Some Photos From the Evening of the Tohoku Earthquake

[gmat]

My computer was fried on the day of the earthquake and it took a while to get it fixed. Apple in Japan repaired any problems caused by the earthquake, in my case free of charge. They also paid for delivery service to and from the repair center. Twice in my case as the computer died again when it came back. I lost all of my train photos as it was in my Macintosh HD, which was wiped and had a new OS uploaded. I had used another HD to hold the OS. I'm awaiting delivery of a FileFalvage CD to see if I can recover the photos.

 

But here are some photos that I took when I walked from Uguisudani Station to Shinjuku, where I had parked my bike. I cycled home from there. I'm posting a number of the notices pasted up that night mostly JR or Metro saying service had been suspended. One was at Lumine Department Store at Shinjuku Station saying that they had closed at 16:00.

 

Uguisudani Station, East exit. Although the entrance was shuttered, a staff member had opened the small door at the far end and I was able to ask when the trains would run again. He said that he didn't know.

 

 

I've since learned that all of the trains went to the nearest station to deposit their passengers and then parked there.

 

 

Helping out at Kasuga Station.

 

 

This was pasted below the station sign on the steps going down.

 

 

Korakuen Station. Notice the yellow tape blocking access through the turnstiles. Some people chose to wait in the station.

 

The line to buy bicycles was more twice this long.

 

Near Iidabashi Station. The only time that I saw or heard emergency vehicles that night.

 

Shinjuku Station. TV cameras.

 

Police were very helpful.

 

 

 

Blank board. For weeks after, the Shonan-Shinjuku Line and Narita Express portions remained blank.

 

More later.

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[gmat]

Shinjuku Station again. Still at the old South Exit. The sign advises taking the bus.

 

People waiting inside the station.

 

Looking towards the Odaku entrance.

 

Lumine Department Store and most other department stores closed early. In retrospect, perhaps letting people off all at once contributed to the crowded streets and traffic jams.

 

Sign says store closed at 16:00.

 

This line was waitng for a taxi. The line behind lead to the bus stops next to the Keio Dept. Store.

 

The taxi line went from here....

 

to here...

 

to here...

 

and ended at here.

 

There were still a driver and another worker waiting in the train. They were at the other end of the train.

 

The crossing at the other end was continuously flashing and ringing and when a car wanted to cross, the driver had to get out to lift the poles.

 

That's all for now.

Home was just a couple of minutes away.

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[CaptOblivious]

Those are some amazing photos, Grant; thank you for sharing!

[gmat]

Thanks CaptOblivious, wish I could have got better shots instead of rushing home and also posted them in a more timely manner.

 

Best wishes,

Grant

[ShinCanadaSen]

Great photos Grant. It's nice to see everyday life documented, especially when it isn't so "everyday" ;)