Making Best Use of Spaces in Railway Facilities

Development in Tokyo Metro Stations
Hideki Inoue

Introduction

accumulate know-how in shop development and operation

Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. operates 19 5.1 km of tracks

develops other commercial facilities.

management, Metro Properties also plans, designs, andEchika fit, Echika Ikebukuro, and Esola Ikebukuro wereserving nine lines and 179 stations and carries about 7

developed mainly by Metro Properties.

million people each day (as of 31 March 2016). The
company’s predecessor, Tokyo Underground Railway
Company, opened Japan’s first subway on 30 December

Development stance1927 between Asakusa and Ueno. The company was

The aboveground situation differs for individual subway

involved in retail business right from the start, opening an

stations, such as location in a residential area, office,underground diner at Asakusa Station in 1929, a ‘Subway

commercial, or entertainment district. Therefore, theStore’ inside Ueno Station in April 1930, and a ‘Subway

customer’s characteristics and behaviours, as well as theStore Building’ in the aboveground part of Ueno Station insituation aboveground are investigated to clarify targets and1931. Subsequent efforts focused mainly on concession

concepts before forming the development plan.

stands, but restaurants and retail shops called ‘Metropia’Then zoning of shops is decided and tenants are

were eventually opened in stations in FY1988. In FY2003,

selected. Based on the concept that the station will not be

just before privatization as Tokyo Metro in F Y2004, ainvigorated unless the location is invigorated, efforts areproject with the catchphrase ‘EKIBEN: (eki means station

made when possible to avoid homogenization with otherin Japanese, ben is a contraction of benri meaning

shops and to select shops allowing prosperous coexistence

convenient)’ was initiated as part of the effort to increaseby harmonizing with the town while respecting the local

station convenience and reduce commuters’ stress. Thishistory and culture.
The next section outlines the EKIBEN project, which

led to expansion of shops as part of ‘Echika’ large-scale

proved to be the spark for creating the foundations of thescheme and ‘Echika fit ’ medium-scale scheme.

current development stance.

Today, there are two Echika complexes at Omotesando
and Ikebukuro, and four Echika fit facilities at Tokyo, Ginza,

Start of EKIBEN Project

Nagatacho, and Ueno (under renovation). Along with
Metropia, the number of shops in Tokyo Metro stations totals

In retail, the introduction of eateries and retail shops

136 (as of 31 March 2016).
This article outlines the development of shops in stations

in stations started mainly with the opening of the firstfrom the start of the EKIBEN project to the opening of Echika‘Metropia’ in FY1988. The first stage was the 27 November

fit Nagatacho.

2003 opening of ‘Maruzen x BAGEL&BAGEL’ (name attime) with the collaboration between Maruzen bookstore

Structure and Stance on Development of
Shops in Stations

and a specialty bagel shop, and the opening of a Lawson

Development structure

On 9 December 2003, ‘Otemachi Soba x Uonuma Club’At the start, Tokyo Metro created, invested in, developed,(now Metroan—a stand-and-eat noodle shop) opened inand managed operation of shops in spaces inside stations.

Otemachi Station on the Tozai Line. It features authentic

However, since Metro Properties Co., Ltd. was establishedsoba noodles and about 20 types of rice balls made ofin 3 April 2006, Tokyo Metro handles the creation andkoshihikari rice from Uonuma. On 18 December 2003, ainvestment in these spaces but Metro Properties handles the‘QB House’ barber specializing in quick cuts in less than 10

central operation of commercial facilities of shops in stations,

minutes, a ‘Puchi Temomi’ body care shop specializing insuch as Metropia and Echika Omotesando. To further

quick massages starting at 10-minutes long, and a Lawson

Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 69 • Mar 2017

convenience store in Tameike-sanno station on the Ginza
Line, a location with many nearby offices of foreign firms.

