I left my home about 6:00 pm to see a big illumination on Marunouchi Naka Street commemorating the year of 2000. I took a train of Yamate loop-line from JR Tamachi station toward Tokyo station. After the train left Shimbasi station,@a conductor announced through train's radio system as a special information that Tokyo station was full of people who were going to see the illumination. The train was not crowded though a few passenger were standing. The most of passengers could not understand what was happening and were astonished by the announcement.
When I went out from the south exit of Tokyo station, I felt something strange. When I asked a student helper holding a sign showing go-north-sign whether I could not go south toward Tokyo Central Post Office which was very near to the street, he replied that the Marunochi Naka Street was one way this evening and that the entrance to the street was open only on north side. I followed the flow of people going north along the station building. I was guided to walk up to far north to Nikko Stock Broker Building and then was allowed to go down south. I reached finally the street after 30 minutes walk. The traffic signs at the road crosses stopped frequently the stream of people. Every time when the flow stopped, there were heavy congestions. Both policemen and student helpers were working hard to control the human traffic.
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| At the far end of Naka Street, you could see the illumination. | Beautiful view of illuminated tunnel | Many small children were on top of fathers' shoulders. |
The illumination on street was really wonderful. I have never seen such an extravagant one not only in Japan but even in Manhattan, New York. A policeman guarding the exit of street told me about a hundred thousand people were coming this evening.
At first I thought that the illumination was for promoting the high-class wear shops on the street. But it had no relation with such aims and shutters were pulled down over show windows and people could not make window shopping at all. I wonder what its purpose was and who organized such a show.
On my way back I dropped in a coffee shop and took an American club house sandwich. Its roasted turkey tasted very good. I realized that it was a Christmas.
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I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Akira Kawahara |