Japan Railway Journal S2019E16 - JR's Ekinaka Development Project: A New Lifestyle Below the Chuo Line

"Ekinaka" refers to the shops and facilities that are usually found inside the station. Now JR East is expanding on that concept, developing the viaducts beneath the Chuo Line in a project they are calling the "Chuo Line Mall." Utilizing the 70,000 square meters of open space beneath the railway, 5 stations are working to develop new shops and facilities that will greatly benefit the community. See how JR East's "Ekinaka" development strategy is bringing the towns and stations closer together.