Was there once a railroad in a familiar place? Nostalgia for the “abandoned railway tracks” left behind in cities “that no longer run”
Like solving a mystery
There is a sense of nostalgia at abandoned railroad tracks, as if there are no more trains running there. When you find out how and why the railroad was built there and why it disappeared, and when you actually visit, walk around, and talk to the local people, you can see the history and culture of the town. …… That’s what makes it so interesting.
Masahiro Ishikawa, who explores abandoned railway sites across Japan and introduces them on his website, “Abandoned Railroad Journeys: A Journey Along the Railroad,” says. In October, Ishikawa published his book, “Urban Abandoned Railroad Tracks: An Exploration Reader” (Kawade Shobo Shinsha).
Abandoned railway tracks exist all over Japan, but in his book, Ishikawa introduces abandoned railway tracks in urban areas. This is because, he says, “the traces that have been integrated into local lifestyles and livelihoods are appealing.
He says, “Abandoned railway tracks in rural areas will eventually return to nature. However, abandoned railway tracks in urban areas are undergoing rapid changes such as urban development, changes in logistics, and the undergrounding of railroads, leaving traces in the form of casual paths, promenades, and unnatural differences in elevation.
Even if we speak of “abandoned urban railroad tracks” in one word, the reasons why the tracks were laid, the conditions under which they were abandoned, and their current state are all different. Let us introduce some of Mr. Ishikawa’s most memorable abandoned railway tracks from his book.
The Tobu Keishi Line is called a “phantom abandoned line” even by locals.
Hikarigaoka Park, which straddles Nerima and Itabashi wards of Tokyo, is known as the site of Narimasu Airfield before the war, but after the war it was confiscated by GHQ, and “Grant Heights” was built as family quarters for American soldiers. The “Tobu Keishi Line” was a line that ran from Kami-Itabashi Station on the current Tobu Tojo Line to Grant Heights Station (the former Keishi Station) to transport supplies for the American soldiers.
It is said by locals to be a “phantom abandoned line. When I was walking along the line looking at a map, I was delighted when I found the only trace of a boundary stone (indicating the site of the railroad) that I could not find in any books or on the Internet.
The Tobu Keishi Line rails and other items are on display at the museum in the current Nerima Garrison and at the Kitamachi Community Center near Tobu Nerima Station.
The “Keisei Shirahige Line,” which was also depicted in the book “Koto Kitan
The Keisei Shirahige Line in Sumida Ward, Tokyo, was built for the purpose of Keisei Electric Railway’s expansion into the city center, but due to changing circumstances it lost its raison d’etre and was discontinued in 1936, only eight years after its opening.
As I researched the story, I learned that Nagai Kafu’s “Banto Kitan” also describes the bustling atmosphere before and immediately after the line’s closure. That is also interesting. However, I could not find any traces of it at all, and the “one trace” described in past documents was already gone.
However, at the entrance of a new welfare facility built on the site of the old Shirahige station, an information board about the station had been erected, and when we talked to the facility staff, they told us that the metal supporting the board was the actual rail used for the Keisei Shirahige line, which was found when the ground was dug out of the ground. I was so happy to see that the rail had been preserved in such a way. ……
Communicating with local residents is one of the best parts of touring abandoned railway tracks. He also learned that abandoned railway tracks have become a part of the local identity of the area.
Tokyo Metropolitan Electric Railway Line 13, which used to run by the side of today’s Golden Gai
Kabukicho in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, is known as the best entertainment district in the East, and Golden Gai is located on the outskirts of the district. The “Toden Line 13” ran between Shinjuku Station and Suitengu, including this area. Although there used to be many streetcars running on the surface of the city, only the Toden Arakawa Line is still in existence. It was closed in 1970.
The promenade named “Shiki no michi,” or Shinjuku promenade park, which runs along the side of Golden Gai, is the site of the abandoned line of Toden Line 13. Even if you are not a railroad enthusiast, many people use this path as a normal way to get around. At first, I was surprised to find the remains of an abandoned railway line in such a place. Also, the Shinjuku Municipal Cultural Center, which straddles Meiji Street, was built on the site of the former Okubo garage, and the one-way street leading gently up from there runs at a strange angle, which is also a remnant of the disused railway line.
