The new Harajuku Station building in Tokyo, Japan, has been getting some heat. Though it officially opened on March 21, 2020, people are still making a fuss over what many call a cold, unwelcoming atmosphere, and an unsightly appearance. But why all the commotion for a simple train station? Who really cares what a train station looks like, anyway?
A History of Harajuku Station
Harajuku Station was more than just a public transportation hub. It was a symbol of Japan’s history and culture. But due to a public safety hazard and the failure to meet fireproofing standards, it was set to be demolished earlier this year and replaced with the New Harajuku Station Building.
Former Harajuku Station, also known as the Weathercock House, was the oldest wooden station in Tokyo, famous for its triangular roof and its namesake weathercock. Harajuku Station was originally constructed in 1924 for easier access to the Meiji Jingu Shrine, built just four years prior. It survived WWII airstrikes in April 1945. It transported people to and from the Yoyogi National Stadium during the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
What’s In A Name?
Though the name of the historic train station is indeed 'Harajuku Station', the actual address of the building is 'Jingumae 1-chome'. Even if you walk around the area, you will not stumble upon a place called Harajuku. Click To TweetDespite the popularity of Harajuku as a former fashion and subculture hotspot, believe it or not, Harajuku is not even a real place in Japan! At least, not anymore.
Though the name of the historic train station is indeed ‘Harajuku Station’, the actual address of the building is ‘Jingumae 1-chome’. Even if you walk around the area, you will not stumble upon a place called Harajuku. That’s because the place name disappeared in 1965.
The name Harajuku existed since nearly 500 years ago, even appearing in literature from the Sengoku Period. Originally the name of a post town, in 1965, with the establishment of a new Japanese addressing system, the name officially changed to Jingumae. Many people believe the main reason the name stuck around for so long was because of the train station!
The New Harajuku Station Building
The East Japan Railway Co. began construction on the new Harajuku Station building in September 2016 and opened it up on March 21, 2020, amidst the chaos of a worldwide pandemic. But that didn’t stop people from voicing how they felt about it.
The new 2-floor station building features a modern glass-wall design, plenty of sunlight, and improved convenience. The passage is three times wide, there are twice as many toilets, and the once-crowded single platform has expanded into two, giving people more room to breathe (and of course, to social distance). There’s even a new convenience store and cafe in the building.
Impressions of the New Harajuku Station Building
So what’s all the fuss?
Once the New Harajuku Station Building opened on March 21, 2020, citizens, residents, and former visitors alike took to social media to share their impressions. Over 500 tweets flooded Twitter in a one-hour period.
An analysis of these reactions showed that negative reactions were slightly higher (at 59.1%), while positive reactions reached 40.9%. The main grievance? “I miss the old building!”
Many saw this as a loss of a historical landmark. Others criticized its appearance for looking nothing like a station, and more like a government or corporate office. While most supported the need for a safety upgrade, nobody seemed to understand why the new building couldn’t resemble the old one – at least a little!
Even non-Japanese people across the globe empathized with the loss. Harajuku Station is a popular place very close to the hearts of foreign tourists, as well. Tweets in English, French, and Spanish similarly described the new building as cold and uninviting. Some even likened it to a prison!
After an extensive 96 years of history, it’s easy to understand people’s dissatisfaction with the outward result. Fortunately, everyone seemed to understand the need for the upgrade, and offered a respectful “thank-you and farewell” to the old building. On the other hand, amongst the few positive reviews, the most common topic was praise for the new cafe. Even people who were dissatisfied with the architecture at least agreed that the extra convenience was more pro than con.
For those whose main sorrow was the demolishing of the old building, there is some hope. There are plans to construct a replica of the former Harajuku Station using actual parts (such as the glass) from the old building. (It won’t be functional as a station, however, it’ll be just for show).
The Last Train?
Harajuku was once an image of pop culture and youth. But, like the teens who called these streets their stomping grounds, it, too, has grown into adulthood, sacrificing spontaneity and color for simplicity and class. From the disappearance of fashion subcultures, to the closing of popular shops, the closing of the historical station building just seems like the next step towards Harajuku’s inevitable end.
However, regardless of our feelings towards the new building, something I believe we can all agree on is that safety precautions are always a good measure. Besides, as long as we have our memories, history is never really “lost”.
In that respect, maybe the reconstruction of the replica building will offer some consolation, if only temporary, until we realize that it is no longer alive, but a museum taxidermy that only remains to remind us of what was.