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Making Best Use of Spaces in Railway Facilities

convenience store (at that time) opened in Ikebukuro Station

an at-home atmosphere opened on 18 May at Tameike-on today’s Fukutoshin Line.

sanno Station

The following year, on 23 January 2004, four shops

Before the start of the EKIBEN project, shops wereopened in Kita-senju Station on the Chiyoda line under the

opening in stations at a pace of one or two each year,

theme of ‘health & beauty’. They include a ‘Nail Station’ (at that

but in the 18 months from November 2003 to May 2005,time) nail care shop targeting young women, a ‘Natural Body’

24 shops opened at six stations. The know-how that had(at that time) relaxation space, a ‘MINiPLA‘ import sundries

been obtained was used to advance the EKIBEN project

shop, and a ‘Tomod’s Express’ (at that time) drug store.

and convenient and attractive space was created by

On 27 April 2004, 11 shops of Shinjuku Metropia

merging station facilities with commercial facilities in Echika

opened in Shinjuku Station on the Marunouchi Line as the

Omotesando, as described below.

first Metropia opening after the Teito Rapid Transit Authority

Birth of Echika

became Tokyo Metro on 1 April 2004.
Shinjuku Metropia opened mini shops showcasing lifestylesuggestions that make customers’ daily lives enjoyable, andOpening Echika Omotesando

the latest trends under the concept of ‘Tokyo Life Showcase

Echika Omotesando opened on 2 December 2005 in(“Let’s go out, people who enjoy every day!” )’.

conjunction with large-scale station renovation to advance

A noodle shop opened at Kinshicho on 8 February

the EKIBEN project.

2005, and a ‘FANCL House J’ (at that time) boutique based

Omotesando was chosen for three reasons; it has aon beauty and health themes, plus a ‘Raffine’ body carelarge number of users with about 170,000 people boarding/shop offering a comfortable ‘healing’ space emphasizing

exiting each day (in FY2015); it is an intersection on the

Marché de Metro in Echika Omotesando

(Tokyo Metro)

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Figure 1 Floor Layout of Echika Omotesando

Ginza, Chiyoda, and Hanzomon lines; and there are no lines

a professional team was put together to create an attractiveof other companies, supporting a strong impact for a Tokyo

station space functioning as a gateway to the town.

Metro commercial facility.

Internal coordination of renovation to create shop spaces

Prior to Omotesando Station, merging shops withproved difficult without obstructing passenger flows andstations had not been taken into consideration, and shops

maintaining a comfortable station office and other working

in stations were expanded individually. Omotesando Station

environments for station personnel. However, large-scale

was the first time that unity with the station and harmony

relocation of the station office and other facilities waswith the town were considered. Development progressed

achieved in part due to the passion of people involved inby removing barriers between business departments, andthe station renovation, creating an attractive and convenientJapan Railway & Transport Review No. 69 • Mar 201730

Making Best Use of Spaces in Railway Facilities

Five Zones

space merging the station and commercial facilities.
The station concept was ‘BREEZE OF OMOTESANDO’.

Food court plaza (Marché de Metro)

The tree-lined Omotesando street has an aura of theThis food court offers people the ‘good tastes of France’Champs-Élysées in Paris, so texture and design elements

and recreates the everyday scenes of a French marché

evoking the atmosphere of the beautiful surrounding(market). It incorporates nine shops, including the first JEAN

environment were used in the station to create an attractive

FRANCOIS boulangerie (bakery) in Japan, and has about

and lively atmosphere like a Paris street corner. The resulting

200 seats, making it a main feature of Echika Omotesando.

bright and clear comfortable space presents a new image

The boulangerie brand was developed together with Tokyo

for stations and underground spaces.

Metro to increase the appeal to Japanese customers. During

The following describes efforts to create a model

the trial, adjustments were made dozens of times, suchstation for Omotesando and gives an overview of Echika

as rethinking the butter, and the croissants that were born

Omotesando.

proved to be the bakery’s most popular product.
Beauty zone (Espace Beaute)

Creation of Model Omotesando Station

This zone name means ‘beauty space’ and is composed

Update passenger guide signsof five shops to bring out women’s beauty, such as a

New guidance signs were deployed to guide passengers

luxury aesthetic salon, and nail salon. Bringing together••

to their destination and ease flows in the station.

shops pursuing service and products ‘loved by women of

Refurbish station entrances and exits

Omotesando’, this area is genuinely a special zone in Echika

The transparent design of station entrances and exits

Omotesando.

blends with the atmosphere of Omotesando area.
•

•

•

•

For the beauty zone to provide quick and easy but high-Set up passenger information booth

quality services and products in a station, a team of women

An information booth was set up at the centre of thewas put together by Tokyo Metro and companies setting-station where and staff answers questions on facilities

up shops in the zone (cosmetics manufacturer, nail salon,

inside the station concourse, transfers, and on facilities inlingerie shop, hair salon). Crossing over the boundaries

the neighborhood.

between tenants and developer and conducting in-depth

Dispatch ’Service Managers’

discussion on product development enabled the creation ofService Managers are staff members who specialize in

a comfortable and enjoyable space for women.

providing guidance while moving about the station soJapanese-theme zone (ESPACE JAPON)

that elderly customers and others who are not used to

As the station is located near Meiji Shrine, this space

using the subway can do so with peace of mind.

has a unified Japanese flavour. It features two shops: a

Set up powder corners

buckwheat soba noodle shop where shochu liquor can be

Powder corners were created in women’s toilets for themenjoyed (currently a different business) and a Japanese-to touch up makeup.

style soup café.

