō Line at Toride,
Moriya (on some trains),
Mitsukaidō (downbound trains only),
Shimotsuma, and
Shimodate Stations. Shimotsuma and Shimodate Stations feature slightly different endings to the melody. "
Annie Laurie" is used at Mitsukaidō Station on the Jōsō Line (some upbound trains only). =====
Jōshin Electric Railway===== At
Takasaki Station, an arranged version of
Teresa Teng's "Měijiǔ jiā Kāfēi" () plays from speakers near the ticket gates, while the First Movement of
Mozart's "
Symphony No. 40" plays from speakers near the waiting room. =====
Izukyū Corporation===== On the
Izu Kyūkō Line, since March 26, 2015, by
Sayuri Ishikawa, a song of
Mount Amagi nearby, has been used at
Kawazu Station. =====
Fuji Kyūkō (Fujikyū)===== On the
Fuji Kyūkō Line, the
traditional students' song is used at
Ōtsuki,
Mt. Fuji, and
Kawaguchiko Stations. =====
Izuhakone Railway=====
Children's song is used at
Daiyūzan Station on the
Daiyūzan Line since March 1, 2015, as the area around the station is said to be the setting for the
folklore Kintarō. "
Happy Party Train" from the anime
Love Live! Sunshine!! is used at
Mishima Station on the
Sunzu Line since December 13, 2018. This was part of a promotional effort for the theatrical release of the anime (January 4, 2019), which is set in nearby
Numazu. The movie was sponsored by the
Seibu Group which owns Izuhakone Railway. However, due to the aforementioned stance of
JR Central (a policy of not using departure melodies in order to prevent passengers from rushing to board trains), Izuhakone Railway's melody is only used for its local trains departing between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM with permission from JR Central. =====
Shinano Railway===== The same melodies used by
JR East (produced by Toyo Media Links, Gokan Kōbō, and Kanno Works) are used at
Yashiro,
Togura,
Ueda,
Komoro, and
Karuizawa Stations. =====
Ueda Electric Railway===== Since July 30, 2010,
Ueda Station on the Bessho Line has used
Tatsuro Yamashita's —the theme song from the animated film
Summer Wars, which is set in the local area—as its departure and approach melody. This was part of the event held in the same year to commemorate the real-life dates depicted in the film. The chorus is used for the departure melody, and the opening phrase is used for the approach melody. =====
Echigo Tokimeki Railway /
Ainokaze Toyama Railway===== At
Itoigawa Station, four songs with lyrics by local poet —, , , and —are used in rotation depending on the season. (On the JR
Ōito Line side, only a departure bell is used.) At
Takaoka Station, a melody featuring the
orin, a
Buddhist bell made from
Takaoka's , is used. The song title is . At
Toyama Station, since March 13, 2017, melodies from
Vivaldi's "
The Four Seasons" have been used; "Spring" for March–May, "Autumn" for September–November, and "Winter" for December–February. From June to August, the
Tyrolian folk song ("On the Alpine Pasture") is used. During the JR
Hokuriku Main Line era, an arrangement of the
Toyama folk song was used from October 1989 to February 2000. (
Kokiriko is a
traditional musical instrument made of bamboo.) However, it was unpopular among station users due to being considered "too gloomy". With the introduction of
CTC in February 2000, it was replaced by a standard melody shared across other stations with automated announcements. =====
Manyōsen===== At
Takaoka-Eki Tram Stop, the melody of
orin is played when a train arrives and departs. This arrangement differs from the one used at the Ainokaze Toyama Railway's Takaoka Station. =====
Hokuriku Railroad (Hokutetsu)===== At
Hokutetsu-Kanazawa Station on the
Asanogawa Line, the melody of the is played, while at
Uchinada Station, the is used. =====
Echizen Railway===== At
Fukui Station, a harp-based melody composed by is played. There are two versions: one for the
Katsuyama Eiheiji Line and another for the
Mikuni Awara Line. =====
Enshū Railway (Entetsu)===== At
Shin-Hamamatsu Station and
Nishi-Kajima Station, the melody "Windy Town" is used. This piece was composed by
Minoru Mukaiya in December 2021 as part of the interactive music event held in
Hamamatsu. Inspired by the wind and musical instruments of Hamamatsu, the melody is based on the trumpet sounds of the
Hamamatsu Kite Festival and incorporates the tones of piano and violin. (Hamamatsu is well known for its thriving musical instrument production industry, home to numerous musical instrument manufacturers, including
Yamaha,
Kawai,
Roland, and
Suzuki.) Mukaiya commented, "Using the trumpet melody played during the Hamamatsu Kite Festival as a motif, I created this piece by weaving in piano and string sounds—symbolic of 'the City of Instruments'—like the wind". =====
Toyohashi Railroad (Toyotetsu)===== Arrival melodies are used at both
Shin-Toyohashi Station and
Mikawa Tahara Station. Additionally, a departure melody is played at Mikawa Tahara Station. =====
Nagoya Railroad (Meitetsu) /
Nagoya Municipal Subway (
Nagoya City Transportation Bureau)===== Due to the aforementioned stance of
JR Central (a policy of not using departure melodies in order to prevent passengers from rushing to board trains), no departure melodies are installed at stations. Only departure bells (used by Meitetsu) and buzzers (used by the Subway) are used. Regarding boarding encouragement melodies, Meitetsu plays onboard melodies on all lines, including the
Seto Line. On Meitetsu trains from the
300 series onward, conductors can operate the melody. In the Nagoya Municipal Subway, except for the
Kamiiida Line, buzzers are mainly used at major stations such as terminals. However, approach melodies are assigned separately for each direction on each line. At
Kami-Otai Station, which is managed by Meitetsu, no approach melody is used; only departure bells (both onboard and station-installed) are played. =====
