Sun 19 Nov 2006
The Nihonbashi (which translates to “Japan Bridge”) is decrepit bridge huddled under an elevated expressway, and spanning a little polluted river. Why is it important? Not only is it the site of Japan’s oldest stone bridge it’s also the nation’s zero milestone and the starting point for a whole slew of national routes – including 1, 15, and 4 (signed) and 2,3,6 and 7 (on paper).
Mon 30 Oct 2006
Yokohama is about 30 miles south of Tokyo and is Japans’ second largest city. The two cities, the nations’ largest, were connected by one freeway until the late 1980s. The government could not figure out where to put a reliever route, so in true Japanese fashion, they built one in the coolest way possible – my making a bunch of islands connected by cable stayed bridges, tunnels, and 10-story high freeway stacks out in the bay. The Yokohama Bay bridge was the first built, opened in 1989 – click the images for bigger versions.
Mon 16 Oct 2006
Presenting: The Aqua Line! Little known outside of Japan and civil engineering circles, it is one of the coolest things in Japan to see. Not just because of the road, but because of the amazing view.
Wed 11 Oct 2006
While most of Japan is served by “National Routes” with the upside-teardrop shape (see the previous Japan post) Tokyo’s Expressways are called “Shuto Expressways” and are managed by a different company, and have different route markers and different construction styles, different signs, all that. The routes even have their own numbering system. You can get a good map here (click) – it’s in Japanese but as maps go, it’s fairly self explanatory and you can run it through google’s translator.
There are two belt roads, called C1 and C2. Numbered routes radiate out clockwise. The B expressway runs along the Bay, while the tunneled Y expressway is buried under the Yaesu Neighborhood – Routes prefixed with a K serve Kanagawa prefecture, while routes prefixed with an S serve Saitama prefecture. Easy, right? Remember, click the smaller images for the larger ones – you’ll need to for these freakishly complex overhead signs. We’ll start with an easy one :
I could not figure out what this sign was for at first – until my friend translated it for me. It means, be quiet! The Japanese politeness culture extends even on to the untamed road network. Don’t play loud music, or honk, or have a loud muffler because people in the very closeby apartments might be asleep.
Mon 9 Oct 2006
I got to spend the last week and some in Japan, mostly Tokyo but with some time in rural Chiba and Kanagawa Prefectures. The freeway system in Tokyo is subpar for being the largest city in the world (or one of them) – but what’s there is astounding. Lots of double decker elevated jobs winding through skyscrapers. There will be 6 Japan posts, this one is just a primer on the guide signs they have there. As always, click the smaller photo for a larger one.
Guide signs on national expressways are green, and usually contain tons of text. This sign is on the Tateyama Expressway south of Chiba. Route numbers are shown, as are the romanji equivalents of the names of control points.
