Tourism Yoyogi trainscape: Aoyama Kaido railway crossing

[thomas]

Just like Kamakura and its "Slam Dunk crossing", which attracts thousands of overseas tourists mainly from Asia, Yoyogi's Aoyama Kaido railway crossing (青山街道踏切) has become a tourist magnet for its views of trains running along several lines, all captured in a single photograph. It is a "non-opening" (開かずの踏切) crossing due to the high frequency of trains, and a well-known spot among rail enthusiasts and photographers for capturing train activity.

Photo credit: Yamashita Shunsuke via Mainichi.

At the crossing, trains on the Saikyo Line, the Shonan-Shinjuku Line and the Rinkai Line, among other JR lines, pass by, while Yamanote Line trains run along the elevated tracks right nearby. According to Toshiyuki Kiuchi, 61, who runs a bag store in the neighborhood, the crossing gained attention via social media, and foreign visitors began to increase earlier this year. "I'd be thrilled if this sparked attention for Yoyogi," he said. He has produced and is selling T-shirts featuring an illustration of the crossing. "It's not so much about business as it is about having people remember Yoyogi," he says.

Yoyogi crossing in Tokyo draws foreign visitors for rare 'trainscape' - The Mainichi

Near Yoyogi Station in Tokyo, the

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