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TOKYO ALBUM > Tokyo Photo News > Tokyo Photo News backnumbers > Tokyo Photo News 2011 > Tokyo Photo News October 2011
"Hana Densha" celebrates Toei Transportation centennial
In commemoration of its 100th anniversary, Toei Transportation operated a specially decorated streetcar, "Hana Densha", on the Toden Arakawa Line. This was the first time in 33 years since the event celebrating the conversion to conductor-less operations of the Arakawa Line that such a decorated car was used. Along with railroad aficionados, many Tokyo residents lined the streets to see the car decorated like a birthday cake.
Photo: The "Hana Densha" passing through the Asukayama intersection (October 1)
Ceremony for Ogasawara Islands' World Heritage listing
UNESCO's World Heritage Committee designated the Ogasawara Islands for inscription on the World Heritage List this June. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government held the commemoration ceremony on Chichijima, an island in the chain. The inscription certificate was displayed at the ceremony, with the occasion celebrated by all the participants.
Photo: Governor Ishihara and Ogasawara Mayor Morishita holding site inscription certificate (October 14)
Comprehensive Disaster Management Drill at Harumi
The annual Comprehensive Disaster Management Drill was jointly held this year by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the cities of Kodaira, Nishitokyo, Musashino, and Koganei on October 29. Based on lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake, in addition to conventional drills, drills with the details undisclosed to the participants were held this year. In order to bolster tsunami preparedness in the Tokyo Bay area, new drills were implemented to close movable floodwall gates and guide residents to safety.
Photo: Closing a movable floodwall gate (October 29)
The bustling Bettara Fair
The Bettara Fair (bettara is pickled daikon radish) dates back to the 18th century. It started with the sales of fish and vegetables in front of the Takarada Ebisu Shrine in today's Nihonbashi-honcho, Chuo Ward. Sold for offering at the Ebisu Festival, one of the wares on sale was bettara-zuke. This name for daikon radish pickled in the malt of sweet fermented rice wine, comes from "betobeto", the expression for "sticky". Held from October 19 to 20 again this year, the fair was a bustling success, with many street stalls participating.
Photo: Vendors call out heartily to passersby to try out their bettara-zuke
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