The Minatomirai subway line opened Sunday between the Motomachi district and Yokohama Station, with the first train leaving Motomachi-China Town Station at 4:57 a.m.

The 260 billion yen, 4.1-km line links up at Yokohama Station with the Tokyu Toyoko Line that goes to Shibuya Station in Tokyo.

The minimum fare is 180 yen, and there will be some 600 runs on weekdays.

The subway is run by Yokohama Minatomirai Railway Co., a joint venture mainly set up by the Kanagawa Prefectural Government, the Yokohama Municipal Government and Tokyu Corp.

The operator expects about 137,000 passengers a day.