Ginza Line History 銀座線: Japan's First Subway Line Tokyo Metro.

[@brmnyc]

It's not easy to find history about the Tokyo Subway in English so I really appreciate this video!

[@JapaneseHistory]

I really enjoyed making the Ginza line and one of the main drivers for making the video was to tell the story of the Ginza line to non Japanese speakers.

[@ExpressRailfan]

​@@JapaneseHistoryAnd now to tell you the rest of the history. On December 15th, 1957, Ginza became a transfer station with the new Marnouchi Line. On December 4th, 1960, Oshiage Station became a transfer station with the new Toei Asakusa Line. On March 28th, 1961, Ueno Station became a transfer station with the new Hibiya Line. On September 14th, 1967, Nihombashi became a transfer station with the Tozai Line. On October 20th, 1972, the station at Jingumae was renamed to Omotesando, and it became a transfer station with the new Chiyoda Line. On September 21st, 1979, the Hanzomon Line ran alongside the Ginza Line between Shibuya, and Aoyama-itchome stations. On October 30th, 1997, Tameike-sanno opened as a transfer station with the new Namboku Line. On June 14th, 2008, Shibuya station became a transfer station with the new Fukutoshin Line. And finally, on December 27th, 2019, the old platforms at Shibuya station were demolished and replaced with a new island platform with an M-shaped roof. And that is what I can say to you, Mike.

[@yolandefenestro3598]

Incredibly well researched, informative, well presented and formatted... like all of your videos this was a joy to watch. Thank you so much for doing this!

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thank you so much for watching. I enjoy the research and video editing aspects, but I really get a kick out of knowing others have similar interests and enjoy what I have created. I really am just a story teller using the digital tools available. I believe these stories are worth telling and remembering.

[@yagruumbagaarn]

Love your channel. It deserves to have several orders of magnitude more viewers!

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thank you, that means a lot. I'll continue to work at it and who knows what it will be in a year or two. Time will tell.

[@Mike-mu7tk]

I agree completely. Not getting enough attention. I love the station graphics in this one.

[@JapaneseHistory]

@@Mike-mu7tk Thanks, I'm becoming more confident with graphics and artwork in general and will continue to experiment. I'm still a beginner, but got to start somewhere.

[@allste777]

Thanks for those great videos ! I just arrived in Tokyo to study transportation so it's a real pleasure to learn about the Tokyo railwail system through this channel.

[@JapaneseHistory]

Glad you enjoyed it. There must be no better place to study transport than Tokyo I would think. All the best for your studies.😀👍

[@alexmedina434]

Welcome back! Thank you for so much for your informative videos! An advanced happy new year to you!

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thanks, Alex. Happy new year to you too. Cheers.

[@DatKidJohnny]

Again, this is the best infotainment YT channel I came across about rail in Japan. Amazing work done here.

[@JapaneseHistory]

Awesome thanks. I'm working on the Yamanote Line now. It's going to be a mega episode compared to the others before it. About 30 minutes long. Should be out in 3 or 4 weeks.

[@broknfish]

This is a pretty awesome series. Great work on the Ginza Line! As an (almost daily) rider of the Marunouchi Line, I wondered why Asasaka-Mitsuke was designed the way it was, with its multi-level platforms and this makes it very clear. Totally looking forward to your next video! Happy New Year!

[@JapaneseHistory]

@broknfish, yes Asakasa-Mitsuke is unusual with its vertical layout. I guess how the two lines approach in a parallel arrangement make it possible, where as most other stations and their lines meet each other in a cross configuration making easy passenger transfer a little more difficult. I think I read somewhere they call this sort of station a touch station.

[@JapaneseHistory]

Yep a quick dash across the platform.

[@kajaymajay8233]

Can you do the History of the Toei Asakusa Line, please?

[@SebCam33]

Another awesome and well researched video. Thoroughly enjoyed watching it. I liked all the different logo presentations at the end as well.

[@JapaneseHistory]

Hi Seb. Yeah I thought all the logos in the one place would be a nice touch, considering all the companies that the Ginza line has served over its history. Happy new year.

[@taylormack]

Another terrific video! The research is quite amazing, the presentation is spectacular, and I really enjoy the "Timeslip" comparative photos. Excellent job!

[@JapaneseHistory]

Cheers Taylor Mack. Thanks for the support. Next video will be in a couple of weeks and will be a little bit different style, but a one off.

[@ejinjapan]

Hi Mike. It's a lovely video. I've just been starting a KZbin channel, but have a 'graphics' stumbling block! I have quick question. How did you do the Ginza line orange line mappy thing about the 1 minute mark. Can you show me? It's OK if you don't have time. I understand. Keep on keeping on. Ed

[@brmnyc]

Hi hope you might create videos about the history of the Marunouchi Line and the Yamanote Line!

[@JapaneseHistory]

Yes indeed. Marunouchi Line is in the data gathering phase and should be out in the next 6 months. I was Tokyo's second subway line.