Kintetsu Railway===== Departure melodies are mainly used at
limited express train stops when those trains depart. However, in
Aichi and
Mie Prefectures, departure bells are used instead due to
JR Central's aforementioned strict policy enforcement—except at underground
Kintetsu Nagoya Station, and
Kashikojima Station on the
Shima Line which does not run parallel to JR lines. Unless otherwise noted, the following information is sourced from Kintetsu's official
YouTube channel. •
Keihanna Line (excluding
Nagata Station, managed by
Osaka Metro): With the opening of the
Ikoma –
Gakken Nara-Tomigaoka section, melodies were also introduced to the pre-existing former Higashi-Osaka Line segment. For trains bound for Nagata and
Cosmosquare,
Debussy's "
La Mer" ("The Sea") is played; for trains bound for Gakken Nara-Tomigaoka,
Beethoven's "
Symphony No. 6 'Pastoral'" is used. • "
Westminster Quarters", and "
Waves of the Danube" composed by
Ivanovici: Used for departures of limited express trains bound for
Osaka Namba,
Yunoyama-Onsen, and
Yamato-Saidaiji (on special occasions only) at
Kintetsu Nagoya Station (excluding
Hinotori). It has been used since the 1960s. Originally, "Westminster Quarters" and "
Annie Laurie" were used. Around the introduction of
Vista Car III in 1978, "Annie Laurie" was replaced with "Waves of the Danube". In the early days, live bell sounds and orchestral recordings on
8-track tapes were used. However, as the tapes deteriorated over time, Kintetsu switched to
PSG-generated electronic sounds in 1989. On August 10, 2016, the third version with orchestral-style arrangement was introduced. Until July 9, 2015, this combination was also used for limited express trains bound for
Tsu,
Matsusaka,
Ujiyamada,
Toba, and
Kashikojima. • by
Tsuyoshi Domoto: From March 20, 2012, to March 19, 2017, this was used for departures of limited express trains (excluding
Shimakaze and
Blue Symphony) at
Osaka Uehommachi (ground-level platforms only),
Kintetsu Nara,
Kyoto,
Kashiharajingū-mae (
Kashihara Line platforms only), and
Osaka Abenobashi Stations. Originally planned for one year, it was extended by another year due to popularity, and remained in use until March 19, 2017. The melody starts after the announcement ends, followed by the standard departure announcement and buzzer. • "
Call Me Up" by
Kana Nishino: Used from July 10, 2015, to December 26, 2016, for departures of limited express trains (excluding
Shimakaze) from Kintetsu Nagoya Station bound for Tsu, Matsusaka, Ujiyamada, Toba, and Kashikojima. • "Westminster Quarters", and "
Around the World" composed by
Victor Young: Since December 27, 2016, this melody has been used when limited express trains bound for Tsu, Matsusaka, Ujiyamada, Toba, and Kashikojima depart from Kintetsu Nagoya Station (excluding the
Shimakaze). It was also used for several years starting in autumn 2016 as the
theme song for the company's TV advertisement . • "
Water Music" composed by
Handel: Since March 20, 2017, this piece has been used at the departure of limited express trains (excluding the
Shimakaze) from Osaka Uehommachi (ground-level platforms only), Kintetsu Nara, Kyoto, Kashiharajingū-mae (Kashihara Line platforms only), and Osaka Abenobashi Stations (excluding the
Blue Symphony). The melody begins playing near the end of the announcement, and after the chime finishes, the standard departure announcement and buzzer follow before the train departs. • Exclusive Departure Melody for the
Shimakaze: For the limited express
Shimakaze, which began operation on March 21, 2013, the piece "Les Perles" ("The Pearls") from 18 Études by
Friedrich Burgmüller plays at departure from its originating stations: Kintetsu Nagoya Station, Osaka Namba Station, and Kashikojima Station (with a longer version at Kintetsu Nagoya Station than at the others). Since October 10, 2014, the
Shimakaze service from Kyoto Station has also used this melody upon departure. • Exclusive departure melody for the
Blue Symphony: For the limited express
Blue Symphony, which began operation on September 10, 2016, the second movement ("The Clock") from
Haydn's "
Symphony No. 101" is played at departure from its originating station, Osaka Abenobashi Station. • Exclusive departure melody for the
Hinotori: For the limited express
Hinotori, which began operation on March 14, 2020, the original Kintetsu piece , composed by
Yoshihisa Nishitani, is played when trains depart from their starting stations on the
Osaka -
Nagoya route: Kintetsu Nagoya and Osaka Namba Stations (with a longer version used at Kintetsu Nagoya). Since September 29, 2017, Kintetsu has published a list of its departure melodies on its official website. With the exception of discontinued tracks ("Call Me Up" and "Eni o Yuite"), samples of the melodies are available for listening via official YouTube links. =====
Keihan Electric Railway===== With the completion of ADEC () system updates, new departure melodies composed by
Minoru Mukaiya were introduced on the
Keihan Main Line,
Ōtō Line,
Uji Line, and
Katano Line starting in June 2007, and on the
Nakanoshima Line in October 2008. There are separate melodies by direction for Limited Express (including Liner), Rapid Limited Express, and general service trains. The melodies used on the Main and Ōtō Lines combine to form a single continuous composition. For the Main Line and Ōtō Line: • Rapid Limited Express melodies are used at
Yodoyabashi,
Temmabashi,
Kyōbashi,
Sanjō, and
Demachiyanagi Stations. • Limited Express melodies are also used at the above stations plus
Hirakatashi,
Kuzuha,
Chūshojima, and
Tambabashi Stations. • General service melodies are used at the above plus
Moriguchishi,
Kayashima,
Kōrien,
Yodo, and
Ryūkokudai-mae-fukakusa Stations. Melodies are only introduced at terminal stations that fulfill certain criteria: having 2 or more
island platforms and being interlocked stations.