Add more escalators

Food trends zone

New escalators were added at seven locations including

During development of Echika Omotesando, many

the passage from the fare gates to platforms.

customers using the station were interviewed. Many wereof the opinion that there were no department stores andEchika Omotesando Overview

there was a lack of delicatessens and sweet shops around

Commercial concept

Omotesando Station.

With a concept of ‘Omotesando style’, trendy shops wereAs a consequence, six selected shops were opened,

presented to customers with an emphasis on them being

such as a Kinokuniya specialty foods shop, a bakery café,achievable for the very fact that they are in Omotesando,

and a juice bar. Kinokuniya in particular demonstrated all

one of Tokyo’s most refined towns. The idea was to provide

their products to Tokyo Metro, and the two parties considereda venue for ‘fashion and food trends’ with a French andwhat products to sell. A decision was made to sell time-

Parisian image as the overall development concept.

stratified boxed meals (morning, afternoon, and evening),

The main targets were women in their 20s to 40s whowhich the shop staff say sold like wildfire after opening.

use the station for commuting to work or school. The shop

Latest fashion zone (ESPACE MODE)

composition was casual where customers could enter shops

This zone is made up of four shops which carry fashion-alone, and the shop design, products, and services wererelated daily goods such as light clothing and accessories

offered to customers with an emphasis on collaboration

befitting the season, as well as cosmetics and supplements,

between Tokyo Metro and consigned companies.

all providing sparkle to urban life unique to Omotesando.

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Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 69 • Mar 2017

Echika Ikebukuro
Echika Ikebukuro opened on 26 March 2009 as the second
Echika facility. When thinking of starting a new facility,
there were many homeless people and young peopleskateboarding or dancing in Ikebukuro Station, leading torequests for improvement from government agencies.
In June 2008, about a year before Echika Ikebukuro
opened, the Fukutoshin Line opened between Kotakemukaihara and Shibuya with many passengers expected touse Ikebukuro Station on the Fukutoshin Line. Consequently,
large-scale renovations such as relocation of the station
office and other station facilities, similar to what was donein Omotesando, was conducted. The renovation mergedcommercial and station facilities, enabling creation of an
attractive and convenient space.
Before the Fukutoshin Line opened, a ramen noodle
shop, Japanese pub, and yakitori pub had been operatingin the aboveground part of the Yurakucho Line at Ikebukuro
Station. This aboveground part was eventually developed
as Esola Ikebukuro in line with the development of Echika
Ikebukuro. This was done to invigorate Ikebukuro bothunderground and aboveground and to unite the stationand town. At development, features of the Ikebukuro
Echika-chan

market were first surveyed and the targets and concepts(Tokyo Metro)were formed as follows.

Ikebukuro characteristics
Origin of Echika and Development of ‘Echika-chan’Character

Ikebukuro is a giant terminal station with the second largest

Echika is derived from the words eki (station) and chika

people get on/off trains at Ikebukuro every day. Commercial(underground) with an emphasis on ‘e’ (good) and ‘chika’. It

facilities around the station centre on department stores

implies that Echika is an excellent and exciting undergroundwith many shops geared toward the elderly. There is nospace. Combining the ordinary words meaning station

clear zoning around the station and although various types

and underground created a very brilliant word. This comesof facilities exist, such as commercial, office, and culturalfrom the desire to offer an elegant and exciting spacefacilities, they are jumbled together and not laid out in anunderground.

organized manner.

number of station users in Japan and about 2.58 million

To avoid the conventional image of underground space

Despite being such a large terminal station in greater

as dark, narrow, and deep, we developed the ‘Echika-chan’

Tokyo, there is a large number of local residents. Aboutcharacter to give Echika a cute image.

