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all photos by Daici Ano | click to enlarge

In 2013, a section of the Tokyu Toyoko Line that runs between Shibuya and neighboring Daikanyama Station was moved from above ground to underground. Miraculously, the feat of Japanese engineering happened overnight, with 1200 technicians working tirelessly, in tandem, to ensure that by the next morning trains would be running. In dense and crowded Tokyo, any reclaimed land is of great value. And Tokyu Corporation had big plans for the 3200 sq m (10500 sq ft) of land where their tracks once ran.

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Last year a large retail town called Log Road Daikanyama opened along the narrow, elongated space where train tracks once ran. A sloping, elevated walking path snakes through the space, which is made up of 5 retail buildings, scattered with terraces and benches. Ample amounts of greenery makes you feel like you’re walking through a park.

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Log Road Daikanyama was designed by architect Shin Ohori, who worked with Yoko Shibata, who helped refine the concept and come up with the logos, signage and identity. Ohori explains that they wanted to create a space that would grow with the Daikanyama neighborhood, rather than making a fancy, shiny splash at the beginning and the fading away from there. Indeed, it’s been over a year since the retail park opened but the red cedar buildings are aging nicely, the lush greenery has grown and Spring Valley Brewery, a craft beer brewery and restaurant maintains steady flow of people from all over.

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Spring Valley Brewery is located within Log Road Daikanyama, and offers craft beers that are made on-site. They offer six different types of specialty beer, as well as other standard beers, limited editions and experimental ones.

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