Yokohama Nishi Ward

Description

Onko Chishin! Trek-trek Sketch in Nishi-ward: Sagami Railway



Sagami Railway used to be called Shinchu Railway transporting gravel of Sagami River. It opened Nishi-yokohama station in 1929 (Showa 4) and Yokohama station four years later.

When I first took Sagami Railway was after the war and era of food shortage. Back then, I went to Ebina area with my mother for shopping. I remember a train only had one or two cars and platform of Nishi-yokohama station was lower than current one.

Since 1955 (Showa 30s), West Exit of Yokohama station attracted many shoppers after it transformed from stockyard to bright department store, fancy shopping venue, movie theater, stylish clothing store, cafes and beer hall popular for young people. At the time, trains had four cars and only half of the platform of Yokohama station was covered by roof. And now, trains usually have eight to ten cars and Yokohama station is located inside a building. Construction to connect the railway to Tokyo in midstream is now underway.



Title, picture and writing by Taro Suzuki (Nishi ward Cultural Association)



※This is a sketch and writing published in Yokohama Public Relation Nishi ward edition since June 2013. Please be noted that there’s a possibility that information in the article may be changed.



(Published July in 2015)