Here is a random photo of the famed Yurakucho Crossing, one of Tokyo’s most famous intersections. It is considered a prime viewing spot for the Shinkansen, or bullet trains, as they pull out of Tokyo Station southbound heading towards Nagoya, Osaka, and points beyond. Judging from the cars in the photo — S40 Toyota Crowns, a Toyoace, and Daihatsu Midget — it was taken in the mid-1960s, probably not long after the Shinkansen began service in 1964. The round Toshiba building in the right foreground is no longer there, but the Shinkansen still uses those tracks.
I’ve ridden on Shinkansen many, many times across country (including the the “green car”). Amazing technology and wonderful way to travel. Somewhere I have this same postcard and I’ve stood at this very spot. And rode through here in both Mazdas and a Nissan Skyline…
Besides being a car guy, I am also a bit of a rail fan, well, anything that moves under it’s own power really… I have always wanted to go to Japan to take in the country and ride Shinkansen.
If you go, you can take the 7am Nozomi from Tokyo to Odawara, take a mountain tram up and then return for dinner easily (at 186 mph). If you like rail, this place is awesome!
I’m gutted – not a Subaru 360 in sight! LOL
Ha! I was just there 10 minutes ago. That theater to the right ‘s been replaced. The traffic dividers under the rails are curiously still there. If you stay in the left lane, it goes into a tunnel where guys like to nail it with open exhausts. Many of the “humps” that you encounter around town are the remnants of old canals filled in for highways and subways. At the time of this photo, some of the canals still remained. If you visit Tokyo and have the time, the rail museum is worth a visit. There’s a lot of real vintage rolling stock to crawl around in. Just study Google Maps a bit to get there. If you take this road, “Harumi Dori” in the opposite direction is the Ginza with the Nissan Showroom and further is the Tsukiji Wholesale Fish Market.
Which is the Tsujiki market by the way, will be relocated to Toyosu because of the 2020 Olympics
Even Google Street View shows a (modern) Shinkansen crossing the scene.
https://www.google.com/maps/@35.6730272,139.7626407,3a,75y,312.66h,99.21t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sqJ86VFc48Hh-X6JYRCF1aw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656?hl=en
Which is the Tsujiki market by the way, will be relocated to Toyosu because of the 2020 Olympics
Only the Wholesale distribution part (where the auction is held) is moving. The outer market where all the stores are will remain. The move isn’t exactly a part of the Olympic effort and is seen by some of the locals as a land grab, but that’s another story… “They” have been after that land long before the Olympics were awarded. Quirky fact: The tiny vendors you see on the perimeter of the outer market are actually taking up the space where a stonewall used to be before they moved the Temple grounds.
Great pic! Although pricey, the Shinkansen is one of my favorite ways to travel. Speeding along and seeing Mt. Fuji with a beer and some Jagarico in hand definitely beats the SoCal grind. It is also nice to know when you are going to be somewhere. Although, according to a post today, it looks like they are slipping “The great inconvenience we placed upon our customers was truly inexcusable,” JR West said. Apparently a train left 25 seconds early! Not sure if seppuku is still an option.
Jagarico is definitely a good snack at 320 kph.