Iwashimizu-hachimangū Station used to qualify this criterion (2 platforms and 4 tracks) and the general service melodies were used. However, its tracks were reduced to 2, and the melodies were discontinued on February 28, 2025. For Rapid Limited Express (formerly "K-Limited Express" until 2008), customized melodies were played until July 2017: • At Kyōbashi Station (
Kyoto-bound), an arrangement of by
Rieko Miura. • At Demachiyanagi Station, an arrangement of by Rieko Miura. • At other stations, standard limited express melodies were played. • At Yodo Station, a special melody based on "
The Marriage of Figaro" is used for temporary limited express departures. Stations such as
Nakanoshima,
Kisaichi,
Uji,
Hirakatashi (
Katano Line), and
Chūshojima (
Uji Line) use melodies based on the Keihan Main/Ōtō Line's themes, and even include unique melodies for special trains. Melody titles: • Upbound Rapid Limited Express: "KIRAYAKA" ("Bright") • Upbound Limited Express: "MIYABI" ("Elegant") • Upbound general: "KIRAMEKI" ("Sparkle") • Downbound Rapid Limited Express: "HANAYAKA" ("Gorgeous") • Downbound Limited Express: "GENKI" ("Lively") • Downbound general: "AKOGARE" ("Aspiration") At
Kyōbashi and
Temmabashi Stations (downbound), for non-Rapid Limited Express services, melodies vary by destination - "GENKI" for
Yodoyabashi-bound trains, "AKOGARE" for
Nakanoshima-bound trains. This distinction helps passengers identify their destination, since all train types stop at each station west of Kyōbashi. A CD titled featuring Mukaiya's compositions was released in November 2008, with a 2019 version currently available. Previously, for limited express trains, a
children's song was used, as it was about the meeting between
Minamoto no Yoshitsune (Ushiwakamaru) and
Musashibō Benkei at
Gojō Bridge in Kyoto. (Before 1995, "The Marriage of Figaro" was used.) For other trains, original melodies composed for the 1971 system debut were played, typically only at terminal stations. =====
Eizan Electric Railway (Eiden)===== At
Demachiyanagi Station, a melody is used. Previously, the
Kurama Line used a melody while the
Eizan Main Line used a buzzer, but now both lines use the same melody. =====
Keifuku Electric Railroad (Randen)===== On the Randen tram lines, since April 2008, a melody composed by has been used at
Shijō-Ōmiya,
Katabiranotsuji,
Arashiyama, and
Kitano-Hakubaichō Tram Stops. =====
Hankyū Railway===== At
Osaka-Umeda Station, each of the
Kōbe Main,
Takarazuka Main, and
Kyoto Main Lines uses a melody representing its respective destination (approx. 15 seconds long, with about 9 seconds of melody). At the time of the last train, the melody is extended until all passengers have cleared the ticket gates, sometimes playing for over a minute. From around 11:40 p.m., a background BGM—an original arrangement of "
The Third Man Theme"—plays throughout the station to notify passengers that last trains for each destination are about to depart, accompanied by an announcement. At
Jūsō Station, the melody was introduced on February 2, 2019, in conjunction with the start of
platform screen door operations on the Takarazuka Main Line platform. It was composed by of the band
Quruli. At
Takarazuka Station, from March 21, 2014, was adopted for the Takarazuka Main Line platforms to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the
Takarazuka Revue, and the theme song of
Astro Boy, a famous work by
Osamu Tezuka who had strong ties to
Takarazuka, was adopted for the
Imazu Line platforms. Both melodies are 12-second synthesizer arrangements. At
Kōsoku Kōbe and
Shinkaichi Stations, around the time of the Kōbe Main Line
timetable revision in March 2016, a shared departure melody used by
Hanshin was adopted. The sequence is: pre-departure melody → announcement → departure chime (same type used at Hanshin's major intermediate stations). =====
Nose Electric Railway (Noseden)===== From July 22, 2010, to July 31, 2024,
Kawanishi-Noseguchi Station used , a song of the
city mascot of
Kawanishi. The tone varied by platform. As of August 1, 2024, commemorating the 70th anniversary of Kawanishi's incorporation as a city, a new melody composed by
Kana Uemura has been introduced. Like the previous melody, the sound varies by platform. At
Myōkenguchi Station, the image song has been used since 2017. =====
Hanshin Electric Railway===== Melodies have been used since 1990, originally composed by and later replaced in January 2009 by compositions from
Minoru Mukaiya. Approaching melodies were also updated from Nishiura's to Mukaiya's. Pre-departure and departure melodies are used at
Osaka-Umeda,
Kōbe-Sannomiya,
Ōishi (track 4),
Mukogawa (the
Mukogawa Line platform), and
Mukogawadanchimae Stations. At
Motomachi,
Kōsoku Kōbe (from March 2016),
Shinkaichi (from the same period), and
Sakuragawa Stations, only the pre-departure melody is used. At other stations, bells (electronic tones) are manually operated via platform switches or handheld wireless mics. Before the
Hanshin Namba Line opened, the melodies were also used at former Nishi-Osaka Line platforms (track 3) at
Amagasaki and at
Nishikujō Stations. =====
Nankai Electric Railway===== On the
Nankai Semboku Line (then Semboku Rapid Railway), melodies were first used at
Izumi-Chūō and
Kōmyōike Stations upon the line's extension on April 1, 1995. From March 26, 2022, new melodies composed by
Minoru Mukaiya were introduced at track 2 of
Nakamozu and all platforms from
Fukai to Izumi-Chūō. Similar to
Keihan, these melodies form a continuous piece when connected. =====
Kyoto Municipal Subway (
Kyoto Municipal Transportation Bureau)===== Melodies are used on both the
Tōzai and
Karasuma Lines (since March 2011). They feature
traditional Kyoto sounds like
shamisen and
tsuzumi drums and were composed by Sakurai Ongaku Kōbō.