A spectacular view of the waterfront “Tokyo Metropolitan Government Bureau of Port and Harbor dedicated lines, Toyosu each line/Harumi line
The Tokyo Bay freight line between Shiodome and Shibaura Stations was constructed after the U.S. military seized the Shibaura Pier after the war, and the Toyosu Pier was built in its place. The Toyosu Line opened in 1953, and the Harumi Line, a branch of the Toyosu Line, in 1957. However, the Toyosu Line was discontinued in 1986 and the Harumi Line in 1989, as the mainstay of freight transportation shifted from rail to truck.
The Harumi Line’s Harumi Bridge has a waterfront area, so it is scenic both day and night. It was renovated in September of this year, but before that, there was a rusted steel bridge, which made an interesting contrast with the tower condominiums built in the vicinity. After the renovation, the bridge was transformed into a promenade, and it has become a beautiful sight. I think it was a good thing that the area that was previously off-limits is now open for walking.
Only the bridge girder of the Toyosu line remains, but it seems that the bridge itself was still there until a while ago. Unfortunately, this bridge girder may also be gone. However, from the viewpoint of local residents, it may be an obstacle or an inconvenience to their daily lives.
Abandoned railway tracks are coming to terms with the times and changing rapidly. It does not necessarily mean that they will remain forever.
The “Minakata Freight Line,” which was abandoned without being used.
Construction of the “Minamikata Freight Line” began in 1967 with the aim of greatly increasing freight transport capacity in the suburbs of Nagoya. Even today, these elevated bridges dot the Nagoya area. However, due to JNR’s financial difficulties, a decrease in freight traffic, and the noise it caused to nearby residents, construction was suspended in 1975, and the project itself was frozen in 1983.
In other words, the “Southern Freight Line” is an unbuilt line (a line on which trains never actually ran) that was nearly completed but construction was halted. This is an “abandoned unbuilt line. I wonder why they would stop in the middle of the line after having built it this far. It is impressive that the elevated tracks remain in places as if they were broken up. The demolition has started, but it costs a lot of money to remove them, so it has not progressed. There are elevated structures on top of buildings, and there are even offices and stores using those elevated structures that remain.”
This is an example of an abandoned railway line that still has an overwhelming presence, even without looking for traces of it.
Ujina Line” operated on the afternoon of the day of the atomic bombing
The “Ujina Line” was opened in 1894 as a line connecting Hiroshima Station to Hiroshima Port and Ujina for the purpose of military transportation during the Sino-Japanese War. It was completed in an astonishingly fast time of only 17 days from the start of construction. Later, the line became available to general passengers and supported the development of Hiroshima. The Ujina Line played an important role in the history of Hiroshima.
On August 6, 1945, when the atomic bomb was dropped, the Ujina Line trains were hidden behind the mountains and relatively spared from radiation and blast damage. According to documents, the trains had already resumed service by midday that day. The Ujina Line train also contributed greatly to the subsequent reconstruction of Hiroshima.
After the war, when public facilities were relocated along the Ujina Line, the number of users increased. In 1972, both freight and passenger trains were discontinued. In 1972, the line was discontinued for both freight and passenger service, and although it remained in a special form with only one round-trip freight train per day, it was completely abandoned in 1986.
The Mazda Stadium, home of the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, was built on the site of the former Higashi Hiroshima Freight Station. The so-called “Carp Road,” which runs from Hiroshima Station to Mazda Stadium like a bright red wave of Carp fans, was extended using the abandoned Ujina Line. When I look into the abandoned Ujina Line, I feel as if I already know Hiroshima, as it is related to the city’s sad history, sports, and culture, and encourages the citizens of Hiroshima,” he said.
The Ujina Line kept the trains running despite the worst experience Japan has ever had in its history. And even now that the line has been closed, it still supports the citizens of Hiroshima. ……
By touring the abandoned lines, visitors can not only see the traces of the line, but also learn about the meaning, history, and culture of the area. And there are side stories that can be seen there.
I hope that you will walk along the abandoned railway tracks as I have done, and feel the joy of discovering the traces that only you can see. I want people to know that each abandoned railway track has its own side story.
The more you look into abandoned railway tracks, the more you will find. The ones I have visited so far are probably less than half of them. I don’t know if I could go around them even if it took me a lifetime. …… (laughs)”
It seems that Ishikawa’s travel rails will continue uninterrupted in the future.
