Tuesday 8 April 2014

The 100th Anniversary of Tokyo Station

The 100th anniversary poster is seen in Tokyo Station yard
 
On 20th of December this year, Tokyo Station will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Series of memorial events are being organized and planned.

Tokyo station was opened on December 20th in 1914 as the central railway terminal of Japan's capital city. Since then, this station has been expanding its scale and functions. For example, the Tokaido Shinkansen tracks were constructed in the early 1960's. The underground Sobu-Yokosuka Rapid Line was completed in 1972. Currently, Tokyo Station has 30 railway tracks aboveground and underground.

Before the 100th anniversary of Tokyo Station, JR East completed the renovation work on the main building on October 1st, 2012. The red brick masonry of the Marunouchi Entrance Building has been brought back. The renovation work was started in 2007. In addition to the renovation work of the railway operation facilities, a gallery, a hotel, and an underground car park have been constructed inside. It is said that the total construction cost was 50 billion yen (500 million US dollars).

The 100th anniversary memorial movie, "Subete wa kimi ni aeta kara (It all began when I met you)" was released last December. It was composed of six omnibus love stories set in Tokyo Station. The station acted as a place for young to meet in the film. In fact, more than 1.1 million passengers per day get on and off the trains there. In addition, many passengers change trains there.

Over the century, Tokyo Station has changed from a simple terminal station to a meeting spot.

 
Night view of the Marunouchi Entrance Building in Tokyo Station