Misasagi Station has a dedicated melody for the platform toward the
Keihan Keishin Line. =====
Osaka Metro (formerly Osaka Municipal Subway)===== Except for the
Chūō and
Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Lines, six other subway lines have used melodies since around 1990. upbound lines feature ascending melodies, while downbound lines feature descending melodies. Initially, the same melody was planned for both directions, but separate melodies were later created due to difficulty distinguishing between directions when stopped. The Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line adopted a unique melody from the beginning, different from other lines, reflecting its role as an access line to the
Expo '90. By contrast, the
Imazatosuji Line, despite being a similar
linear motor metro, uses the standard melody. Originally, the Chūō Line used the common melody, but from November 13, 2024, a new melody was introduced as part of its designation as an access route for
Expo 2025. The composer is sound designer
Yoshihisa Nishitani. The
Nankō Port Town Line (New Tram) continues to use a departure bell. =====
Kita-Osaka Kyūkō Railway (Kitakyū)===== At
Minoh-kayano Station, different melodies play at the beginning of the departure announcement depending on the season - Spring: "
Frühlings Lied" ("Spring Song"), Summer: "
L'Arlésienne" ("The
Arlesian Woman"), Autumn: "
Autumn Leaves", Winter: . The last train toward
Nakamozu uses "
Auld Lang Syne". A bell or buzzer follows the announcement. Before the extension to Minoh-kayano on March 23, 2024, this setup was used at
Senri-Chūō Station. =====
Kōbe New Transit===== The
Port Island Line (Portliner) uses the same melody as that used at
Seibu Railway's
Seibu-Chichibu Station and
JR West's
Kyoto Station, with different timbres. =====
Kōbe Municipal Subway (
Kōbe Municipal Transportation Bureau)===== On the
Seishin-Yamate Line, departure melodies were gradually introduced starting in January 2020 alongside updated announcements. On the
Kaigan Line, a departure chime has been used since the line opened in July 2001. =====
Sanyō Electric Railway===== Since May 2012, melodies composed by have been introduced at several major and intermediate stations. =====
Hiroshima Rapid Transit (
Astram Line)===== After the opening of
Shin-Hakushima Station, both the approach melody and the pre-departure melody at terminus stations were updated to a second-generation version. =====
Hiroshima Electric Railway (Hiroden)===== Departure melodies are used at
Hiroshima Port,
Yokogawa Station, and
Hiroshima Station Tram Stops. At Hiroshima Port Stop, different melodies are played depending on the platform. At Hiroshima Station and Yokogawa Station Stops, the same melody is used. =====
Takamatsu-Kotohira Electric Railroad (Kotoden)===== At
Kawaramachi Station, a departure melody is used only when upbound trains bound for
Takamatsu-Chikkō Station depart from platforms 1 and 3. For other platforms or destinations, a standard electronic bell used at other stations is employed. Since March 2018,
Quruli's has been used. Before that, "
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" was used on platform 1, and "
It's a Small World" on platform 3. =====
Iyo Railway (Iyotetsu)===== At
Matsuyama City,
Takahama,
Gunchū Port, and
Yokogawara Stations, a melody titled , composed by the company's president , is used. =====
Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu)===== On the
Tenjin Ōmuta Line, departure melodies were introduced starting in 2013 at
Futsukaichi and
Chikushi Stations, as part of upgrades to
passenger information systems and automated station announcements. They were later introduced at
Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin),
Ōhashi,
Kasugabaru,
Nishitetsu Kurume,
Nishitetsu Yanagawa, and
Ōmuta Stations. For trains bound for Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin), the same melody used at intermediate stations on the
Tōbu Isesaki and
Tōjō Lines is used. For trains bound for Ōmuta or
Dazaifu, a different generic melody is employed. At some major stations not listed above, 2-tone or 4-tone chimes are used instead. At Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station, from August 11 to September 16, 2018,
Namie Amuro's song "
Hero" was used as a special departure melody. =====
Okinawa Urban Monorail (Yui Rail)===== Each station uses a different melody of traditional
Okinawan folk songs. For example, at
Asato Station, the medoly of is used. At
Shuri Station, is used. In contrast, onboard melodies are standardized across the line.
