YOKOHAMA, Feb 08 (News On Japan) –
Once, the terminus of the Tokyu Toyoko Line on the Yokohama facet was Sakuragicho Station. It has been precisely 20 years because the part between Yokohama Station and Sakuragicho Station was discontinued on January 31, 2004, as a result of begin of direct operations with the Yokohama Minatomirai Line. At the identical time, the part between Higashi-Hakuraku Station and Yokohama Station was additionally moved underground.
I made a decision to take a stroll to see what has change into of the previous railway tracks. “Wow, has it already been that long?” I believed. It’s been exactly 20 years because the part between Yokohama Station and Sakuragicho Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line was discontinued in January 2024.
I used to commute to a college alongside the Toyoko Line and lived in an condo close to Tsunashima Station. Although it has been almost 30 years, I’ve many reminiscences. Once, after a ingesting occasion in Shibuya, I fell asleep on the practice and wakened at Sakuragicho Station. I fell asleep once more and did not get up till I returned to Shibuya, the place I lastly sobered up and located myself at a loss.
On January 31, 2004, the part between Yokohama Station and Sakuragicho Station was discontinued, and the part between Higashi-Hakuraku Station and Yokohama Station was moved underground, altering the panorama alongside the road utterly. I made a decision to stroll the trail once more (the present photographs have been taken in 2023).
The first place I headed to was Higashi-Hakuraku Station, the southernmost station of the Toyoko Line’s above-ground part. The uncommon place title “Hakuraku” is claimed to come back from the truth that many horse sellers (bakuro) lived on this space, which was close to Kanagawa-juku (a put up station on the Tokaido). During my scholar days, I did not pay a lot consideration, however upon researching, I discovered place names fairly attention-grabbing.
Crossing in entrance of Higashi-Hakuraku Station is Prefectural Road No. 12 (Yokohama Asao Road), the place the Yokohama City Tram’s Rokkakubashi Line as soon as ran. The tram line was discontinued in 1968, a very long time in the past. Across this highway is the doorway to the “Tokyu Flower Greenway,” which was developed utilizing the previous above-ground Toyoko Line tracks.
Stepping onto the Greenway, I discovered a little bit of a stream, giving it an oasis-like environment within the metropolis. As I walked additional, I quickly noticed the opening the place the Toyoko Line goes underground. Trains have been being swallowed into and spit out of the darkish, gaping mouth, like an entrance to a different world.
The Greenway extends straight above the underground Toyoko Line towards Yokohama. As I walked alongside, I may often hear the rumble of trains passing underground via the air flow shafts.
About 200 meters down the Greenway, I got here throughout a barely wider highway. If you are not cautious, you may miss it, however on the nook of the intersection, there is a small signboard planted within the landscaping of a condominium, modeled after a station platform signal, studying “Shin-Otacho Station Ruins.”
“Shin-Otacho” was as soon as a station title on the Toyoko Line. The signboard is weathered, making the textual content tough to learn, nevertheless it says the next about Shin-Otacho Station: “The Tokyu Toyoko Line’s Shin-Otacho Station was established on February 14, 1926, and was suspended from operation on June 1, 1945, due to damage from an air raid on May 29, 1945, and was abolished on May 31, 1946. Later, during the Japan Trade Fair held in nearby Tammachi in 1949, the old station was temporarily revived as “Expo-mae” Station from March 15 to June 15, 1949.”
After its abolition, the station was quickly revived, incomes it the nickname “phantom station.”
Continuing my stroll, I discovered sections the place rails have been embedded into the boardwalk, including to the enjoyment of a “disused line” journey.
About 300 meters from the Shin-Otacho Station ruins, earlier than reaching Tammachi Station, there is a bridge crossing National Route 1 (Yokohama Shinmichi). This bridge (Tokyu Flower Greenway Tammachi Bridge) makes use of the previous Toyoko Line railway bridge.
