Chiba Rail Network Hit Hard by Typhoon No. 25 as Some Sections Face Months Without Service

September 25, 2026

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Summary

Typhoon No. 25 has caused major damage to railway lines across Chiba Prefecture. Several sections of the Uchibo, Narita, Sobu Main and Kururi lines are suspended, while the Kominato Railway has halted service on an affected section. Some routes may reopen within days, but the Uchibo Line between Anegasaki and Kisarazu could take at least three months to restore. Trains that are still operating are running at sharply reduced frequencies, especially during commuting hours. Limited express Sazanami services have been cancelled, and only selected Shiosai trains are operating. Replacement buses are being considered from September 28. Foreign residents and visitors should check the latest operator updates before travelling and consider telework where possible. Read the full report for route-by-route recovery estimates and alternative transport information.

Widespread railway disruption across Chiba

Typhoon No. 25 has caused extensive damage to railway lines across Chiba Prefecture, leaving several routes suspended and forcing major reductions in service on lines that remain operational. Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism released an update on September 24, 2026, detailing damage including landslides, flooded tracks and fallen trees.

The disruption is affecting both major JR East services and regional railway operators. Some sections are expected to resume operations within days, but others may require weeks or even several months of restoration work. JR East has urged passengers who can do so to use telework, reflecting the scale of the impact on commuting and regional mobility.

Suspended services and estimated recovery times

As of September 25, the following sections in Chiba were suspended: the Uchibo Line between Anegasaki and Awa-Kamogawa, the Narita Line between Sawara and Choshi, the Sobu Main Line between Enokido and Naruto, the entire affected section of the Kururi Line, and the Kominato Railway between Kazusa-Ushikyu and Kazusa-Nakano.

JR East expects the Kisarazu–Awa-Kamogawa section of the Uchibo Line to resume service on September 26. Restoration of the Kisarazu–Kururi section of the Kururi Line is expected to take about one week, while the Sawara–Choshi section of the Narita Line could require approximately two weeks. The Enokido–Naruto section of the Sobu Main Line is expected to take around one month to repair.

The most serious delay concerns the Uchibo Line between Anegasaki and Kisarazu, where four locations have been affected by soil entering the railway area. JR East estimates that restoration will take at least three months. Replacement bus services for suspended sections of the Kururi, Narita, Sobu Main and Uchibo lines are being considered from September 28 onward.

Reduced service even where trains are running

Passengers should also expect significant delays and crowding on operating sections. During morning and evening commuting periods, trains between Chiba and Anegasaki on the Uchibo Line will operate at roughly 30 percent of the normal frequency. The Chiba–Enokido section of the Sobu Main Line will run at about 60 percent, while the Narita–Abiko section of the Narita Line will operate at approximately 60 to 80 percent. Services between Narita and Sawara will run at around 80 percent of normal levels.

Express services have also been affected. All limited express Sazanami trains on the Uchibo Line have been cancelled. On the Sobu Main Line, only selected Shiosai services—trains 4, 6 and 11—are operating. Rapid services on the Joban Line have also stopped through-running directly onto the Narita Line.

What foreign residents and visitors should know

Chiba is home to major commuter communities, coastal destinations, agricultural areas and access routes toward Narita International Airport. However, the affected lines serve different parts of the prefecture, and airport access is not the same as access to every town in Chiba. Travelers should check the latest information from JR East, local railway operators and station staff before departing.

The Kominato Railway has decided to suspend all-day operations between Kazusa-Ushikyu and Kazusa-Nakano until further notice. Because local railways often provide an essential link for residents in rural areas, the disruption may have consequences beyond tourism, including commuting, school travel, medical visits and deliveries. Recovery schedules may also change depending on further inspections, weather conditions and the safety of repair sites.