Approach melodies refers to audio signals or music used at train stations to notify passengers that a train is approaching. There are several patterns of approach melodies. For example, in western Japan, especially among
JR West and other
Kansai-based railways, different types of melodies are distinguished by function, such as , (also used for passing trains), and (played after the train has stopped). These generally fall into the following five usage types: • Played at the beginning of automated announcements. • Continues playing after the announcement until the train arrives. • Automatically starts 1–2 minutes before arrival and continues until the train arrives. • Played once before the announcement, then continues after it until arrival. • Played once simultaneously with the announcement. ====
JR Group==== =====
JR Hokkaidō===== At
Ikeda Station on the
Nemuro Main Line, melodies from
Dreams Come True— and "
Almost Home", featuring local member
Miwa Yoshida—are used during ticket gate operations. At
Ōnuma-Kōen Station on the
Hakodate Main Line, , a song set in the local area, is played as a gate melody in the form of a roughly 10-minute medley. Different chime patterns are used across stations: three-tone chimes at major stations like
Sapporo and
Hakodate, two-tone chimes within the
Sapporo area, four-tone chimes at stations like
Noboribetsu and
Tōya, and five-tone chimes at
Obihiro and
Kushiro. The
Hokkaidō Shinkansen has newly introduced its own approach melodies. At the now-defunct
Rumoi Station on the former
Rumoi Main Line, the melody was played at the ticket gates until the station's closure on March 31, 2023. =====
JR East===== Before
ATOS (Advanced Train Operation System) was introduced, the
Yamanote Line,
Keihin-Tōhoku Line, and
Chūō-Sōbu Line each had their own unique approach melodies. These are generally no longer used, but occasionally reappear during system malfunctions. For example, at
Suidōbashi Station in the early morning or late night, the old Chūō-Sōbu Line melody was temporarily reinstated to emphasize trains terminating at
Tokyo, but this was discontinued when ATOS was updated. The current ATOS melody is an arrangement of the Yamanote Line's former approach melody. In 2010, some stations on the
Sotobō Line (like
Katsuura and
Ōhara) began using the same melody as the pre-ATOS Yamanote Line. A variety of chimes are used at stations and lines not covered by ATOS. Some stations in the
Tokyo area also play melodies after approach announcements to enhance safety; since these are sourced from royalty-free music, the same tunes may be found on private railway lines. At stations such as
Kikuna and
Machida on the
Yokohama Line,
Shin-Kiba on the
Keiyō Line, and
Hino on the
Chūō Line (Rapid), these melodies were trialed. At certain stations like
Hashimoto (
Yokohama Line), etc., dedicated equipment emits melodies such as "
Mary Had a Little Lamb" in sync with LED displays, separate from standard approach announcements. At
Kitakami Station on the
Tōhoku Main Line, by Sakurai Ongaku Kōbō (also used at
Ikebukuro and
Akihabara) is played. At
Karuizawa Station on the
Hokuriku Shinkansen, by Sound Factory is used. In the
Nagano Branch, some stations play short repeated clips of "
It's a Small World" or "
Happy Birthday to You", repeated three times as the approach melody. ======
Niigata Branch====== At
Niitsu Station on the
Shin'etsu Main Line, the song plays on platform 1; steam train whistle sounds play on platforms 2 and 4; and plays on platforms 3 and 5. At
Kasashima Station (Shin'etsu Main Line) and
Ojiya Station (
Jōetsu Line), approach melodies are also used: ("Cuckoo, Cuckoo, Calls From the Forest") and (from
Echigo Tokimeki Railway) at Kasashima, and "
Maiden's Prayer" and "
Für Elise" ("For Elise") at Ojiya. At
Tsuruoka Station on the
Uetsu Main Line, the melody —once widely used as a departure melody in the
Tokyo metropolitan area—was played until September 22, 2023. At
Sakata Station, by chanson singer , who was born in
Sakata, was played until September 3, 2024. =====
JR Central===== At
Nagoya Station's conventional (non-Shinkansen) line platforms, and at stations on the
Chūō Main Line that use announcement voices by and
Keiko Sakiyama, the same approach melody used for upbound trains on the
Tōbu Skytree Line is employed. Beginning in November 2014, these melodies were introduced to the
Tōkaidō Main Line in the
Nagoya area (between
Toyohashi and
Ōgaki), and later to the
Shizuoka area in November 2017. They are also used on other JR Central lines such as the
Kansai Main Line. =====
JR West===== On the
JR Kōbe Line, the
Sanyō Main Line east of
Aioi Station, and the
Akō Line east of
Banshū-Akō Station, the original approach melody is played after the preliminary melody and train information announcement when a train is approaching. At stations such as
Kōshienguchi,
Nishi-Akashi, and
Himeji-Bessho, the melody "
Mary Had a Little Lamb" is also emitted from the approach indicator in addition to the standard sequence. At
Uozumi,
Kakogawa, and
Himeji Stations, "Mary Had a Little Lamb" and the chorus of "
Camptown Races" are played through the approach indicators. At
Sakura Shukugawa Station, the chorus of by the duo
Kobukuro was once used, but it was replaced by "Sazanami" due to the end of a promotional campaign and copyright considerations. Since March 12, 2015, the melody was further updated to a new, higher-quality version in line with other stations on the JR Kōbe Line.