Passing Tammachi Station, the Takashimayama Tunnel quickly comes into view. This tunnel can be a remnant of the previous Toyoko Line. The “Tokyu Corporation 50-Year History” data the difficult development of the Takashimayama Tunnel as follows: “The Takashimayama Tunnel was, at the time, an exceptional double-track tunnel with a length of 173.72 meters in the Kanto private railway sector. Initially scheduled for completion in January of Taisho 15 (1926), it was delayed due to cracks in the tunnel’s crown near completion, but it was finally completed in time for the opening day on February 14.”
Takashimayama (in Kanagawa-ku Takashimadai) is related to Kaeimon Takashima (1832-1914), a Yokohama businessman and diviner (ancestor of “Takashima Easy Judgment”). Kaeimon made important contributions to the formation of Yokohama as a metropolis, together with establishing the Western-style college “Takashima School” and beginning a gasoline enterprise, and is also called one of many “benefactors of Yokohama.”
Kaeimon was additionally deeply concerned with the railways. During the development of Japan’s first railway between Shinbashi Station and Yokohama Station (now Sakuragicho Station), he performed an energetic position. He took on the reclamation (embankment) of the ocean from the realm close to Aoki-cho in Kanagawa-ku, which was thought-about a tough development spot known as “Sodegaura,” as much as close to the primary Yokohama Station. He directed and supervised the development from Takashimayama (then known as Otsuna Mountain).
The reclaimed land created by Kaeimon was named “Takashima-cho,” and the title nonetheless stays as we speak (comparable to in Nishi-ku, Takashima, Yokohama). At the highest of Takashimayama is Takashimayama Park, the place the “Boukindai Monument” commemorates Kaeimon. After retiring from the enterprise world, Kaeimon constructed a big villa on this hill, the place he as soon as directed the reclamation work, and it’s mentioned that he “healed his heart alone in pleasure” whereas trying on the thriving metropolis of Yokohama.
There have been three totally different Kanagawa Stations on the Toyoko Line. Beyond the Takashimayama Tunnel, there as soon as was a Kanagawa Station on the Toyoko Line. When the Toyoko Line (then the Tokyo Yokohama Electric Railway) opened between Tamagawa Station (now Tamagawa Station) and Kanagawa Station in February 1926, it was the terminus station, meant to attach with the Railway Ministry line (now JR Tokaido Line) Kanagawa Station.
Both the Toyoko Line’s Kanagawa Station and the Ministry line’s Kanagawa Station have been later abolished and not exist. I’m wondering what these stations have been like.
First, the Ministry line’s Kanagawa Station was established as an intermediate station when the railway between Shinbashi Station and Yokohama Station (now Sakuragicho Station) opened in 1872. It was positioned close to the midpoint between Aokibashi and the present Yokohama Station.
However, Yokohama Station was later relocated to Takashima-cho in 1915 (the second Yokohama Station), and after the second Yokohama Station was destroyed within the Great Kanto Earthquake of September 1923, the third Yokohama Station opened at its present location in October 1928. Due to the proximity of the third Yokohama Station, the Kanagawa Station was abolished.
The 1927 topographic map reveals that the Toyoko Line’s Kanagawa Station was initially positioned simply west of the Ministry line’s Kanagawa Station. However, when the Ministry line’s Kanagawa Station was abolished in October 1928, the Toyoko Line’s Kanagawa Station was relocated close to the exit of the Takashimayama Tunnel. Like Shin-Otacho Station, it was broken by air raids throughout the warfare, suspended operations, and was abolished in 1950.
Keikyu Corporation nonetheless has a Kanagawa Station. The origin of Keikyu’s Kanagawa Station was the Kanagawa Teisha-mae Station, established when Keihin Electric Railway (now Keikyu Corporation) prolonged to Kanagawa in 1905 (later renamed to Kanagawa Station).
The authentic Kanagawa Station was later abolished, and Aokibashi Station was renamed to Keihin Kanagawa Station after which to Kanagawa Station, persevering with to exist to at the present time.
The entrance to the Greenway on the Yokohama Station facet is a bit arduous to seek out. About 200 meters past the Takashimayama Tunnel exit, the “Tokyu Flower Greenway” ends. Even a leisurely stroll from Higashi-Hakuraku Station so far takes lower than an hour. However, many stations used to exist on this quick part: Higashi-Hakuraku Station – Shin-Otacho Station (deserted) – Tammachi Station – Kanagawa Station (deserted) – Yokohama Station.
