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Plans to transform Shinagawa into a mega metropolitan hub

The transportation network in central Tokyo has been called the best in the world in terms of accuracy, safety and comprehensiveness. MaaS (Mobility-as-a-Service) is a concept to further evolve this advantage. MaaS is a system that combines various means of transportation to provide optimal transportation services to the destination. The government and developers are accelerating their efforts.
One of the most notable concepts is the "Next-generation transportation terminal planned for the west exit of Shinagawa Station. It is a plan to build an artificial ground above National Route 15 at the west exit of Shinagawa Station to build a terminal for next-generation mobility such as automated driving (completion date and other details are yet to be determined). Shinagawa is close to Haneda Airport and is scheduled to become a departure and arrival station for the Linear Central Shinkansen, and if MaaS is introduced, it is expected to further increase its presence as a gateway to Japan and abroad. Next to the station, Takanawa Gateway Station opened last year, and development is scheduled to continue toward the opening of the city. The surrounding area is expected to grow.

Summary/Translation of
品川が重要なハブ駅に！メガ首都圏の拠点に進化予定
https://prtimes.jp/main/html/rd/p/00000 ... 11414.html
Accessed: 2021-04-06

Shinagawa remodeling, involving wider walkways (first image) and more platforms, in advance of the maglev line opening in ~2030

In the diagram, only the bottom walkway + bottom grey zone + orange zone exist.
Green = new plazas.

: 2021-05-17 Shinagawa

Source: via twitter https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E1mURicVgAE ... name=large
Accessed: 2021-05-17

: 2021-05-17 Shinagawa 2

Source: via twitter https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E1mURicVgAE ... name=large
Accessed: 2021-05-17

Source: queaugie @kojistweets
https://twitter.com/kojistweets/status/ ... 26118?s=20
Accessed: 2021-05-17

Housmart has conducted a survey of condominiums located within a 10-minute walk of all stations on the JR Yamanote Line to determine the rate of price increase per square meter in December 2021 compared to December 2019. The target condominiums are within a 10-minute walk of each target station, 40-80 square meters in size, and built in 2002 or later.

The Takanawa Gateway Station opened on March 14, 2020 as part of Global Gateway Shinagawa, JR East's urban development plan for the area north of Shinagawa Station, which aims to create a town that will become a hub for international exchange. Redevelopment of the surrounding area is still underway, and with the opening of the Linear Central Shinkansen in 2027, prices are likely to continue to rise.

The top three stations all had one thing in common: they were all in redevelopment areas. Not only do redevelopment areas attract a lot of attention, but they also have new commercial facilities, parks, and sidewalks, making life more convenient, and as a result, property values may tend to increase.

Info based on Japanese Media reports: https://news.biglobe.ne.jp/domestic/011 ... 09241.html Accessed 2022-01-16

: 2022-08-18_Shinagawa_Station; rwzkrkrzsaskr.JPG (141.11 KiB) Viewed 21830 times

Image of the pedestrian deck. Top is toward Takanawa Gateway Station = Courtesy of Tokyo National Highway Office.
Source: Asahi Shimbun: https://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S15389580.html Accessed: 2022-08-18

　A large-scale redevelopment project is underway in the area around Shinagawa Station (Minato Ward, Tokyo), the new "gateway to the capital," in preparation for the opening of the Linear Central Shinkansen Line. The project includes the construction of a skyscraper complex that will house an international conference center and a vast pedestrian deck, and together with the development of the adjacent Takanawa Gateway Station, aims to create a next-generation international hub.

Source: Asahi Shimbun: https://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S15389580.html Accessed: 2022-08-18

Big is the operative word for Shinagawa redevelopment

By TAKASHI OGAWA/ Staff Writer

Massive redevelopment projects are accelerating around Tokyo’s sprawling Shinagawa Station with the planned opening of the ultrafast maglev Chuo Shinkansen Line that will connect Tokyo and other regions.

The area will soon boast a huge pedestrian deck and high-rise business complex housing an international conference hall and numerous other facilities as the neighborhood in Minato Ward is expected to serve as a new key “gateway to the capital.”

[...]

Just in front of the Takanawa Exit of Shinagawa Station, through which tens of thousands of commuters and others pass each day, a 29-story, tarp-covered complex called Shinagawa Goos is in the process of being torn down.

