Walk 21- Vienna
2015.10.21
Machinoeki
To Revitalize Local Cities in Japan
Keiko Yoshida
Tochigi Prefectural Government
Hirotaka Koike
City Life Studies, Utsunomiya Kyowa University
Serious Problems in Present Japan
• Declining community
– Population decrease caused by low birthrate
– Urban sprawl and downtown decline due to
excessive motorization
• Increasing aging people
– 27% of population is over 65 years old
– 10 Million people are over 80 years old
– Unable to go out for shopping and other activities
who can not drive anymore
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Solutions
National government vs Local Community
• National Government
– Regional Revitalization Strategy
– Increase birth rate
– Job creation in local areas
• Local Community
– Community revitalization in city center by
walking people
=> The answer : Machinoeki
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Transport History in Japan
• Before mid 19c – Walking and horse riding
– Roadside stations
• Mid 19c ~ mid 20c – Railroad, streetcar and bus
• Mid 20c ~ present – Motorization era
– Urban sprawl and decline of CBD
Ancient wood block picture
of a roadside station
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Michi-no-eki (1991)
Roadside Station
Michi = Road
Eki = Station
World Bank
Kericho, Kenya
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Eiji Tanaka
Father of Michi- and Machi-no-Eki
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Former Head of NPO Regional Exchange Center
He started both Michinoeki and Machinoeki
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Logo of Machinoeki
人
人
人人
A person
People
(A Chinese Character)
Source: Regional Exchange Center, machinoeki.com
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Shift of Roadside Stations
Michi-no-eki (1991)
For automobile travelers
(Michi = Road Eki = Station)
Machi-no-eki (2002)
For pedestrians and cyclists
(Machi = Community Eki = Station)
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Four Functions of Machinoeki
• Resting Function
→ Rest area in town
(free toilets）
• Guidance Function
(maps, guides）
→ Information booth
• Exchange Function
(gathering)
→ Meeting place
• Collaboration Function
(networking)
→ with other stations
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How to make a Machinoeki
① Signage
An Ordinary Shop can
become Machinoeki…
② Free Toilet and
rest area
③ Guide with
friendly smile
④ Information and
guide map
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Who can make Machinoeki
• Anyone can make Machinoeki as long as one has a
motivation
• Various business categories, including shop, store,
museum, hotel, school, city hall, shirine, temple,
university…
Hotel Concere,
Tochigi
Mikamo Fudou
Temple, Tochigi
Utsunomiya
Kyowa University
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Machinoeki movement is expanding
80 Eki (2000) →
1,600 Eki （2014）
Number of Machinoeki
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Effects of Machinoeki
• It can not increase your customers
• It can not increase your earnings
But
• It can increase the power of
Community Revitalization
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Three Case studies in Tochigi
Tochigi prefecture has the largest number of
Machinoeki in Japan (192)
Kanuma City
100
Sano City
36
Tochigi City
21
Oyama City
13
Nasu Town
12
Utsunomiya City
10
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Case Study 1 Oyama City
• Population = 166,000
• Machinoeki = 13 (2006～)
• Four railway lines cross here
(including Super Express Train)
• Old shopping street with aged
residents
• New residents increasing because
the commuting distance to Tokyo
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Case Study 1 Oyama City
Keyword= Exchange
For elderly person
buying grocery etc.
For newcomer
getting town
information and
acquaintance etc.
Convenient area
Useful area
Social Exchange in Machinoeki
The joyful and peaceful area
for all residents
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Case Study ２ Kurodahara
District (in Nasu Town)
• Population = 5,200
• Machinoeki = 12 (2008～)
• Station and Town Hall
• Deserted Street
• Population Decline
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Case Study 2 Kurodahara District
Keyword= Cooperation
Inspired by the
small festival
in Iwate Pref.
Held similar
festival in Tochigi
Invited the
speakers
from Ishikawa
Pref. to Tochigi
National Conference in 2015
Cooperation with other Machinoeki
Getting various acquaintance & knowledge
Activating region & encouraging Ekicho
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Case Study ３ Utsunomiya City
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•
•
•
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•
Population = 520,000
Machinoeki = 8 (2015)
Highest car ownership
Heavy traffic jam
Decline of city center
The first LRT in Japan soon
Networked Compact City Plan
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Case Study３ Utsunomiya City
Keyword= Rest and Guidance
New LRT System
City center
Many Machinoeki
Provide free restroom
Guide about town with smile
Various people
elderly , youth, children…
City center changes to more
convenient and peaceful place
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What do residents need
to revitalize local cities?
Residents need
Love and pride for our region to
resolve regional problems
by themselves.
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The power of Machinoeki
Increase human interaction in town by
walking, cycling and public transport
Resolving the region's problems
Enhance love and pride for town
Machinoeki
can revitalize local cities in Japan !
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Thank you !!
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