Three streets in Tokyo that have barred vehicle traffic on holidays will be opened to traffic on such days beginning next month, police said Thursday.
Omotesando Dori, the popular shopping street that runs about 970 meters from JR Harajuku Station, will be opened to vehicles along with a 750-meter stretch of Chuo Dori near Ueno Park and a 530-meter stretch of Kasuga Dori in front of JR Okachimachi Station, the police said.
Test studies have been conducted since 1998, aiming to have these streets reopened to vehicles in a bid to ease traffic congestion on nearby roads, they said.
Although the streets are only closed to vehicles for certain hours on holidays, some shops have complained about the arrangement, saying it causes traffic jams and encourages parking violations, they said.
Omotesando Dori, which runs through the youth-oriented Harajuku area, often hosts rock bands and other performers when closed to vehicle traffic.