Enjoy the Kagurazaka Walk Tour: Discover Reversible One-Way Street and Tokyo’s First Pedestrian-Only Street
Enjoy the Kagurazaka Walk Tour: Discover Reversible One-Way Street and Tokyo’s First Pedestrian-Only Street Kagurazaka is a uniquely charming area in Tokyo, known for its rare traffic system of ‘reversible one-way streets,’ reflecting the vibrant life and rich history of the area. Let’s delve into the secrets of this unique traffic system. The Origin of Kagurazaka’s Reversible One-Way Street In Kagurazaka, the direction of the one-way street changes between day and night. Specifically, traffic flows downhill towards Iidabashi Station from midnight to noon, and from noon to midnight, it flows uphill towards Yarai. This system was implemented in 1961 to accommodate the morning traffic towards the city center and the reverse in the afternoon. There’s a rumor that former Prime Minister Kakuei Tanaka changed the one-way direction to ease his commute from Mejiro to the National Diet Building. However, since Tanaka became prime minister in 1972, it’s unlikely that he initiated the change. Instead, it’s possible that the rumor started because the reversible system conveniently matched his commuting needs. Kagurazaka as a Pedestrian-Only Street Kagurazaka is known for its pedestrian-only hours. From noon to 1 PM on weekdays and noon to 7 PM on Sundays and holidays, the section