[...]

Covering an area of 25,000 square meters, the former site of Shinagawa Goos is set to accommodate a 160-meter-tall high-rise that will boast offices and a hotel as well as an international conference hall and other facilities.

Projected development costs are estimated at more than 100 billion yen ($740 million). [...]

A 300-meter-long pedestrian deck is envisaged across National Road No. 15 to connect the building with the Shinagawa Station complex. The 20,000-square-meter deck will have an open space and what is being touted as a next-generation traffic base for two-wheel, standing-type electric scooters and self-driving buses to ferry people around, according to the transport ministry’s Tokyo national road office.

The bulk of the project work is scheduled for completion between fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2027 in time for the projected start of operations of the Shinagawa-Nagoya route along the maglev Chuo Shinkansen Line.

[...]

Plans calls for the deck to reach Takanawa Gateway Station located 1 kilometer north of Shinagawa Station. In the meantime, East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) is forging ahead with an extensive development around Takanawa Gateway Station. The prime location, easily accessible from Haneda Airport, will be transformed by five tall buildings boasting international conference hall facilities, pricey apartments for foreign nationals and an international school. Projected costs were put at 580 billion yen. The commercial complex is due to open in fiscal 2025.

A rail yard previously occupied the 95,000-square-meter site. The development is said to be the largest of its kind since the 1987 privatization of the Japanese National Railways to establish Japan Railway companies to service different regions of Japan.

Yuji Fukasawa, president of JR East, said the company is looking to reap profits via non-transit services, as its transportation revenue is predicted to drop dramatically due to a shrinking population, coupled with a ridership decline due to the COVID19 pandemic.

“Until now we focused on providing support for the lives of local communities mainly through rail services, but from now on we will take on challenges to create a futuristic life vision for our customers,” Fukasawa said.

[...]

For the time being, though, an archaeological dig is holding up development work following the discovery of crumbling ruins of the Takanawa Embankment for a railway dating to the Meiji Era (1868-1912). The site was unearthed in 2019.

Source: https://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/14697904 Accessed 2022-09-01

　On December 9 and 10, JR Tokai will hold a briefing session for local residents at the Ebara No.4 Community Center in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo, to explain the results of the survey conducted in Shinagawa Ward to investigate the effects of the construction of the Linear Central Shinkansen tunnel at a depth of over 40 meters below ground. The briefing will be held at the EBARA No. 4 Regional Center in Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo. The briefing will be held at two other locations in Shinagawa Ward, as well as in Ota and Setagaya Wards.

　Since the construction of the deep underground tunnel for the Tokyo Outer Ring Road (Outer Ring Road) caused a cave-in in a residential area in Chofu City, the company has positioned the excavation of 300 meters southwest of the Kitashinagawa emergency exit as an "investigation excavation," and since October last year has been investigating the impact on the ground and the ground surface, and whether the condition of the excavated soil can be accurately determined. The investigative excavation was halted after 50 meters due to a breakdown of the shield machine (excavator), and the status of repairs will also be explained.

　The briefing sessions will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on both days. The briefing will be held in an "open house" style, where visitors can look at panels, models, and videos explaining the outline of the construction, and ask questions to the employees.

Info based on: https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/210397 Accessed 27-10-2022

JR Tokai offers tours of Shinagawa Linear Station to local residents

On November 4, JR Tokai opened a construction site tour for residents near the future terminal of the Chuo Shinkansen linear train at Shinagawa Station, Tokyo. This station will serve as the starting point for the new high-speed line. The tour, which included 43 local residents over three days, featured augmented reality (AR) experiences, allowing participants to view videos of the linear train's operation on tablet devices.

The train is designed to run approximately 40 meters underground, with excavation currently reaching about 13 meters. This construction phase has seen modifications, such as the replacement of rail supports with steel girders, enabling attendees to observe the existing Tōkaidō Shinkansen trains departing and arriving just above them.

Yoshiyuki Arai, deputy head of the Yatsuyama neighborhood association, expressed excitement about the long-term developments tied to the station's opening, noting, “The journey is still long, but I look forward to the significant changes in our community.”

