VIDEOS
The Power of Technology
Tokyo | Episode 5 Part 1
Traveling Blind in Japan
Tokyo | Episode 5 Part 2
PHOTOS
A map of the train lines in Tokyo. There are 13 trains lines spread throughout the city of all types of colors. In the bottom right of the map is a key for understanding the information for each line. Tokyo has one of the largest urban rail networks in the world with over 4500 km of track and 2210 stations. It services over 40 million passengers daily in the Greater Tokyo area. Mona smiles as she holds a small blue plate with a piece of sushi on it. She is wearing a green coat. On the left side of the photo is a conveyer belt with various dishes and plates of food. On the table before her is an empty plastic cup. A blond woman eats sushi from a small blue plate. On the table before her are other small plates with sushi on them. Also there are black mugs and plastic cups. Behind her a conveyor belt with food can be seen. Above the belt is a small screen showing drink options. The picture shows a plate of deserts. It includes three pieces of fruit in a white jello and a white custard with a raspberry on top. A store shop with a small tree in front of it. The sign of the story reads Kit Kat Chocolatery Ginza. The Toei Subway and the Tokyo Metro are the subway systems most commonly used in the Tokyo metropolis.
A plate of food on a black and red tray. On the plate is rice and curry. Most Train lines in Tokyo are owned by independent companies that interconnect to varying degrees. Due to this many companies only show maps of their own lines and ignore the rest of the transit network. An intricate blue light pattern on a wall with faint, illegible writing and circular patterns. A red and white shuttle rushes along a track in front of a brightly lit, white corridor with many windows. A few travelers stand before the shuttle waiting for it to stop. A picture taken from the open top of a double decker bus as it drives down a busy Tokyo street. Pedestrians can be seen walking on the sidewalks. Tall buildings are on either side of the street. A large crowd of pedestrians walk across the street at a crossing in Tokyo. Behind large buildings with colorful billboards can be seen. The exterior of a multi-floor video arcade. It is decorated with various neon signs, character posters, and advertisements. Next to it is another building selling cds and dvds. On the street below, pedestrians walk on the sidewalks. Cars can be seen in the street.
East Japan Railway company is the largest passenger railway company in the world and has many trains coming in and out of Tokyo. These include standard commuter lines or long haul Shinkansen (Bullet Train) lines. Mona smiles as she poses with a couple of small dessert plates. She is wearing a green coat. On the left side of the photo is a conveyer belt with various dishes and plates of food. On the table before her various deserts and cups. A small, white porcelain teapot with the words “Soy Sauce” printed on it. Mona stands on a balcony overlooking a small pond. She is wearing a grey coat and has her cane in her right hand. Behind her are various small buildings and some trees. Two small plates holding types of sushi. One has two pieces of Salmon Nigiri and the other has two pieces of fish rolls. Buses and taxis serve more of a secondary role, moving travelers to train stations or airports. Taxis are particularly popular for late night travel after the rail lines cease to operate. A tall, skinny tower lit up in white and red lights. At the very top of the spire it is lit up with a bright white light.
Originally called Tenji blocks, the tactile pavement was first installed outside the Okayama School for the Blind in Okayama, Japan in 1967. They quickly spread to larger cities, like Tokyo and Osaka. The system created by Seiichi Miyake was mandatory in all Japanese rail stations.