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Past, Present, and Future of Tokyo Kosoku Doro
Hello. I'm Hanes, an active correspondent.
Suddenly, it's a question for you!
"There is a free highway in Chuo-ku. If you say "X or X?", Which option do you choose?
Needless to say, the Metropolitan Expressway runs through Tokyo, and I think that those who live or work in Tokyo may have used it when returning home or traveling on business.
Of course, the Metropolitan Expressway is paid, so I want to answer immediately, "The answer is x!", But please wait a minute ^
Actually, there is an expressway that can run for free!
This spring, when I was brought to Chiyoda-ku by car from my previous workplace, a tea-dyed driver who had been talking often started talking about this.
"Hales lived in Chuo-ku, didn't you? Then, do you know this?"
And without any pre-introduction, suddenly to the entrance of the highway.
At that time, I didn't know the existence of a free highway, but I thought, "How hungry a company to take me to the neighboring Minato-ku by high speed," but "I'm not so hurry to return through high speed I wonder if I'm angry if I'm charged for transportation if a high-speed toll occurs, "(laughs).
However, such a highway trip is also very fast.
There is no time to enjoy the scenery, and go to the exit around Ginza 8-chome, which is familiar with walking around the town.
I didn't understand the reason, so when I asked a question immediately, he told me with a laugh, "Some sections of Ginza can run for free-^."
If you look into it in detail immediately, the identity of the expressway is not the Metropolitan Expressway, but a short 2km road called "Tokyo Kosoku Doro (commonly known as KK Line)"!
Going back in December 1951, 23 businessmen became founders, and Tokyo Kosoku Doro Co., Ltd. was established with the aim of revitalizing Ginza and reducing traffic volume.
According to Tokyo Kosoku Doro Co., Ltd.'s website, "The operation system of reclaiming the outer moat, Shiodome and Kyobashi rivers around Ginza to construct an elevated motorway (free toll) and collecting construction costs and operating costs through building rental revenue is an innovative idea that can be said to be the pioneer of today's PFI (Private Finance Initiative), which combines the uniqueness of the road business with the real estate leasing business. (This feature was previously featured by a night train. Please take a look at it.
I was wondering that there was a free section of only 2 km, but during the post-war reconstruction, it was a road that reflected the era of Ginza, a rapidly developed town. ^
While having such a past, we introduced it on the bus of "Chuo-ku Marugoto Museum" which was accompanied on November 4, but on the 21st of last month, Mayor Yasuto Yamamoto, Chuo Ward Mayor of Tokyo Kosoku Doro greening and promenade We announced plan. (Reference: Nihon Keizai Shimbun, "Ginza High-speed, Green promenade, Chuo-ku proposes to Tokyo Metropolitan Government")
When the mayor met with Governor Koike, he said, "I hope that it will be a green promenade full of people, like a high line in New York."
(using high-line and copyright-free materials in New York)
The distance is about the same as the high line that uses the abandoned line trace, and if realized, it will become a valuable oasis in the city center, and there is no doubt that the green coverage in Chuo-ku will increase further!
So I actually ran on Tokyo Kosoku Doro with the feeling of going to see the future what kind of scenery would be enjoyed when Tokyo Kosoku Doro became promenade.♪
The course that ran this time was (outbound route) Nishi-Ginza to Shimbashi (return route) between Shimbashi and Shinkyobashi. (The photo is from the return route (when not driving).)
The entrance is not much different from the entrance of a normal highway, but the landmark is a blue sign written as "Tokyo Kosoku Doro (D8)".
It's a highway, but it's not green!
(Shimbashi Entrance)
Let's go to Tokyo Kosoku Doro!
In addition to being able to run without going through the tollgate, those who transit from the Metropolitan Expressway slow down at the tollgate once, so they started running without worrying about the normal expressway flow.
On the way to see Dai-ichi Hotel Tokyo in Shimbashi, Minato-ku in front, you can enjoy a little bit of the Ginza 8-chome building on the right side.♪
I was happy to be able to see the Shizuoka Shimbun and Shizuoka Hoso Tokyo branch office building with a unique appearance that Kenzo Tange worked on relatively close!
(For more information about this building, please see the article by Senior Correspondent Gimney ☆ Cricket.)
And if you drive a little after the curve, you will see the buildings around Sukiyabashi on the right side.
The Chirico Lounge in Tokyu Plaza Ginza, which has a ceiling height of about 27m and is a masterpiece from the ground floor, can be felt that the design is more like Edo Kiriko, probably because I saw it closer than usual, and in the line of Fujiya, I was able to take a closer look at the signboard above the building that I didn't see.
Also, when you pass this area on the outbound route (Nishi Ginza-Shimbashi), you can also see the bustling state of Harumi-dori St., which is expected to have various highlights if it evolves into a green promenade.♪
After that, as shown in the photo of the top, you can enjoy the scenery including the building of the Marronnier Gate from a higher position than usual, and the fleeting Tokyo Kosoku Doro trip ends.
The exit is easy to understand, and you don't have to worry about accidentally entering the capital city high!
Although it is called a highway, the legal speed is 40 km!
Therefore, it is also true that we were able to enjoy the scenery of about 2 km longer than we imagined on a normal highway.
I don't think there are many opportunities to drive normally, but in the future it may be a relaxing area that can be used easily by non-drivers.
I dream that such a day will come and want to walk around the town of Ginza, "I can only see it now" today.♪