The spaces under elevated train tracks are drawing attention again in central Tokyo as railways eager for a bigger piece of the retailing pie transform vacant areas traditionally used as warehouses and parking lots.
The railways are trying to lure shoppers to what they hope will become a new kind of "ekinaka," or "within station" shopping mall. These have are being built in major train stations across the country.
At the end of March, a new shopping street dubbed Asagaya Anime Street opened under the JR Chuo Line tracks near Asagaya Station in Suginami Ward, Tokyo.