"Blue frog" relocated to "Hachiko" hometown in redevelopment work around Shibuya Station

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What will happen to the relocation of the "Hadako Hada Statue" and "Blue Frog (formerly 5000)" for demolition work at Shibuya Station, etc., which will be in full swing after the Tokyo Olympics? There must be many people who are worried.

According to a press release held in Odate City, Akita Prefecture on February 9, the "blue frog (former 5000 series)" owned by Shibuya Ward may be relocated to Odate City, Akita Prefecture in early June this year. decided.

▲ "Restored old 5000 series vehicle" Shooting year: 1993, Provided by Tokyu Corporation, Photographer: Tatsuhiro Abe

The "Blue Frog", which was installed in Hachiko-mae Square in Shibuya Station in 2006, is a railway car on the TOKYU TOYOKO LINE that was operated from 1954 (Showa 29) to 1986 (Showa 61). It is nicknamed "Blue Frog" because of its green paint and rounded body.
▲ Currently, the inside of the car is used as tourist information and meeting spots for tourists.

In 2006, Shibuya Ward took over the vehicle that TOKYU CORPORATION had saved after the operation ended, and installed it as a monument in front of Shibuya Station. Later, it was used as the "Blue Frog Tourist Information Center" operated by the Shibuya City Tourism Association.

▲ Odate City Tourism Exchange Facility “Akita Inu no Sato” where the Hachiko statue is also installed

Odate City, which was decided to be the relocation site, is the birthplace of the Akita Inu, home to the Hachiko loyalty dog. In May of last year (2019) from the connection with Hachiko, the Odate City Tourism Exchange Facility “Akita Inu no Sato” was opened near JR Odate Station, where you can interact with the Akita Inu Museum and Akita Inu where you can learn about Akita Inu. There is a room and a spot for selling Akita dog related goods and souvenirs. In addition, the building of the facility was modeled on Shibuya station of the Taisho era, when the loyal dog Hachiko kept waiting for its owner, and in front of the building, a `` Hachiko statue '' modeled on a young bee was installed. .

Currently, at Hachiko Square in Shibuya Station, the "Statue of Hachiko Hachiko" and "Blue Frog" are located adjacent to each other, but Odate will also be able to meet younger bees. By the way, after the facility, it will open the seats as a resting place for facility visitors while displaying the history of Shibuya and Odate in the vehicle.

From late May to early June 2020, carry out work to carry out, transport and relocate from Hachiko-mae Square in Shibuya Station, and install it on the lawn square and south side of Odate City Tourism Exchange Facility `` Akita Inu no Sato '' around July 2020 It will be in service.

By the way, after the relocation of the Blue Frog, the whereabouts of the statue of Hachiko, the dog, is also a matter of concern. The Hachiko statue, a symbol of Shibuya, will not move in other areas, but it is entirely possible that it will be temporarily moved somewhere around Shibuya Station until the end of the redevelopment project. In the future, it seems that he will keep an eye on the movement of Hachiko.

Editorial department · Fuji Itakashi

Shibuya registrar. In addition to Shibuya of Culture information, seasonal news and topics, it will spell write that feel every day.