Sumakaihinkōen Station once used the
children's song but it too was replaced by the revised "Sazanami" melody on July 16, 2014. This revised version was then extended on March 12, 2015, to all Kōbe Line stations, Aioi and
Kamigōri Stations on the Sanyō Main Line, and Banshū-Akō Station on the Akō Line. At
Osaka Station (on all platforms including the JR Kōbe and
JR Kyoto Lines), and throughout the
Osaka Loop,
Yamatoji,
JR Yumesaki,
Osaka Higashi,
JR Takarazuka (
Tsukaguchi –
Shin-Sanda),
JR Tōzai (except
Amagasaki), and the
Gakkentoshi Lines, a common approach melody is used. Though the base melody is the same, there are slight differences in pitch and tempo between announcements voiced by and
Keiko Sakiyama (used on Osaka Loop and Yamatoji Lines) and those voiced by
Akira Murayama and (used on JR Takarazuka, JR Tōzai, and Gakkentoshi Lines). For example, the former shortens phrases within the melody. (The revised quality version is an exception.) Additionally, separate melodies are used depending on whether the train stops or passes through. Before the full deployment of the on the Osaka Higashi Line, a unique approach melody was used. From March 12 to 13, 2015, the melody at Osaka Station and stations using the Osaka Loop/Yamatoji Line traffic management system was upgraded (except
Tennōji, which was updated earlier on February 24, 2015). Then on March 7, 2017, stations on the JR Takarazuka, JR Tōzai, and Gakkentoshi Lines followed suit. At
Kyoto Station, the same melody previously used at
Seibu Railway's
Seibu-Chichibu Station is employed as the approach melody. Since March 12, 2015, this was updated to a higher-quality version and extended to all stations on the
Biwako Line (except
Sakata and
Tamura) and all stations on the JR Kyoto Line (except
Shimamoto). As a result, since 2015, it has become rare for stations to adopt local melodies as approach melodies. Instead, these melodies are used as arrival melodies that play after the train has stopped, or they are used in conjunction with the standard melody described earlier. In the Japanese version of this Wikipedia article, 28 different local melodies are listed. For example, at
Kinosaki Onsen Station, a well-known
hot spring destination, the melody is played except during winter. In winter, the melody changes to , a song known for its lyrics about going to eat crab—fitting since
snow crab is a specialty of
Kinosaki in winter. At
Kure Station, is used because the city of
Kure is where the
battleship Yamato was constructed (at the former
Kure Naval Arsenal, now
Japan Marine United's Kure shipyard), and near the station is the
Yamato Museum, whose honorary director is
Leiji Matsumoto, director of the anime
Space Battleship Yamato. =====
JR Shikoku===== At major stations along the
Yosan Line (such as
Takamatsu,
Sakaide,
Utazu,
Marugame,
Tadotsu,
Kan'onji, and
Imabari), the melody is played (the same melody used by
JR West's
Okayama Branch). At
Kōchi Station, the theme song from the TV anime
Soreike! Anpanman—created by
Takashi Yanase from
Kami,
Kōchi—is played. (It shares the same arrangement as the onboard chime.) At
Matsuyama Station, since 2011, an arrangement of , composed by
Man Arai, has been used as part of a partnership agreement with
Matsuyama City. Since May 2015, as part of the initiative between Matsuyama City and JR Shikoku, the melody , which sets a
haiku by
Shiki Masaoka to music composed by Arai, has been adopted. At
Iyo-Saijō Station, since March 2015, an arrangement of sung by tenor
Masafumi Akikawa, who hails from
Saijō, has been played. At
Tokushima Station, since August 5, 2016, the local
Awa Dance melody has been used. "Yoshikono" refers to a traditional rhythm. At
Kotohira Station, since April 27, 2017, the
folk song , which is associated with the nearby
Kotohira-gū Shrine, has been played. =====
JR Kyūshū===== The melodies are generally categorized into two types: those paired with departure melodies under the same concept—many of which were composed by
Minoru Mukaiya—and those used only as approach melodies. The standalone approach melodies often feature local songs connected to the area. At stations like
Nishiyashiki and
Chikuzen-Daibu, a melody previously used at stations in
Yamaguchi Prefecture under
JR West's
Hiroshima Branch (such as
Ube and
Onoda Stations) is played, although it is cut off partway. In the Japanese version of the Wikipedia article, 19 different melodies are listed for JR Kyūshū. For example, at
Yōkoku Station, located near the
Sanrio theme park , "ARIGATO HUG YOU" ("Thank You, Hug You"), a
Hello Kitty song, is used. At
Bungo-Taketa Station, is played, a song inspired by the nearby ruins of
Oka Castle. This has been in use since May 14, 1951, and is considered the oldest known train melody in Japan based on available records. ====
Private railways, public operators, and
third-sector operators==== =====
Sapporo Municipal Subway (
Sapporo City Transportation Bureau)===== From February 4 to February 6, 2019, an arrangement of began to be used as the approach melody at 26 stations on the
Namboku,
Tōzai, and
