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When you walk through the glamorous streets of Ginza, what catches your eye are the sophisticated boutiques, the dazzling show windows, and the energetic figures of people passing by. However, beneath this bustle, deep underground, there is a quiet world that supports the heartbeat of the city. This is the “Ginza Utility Tunnel.”
In October 1968, under the sidewalks on both sides of Ginza Street from 1-chome to 8-chome, this utility tunnel was completed by the former Ministry of Construction (now the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). The total length on both sides reaches about two kilometers. In this underground space, essential lifelines for urban life such as electricity, telephone, gas, water, and sewage are neatly housed. As a result, maintenance and management of each infrastructure can be carried out without frequently digging up the roads, preserving the beautiful scenery of Ginza. (ktr.mlit.go.jp)
There is a place where you can catch a glimpse of this utility tunnel. Near Exit A13 of Tokyo Metro Ginza Station, close to the underground entrance of Matsuya Ginza, a small viewing window has been installed. If you look through it, you can see the inside of the utility tunnel spreading underground, with countless pipes and cables neatly arranged. This window quietly tells us about the existence of the infrastructure that extends beneath Ginza. (ktr.mlit.go.jp)
The reason Ginza’s streets are so beautifully maintained lies in these underground efforts. The disappearance of utility poles and wires from above ground, and the orderly rows of willow trees and streetlights, have been made possible by the development of the utility tunnel. This underground world quietly supports the glamour of Ginza from behind the scenes. (ktr.mlit.go.jp)
The next time you visit Ginza, be sure to look for this small viewing window. The underground world you see from there will give you a glimpse of a side of the city you don’t usually see. You will be able to feel the quiet and powerful support behind Ginza’s glamour.