Weekly News Digest
産経オンライン英会話 ニュースディスカッション教材
Escape the city's hustle on the Setagaya Line — a short yet captivating tram route perfect for a day of exploration in Tokyo.
I make my way to the station to board the Setagaya Line. Despite wearing short sleeves, I'm sweating in the scorching sun. But a gentle breeze embraces me as I'm greeted by a picturesque view: train tracks on a carpet of lush grass and field horsetails swaying in the wind. Feeling the season's transition from spring to summer, I smile and gently wipe the sweat from my brow.
Spanning approximately 5 km (3 mi), the Setagaya Line connects Sangenjaya Station to Shimo-takaido Station in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward. It serves as an invaluabletransportation artery for the residents along its route, conveniently linking with the Keio, Odakyu, and Den-en-toshi lines running east and west.
Tokyu Corporation, responsible for the line's operations, says the grass and plants along the tracks do not pose any problems. Rather than resorting to removing them, they instead delicately trim the overgrown grass during their regular maintenance inspections, ensuring an uninterrupted train service.
半袖でも暑い陽気の中、駅までの道を急ぐ。線路には緑色のじゅうたんを敷いたように、スギナなどの草花がふわふわと茂っている。春から夏へ、季節の移り変わりを感じ、額ににじむ汗を拭った。
東京都世田谷区の三軒茶屋駅から下高井戸駅の約５キロを結ぶ東急世田谷線。東西に走る京王、小田急、東急田園都市の各線とつながる沿線住民の貴重な足だ。
東急電鉄によると、線路に生える植物は現状では列車の運行に支障がないという。大規模な除草作業は行わずに、伸びすぎたものは保守点検作業の際に刈るなどして対応している。