Streetcars were once a major mode of transportation for Tokyoites before and after World War II.
The Toden Memorial Square was established near Arakawa-shakomae Station of the Toden Arakawa Line, also known as the Tokyo Sakura Tram, and is where retired streetcars are preserved and exhibited for the public. The Toden Arakawa Line is the only existing streetcar service operated by Tokyo metropolitan government.
Two train models are on display at the square, which resembles the tram stops of yesteryear: the 5500 series, known as a PCC Car, which ran between Shinagawa and Ueno stations from 1954 to 1967, and the Old 7500 series, which was manufactured in 1962 and nicknamed "Gakuen-go (School Tram)" for the last few years until its retirement in 1998 as a commuter tram between Otsuka and Machiya stations.
Inside the 5500 series car is a showcase of about 100 items, including photos of streetcars making their way through various parts of Tokyo in the 1960s, a route map from those days and a diorama of areas along the line such as Asukayama Park, known for its magnificent cherry trees. There are also old tram insignia and a number of items belonging to crews.
Since March, the Tokyo metropolitan government's Transportation Bureau has renovated the inner car display, by setting up such items as a simulated driver cab, furnished with equipment that was actually used, and a train stop button. By moving the master control handle in the mock cab, visitors can see on the monitor the view leading toward the next stop, giving them a firsthand driver experience.
"It would be wonderful if by experiencing the sight and feel of actual equipment in the driver's seat it becomes a step toward helping children realize their dream of becoming a train driver," said a bureau official.
The Old 7500 series, on the other hand, has been kept as close to the original condition as possible, down to the seats and straps, thanks to the effort of a volunteer group in the bureau's Arakawa train office. The group brought the tram back to a functional condition before the square's opening, and documents that detail the repair work are also on display.
The streetcars that ran throughout Tokyo from the Meiji period (1868-1912) to the time when people were excited about the 1964 Tokyo Olympics were forced to shut down their lines due to the popularity of cars. In 1972, only the current line of 12.2 kilometers between Minowabashi and Waseda stations remained. Even so, the Toden Memorial Square leaves visitors with an impression that there is a track set in the square itself, passing on the residents' feelings of wonder along the line and tram crews to the next generation.
Toden Memorial Square (Toden Omoide Hiroba): In the Arakawa train office of the Tokyo metropolitan government's Transportation Bureau, 8-33-7 Nishi-Ogu, Arakawa Ward, Tokyo
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