Downtown Tokyo set to open its most important train station in 50 years, and now it has a name

Dec 05, 2018 | News On Japan

Dec 05, 2018 (soranews24.com) - For almost the last 50 years, there have been 29 stops on the Yamanote Line, with the most recent addition being Nishi-Nippori in 1971. The Yamanote Line station family is set to grow to an even 30 soon, though, with construction currently taking place for a new station to be slotted between the existing Shinagawa and Tamachi Stations, and planners have finally announced the name of the new stop.

Set to open in 2020, the new station will be called Takanawa Gateway (or â€œTakanawa Geetouei,â€ using the local pronunciation), referencing the stationâ€™s location in the Takanawa neighborhood, roughly 900 meters (0.56 miles) north of Shinagawa Station. Some may question the need for the English â€œGatewayâ€ flourish, but itâ€™s there to help differentiate the upcoming Yamanote stop from Shirokane-Takanawa Station on the Namboku and Mita subway lines, which has been in operation since 2000.

While Takanawa Gateway will be ready to have passengers pass through in time for the opening of the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, final construction of the facility wonâ€™t be completed until 2024.

The Takanawa Gateway name was selected by planners, who also consulted public opinion polls that included options such as â€œShin Shinagawaâ€ and â€œSpace Station.â€

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