For those wanting to go from West Ikebukuro to East Ikebukuro, you have the choice of doing so in multiple ways, the most popular is to walk through the JR Station and the other is through a pedestrian tunnel known as WE ROAD which the “WE” is supposedly from West and East and was created back in 1925 (Taisho 14).
It connects to the front of Parco on the East Exit and is known for having street performers entertaining people near the tunnel, but for the most part, it’s a convenient way to get from West to East or vice versa.
While a convenient road, it’s one that women do not want to walk into, primarily men and renovations are hoping to change that.
Because the tunnels is so old and looks it, there has been a drive for art to be featured on the ceiling and people can see beautiful colors, versus a scary tunnel that looks like it came from “Biohazard” (Resident Evil). And to get it completed prior to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.
In December 2017, about 30,189 people walked through WE ROAD on weekdays (20,546 men – 76.9% compared to 9,643 women – 23.1 %).
The renovation cost will be about 360 million yen and will feature illuminating LED lighting and hope to bring more females to go through the tunnel. In addition, for crime prevention and safety measures, a surveillance camera and car stops (as the history had people trying to drive their cars and motorcycles through the tunnel, which is a no-no) and to encourage people riding their bicycles to get off their bikes.
We do hope that the renovation will lead to people wanting to visit WE ROAD to check out the artwork commissioned by Ueda Shiho and also for women to feel safe and secure.
I look forward to seeing how WE ROAD will look after the renovation is completed!