Tōhō Lines. This song was the theme of the
1972 Sapporo Winter Olympics and was introduced to raise enthusiasm in Sapporo for its bid to host the
2030 Winter Olympics. However, following the suspension of the bid campaign, use of the melody was gradually discontinued between March 14 and 16, 2024. =====Hakodate City Tram (
Hakodate City Tram Department)===== Since January 2010, a prelude arrangement of has been used as the approach melody at several tram stops, including , , ,
Hakodate-Ekimae, and . =====Saitama New Urban Transit Ina Line (
New Shuttle)===== Since June 29, 2013, , performed by the brass band of
Ina Gakuen Comprehensive Upper Secondary School located along the line, has been used as the approach melody at
Ōmiya and
Tetsudō-Hakubutsukan Stations. =====
Toei Subway (
Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation)===== At
Jimbōchō Station on the
Toei Mita Line, adjacent to the famous
Jimbōchō Book Town, the
TV advertisement song has been used as the approach melody since February 21, 2025, in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the children's magazine . =====
Tōbu Railway===== Since July 24, 2015, the song by
Chisato Moritaka has been used as the approach melody at
Ashikagashi Station on the
Isesaki Line, as the station is the closest to the bridge referenced in the song. Additionally, at
Tōbu World Square Station on the
Kinugawa Line, which opened on July 22, 2017, the approach melody is a unique arrangement of by , a theme song for the adjacent
theme park. =====
Keisei Electric Railway===== Since March 1, 2019, the theme song from the anime
Captain Tsubasa has been used at
Yotsugi Station on the
Oshiage Line. On July 23, 2019, the same melody was introduced at
Keisei Tateishi Station as a limited-time melody in collaboration with
Takara Tomy. Although it was initially scheduled for one year, use of the melody was suspended in mid-October after a fatal accident involving a visually impaired person at the station, which lacked
platform screen doors. =====
Odakyū Electric Railway===== The Japanese Wikipedia article lists 15 melodies across 10 stations of Odakyū. For example, at
Soshigaya-Ōkura Station—near the headquarters of
Tsuburaya Productions—the theme of
Ultraseven is used on Platform 1, and the
Ultraman theme is used on Platform 2. At
Noborito and
Mukōgaoka-Yūen Stations, which are the nearest stations to the
Fujiko F. Fujio Museum, themes from anime based on
Fujiko F. Fujio's works (
Perman,
Doraemon, and
Kiteretsu Daihyakka) are played on each platform. =====
Keiō Corporation===== Several major stations have local melodies. The Japanese Wikipedia article lists 28 songs across 21 stations. For instance, at
Meidaimae Station, which is the nearest to
Meiji University's Izumi Campus, the is played. At
Seiseki-Sakuragaoka Station—known as the setting of the anime film
Whisper of the Heart—the station plays "
Country Road" by
Yōko Honna, the film's theme song. At stations without designated local melodies, different melodies are used for upbound and downbound trains, and also vary depending on whether the train is stopping, passing through, or running as a non-revenue train. Additionally, the pitch of the departure bells differs between platforms for each direction. =====
Keikyū Corporation===== At most stations, Keikyū uses
Mozart's ("Six dances in the
Ländler style") as the approach melody. Before this, the "
Westminster Quarters" were used. The sound source for both melodies is provided by melody ICs manufactured by
Seiko Epson. On November 18, 2005, in celebration of the 7th anniversary of the opening of Haneda Airport Station (now
Haneda Airport Terminal 1·2 Station), an original approach melody was introduced for the first time at the station. The melody was by the band
Quruli, which is also Keikyu's image song. A music box-style arrangement produced by the band's member was used. In July 2008, Keikyū held a public contest titled to solicit melodies fitting for 16 major stations. From November that year, selected melodies were sequentially introduced at the corresponding stations. For example, at
Keikyū Kawasaki Station, the famous song by
Kyū Sakamoto, who was born in
Kawasaki, is used. At
Yokohama Station, by
Ayumi Ishida—well known for depicting scenes of
Yokohama—is played. All melodies were produced by the company Switch, and the arrangements were mainly done by . However, "Akai Densha" retained the 2005 version arrangement by Shigeru Kishida himself, with handling system operation. =====
Sagami Railway (Sōtetsu)===== At
Futamatagawa Station and other stations in
Asahi Ward, jazz pieces composed by
Minoru Mukaiya were used as train approach melodies every year from July to August between 2009 and 2014. =====
Kanazawa Seaside Line (Yokohama Seaside Line)===== To commemorate its 25th anniversary, starting July 1, 2014, all station departure bells and approach chimes were replaced with melodies. =====
Ainokaze Toyama Railway===== Beginning March 13, 2017, as part of the introduction of a new
passenger information system, original arrival melodies were implemented at all stations.