Next, let’s go to the disused monitor between Yokohama Station, Takashima-cho Station, and Sakuragicho Station. This part has been left virtually because it was when it was discontinued, with the elevated bridge remaining, and there are plans to develop it right into a promenade utilizing the elevated bridge.
However, as a result of metropolis’s worsening monetary scenario, development has been postponed a number of occasions, and even 20 years after the discontinuation, solely a brief distance (about 140 meters) from Sakuragicho Station to the Momijizaka intersection has been opened to the general public.
What is the standing of the deliberate upkeep and opening of the remaining roughly 2 kilometers from Momijizaka to Yokohama Station? When I inquired with the Urban Transportation Division of the Yokohama City Urban Development Bureau, which is liable for the upkeep, they replied, “Upon inspecting the seismic resistance of the elevated structure, we found concrete spalling and other issues, necessitating repairs and demolition of some structures. Particularly near the former Takashima-cho Station, the structure was significantly damaged, leading to the decision to abandon its use, and demolition is currently underway in some areas. Given these circumstances, the previous plans have been reset, and a basic plan is being redeveloped from 2022 to 2024. The timing of the opening is currently undecided.”
It appears unlikely that the promenade can be opened to the general public anytime quickly, however numerous railway-related stays may be discovered alongside this part.
First, inside the premises of a condominium on the Takashima-cho intersection, the brick stays of the inspiration of the second Yokohama Station constructing are open to the general public. You may marvel if it is okay to enter because it’s on condominium property, however there is no want to fret. It’s designated as a “public open space” below Yokohama City’s city environmental design system, so you’ll be able to go to freely.
The second Yokohama Station constructing was a trendy two-story steel-framed brick construction, much like the Marunouchi Station constructing of Tokyo Station, which opened the earlier 12 months in 1914. However, it was destroyed within the Great Kanto Earthquake simply eight years after its completion in 1923. This station can be a “phantom station.”
Next, let’s cease by an attention-grabbing spot close to the midpoint between Takashima-cho and Sakuragicho, across the Sakuragicho Rokuchome intersection. Hidden within the shadows of the elevated buildings of the outdated Toyoko Line, the JR Negishi Line, and the Shuto Expressway, there is a small railroad crossing.
This crossing is for the JR Takashima Line (Tsurumi Station – Higashi-Takashima Station – Sakuragicho Station), a freight-only line, and is known as “Mitsubishi Dock Crossing.” It’s named after the principle gate of the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Yokohama Shipyard, affectionately often known as “Hama’s Dock,” which was once close by. The improvement of “Minatomirai” centered round this former shipyard website.
“Mitsubishi Dock Crossing” remains to be bustling with individuals coming and going. It’s a stunning sight to see freight trains rumbling via a small crossing within the nook of Yokohama’s constructing district, nevertheless it could be mentioned to be a typical scene of the port metropolis of Yokohama, the place freight strains connecting wharves and factories have developed.
Let’s proceed strolling to Sakuragicho Station. It could also be stunning to listen to that the realm across the east exit (seaside) of Sakuragicho Station was as soon as a big freight station known as Higashi-Yokohama Station (opened in 1915, closed in 1979). Currently, a monument commemorating Higashi-Yokohama Station stands in a nook of the plaza.
In addition, round Sakuragicho Station, there are a number of remnants that remind us of the heyday of the railways, such because the British-made “Class 110 steam locomotive (No. 110)” used on the time of the railway opening, displayed on the primary ground of the station constructing “CIAL Sakuragicho ANNEX,” the “Birthplace of the Railway” monument exterior the New South Exit (City Hall Exit), and the promenade “Kishamichi” using the stays of the freight line (generally often known as the Customs Line) that handed via the Shinko Pier, the place the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and others are positioned, and continued to the Yokohama Customs premises.
As I stroll round Sakuragicho Station, amidst the hustle and bustle of individuals, I typically really feel as if I can nonetheless hear the sound of the steam whistle of a land steamer.
Source: MDPR