The Tobu Limited Express Skytree Liner for Tokyo Skytree and Kasukabe

The Skytree Liner is a limited express service that runs between Tobu Asakusa Station in Tokyo and Kasukabe Station in Saitama Prefecture. The Skytree Liner is one of the #500 series fleet of “Revaty” trains that were introduced by Tobu Railway in April 2017.

At Tobu Asakusa Station the Skytree Liner departs from platforms 3 and 4. There is an information desk at the entrance to these limited express platforms where you should show your ticket before boarding. As Tobu Railway is a private company the Skytree Liner service is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass.

Key Destinations

The Skytree Liner stops at the following stations. Only outbound trains running from Asakusa to Kasukabe stop at Sengendai Station.

Tobu Asakusa – Tokyo Skytree – Kita-Senju – (Sengendai) – Kasukabe

The key destinations with rail fares (including limited express surcharges) and example train times are given below.

Tokyo Skytree Station

Exit here for the famous Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower at 634 meters high. The Skytree is both a broadcasting tower and a major tourist destination with plenty of shopping and dining facilities, and upper level observation decks.

Kita-Senju Station

Transfer here to the JR Joban Line, the Tsukuba Express, and Tokyo Metro’s Chiyoda and Hibiya lines.

Kasukabe Station

The city of Kasukabe in Saitama Prefecture is chiefly famous as the setting of the Crayon Shinchan series of manga comics and anime cartoons. Fans of Crayon Shinchan can find a game center dedicated to their hero on the top floor of the Lala Garden shopping center which is just 7 minutes’ walk from Kasukabe Station.

Kasukabe Local History Museum is also just a 10 minute walk from Kasukabe Station. The RyuQkan museum is a 15 minute drive from the station and offers free tours of the “G-Cans Project” which is the world’s biggest underground drainage facility. Tours are only available in Japanese, so you will need to bring an interpreter.

Fuji Dori Street runs south from Kasukabe Station to Onuma Park and is famous for its 1.1 km long wisteria trellis which blooms every spring. A Wisteria Festival is held here every April with parades and performances of music and dance.

Timetables

On weekends and holidays there are five services running from Tobu Asakusa, but on weekdays there are just three. Service numbers #7 and #9 do not run on weekdays and are replaced by Urban Park Liner services which stop at a greater number of stations.

Services	Tobu Asakusa	Tokyo Skytree	Kita-Senju	Sengendai	Kasukabe
Skytree Liner #1	17.30	17.33	17.43	18.00	18.06
Skytree Liner #3	18.30	18.33	18.43	19.00	19.06
Skytree Liner #5	19.30	19.33	19.43	20.00	20.06
Skytree Liner #7 (weekends and holidays only)	20.30	20.33	20.43	21.00	21.06
Skytree Liner #9 (weekends and holidays only)	21.30	21.33	21.43	22.00	22.06

There are just two Skytree Liner services running from Kasukabe Station to Tobu Asakusa Station. These services are the same on weekdays and weekends. Full timetables for Tobu Limited Express services can be downloaded from the Tobu Railway website.

Services	Kasukabe	Kita-Senju	Tokyo Skytree	Tobu Asakusa
Skytree Liner #2	5.36	5.57	6.05	6.10
Skytree Liner #4	6.08	6.31	6.39	6.43

On Board Facilities

The Skytree Liner, in common with other Revaty series trains, is notable for its sleek design, and comfortable seating. This train has a free Wi-Fi internet service and electrical power outlets at each seat. This train also has spaces for wheelchairs and universal access toilets. Food and drink are not sold on board the train so it is recommended that passengers buy their provisions at the station before boarding. All cars on the Skytree Liner are completely non-smoking.

Buying Tickets

Limited express trains require seat reservations, so you will have to pay a limited express surcharge as well as paying for your train ticket. You can buy limited express tickets from automated machines on the 1st and 2nd floor of Tobu Asakusa Station, or you can buy them from the ticket office on the 1st floor.

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.