Shimokitazawa fights to remain hippyesque

[Taro Toporific]

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A Tokyo neighborhood fights 'progress' The New York Times: October 2, 2006, TOKYO ---With its vintage clothing stores, live music clubs and cheap noodle shops, Shimokitazawa is Tokyo's answer to Greenwich Village, an epicenter of youth culture in one of Asia's trendiest metropolises....
But a shadow has fallen straight across the heart of this pulsing neighborhood. In four years, city officials plan to start building a 27-meter- wide, or 81-foot, thoroughfare that will slice Shimokitazawa in two.
The road has set off a rare battle for preservation in a country where big construction projects have long been welcomed as progress and used to grease the wheels of politics. The fight pits boutique and bar owners, among them the first bearers of hippie culture to the neighborhood three decades ago, against city hall and older residents who resent the relative newcomers....more ...

[Blah Pete]

"They say this road will destroy the neighborhood," he said. "But we original residents see it as progress."

So, destroying the neighborhood is progress?

Moreover, many say privately that they are conflicted about a project that will also make them rich. Landowners along the road's path, who have subsisted for years on their tiny shops, now face the prospect of instant wealth as the city is expected to pay top yen for land.

Ahh, the real reason for approving the road...

[Jack]

I like the atmosphere of Shimokitazawa and its tiny izakayas. I hope they never change that place.

[gomichild]

I agree with Jack. Shimo-Kita rocks.

[Mulboyne]

Apparel company BA Co. has launched a range of new T-shirts in support of the Save the Shimokita campaign. They are on sale now through Collective Store. The campaign is opposed to the large scale redevelopment of Shimokitazawa. Current plans call for moving the Odakyu line underground and building a new road through the heart of the residential district. Cars rarely run along the central roads but there are fears that a proposed new bus terminal and taxi stand will bring substantial traffic to the area. Residents also believe that the construction of new high rise buildings will forever change the character of an area known for its vibrancy.

Gyaku has an interview with Hajme Matsumoto who is trying to protect Koenji from developers.

[Mulboyne]

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There's a new documentary called Tokyo Soda Water which features the daily lives of eight women living in the city including the likes of a nurse, musician, model, kyogen performer and, oh yes, a pole dancer. One of the women featured, Yuko Araki, quit her job of 12 years at a major music company to volunteer for the Save Shimokitazawa campaign:

The woman involved in volunteer work was participating in a campaign against the re-development of her neighborhood of Shimokitazawa, one of the centers of Tokyo's youth culture. Sensing a crisis at the prospect of seeing their cherished hometown "change," these activists created a movement that involved all generations young and old. Although the decision to "redevelop" could not be avoided in the end, they truly felt that "something" would change, that "something" tangible would remain from their participation.

[Mulboyne]

There's a new free multilingual guide to Shimokitazawa with details of around 160 shops businesses in the area. Copies are available from the local business union as well as the Metropolitan Government office in Shinjuku, Haneda airport and city tourist offices.

[pheyton]

So, Mul or anyone, have they started this project yet? I lived in Shimokita for a while and absolutely loved it. Does anyone know where the road will run? It seems to me that it will parallel the Keio line, but maybe I am confused.

I understand both sides of the arguement. I guess it depends on how the road will actually slice Shimokitazawa up. I always preferred the south side, because that is where I lived. I use to hang out at Space Shower cafe and make music, drink beer, etc. I even taught English there. Best food, the 900yen all you can eat curry joint. Man, had many a meal and meetings at that place. Good times.

Was it an elevated road?

[Mulboyne]

Here is the first artist's impression of the proposed new Shimokitazawa station building:





Here's the current exit:



An image of the interior:

[American Oyaji]

Looks like it's going to get almost as big an upgrade as Hachinohe station did. Upgrade was so grand, I didn't know how to get around anymore.

[IkemenTommy]

Shimokita always had the shitamachi feel so I hope they can somehow keep it that way. It was one ghetto in Tokyo I really liked.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Tokyo is being destroyed one neighborhood at a time.