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"An Underground Temple: How the New Linear Maglev Station in Hashimoto Becomes a Public Attraction"

In Hashimoto Station, Sagamihara City, a monumental construction project for the new "Kanagawa Station" on the Linear Chuo Shinkansen is transforming the area. The massive structure, resembling an "underground temple," lies 30 meters below ground, featuring a spacious platform setup for high-speed trains. Though the Shinkansen's completion has faced delays, potentially pushing opening to 2034, unique events have already made the site a local attraction.

On November 9–10, the site hosted the “Sagamihara Linear Festival,” allowing the public to experience the construction site as an event venue—a rare approach in Japan. Attractions included a stage where musician Ryuichi Kawamura performed, utilizing the site's acoustics, and a projection mapping display within the tunnel area to showcase the future Shinkansen. A “Linear Square,” offering a view over the construction site, was also opened.

The project, coordinated by the Kanagawa Prefecture, Sagamihara City, and JR Tokai, aims to enrich the community as work progresses. Officials see the unutilized space as an opportunity for cultural and public engagement. Kanagawa Governor Yuji Kuroiwa emphasized using the space creatively, aiming to make Hashimoto a "must-visit" destination even before the Shinkansen’s opening.

Info based on translated Japanese News. Source: https://trafficnews.jp/post/136091/2 Accessed 2024-11-11

Construction site of the Kanagawa Station (tentative name) of the Linear Central Shinkansen Line.

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The area surrounded by a circle is to be excavated by a shield machine.

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS ... prev_arrow Accessed 2024-12-29 Asahi Shimbun.

The city of Sagamihara will host the "Sagamihara Linear Future Stage" on March 22 and 23 at the "Sagamihara Linear Plaza," located at the construction site of the new Linear Chuo Shinkansen station in Midori Ward. The event will feature performances by children and marks the conclusion of activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the city’s establishment.

Governor Yuji Kuroiwa has proposed utilizing the new station site as an entertainment hub. In November of last year, a music event was held in an underground space excavated to a depth of about 30 meters, jointly organized by Kanagawa Prefecture, Sagamihara City, and JR Tokai. Mayor Kentaro Motomura has expressed interest in organizing more city-sponsored events, with this stage event being the first of its kind.

However, due to safety and construction progress concerns discussed with JR Tokai, hosting the event in the underground space in March was deemed unfeasible. Instead, the event will take place at the Linear Plaza, an area developed using soil from the excavation. It will be held alongside a previously planned joint event that showcases next-generation mobility.

Mayor Motomura stated during a press conference on February 10 that the city would continue to collaborate with Kanagawa Prefecture and JR Tokai to explore future event opportunities. More details about the stage event will be announced soon.
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Photo and Info based on: https://nordot.app/1267220191510774612? ... 7562557440 Accessed 2025-02-25

“Just 10 Minutes to Shinagawa After the Maglev Opens”—But It Might Take Another 10 Years!?
The Push to Turn the Area Around the New Kanagawa Station into a Thriving Hub Starts Now

Massive construction is underway at Hashimoto Station to build a new station for the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line. In the midst of it all, JR Central’s innovation hub “Fantastec Lab” celebrated its one-year anniversary with a special event.


Futuristic Vehicles Gather at the New Maglev Station Construction Site

At Hashimoto Station in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, large-scale construction is progressing on the south side of the station to build a new stop on the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line. Even before the maglev launches, efforts are being made to boost the value of the area, including the March 2024 opening of JR Central’s innovation hub, “Fantastec Lab.”

To mark the first anniversary of Fantastec Lab, an event showcasing “vehicles of the future” was held at the new station’s construction site on March 22 and 23, 2025.

Hashimoto Station is already a key transit hub in northern Kanagawa, served by the JR Yokohama Line, JR Sagami Line, and the Keio Sagamihara Line. The addition of the maglev line will significantly increase its importance. The travel time from Shinagawa to the tentative "Kanagawa Station" is expected to be around 10 minutes.