11,000 people live within 500 m of the planned area (inFY2010). Many station users are in their 20s and 30s,

Table 1 Overview of Echika Omotesando

including both men and women. The west side boasts avariety of activities being known as an ‘art town’.

Echika Omotesando
Opened2 December 2005

Shop area

Approximately 1300 m2

Number of shops

24 (at 31 March 2016)

Targets and concepts‘I-FRONTIER’ targets
These targets are couples in their 20s to 40s who are active
around Ikebukuro Station as well as office workers employedin the nearby area and the rapidly increasing number of
local residents enjoying urban life.

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Making Best Use of Spaces in Railway Facilities

Figure 2 Floor Layout of Echika Ikebukuro‘IKEBUKURO-MONTPARNASSE’ development concept‘Passage de IKEBUKURO’ design concept

There was an ‘artists village’ around Ikebukuro in the earlyThis effort was made to merge a nostalgic image of Paris20th century. ‘IKEBUKURO-MONTPARNASSE’—today’swith modern design.

west side of Ikebukuro—is popular with artists as a lively
area with various ‘art town’ activities and this concept was

Overview of Echika Ikebukuro zones

incorporated in the development project to enliven the town

Food trends zone (GOURCIEUX MARCHÉ)

from underground to aboveground.

This ‘delicious zone’ features delicatessens and sweet‘I-FRONT’ commercial concept

shops. Preliminary market surveys found that Ikebukuro

The town is enlivened from underground to aboveground

had high sales in deli items and sweets, so distinctive eat-as an Ekichika commercial facility acting as a gateway toin and kitchen shops that are attractive to both men andIkebukuro.

women were opened in a space reminiscent of a bustling‘E-STYLE’ merchandizing concept

Paris market.

The concept was formulated taking the first letter in Enjoy,

Latest fashion zone (ESPACE MODE)

Exciting, and Echika.

This is a daily fashion goods zone for busy women. From the33

Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 69 • Mar 2017

time it was developed, Ikebukuro lagged behind Shinjuku

Overview of Esola Ikebukuro

and Shibuya in trendiness, with few popular shops. So very

Esola Ikebukuro is a commercial building with one floor

trendy shops distinctive of Echika were gathered together

underground and nine floors aboveground, accommodatingto create a space where customers can discover goodsome 40 shops. Spaces demonstrating a high sensitivity to

products in a limited amount of time.

trends house the first shop in Ikebukuro for fashion brands

Passage space (PASSAGE DE METRO)

and a lifestyle daily goods shop as well as highly stylized

This lifestyle showcase features an image of a Parisianrestaurants, cafés, social dining venues, and more. The

covered passage. Despite being small, shops feature lines

monotone building featuring a black and white motif openedof specialized products. Movement through an attractive
station is created by assembling bustling shops.

on 27 November 2009.
Origin of Esola

Rest zone (ESPACE PAUSE)

Esola was named as a gateway from the station (eki) toThis is where people can take a break in a zone ofaboveground (sky), demonstrating the desire to prove ‘e’restaurants and services. It is composed of restaurants(good) ‘sola’ (sky) to customers using Ikebukuro station.

offering authentic meals and quality space as well as new

Table 3 Overview of Esola Ikebukuro

types of shops for relaxing.
Art case (ESPACE ART)

Esola IkebukuroThis nostalgic street presents an image of Montparnasse in
Paris, recreating a scenery from the active and cute ‘Echikachan’s’ room.

Table 2 Overview of Echika Ikebukuro

Opened27 November 2009

Shop area

Approximately 3700 m2

Number of shops

32 (at 31 March 2016)

Echika Ikebukuro
Opened26 March 2009

Shop area

Approximately 1100 m2

Number of shops

26 (at 31 March 2016)

Echika Ikebukuro

Japan Railway & Transport Review No. 69 • Mar 2017

(Tokyo Metro)

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Making Best Use of Spaces in Railway Facilities

Figure 3 Esola Ikebukuro Floor Information

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Birth of Echika fit‘Ginza Chikamichi’ concept

Echika fit Ueno

disseminating information on the cutting-edge of trends.

‘Echika fit’, the first new medium-scale type station

While respecting the attractions of both extremes, Echika fit

underground commercial facility, opened in Ueno Station on

Ginza presents the enjoyment of taking a shortcut walking

20 February 2009. The Ginza and Hibiya lines intersect atthe boulevard.

Ginza is a town that cherishes tradition while always

Iron signs resembling ironwork and Ginza’s hallmark

Ueno Station, which is used by about 210,000 people eachroadside signs emphasize nostalgic design amidst newness.

day (in FY 2015).