This marked the first time the construction site was opened to local residents. The tour guides emphasized their commitment to meeting local expectations and aimed for an expedited completion of the project, highlighting the importance of community engagement in the development process.
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: 2024-11-04_shinagawa

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Info and Photo based on translated Japanese Media News: https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2024110400397 Accessed 2024-11-04

Maglev tunneling halted after water comes to surface at Tokyo home

Central Japan Railway Co. temporarily halted construction of the high-speed maglev train line between Tokyo and Nagoya after water and bubbles surfaced in a residential garden in Machida, western Tokyo. The site is near a tunnel excavation for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen project, which involves digging 40 meters underground. The water, which continued to bubble up until Oct. 24, was linked to a foaming agent used in tunneling. Tests showed surfactant levels were within drinking water standards. JR Central is investigating the cause and monitoring surrounding conditions.

Info based on https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20 ... bu/029000c November 7, 2024 (Mainichi Japan) Accessed Nov. 8, 2024

Water and air bubbles in a house's yard near the Linear Line construction project Construction suspended and survey conducted in Machida, Tokyo

JR Tokai has suspended construction work using excavators after water and air bubbles gushed out in the yard of a house in Machida City, Tokyo, where an underground tunnel for the Linear Central Shinkansen Line is being constructed.

According to JR Tokai, on October 22, a resident of Machida City near the “First Metropolitan Area Tunnel Onoji Construction Area” of the Linear Central Shinkansen Line, which is currently digging underground from Machida City, Tokyo, to Kanagawa Prefecture, contacted JR Tokai saying that water was coming out in his garden. The employee checked the yard at the site and found water and air bubbles gushing out of the ground.

The water and bubbles that were gushing out have stopped since two days after the construction work was suspended. According to JR Tokai, the gushing water and gases on the surface of the ground were sampled and examined by a specialized institution, and the values were found to have no impact on health.

In the construction zone at the site, underground at a depth of more than 40 meters is being excavated 247 meters west of the starting point of excavation in Machida City, and the garden where the water and bubbles gushed out is several dozen meters away from the surface of the excavator.

Translated Infos based on Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/202411 ... 51000.html November 8, 2024 1:13 p.m. Accessed November 9, 2024

Machida Citizens' Group Demands Investigation into Underground Water and Bubbles Near Linear Shinkansen Construction Site

On November 8, 2024, a citizens' group in Machida, Tokyo, called "Machida's Group for Considering the Linear Chuo Shinkansen" held a press conference to raise concerns over an issue near the tunnel construction site for the Linear Central Shinkansen. Residents in the area reported water and gas bubbles emerging from the ground in their backyards. The group has called for an investigation into the cause of the incident and requested that JR Tokai, the company responsible for the construction, halt further work until the issue is fully understood and addressed.

The group submitted a petition to both JR Tokai and the Machida City government, with three main demands: (1) a thorough investigation into the cause of the underground water and bubbles, (2) the results of the investigation should be made public through a website or community meetings, and (3) work should not resume until local residents are fully informed and satisfied with the safety measures in place.

The group believes that the issue could be related to the tunneling work, although they emphasize that JR Tokai is responsible for determining the cause. On the same day, JR Tokai distributed water quality reports to around 130 affected households in the area, which indicated that the water contained trace amounts of a surfactant used in tunneling. However, these levels were below the legal safety limits. The company also found that the oxygen concentration in the air near the bubbles was lower than normal, though not at harmful levels.

Japanese Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, Tetsuo Saito, commented that JR Tokai must carry out a full investigation and ensure that residents receive clear explanations and appropriate measures are taken before work continues.

Info based on translated Japanese news. Source: https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/365737 Accessed 2024-11-09

JR Tokai President “concerned” about bubbles near Machida Linear site

At a press conference on November 13, JR Tokai President Shunsuke Niwa said, “We are causing concern to the local community” over the issue of water and air bubbles gushing from the garden of a private house near the construction site of the Linear Central Shinkansen Line in Machida City, Tokyo. Regarding the bubbles, he explained, “We have confirmed that they do not affect the human body or the environment.

The bubbles gushed out in the section of the First Metropolitan Tunnel connecting Shinagawa Station (Minato, Tokyo) and Kanagawa Station (tentative name, Sagamihara City). The construction company reported the gush to JR Tokai on the afternoon of October 22. It has now stopped.

