The new Takanawa Gateway Station on the Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku lines was opened to the press on Monday.
The first addition to the Yamanote Line since Nishi-Nippori Station in 1971, Takanawa Gateway will begin operations on Saturday. An opening ceremony will reportedly not be held due to the outbreak of the new coronavirus.
East Japan Railway Co. employs cutting-edge technology at the new station. Among the features unveiled on Monday was a fully automated convenience store called Touch to Go where artificial intelligence is used to identify and ring up items chosen by customers. The media was also shown robots that clean the station and offer guidance to passengers.
Takanawa Gateway Station was designed by architect Kengo Kuma with the abundant use of Japanese cedar from the Tohoku region to create a warm atmosphere. An official of JR East said, "I hope this will be a station loved by many people for a long time to come."
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