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From the late nineteenth to the early twentieth century, Japan was a vital world center for postcard art. More than just casual mail pieces, these postcards were often designed by prominent artists and had a visual impact that belied their modest format.
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Kobe 1930s • Elevated Railway Tracks
A steam locomotive pulls passenger cars on elevated railway tracks in Kobe. When the railroad connection between Kobe and Osaka was opened in 1870 (Meiji 3), Kobe was still a small town and the tracks didn’t appear to be in the way. But as the town grew, the tracks ended up being right in the middle of the city center, cutting the town in half. As traffic increased, this division turned into a major drawback. So in October 1931, the tracks were elevated. In neighborhoods that attracted many people, shops and even some homes were built under the tracks, people didn’t seem to mind the thundering trains above their heads… During WWII the area below the tracks serviced as a welcome shelter for countless people who lost their homes to fire bomb raids.
The mountain on the far left is Takatoriyama, which has a Shinto shrine that offers an amazing view of Kobe, its harbor and Osaka Bay. From here you can see as far as Kansai Airport and Wakayama Prefecture. On New Year’s Day the place is crowded with people who want to catch the first rays of the first sunrise of the year.
For more information about the railway in Kobe, read Kobe 1900s • View from Aioibashi and Osaka 1930s • Osaka Station.
The Google map shows Daimura near current Motomachi Station, this photo was shot in this general vicinity.
Publisher: Sakaeya Shoten
Medium: Postcard
Image Number 70222-0015
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You can also licence this image online: 70222-0015 @ MeijiShowa.com.
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Usage of this image requires a reproduction fee.
Duits, K. (2008, October 9). Kobe 1930s • Elevated Railway Tracks, Old Photos of Japan. Retrieved on 2021, Oct 21 from https://www.oldphotosjapan.com/photos/431/elevated-railway-tracks
OldPhotosJapan.com — a photo blog about old Japan that reads like a book and works like an archive. All the photographs are from the Kjeld Duits Collection and available for licensing at MeijiShowa.com. Use when you need historical photos, maps or illustrations of Japan for your newspaper article, book, documentary, advertising or other project. For questions, contact us.
@Tim Morrill: I love that walk!
Today, from Sannomiya to past Motomachi Station to the east, one can walk under the …
They are right. They are very ugly and noisy. Unfortunately, about the majority of the …
I thought it was interesting seeing the elevated tracks in Tokyo with the shops and …