"Empty Tobu-Tojo Line Train & Ikebukuro Back Streets"

Riding into Ikebukuro on a nearly empty Tobu-Tojo Line train, I exited the station on the west side and walked around in Nishi-Ikebukuro a bit - including into Ikebukuro's version of Kabukicho.  This batch of videos ends at Tokorozawa, while I was waiting for a train.

"Nearly Empty Tobu-Tojo Inbound Local" (100219-1932)

Riding in a Tobu-Tojo Line local train, beginning with a look out the window at a passing Saikyo Line train on the neighboring JR tracks, then swiveling over for a look inside the almost empty train car - including looking over at other trains passing both to the right and left.

東武東上線の各駅停車の電車と左右の電車  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 7:32 p.m.)

"Nighttime Water Fountain in Nishi-Ikebukuro" (100219-1943)

Nighttime water fountain in Nishi-Ikebukuro - which is in front of a concert hall (with other display spaces, etc. inside).  When the weather is warmer, this is a famous pick-up spot.

西池袋の噴水  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 7:43 p.m.)

"West Side of Ikebukuro Station" (100219-1944)

Walking in Nishi-Ikebukuro towards the west side entrance of Ikebukuro Station.

西池袋の散歩、池袋駅に向かう  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 7:44 p.m.)

"Ikebukuro Station West Side" (100219-1946)

Starting by the entrance to Ikebukuro Station, and then walking over towards the drinking area of Ikebukuro.

池袋駅から、池袋の飲街に向かう  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 7:46 p.m.)

"Ikebukuro Drinking Area" (100219-1948)

Entering the drinking area of Ikebukuro - walking past a large truck sitting right in the middle of a road that typically has only pedestrians on it....  The two men in the cab were laughing - prompting me to imagine that they had taken a wrong turn somewhere and found themselves in what would feel something like being in a truck in the middle of a shopping mall (a typical comedy movie scenario).

池袋の飲街  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 7:48 p.m.)

"Back Streets in Ikebukuro" (100219-1950)

Walking down a couple of back streets in Ikebukuro.  Not all-inclusive, but showing a few streets.

池袋の裏道  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 7:50 p.m.)

"Pedestrian Tunnel from West to East Side of Ikebukuro Station" (100219-1954)

Walking through the pedestrian tunnel that goes under several rail lines and connects the west and east sides of Ikebukuro Station (going from the west side to the east side in this video).

池袋の横断歩道トンネル  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 7:54 p.m.)

"Seibu-Ikebukuro Line Ikebukuro Station Ticket Gates" (100219-2035)

Going through the Seibu-Ikebukuro Line ticket gates in Ikebukuro - the terminal station on the Tokyo side of the line.

池袋駅の西武池袋線の改札口を通る  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 8:35 p.m.)

"New Type Ikebukuro Line Express Arriving at Ikebukuro Station" (100219-2040)

Waiting in line as a new type Seibu-Ikebukuro Line express pulls into the terminal station Ikebukuro.  Notice the diagonal steel supports in the station - I think these were retrofitted some time after the Kobe earthquake to make the building more earthquake resistant.

池袋駅の西武池袋線の新型急行列車がやって来ます  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 8:40 p.m.)

"Tokorozawa Station - Waiting for Train" (100219-2124)

Waiting at Tokorozawa Station in the February cold for the next train to arrive.  It occurred to me while looking around the old station that I take it for granted now, but will likely feel nostalgic about it when they (eventually) reconstruct it in some squeaky new style.

所沢駅のホームで次の電車を待っている  東京  (Recorded on Friday, February 19th, 2010, at 9:24 p.m.)

Lyle (Hiroshi) Saxon
http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~LLLtrs/
http://youtube.com/lylehsaxon
http://tokyoartmusic.blogspot.com/