[@Sacto1654]

You knew that Keito Gotō had something to do with the Ginza Line. After all, Shibuya was the heart of the massive Tokyu conglomerate, a company that built several commuter rail lines from Shibuya and developed real estate property along those new lines (and Tokyu is building a whole bunch of new skyscrapers around a totally revamped Shibuya Station area).

[@JapaneseHistory]

Yes, Keita Goto basically turned Shibuya into what it is today. The second half of the Ginza line was another one of this visions. Goto had the vision and entrepreneur skill to join property with rail turning seemingly worthless land into valuable restate.

[@Sacto1654]

@@JapaneseHistory Gotō modeled himself after another far-sighted industrialist Ichizō Kobayashi. Indeed, Kobayashi's use of the Hankyu Railway to develop properties along the rail lines in the Osaka area was exactly the model that Gotō used later.

[@electro_sykes]

@@JapaneseHistory i have ridden the entire ginza line when i was on my first ever holiday in japan. It was just months before Covid. Pretty smooth ride. I have also ridden the tube in london before.

[@JapaneseHistory]

Yes so have I it's amazing to think the Tube has been operating for over 150 years.

[@knk3220]

Hi Mike, I've watched by far 3 of your videos, and below is the comment: 1) Great graphic and illustration, while the Japanese videos has great detail, your infographics is better than what they have, partly because they use free and common resources from Niconico. 2) The Ginza Line and Marunouchi Line are running very close to the surface, and tend to closest to surface in sections between the sections because at that time tunnel was dig by human not machines. At that time 1m deeper the digging, the construction costs 10% more 3) One month after the opening of Asasaka-Mitsuke station an accident occured when a train departed from Asasaka-Mitsuke towards Shibuya station. When climbing up(33/1000 gradient) the train stalled due to over current and rolling back towards, hitting the train in Asasaka-Mitsuke and another train behind it(double collision) 4) Goto Keito was nicknamed "fierce rob" Keito(強盗慶太), partly because of a pun in Japanese Kanji Pronunciation, but also his business strategy. Hope you can keep up and make more great videos!

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thanks for the excellent information, Bobby Cheung. Yes it was very had for both the Ginza and Marunouchi Line construction. I still can't believe that they built it with only their hands and shovels. It's also the reason why the Toei Oedo Line is so deep at 43 meters because there is so many underground lines now. I didn't know about the Akasaka-Mitsuke train accident, it must of been the 100 Series cars. I love the information about Keito Goto. I would like to make a 5 minute episode about him one day. He was a very powerful business man. He built the Tokyu department store over the top of the Shibuya river and people don't know how he got approval to do it as it was illegal to build over the top of rivers back in those days. Do you know of any good sources of information on Goto Keito, both Japanese or English is fine?

[@trt7979]

These are very well done. You deserve, and I think will get, many more views/subscribers in the future. I am looking forward to the Shinjuku line upload. I know Moto-Yawata station well. Please keep them coming! Ganbare:)

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thanks for watching and your support. I really enjoy learning the history behind these stations and infrastructure that support Tokyo. Every station, every line has a story and I want to tell it and connect it to people.

[@tonamiplayman4305]

Love these videos. Amazing work. I keep coming back to re-watch all of them. Looking forward to the Marunouchi line video.

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thanks for watching Tonami Playman. I've switched to the complete Yamanote Line for the next video. It's going to be a long one. Still about a month away from being published atm.

[@businessbuilding1]

Very nicely done !

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thank you so much. Glad you enjoyed the Ginza Line.

[@bobfranklin2572]

1:24 those kanji are CRAZY

[@JapaneseHistory]

Yeah definitely hard core. I don't know if they are used today.

[@mikeshafter7785]

Nice video

[@JapaneseHistory]

The Ginza line was special.

[@Crimdog]

Always look forward to your videos! Thanks!

[@JapaneseHistory]

Anytime @Crimdog. I wish I could make them faster, but the rate is about 1 per month. 👍

[@Crimdog]

@@JapaneseHistory Quality over quantity! Anyhow thanks for putting them together, find it super fascinating

[@Astr0_Feline]

It’s First Asian country to build Subway.

[@JapaneseHistory]

Yes December 1927. But it was still more than 60 years after the London Underground.

[@muichinic1486]

Well tameike sanno can be called as kokkai gijidomae

[@JapaneseHistory]

That is a mouth full, Kokai gijidomae. Say that 10 times fast. lol

[@electro_sykes]

I don't understand why they didn't also extend it northward beyond Asakusa

[@JapaneseHistory]

That's a good point. I guess the population density of the 1920s was a lot less and it might not have been economically viable. Or maybe there was engineering challengers digging so close to the river bank. I know they had concerns with Asakusa station and tunnel section so they made it super think even by todays standards.

[@electro_sykes]

@@JapaneseHistory They could have arranged to run the Ginza line alongside the Tobu Skytree line on the bridge to Oshiage. They could have even operated through service onto the Tobu lines if that was possible. At least they addressed this issue with the Hanzoman line which Through runs with the Tobu lines. I wonder if that would have reduced crowding on the Ginza line at Asakusa?

