Episode 39: The Station Deity of Shin-Yokohama Station

Shin-Yokohama Station, served by the Tokaido Shinkansen, the Yokohama Line, and the Yokohama Municipal Subway Blue Line. With the opening of the Sotetsu-Tokyu Direct Line in 2023, access has expanded dramatically. With a soccer stadium and concert venues, people flock here from all over the country.
The station deity who protects this station is a "two-way player" who wears a soccer uniform with a happi coat over it, holding a cheering megaphone in one hand and a ramen bowl in the other. Their catchphrase is, "Whether it's a match, an event, or ramen, come to Shin-Yokohama!"
"Alright, it's a full house again today! Time to order extra noodles as soon as kickoff hits!"
Morning. On the Shinkansen platform, tourists were confused, asking, "Is this for Kyoto? Or Nagoya?" The deity raised their megaphone and shouted, "Kyoto is on the left wing, Nagoya is on the right wing!" Of course, the tourists couldn't hear them. But by chance, the information board switched, a large arrow appeared, and the tourists were overjoyed.
"Nice guidance, no offsides there!"
In the morning, soccer fans were running around in front of the station in their uniforms, asking, "Which way is the stadium?" The deity held their ramen bowl high and shouted, "This way!" Just then, the bus destination display lit up with "Nissan Stadium," and the fans jumped on with a loud cheer.
"That's what I call home-field advantage!"
Noon. Tourists were gathering at the Ramen Museum in the station building.
"Which shop should we go to? Sapporo? Hakata? Yokohama Iekei?"
The deity put down the megaphone, stirred the bowl, and wished, "You should just get half-and-half of everything!" Then, by chance, a staff member announced, "We have a food-hopping set available," and the tourists cheered.
"Shin-Yokohama is a full-course event for your stomach, too!"
Afternoon. On the Yokohama Line platform, students were agonizing over, "Is this for Machida? Or Hachioji?" The deity mimicked kicking a soccer ball and shouted, "Both Machida and Hachioji are great towns! Cheer for whichever one you like!" In the end, the students asked a station attendant and solved the problem. The deity scratched their head and chuckled, "It's best to leave the tactical decisions to the pros."
Evening. Concert-goers rushed to the Shinkansen all at once, and the station was in total chaos. The deity blasted the megaphone at full volume and shouted, "Start the overlap!" Then, strangely, the flow of people split into two, and they were able to pass through the ticket gates smoothly.
"Alright! We broke through in stoppage time today, too!"
Night. On the way back from the stadium, people in uniforms returned to the station while singing. Mixed with the concert-goers, the area in front of the station was the height of chaos. The deity sat on a beam, slurping their ramen and laughing.
"Shin-Yokohama is so convenient it's almost a problem—you can go on expeditions via Shinkansen, and there are events and ramen everywhere."
Then, they thrust their megaphone toward the night sky.
"The match starts again tomorrow! Don't forget to order extra noodles!"
That voice didn't reach the people. But on the backs of those leaving the station, the heat of the stadium and the steam of the ramen still lingered faintly.