Mr. Niwa said, “We will investigate the causal relationship between this event and the construction work while listening to the opinions of experts. We will provide a full explanation of the results,” he also said.

Info based on translated Japanese Media News. Source: https://www.nikkei.com/article/DGXZQOFD ... 4A1000000/ Accessed 2024-11-14

Shinagawa Station Area Undergoes Major Redevelopment Ahead of Maglev Train Launch

The area surrounding Shinagawa Station, one of Tokyo's major transportation hubs in Minato City, is undergoing significant transformation driven by redevelopment efforts and infrastructure expansion. The scheduled opening of the Chuo Shinkansen, a high-speed maglev train, and the extension of the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line have accelerated construction projects, leading to the rise of new skyscrapers in the area.

At the site of the former Shinagawa Goos, a prominent 29-story complex that once served as a landmark of Shinagawa, large-scale construction is currently underway near the Takanawa Exit of JR Shinagawa Station. Keikyu Corporation, the landowner, plans to build a new 29-story structure with four underground levels, encompassing a total floor space of 310,000 square meters. The building, slated for completion by fiscal year 2029, will house Toyota Motor Corporation's Tokyo headquarters, a hotel, a multi-purpose hall, and other facilities.

Shinagawa's redevelopment reflects its strategic importance as a gateway to the capital and its potential to attract businesses and travelers with state-of-the-art infrastructure and amenities.

Info based on Asahi Shimbun: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASSDW3WK ... E015M.html Accessed 2024-12-28

Shinagawa's Transformation: Gateway to the Future
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: 2025-01-03_s.wsj.net

Source: https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/imag ... 144136.jpg Accessed 2025-02-03
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: 2025-01-03

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Tokyo's Shinagawa area is undergoing a major transformation to become Japan's "gateway to the future." The redevelopment is accelerating in anticipation of several key transportation projects in the 2030s, including a new direct line to Haneda Airport, the opening of the Linear Chuo Shinkansen between Shinagawa and Nagoya, and the extension of the Tokyo Metro[1][3].

At the heart of this transformation is the Takanawa Gateway City, set to open on March 27, 2025. This project takes an innovative approach to urban development:

1. Unique urban planning: Among high-rise buildings, a low-rise cultural facility will be constructed, featuring a 2000-seat concert hall, exhibition space, and a rooftop garden[1][3].

2. Cultural integration: The development aims to create a cohesive atmosphere by incorporating themes throughout the area, including train interiors and station displays[1].

3. Smart city experiment: The project will integrate the Suica transit IC card into daily life, offering lifestyle support and health promotion through a smartphone app[1].

The area's connectivity will be further enhanced in the 2030s with:

- The opening of the tentatively named Haneda Airport Access Line
- Extension of the Tokyo Metro Namboku Line to Shinagawa
- The Linear Chuo Shinkansen, connecting Shinagawa to Nagoya in 40 minutes by 2034[1][3][6]

The Linear Chuo Shinkansen, planned by JR Tokai, will use magnetic levitation technology to reach speeds of 500 km/h. The government is supporting its early completion with a 3 trillion yen fiscal investment, anticipating significant economic benefits[1].

This ambitious redevelopment aims to establish Shinagawa as a recognized global destination and a model for future urban development. The success of the Takanawa area will be crucial in determining whether "Shinagawa" becomes internationally renowned[1][3].

Citations:
[1] https://e-housing.jp/post/tokyo-2025-projects
[2] https://en.traicy.com/posts/202403245944/
[3] https://metropolisjapan.com/takanawa-gateway-city/
[4] https://www.azuki-partners.com/blogs/20 ... ons-tokyo/
[5] https://archello.com/project/global-gateway-shinagawa
[6] https://www.patiencerealty.com/post/toy ... wa-station
[7] https://www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/ ... 40325.html

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: 2025-01-03_housing in Japan

. Source: https://cdn.housingjapan.com/wp-content ... .05.24.png Accessed 2025-02-03

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: 2025-01-03_Station_redevelopment; Shinagawa-Station-Redevelopment[1].jpg (177.07 KiB) Viewed 14583 times

. Source: https://japanpropertycentral.com/wp-con ... opment.jpg Accessed 2025-02-03

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https://s.wsj.net/public/resources/imag ... 144136.jpg Accessed 2025-02-03

Tokyo Shinagawa Maglev Station development

Construction of the new Chuo Shinkansen (Linear Maglev) station at Shinagawa is progressing directly beneath the Tokaido Shinkansen tracks and the JR Shinagawa Station building. This ambitious project involves temporarily supporting above-ground structures over a length of approximately 460 meters while building a massive underground station box. The construction is carefully managed to avoid impacting the operation of the Tokaido Shinkansen, which runs just 13 meters above the site.