Additionally, LED lighting reduces the environmental burden.

Echika fit is a medium-scale version of the Echika
commercial facility, inheriting the Echika concept; it has

Table 5 Overview of Echika fit Ginza

shops that ‘fit’ customers, the town, and age in an elegant
and exciting ‘e’ (good) ‘chika’ (underground) based on the

Echika fit Ginza

catchphrase of ‘pretty good, just right underground town’.
The development concept for Echika fit Ueno is ‘Next

Opened29 June 2012

convenience’ achieved by combining different businesses

Shop area

Approximately 250 m2

with an eye to the characteristics of the age and community.

Number of shops

5 (at 31 March 2016)

Metro Store’. It has ‘composite shops with intrinsic station

Ueno Station is currently being renovated ahead of the90th anniversary of the opening of the subway in Tokyo soEchika fit is closed temporarily.

Echika fit Nagatacho

Echika fit Tokyo

Echika fit Nagatacho opened on 8 August 2013 as the fourth

The development concept for Echika fit Tokyo is ‘TRAVEL

location under the Echika fit brand after Ueno, Tokyo, andTOKYO’, and it targets people moving about Tokyo for

Ginza with an emphasis on food. It sports eateries and foodbusiness, tourism, and more, mainly those using Tokyo

shops, including a shop specializing in soba buckwheat

Station as the gateway to Tokyo. It opened on 20 February

noodles with meat.

2012 as a station underground facility featuring items to

The Yurakucho, Hanzomon, and Namboku lines intersect

colour people’s everyday lives.

at Nagatacho Station, which is used by 70,000 people every

The Marunouchi Line, which passes through Tokyo Station

day (in FY2015). The station is also used for transfers by

is used by about 200,000 people each day (in FY2015).

100,000 people a day who do not exit the fare gates.
Nagatacho has a food court like Echika Omotesando.

Table 4 Overview of Echika fit Tokyo

However, to differentiate it from the food court in Omotesando, it was developed as a food court with a Japanese

Echika fit Tokyo
Opened20 February 2012

Shop area

Approximately 170 m2

Number of shops

5 (at 31 March 2016)

flavour where local characteristics were researched jointlywith the company operating the food court so customers
including business people passing through can relax in themorning, lunchtime, and evening.
Concept description
About 100,000 people a day change trains at Nagatacho
Station. It is a place where men and women spend time
every day both for business and leisure.

Echika fit Ginza

People stop at the ‘Carrefour’ (crossroads) on their

Echika fit Ginza is third location under the third Echika fit

way to their next situation. The cafeteria offers a ‘relaxing

brand following Ueno and Tokyo. Based on the concept of

moment’, to ‘be refreshed’, and ‘recharge’.

‘Ginza Chikamichi (shortcut to Ginza)’ it sports 10 shops

The design is Neo Classical making use of the brick(when opened) with high sensitivity to fashion, food andtexture providing a comfortable space that is nostalgic

drink, and more. It opened on 29 June 2012 as a station

yet new, overflowing with style. LED lighting reduces theunderground commercial facility where people can enjoy theenvironmental burden.

feeling of walking through Ginza, where good old tradition
meets cutting-edge trends. The Marunouchi and Hibiya lines
intersect at Ginza Station, which is used by about 250,000
people each day.

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Making Best Use of Spaces in Railway Facilities

Table 6 Overview of Echika fit Nagatacho
Echika fit Nagatacho
Opened

8 August 2013

Shop area

440 m2

Number of shops

7 (at 31 March 2016)

Future Development in Station
Many shops have been developed from the start of the
EKIBEN project through to opening of Echika fit Nagatacho.
However, Tokyo Metro operates mainly under streets, so
future development space is inevitably limited. There is also
an increasing tendency to shop via the Internet, which isstarting to affect shop sales.
In the midst of changing lifestyles, emphasis is being
placed on timely provision of goods and foods customers
want to buy and eat. New shops are being developed andexisting shops are being updated taking into account socialand commercial trends. Tokyo Metro intends to provide
convenient and comfortable commercial spaces for all
station users based on these concepts.

Hideki Inoue
Mr Inoue is a manager in the Retail & Advertising Department at
Tokyo Metro

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