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Y50 bil Ginza subway line renovation plan revealed

14 Comments

Tokyo Metro Co has announced plans to renovate all stations along the Ginza subway line over the next 10 years. The renovation is expected to cost around 50 billion yen.

The Ginza line, the oldest in Tokyo, will have been operating for 85 years on Dec 30. Tokyo Metro Co announced plans on its website to keep the much-loved station at the technological forefront by updating the platforms and ticket gates at each of its stations over the next decade.

Tokyo Metro plans to renovate each station between Asakusa and Kyobashi in sequence, excluding Nihonbashi, by fiscal 2017, in time for the line's 90th anniversary. The renovation of Nihonbashi is planned for 2018, followed by the remaining stations between Ginza and Shibuya.

Each station is going to be redesigned according to a series of conceptual areas labelled, "Downtown," "Trade," "Ginza," "Business" and "Trends." Tokyo Metro said it will hold a design contest and is welcoming ideas from the public.

Budding designers have been invited to submit their own design concepts for Kanda, Ueno and Inaricho stations. The closing date for submissions is Jan 23, 2013.

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14 Comments
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Many years ago I was in Shibuya and walked around endlessly looking for the Ginza line. The problem was that I was looking down instead of up. The Shibuya "subway" station is on the third floor of the Tokyu department store.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

“Downtown,” “Trade,” “Ginza,” “Business” and “Trends.” Tokyo Metro said it will hold a design contest and is welcoming ideas from the public.

"Trends"? It's a safe bet that at least one of the stations will follow an anime, manga, cute character or idol theme.

Since it's the oldest line, it would be great if they could redesign it to reflect an early Showa aesthetic, but maybe that's expecting too much.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Surehicho station is in the akiba area. as far as the comment on shibuya station, better if you just follow the signs instead of looking down or up, which wont help find you any trainline. historically speaking the asakusa to ueno portion was thr first section of the subway, the shibuya section was built by another company, the forerunrr to todays tokyu railways. not withstanding did you know that much of nyc subway is actually above ground?

0 ( +0 / -0 )

plasticmonkey, have you seen the newly renovated Asakusa station building? Or the new Ginza line trains? They are of the showa / retro variety.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

"...did you know that much of nyc subway is actually above ground?"

Badge: You might be right, but there aren't any subway stations on the third floor of department stores.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Splendid!

I like the Ginza line and it's retro style, plus it's a pretty useful line to get around Tokyo but it is in need of some renovation, no doubt.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I'll be sad if they destroy the character of Ginza line. Agree that a retro look would be most welcome. Keep that Ginza feeling!

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Are they going to install safety gates on the platforms? That would be nice.

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I'm glad to see I'm not the only one that likes Showa style.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

While not connected to a depato the highest "subway" station in the world is in nyc. 88feet high "subway" station.

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bicultural-- I haven't seen the new Asakusa station, but I've seen the "retro" trains. Sorry, but to me they don't capture the aesthetic feel of the era. If that's their idea of the 1920s, I'd rather they just renovate the whole line in a contemporary style.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Amazing how the idea of life-saving platform safety gates gets a thumbs-down.

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Does this by chance have anything to do with Abe getting elected and promising money for construction? just an honest question. Seems timely.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Seems like a long time to do the job, should get the Vhineese in to speed things up and while there at it the rest of the stations could do with a clean up and done better saftey. Just saying.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

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