On January 22nd, Tokyu's Aya Shirai, Spiral Club's Daiki Tateyama, and Nanami Kobayashi appeared as guests on the "Shibuya Culture Project" program on the community FM station "Shibuya Radio," and talked about the "biotope" project being undertaken on the "Shibuya River Promenade." This article introduces an excerpt from the program's content.

In September 2018, a large-scale complex called "SHIBUYA SHIBUYA STREAM River Street", a promenade stretching about 600 meters from Inaribashi to Namikibashi and Shibuya Bridge, was constructed.

The Toyoko Line running on an elevated bridge and the Shibuya River (photo taken in September 2012)

This area used to be located under the Toyoko Line elevated tracks and was dark and deserted. The Shibuya River also had a strong image of being a "ditch" and was not a place where people gathered. However, with the opening of SHIBUYA STREAM, it was reborn as a bright and open place to relax. Today, it is a popular spot during the day where people sit and chat or enjoy lunch.

The "biotope" on the promenade and its background

Along the promenade, a "pergola" has been installed that partly utilizes the pillars of the Toyoko Line viaduct. The top of this pergola is made of steel and rails, making it a striking piece of public art that symbolizes the former railroad tracks. Beneath it is the "biotope."

This pergola is made up of the remains of the Toyoko Line viaduct's rails and pillars. The number "32" on the pillar means that it is the 32nd pillar counting from the station.

It may seem a bit sudden, but why was a biotope installed in this location?

According to Tokyu's Shirai, "This is part of an effort to increase the value of the plazas and promenades along the Shibuya River." The company regularly holds its own outdoor event, "SHIBUYA SLOW STREAM," and is committed to creating a lively atmosphere along the promenade. The biotope was first exhibited at the event in September 2023, and will continue to be installed even after the event ends.

Left: A snail on aquatic plants. Right: A killifish swimming near the surface during the day when the sun is out, even in winter.

The biotope is managed by members of the "Spiral Club." As an open community that brings together people with an interest in the global environment and climate change, the club regularly holds workshops and reading groups. According to member Tateyama, the biotope is "a small ecosystem in the middle of Shibuya," where killifish, red-finned loaches, loaches, small shrimp, and pond snails coexist. If you look into the water now, you'll see that because it's winter, the fish are hiding in the soil and among the aquatic plants, staying still.

The members manage the water quality twice a week, replenishing the water that has evaporated and removing algae. In addition, the biotope is equipped with solar panels that provide the electricity needed to circulate the water. This equipment has made maintaining the water quality much easier.

Water is circulated using power from solar panels

At first, there was concern that "if we put it in Shibuya, cigarette butts and garbage would be thrown away," but in reality, no such problems have occurred. Member Kobayashi said, "His view of the city has changed, and he thinks, "I think Shibuya can be a little more trustworthy." Tateyama also said, "People walking around say, 'Lately, the killifish...' and it's fun to have new encounters and conversations that start with the biotope."

In Shibuya, a place symbolizing busyness, the biotope brings "slow time" and "warmth of community" to the city. Could this slow community become a new model for urban development of the future? Future developments are anticipated.

Please listen to the Shibuya Radio broadcast of "About Biotopes" below.

Venue

Interviews and writing

Editorial Department: Takashi Fujii

Shibuya registrar. In addition to Shibuya of Culture information, seasonal news and topics, it will spell write that feel every day.