The new station box, or kandai, is an enormous structure-about 400 meters long, up to 60 meters wide, and approximately 40 meters high. It is being built in three sections, with the section closest to Nagoya known as the "non-cut-and-cover zone." Here, the underground structure is constructed directly below the operating Shinkansen lines, requiring advanced engineering techniques and strict safety measures.

To minimize ground movement and protect the existing station building, continuous underground walls are constructed to a depth of about 60 meters. Displacement between foundation piles is tightly controlled, with vertical movement limited to less than 3.9 mm, using automated 24-hour monitoring systems. These precautions ensure the safety and stability of both the station building and the active rail lines above.

JR Central and its contractors emphasize the social importance of the Tokaido Shinkansen and have implemented numerous strategies to prevent any disruption to train operations during construction. This project is notable for its scale and complexity, as constructing such a large underground structure directly beneath a major, active railway station is extremely rare.

The construction of the Chuo Shinkansen (Linear Maglev) station at Shinagawa involves creating a massive underground structure while temporarily supporting 460 meters of above-ground infrastructure, including the Tokaido Shinkansen tracks and JR Shinagawa Station. This project exemplifies cutting-edge engineering to minimize disruption to one of Japan’s busiest rail corridors.

Project Overview

Location: Directly beneath the Tokaido Shinkansen tracks and JR Shinagawa Station in Tokyo’s Minato Ward

Structure: A 400-meter-long, 60-meter-wide, and 40-meter-high underground kandai (station box) built in three sections, with the "non-cut-and-cover" zone being the most technically challenging

Temporary Support: Overhead structures, including the Shinkansen tracks, are supported during construction using a temporary framework spanning 460 meters.

Key Engineering Challenges

Proximity to Active Lines: The Tokaido Shinkansen operates just 13 meters above the construction site, requiring precise displacement control. Vertical movement between foundation piles is limited to <3.9 mm to protect the station building and tracks.

Non-Cut-and-Cover Method: Instead of excavating from the surface, work proceeds via vertical shafts to minimize surface disruption. Equipment and materials are lowered through these shafts, and tunnel-boring machines assemble infrastructure underground.

Ground Stabilization: Continuous underground walls, reaching 60 meters deep, are constructed to isolate the site and prevent soil displacement. Automated 24/7 monitoring ensures compliance with strict safety thresholds.

Environmental and Logistical Considerations

Limited Workspace: A temporary construction yard occupies two traffic lanes near the station, with plans to restore the area post-completion.

Groundwater Protection: Waterproof concrete walls and covered soil storage prevent contamination and maintain groundwater levels.

This project highlights the balance between advancing high-speed rail infrastructure and preserving existing systems. The Shinagawa station’s completion will mark a critical step in linking Tokyo to Osaka via the Chuo Shinkansen, though the timeline remains uncertain due to broader project delays. As a result, the opening of the Shinagawa–Nagoya segment is now expected "no earlier than 2035," with the final timeline still uncertain.

Info based inparts on https://xtech.nikkei.com/atcl/nxt/colum ... 042500017/ Accessed 2025-05-01

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[JP] Tokyo Shinagawa Station (Urban development) development

[JP] Tokyo Shinagawa Station (Urban development) development

[JP] Maglev tunneling halted after water comes to surface at Tokyo home

Re: [JP] Water and air bubbles in a house's yard near the Linear Line construction project Construction suspended

[JP] Citizens' Group Demands Investigation into Underground Water and Bubbles

[JP] JR Tokai President “concerned” about bubbles near Machida Linear site

[JP] Tokyo Shinagawa Station (Urban development) development

[JP] Tokyo Shinagawa Station (Urban development) development

Re: [JP] Tokyo Shinagawa Station (Urban development) development