Toyama and
Takaoka Stations also introduced original departure melodies. For example, at six stations including Toyama and Takaoka, the arrival melody , which was composed by
Joe Hisaishi as a hometown song for
Toyama Prefecture, is used. At Toyama Station, the departure melody is "
The Four Seasons" by
Vivaldi, which was used as background music in the film
Mt. Tsurugidake, set in the
Tateyama mountain range. =====
Manyōsen===== At
Takaoka-Eki Tram Stop, the melody of
orin (a
Buddhist bell) is played both when the tram approaches and just after departure. This melody is a different arrangement from the one used at Takaoka Station on the Ainokaze Toyama Railway. =====
Shizuoka Railway (Shizutetsu)===== At all intermediate stations except
Shin-Shizuoka and
Shin-Shimizu, original music box-style melodies are used for each platform (upbound and downbound). =====
Enshū Railway (Entetsu)===== At all stations where automated approach announcements are made (which may be on the platform only, concourse only, or both), approach melodies are used. These are the same as the departure melodies used at intermediate stations on the
Tōbu Isesaki,
Urban Park, and
Tōjō Lines. =====
Nagoya Municipal Subway (
Nagoya City Transportation Bureau)===== On October 6, 2005, the
Meijō Line and
Meikō Line began an experimental introduction of departure melodies previously used by
JR East. On March 19, 2007, original melodies were officially implemented across all lines (except the
Kamiiida Line). The melodies introduced in 2007 were original compositions by , a professor at
Nagoya City University Graduate School, designed to match the image of each subway line. Prior to the introduction of approach melodies, a two-tone chime—similar to what is still used on the Kamiiida Line today—was played. •
Higashiyama Line: Toward
Fujigaoka – , Toward
Takabata – •
Tsurumai Line: Toward
Akaike – , Toward
Kami-Otai – •
Meijō Line: Counterclockwise – , Clockwise – •
Meikō Line: Toward
Nagoyakō – , Toward
Kanayama – •
Sakura-dōri Line: Toward
Tokushige – , Toward
Taikō-dōri – =====
Hankyū Railway===== Departure melodies are used at nearly all stations on the main lines, except
Kyoto-kawaramachi Station. Different melodies are played depending on whether the train is stopping, or passing through on the upbound or downbound track. On the
Kyoto Main Line, unlike the
Kōbe Main and
Takarazuka Main Lines, the direction toward Kyoto-Kawaramachi is considered upbound, resulting in a reversal of the passage melody arrangement compared to the other lines. Previously, some stations on the main lines used a traditional three-tone chime, but all of these were phased out following the update of the automated announcement system between 2006 and 2007 (although some stations on branch lines still retain the old chimes). At some stations, an additional entry melody is played after the announcement ends. At
Kōsoku Kōbe Station and
Shinkaichi Station, which are shared with
Hanshin Electric Railway, the intro phrase of "
I've Been Working on the Railroad" (arranged by
Minoru Mukaiya) is played. =====
Hanshin Electric Railway===== At all stations except
Osaka-Umeda, Platform 2 of
Kōbe-Sannomiya, Platform 3 of
Shinkaichi, and jointly used stations managed by other operators (
Osaka-Namba and
Nishidai), the following system is in place: Before the approach announcement for arriving trains, a phrase from "
I've Been Working on the Railroad" is played. For passing trains, a short original melody is played instead. This system has been in use since 1990, and in January 2009, updated arrangements by
Minoru Mukaiya were introduced. Since March 2019, another layer was added: an additional original melody is played after the announcement. In regular operation, most stations follow this order: Arrival version of "I've Been Working on the Railroad" or original melody for passing trains → Announcement → Original melody repeated twice (regardless of arrival or passing). Hanshin has also prepared special emergency melodies used to alert passengers in case train operations might be suspended due to typhoons or other imminent events. At
Kōshien Station—nearest to
Hanshin Kōshien Stadium—the arrival melody played before announcements is specially changed during the
National High School Baseball Championship in August (since 2013) and the
National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament in late March to early April (since 2015). =====
Keihan Electric Railway===== Keihan Electric Railway (
Main Line System) introduced approach melodies in June 2007, simultaneously with the implementation of departure melodies. =====
Osaka Metro (formerly Osaka Municipal Subway)===== On the
Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line, original approach, entry, and departure melodies have been used since the line's opening in 1990. The current approach melody is based on the
pitch contours of the station names "
Kyōbashi" and "
Tsurumi-ryokuchi" when pronounced in the
Osaka dialect. The system plays the approach melody just before the train announcement, followed by the entry melody immediately after the announcement. On all other lines except the
Chūō Line and Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line, a common entry melody was introduced earlier in 1989. This differs from the melody used on the Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi Line. Typically, a 4-notes chime is played, followed by a train announcement, then an approach melody that varies depending on the direction of the train. The Chūō Line initially used the common system-wide melody, but as mentioned earlier, it was updated to an original melody on November 13, 2024. =====
Kita-Osaka Kyūkō Railway (Kitakyū)===== At all stations except
Esaka Station, the introductory phrase of "
Funiculì, Funiculà" is used. Additionally, at
Minoh-kayano Station, a phrase from "
Home! Sweet Home!" is also played during train entry. =====
Sanyō Electric Railway===== Since May 2012, original approach and passing melodies composed by have been introduced at major stations. =====
Kōbe Electric Railway (Shintetsu)===== At some stations, an arrangement of the first movement of
Mendelssohn's "
Symphony No. 4 'Italian'" is used. =====
Nishi-Nippon Railroad (Nishitetsu)===== On the
Tenjin Ōmuta Line, original approach melodies were introduced along with the previously mentioned departure melodies. The approach melodies are used at stations where the departure melody is implemented, as well as at
Yakuin Station (only for trains bound for
Ōmuta and
Dazaifu). Initially, different melodies were used on the Tenjin-Ōmuta Line and at
Futsukaichi Station (
Dazaifu Line), but later the melodies for the
Fukuoka-bound Tenjin-Ōmuta Line and Futsukaichi Station were swapped. These melodies are played only before the preliminary announcement; then, shortly before the train arrives, an entry announcement is made using voice only. =====Kumamoto City Tram (
Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau)===== At ,
Kumamoto's
traditional children's song is played. Additionally, starting March 1, 2011, as part of the campaign toward the full opening of the
Kyūshū Shinkansen, the melody composed by , has been used as a departure melody at some stops. ==See also==