Yui Rail, Naha City Monorail Okinawa Japan

The only train system in Okinawa Japan is located in Naha City and is known as the Yui Rail (Okinawa Urban Monorail). The monorail was opened in 2003, with the purpose of connecting Naha Airport to the rest of the city and providing a means of public transportation besides the often inefficient bus system.

The current length of the Yui Rail is 12.8km, starting at Naha Airport and ending at Shuri Castle Station with a total of 15 stations. Each monorail train has 2 cars with 65 seats and the capacity to hold 165 passengers. There are future plans to expand the monorail but none have come to light as of yet.

Riding the Yui Rail is an easy and practical way to get around Naha for sightseeing or on business. Almost everywhere else in Okinawa it is necessary to rent a car or take a taxi.
 

Stations Information

How to ride the Yui Rail

The following describes how to buy and use a regular ticket (Futsu Joshaken) on the Yui Rail, monorail in Naha City Okinawa.

Once you arrive at a monorail station, the first thing you'll need to do is buy a ticket. Find your destination on the fare table located above the ticket vending machines, this will be listed in Japanese characters (kanji) and Romanized (English) letters, it will also show the cost to that station. Put the fare (coins, bills, or card) into the ticket vending machine. Then comes the challenge, match the English station name with Japanese character (kanji) on the ticket machine. Press the button for your destination and the machine will dispense your ticket. If you need a ticket for a child make sure to press the children button before you press the destination button as children fares are less expensive. If you have any problems with this process each monorail station in Naha has staff that can help.

After you have your ticket you can proceed through the station’s gates by placing your ticket in the slot on the right side of the gate. Be sure to grab it as it comes out on the other side as you will need it to get out at your destination.

Next, head toward the platform, following the sign for the train heading the direction you need to go. You can either go North toward Shuri or South toward Naha-Kuko.

Lastly, when you arrive at your destination station exit by inserting your ticket as you go through the opposite way as you did when entering. Regular ticket will dissipear in to the slot but if you purchased an all-day pass, do not forget to pick it up on the other side. If you travel further then the ticket purchased, the gate will close and station staff will come to collect the remaining fare or you can pay the difference at the fare-adjustment window.

Operating times

- The first train starts each day at 06:00 and the last train departs at 23:30

- During rush hours 08:00 – 09:00 trains arrive at stations at 6.5 minute intervals

- The rest of the day trains arrive at station at 7.5 – 15 minute intervals

FARES

Regular Ticket (Futsu Joshaken)

The cost of fares is relative to the distance from starting station to destination station.
Distances are rounded up to the nearest 1km. Children’s fares are half of adult's fares and are rounded up to nearest 10yen.
 

 Pre-paid card (Yui card)

Pre-paid cards are a convenient way to use the monorail as you don’t have to think of the cost to each destination or take the time to use the ticket vending machines every time you go somewhere. Cards are available in 1000 yen, 3000 yen, and 5000 yen increments.

To buy a Yui Card simply put coins or bills in to a ticket vending machine and press the button showing "Card" and then the fare button. To use the card simply put it in the ticket slot when entering a gate the same way you would a ticket. Don’t forget to grab it on the other side when both entering and exiting a monorail starion.

Multi-ride Ticket (Kaisuu Joshaken)

Multi-ride tickets are another way to save a bit of money on monorail fare. These passes are good for 6 month after the date of purchase.

To buy a multi-ride ticket put coins or bills (Yui cards can’t be used) into the ticket vending machine and press the "Kaisuuken" button and then the station button.

Below is an example of the price for a 10 ride ticket.

Open ticket

If you are traveling around Naha for the day and plan on using the Yui Rail to see the sights, an open ticket might be your best option. These tickets allow for unlimited use of the monorail for one, two, or three days for a set price.

To purchase these tickets simply press the button on a ticket vending machine labeled "One day open ticket" and then the "1 day" “2 days” or “3 days” button.

If you have problems purchasing an open ticket and need to ask the station staff for help here is the Japanese names for them:

One day open ticket: "Ichinichi Joshaken"
Two days open ticket: "Futsuka Joshaken"
Three days open ticket: "Mikka Joshaken"

Monthly Pass (Teiki Joshaken)

Monthly passes can be purchased at Kencho-mae Station.
The two main types of passes are for commuter and students. The terms for passes are 1,3, and 6 months

To buy a monthly pass it is necessary to fill out an application form and submit it with payment to the office attendant at Kencho-mae station on the Naha Yui Rail Monorail train system.