A connecting track links JR’s Tohoku Main Line and Tobu’s Nikko Line within Kurihashi Station. It was installed for the March 18, 2006 timetable revision, when through-service limited expresses began running between JR Shinjuku and Tobu-Nikko or Kinugawa-Onsen. The connecting track has a small platform for crew changes only — passengers cannot board or alight.

The connecting track can only be ridden on a limited express. JR through-service limited expresses are infrequent — Spacia Nikko runs just one round trip per day. The 09:34 Spacia Nikko 1 from Shinjuku was the only option. I looked for the fastest round trip from central Tokyo. Transferring at Tochigi to Spacia X 2 gives a 15-minute turnaround — the tightest possible.

The outbound ticket was purchased on Eki-net and issued as a paper ticket (¥3,100). The return was PASMO plus Tobu-Ticket (¥2,665). Both times I was sitting in a pre-assigned seat, so there was no ticket inspection — the conductor only checked whether anyone was sitting in unsold seats.

Itinerary

09:34 - 10:50Shinjuku → Tochigi Ltd. Exp. Spacia Nikko 1 (Tobu 100 series; same route as Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Omiya / Tohoku Main Line / Kurihashi connecting track / Tobu Nikko Line)¥3,100
11:05 - 12:15Tochigi → Asakusa Ltd. Exp. Spacia X 2¥2,665

Shinjuku to Kurihashi

The train departed from the limited express platform at Shinjuku — the same one used by Narita Express. There were many foreign passengers. The train followed the same route as the Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Omiya, then headed north on the Tohoku Main Line through Kuki toward Kurihashi. I had reserved a left-side seat specifically to see the connecting track platform.

The Kurihashi Connecting Track

At Kurihashi, the train crossed from JR onto the Tobu connecting track. It made an operational stop for a crew change. The small crew-change platform came into view from the left-side window. The connecting track has an 80-meter dead section to prevent mixing of the JR and Tobu power supplies.

Wi-Fi stopped working for a while after Kurihashi. It may have been related to the switchover from JR to Tobu systems.

Turnaround at Tochigi

Arrived at Tochigi at 10:50. With only 15 minutes until Spacia X 2, there was no time for a meal — I just waited at the station. Boarded at 11:05 for Asakusa. The Spacia X interior was noticeably newer and more spacious than the 100 series. Arrived at 12:15.

Coverage Results

Completed the JR–Tobu connecting track at Kurihashi Station. For a full list of branch lines and freight lines in the Kanto area, see this article.