Bayshore Route

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Wangan Sign

Rainbow Bridge (Tokyo)

Shuto map with Bayshore route labelled as "B"

Wangan has many meanings. See Wangan for a list.

The Bayshore Route of Shuto Expressway (首都高速道路湾岸線, Shuto Kosokudoro Wangan-sen or simply Wangan-sen for short) is a stretch of toll highway in Greater Tokyo, 70 km, that runs from Yokohama city, Kanazawa ward, to Ichikawa city of Chiba Prefecture. It's an important route that runs between artificial islands of Tokyo Bay by way of bridges and sub-sea tunnels, bypassing Tokyo entirely.

1 Specific route
2 Traffic
3 See also
4 References in popular media

[edit] Specific route

It runs from Yokohama through through the Yokohama Bay Bridge and Tsurumi Tsubasa Bridge, the Kawasaki Subsea Tunnel, the Tama Subriver Tunnel, Haneda Airport North tunnel, Tokyo Bay Subsea Tunnel, which connects it to the popular tourist spot of Odaiba, and then on to Urayasu (near Tokyo Disneyland) in Chiba Prefecture. It is designated National Road 357 (国道357号). It facilitates road travel between Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures.

[edit] Traffic

Much cargo from Narita International Airport in Chiba destined for southern areas travels by way of large diesel trucks on Wangan-sen. The opening of Chubu International Airport has helped ease heavy truck congestion somewhat. It's notable as Tokyo's first offshore highway, has spectacular urban views including Minato Mirai 21, Odaiba and Rainbow Bridge, downtown Yokohama, and Yokohama Bridge, and is frequented by street racing during late night hours, although heavily congested in the day.

[edit] See also

Mid Night Club, a notorious street racing gang in Tokyo.

[edit] References in popular media

Wangan Midnight, a manga and anime series based on street racing on the Wangan.
Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune, an arcade racing game taking place on the Wangan.
Shutokou Battle (首都高, abbreviation for "Shuto Expressway") is a Sega game based on Wangan racing
Shutokou Battle series, an arcade Wangan racing game