[@electro_sykes]

@@JapaneseHistory Although, not part of the Tokyo subway, I think they should extend the JR Keiyo Line from its Underground Tokyo Terminus to Shinjuku. This would allow for Thorough running. Or they could send all Mushanio line trains through to the underground Tokyo Station and then send the Keiyo Line to Takeover the Rinkai line and operate a Through Service with the Saikyo Line.

[@Sputnik1985]

There would have been no demand for subways north of Asakusa in the 1920s. The Ginza Line and the Tobu Line are all different in terms of current collection method, rail width, and body length, so it is impossible to ride on the Ginza Line and the Tobu Line. It was difficult to change the existing facilities, and it was better to build new than that, so the Hibiya Line and Hanzomon Line were built as bypasses.

[@muichinic1486]

Why ginza line and marunouchi line in akasaka misuke is a stacked platform

[@JapaneseHistory]

It was built by a private company owned by Keita Goto. He obtained two subway licenses and had plans to build two line meeting in the middle at Akasaka Mitsuke Station. It was double stacked so people could change trains easy as the movement of people back then was in the morning people would travel from the west e.g. Shibuya and Shinjuku to the east e.g Tokyo Station.

[@JoshFieldsTokyo]

Nice job. Do you speak any Japanese? Happy to offer some pronunciation suggestions. 😊

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thanks. No not really. I know Rs are pronounced a bit different.

[@fk-vx1kt]

銀座線久々に乗ったけどほんとオシャレになったよな

[@tech83studio38]

The 1000 Series are handsome railcars.

[@JapaneseHistory]

They were indeed, have you been to the Tokyo Metro museum and seen the one on display?

[@anindrapratama]

the new trains are also classified 1000 series also

[@muichinic1486]

Now ginza line toranomon station can transfer to hibiya line

[@JapaneseHistory]

Yes there is a 350 meter pedestrian tunnel connecting the two lines. Are they considered one station or do you have to leave the ticket gates and enter again? Do you know what year the connection between Ginza and Hibiya line was made. Was it when Toranomon Hill Skyscraper was completed?

[@muichinic1486]

@@JapaneseHistory True.

[@Yamamba]

In one day, this video will be 1 year old. Edit: 1 day has now passed. It is now 1 year old.

[@JapaneseHistory]

WOW, your 100% right. The Ginza Line video was the first of the "line" series. Marunouchi Line is being made as we speak. Probably out by the end of January.

[@Yamamba]

@@JapaneseHistory Oh nice, I wanted a Maranouchi Line one, good job, keep up the good work.

[@Yamamba]

@@JapaneseHistory Happy video 1 year anniversary! Edit: I'm half an hour early. Edit 2: Ok now it's been a year

[@JapaneseHistory]

1 year old and 3129 views.

[@muichinic1486]

1st half:kyobashi station 2nd half:ginza station

[@JapaneseHistory]

Yes the joining of the two lines was a good thing for Tokyo.

[@muichinic1486]

Which is your favourite Japan metro line

[@JapaneseHistory]

That's a good question. Well I only know the Tokyo area through experience. The Ginza Line has a great story about two companies fighting it out and then joining in the middle. The Marunouchi Line has a rich history also, having started before the war then being put on hold and being completed 20 years later. If I have to choose it would be the Ginza because it was the first and the story of two companies as well it was built without modern technology. It was also built to reshape Tokyo after the 1923 earthquake.👍

[@ExpressRailfan]

​@@JapaneseHistoryThe Marnouchi Line is my favorite.

[@chahelaine9551]

Marunouchi please

[@JapaneseHistory]

No problem, Marunouchi Line is about 2 months away. Ikebukuro Station is up next.

[@malachimuhammad76]

Toei Asakusa Line, please?

[@muichinic1486]

Is not shinbashi is shimbashi careful

[@JapaneseHistory]

Noted cheers.

[@muichinic1486]

@@JapaneseHistory cheers too

[@muichinic1486]

I make my new 1000 series ginza line.

[@JapaneseHistory]

Have you travelled on the new 1000 series and been to the new M Shibuya Station. I seen the new 1000 series was made full yellow like the first one 90 years ago.

[@muichinic1486]

@@JapaneseHistory Well last year I saw a new shibuya station in ginza line was construction.

[@muichinic1486]

@@JapaneseHistory Yes but the roof is not ready

[@malachimuhammad76]

I like their yellow paint. And I wish express services would start stopping at only transfer stations, using 3 old 2000 series, and 2 old 1,000 series trains

[@malachimuhammad76]

Maybe 2 older 100 series trains in Tokyo High Speed Rail paint.

[@nosa746]

強盗慶太 innitttt

[@JapaneseHistory]

五島慶太は積極的なビジネスマンとして知られていました

[@dabisu]

Good video, but my ears bleed each time you pronounce japanese station and places names XD

[@JapaneseHistory]

Thanks for the feedback. Yeah it's been a challenge trying to get correct pronounciation. There are so many stations and names. I listen to station announcement videos to try and better it. Do you have one or two tips?