The new station will be a three-level underground structure, located approximately 30 meters below ground with a maximum width of 50 meters. The station is being built using a cut-and-cover method, and the structure will extend about 680 meters in length. The vast, excavated space resembles an underground temple.

The platform layout will feature two island platforms with four tracks, allowing trains to pass through without stopping. The site previously housed Kanagawa Prefectural Aihara High School, which was relocated 1.5 km southwest to the Hashimotodai area to make room for the station.

Sagamihara City has developed an urban planning guideline specifically for the maglev station area and has launched a land readjustment project to prepare for the station's future.

“We're participating in the urban development efforts to enhance the business potential around the station and increase the overall value of the Chuo Shinkansen project,” says Toshiyuki Sakurai, Assistant Manager at JR Central’s Project Promotion Headquarters.

Kanagawa Prefecture has designated the Hashimoto area as part of the “Sagami Robotics Industry Special Zone.” Based on this, JR Central developed and operates Fantastec Lab as a base for promoting innovation and fostering business collaboration.

“After one year of operating Fantastec Lab, we realized that creating a network of engaged stakeholders is the key to driving innovation,” says Sakurai. “It’s important that people understand how the upcoming maglev launch will elevate the value of this area, including the new station, Sagamihara City, and the robotics special zone.”

One major goal is to host events—especially for children—that help companies and organizations connect with each other, using Fantastec Lab as a hub to grow the local network of supporters around the maglev station.

Driverless Vehicles Cruise Through “Maglev Plaza” Built from Excavated Soil

On March 22, JR Central, Taisei Corporation, and Sagamihara City jointly announced the development of a new environmentally friendly concrete for road use—part of a collaborative initiative based at Fantastec Lab.

The Chuo Shinkansen was originally set to open in 2027, but due to environmental concerns—such as reduced water flow in the Oi River—Shizuoka Prefecture has not approved construction of the Southern Alps tunnel. As a result, the line’s opening is now expected to be delayed until at least 2034.

This delay means the area in front of Hashimoto Station could remain underused for nearly a decade. In response, the prefecture, city, and JR Central have been working together from an early stage to develop a collaborative approach to revitalizing the area.

One such initiative is the “Sagamihara Maglev Festa,” scheduled for November 2024, which will be held at the construction site. It will even feature a live performance by musician Ryuichi Kawamura inside the massive underground space—nicknamed the “underground temple.” The idea is to make the maglev station a destination even before it opens.

At the Fantastec Lab anniversary event, the “Maglev Plaza”—a hill built from construction soil—was opened to the public.

There, visitors could test ride autonomous mini shuttles, camper vans like the “Villatour,” mountain bikes, and even try drone piloting in a kid-friendly setup. Watching futuristic self-driving vehicles zip around a mound of leftover soil in the heart of a construction zone was a rare and surreal sight—offering a sneak peek of the future, long before the maglev begins operation.

Info based on: https://trafficnews.jp/post/532459 Accessed 2025-03-25

Maglev Construction Site in Sagamihara Opens to Public as Equipment for Tunnel Boring Machine Arrives
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Photo: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202506 ... 21000.html June 5, 2025

At the future site of the Chuo Shinkansen’s new station in Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, the delivery of components for assembling a tunnel boring machine (TBM) has begun. The scene was opened to the press and the public.

Construction is progressing across various locations along the planned maglev route between Shinagawa and Nagoya. In Sagamihara, the new station is being built just south of Hashimoto Station.

The station will be located 30 meters underground, stretching approximately 680 meters in length and up to 50 meters wide, with two platforms and four tracks.

On June 5, two large cranes were used to lower the TBM parts underground, and the starting point for tunnel excavation was shown to visitors.

Around 170 local elementary school students were also invited to observe the construction up close.

JR Central plans to complete TBM assembly within the fiscal year and begin tunnel excavation in the direction of Nagoya, following coordination with nearby residents.

Info based on Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202506 ... 21000.html June 5, 2025