The construction started in the section from Yokohama Station to Obu Station via Shizuoka Station and in the section from Sekigahara Station to Otsu Station via Maibara Station in the mid-1880s, and in July 1889 the entire line was opened with the completion of the prototype for the current Tokaido Main Line.
明治10年代末より横浜から静岡駅を経て大府駅に至る区間と関ヶ原駅から米原駅を経て大津に至る区間が建設され、1889年（明治22年）7月に全通、これにより現在の東海道本線の原型が完成した。