Sep 14, 2023 22:31:00

Dotonbori was on high alert after the Hanshin Tigers won the Central League for the first time in 18 years.

On Thursday, September 14, 2023, the Hanshin Tigers won the professional baseball Central League for the first time in 18 years since 2005. The last time the tournament was won, more than 5,300 people jumped into the Dotonbori River that runs through the city, resulting in fatalities.Osaka Prefectural Police are on high alert as large numbers of people gather together, creating a dangerous avalanche of crowds. I did.

Government agencies in Taiwan and South Korea have issued warnings to people traveling in Osaka that it is dangerous to approach areas such as Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori.

[Invitation] September 14th evacuation for Shinsai Bridge, Dotonbori, Tsutenkaku, Koshien Stadium and other areas!! - Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Osaka

https://www.roc-taiwan.org/jposa/post/41291.html

[안전정보] 안전여행정보주오사카 대한민국 총영사 관
https://overseas.mofa.go.kr/jp-osaka-ko/brd/m_23195/view.do?seq=1345305

I didn't know how long preparations would start, so when I went to check on Dotonbori in the morning, not only were there no police officers in sight, but there were also only a few tourists.

There is a sign on the railing of Dotonbori Bridge overlooking Ebisu Bridge that says ``Danger of diving.'' It is written in 4 languages.

We arrived at the foot of the south side of Ebisu Bridge. An inbound group was taking photos in front of Kani Doraku, but there weren't that many people passing by.

The familiar 'Glico' sign.

As expected, it was too early in the afternoon, so I came back to Dotonbori in the afternoon. Since it was past noon, there were more people.

Under the bridge is the dull green Dotonbori River. Although the water quality has improved compared to before, it is still '

like jumping into a toilet bowl '.

A television crew was preparing for an interview. Several stations were there, and it seemed that not only the Osaka stations but also the crews from the Tokyo key stations were there.

As I waited a little further away, police cars arrived on top of the Dotonbori Bridge.

The passage under the Dotonbori Bridge, which was accessible until early afternoon, is now closed.

The line of police cars was not just at Dotonbori Bridge, but continued all the way from Daimaru in Shinsaibashi to the north.

In addition, a 2m high sheet was installed in the direction where Ebisu Bridge can be seen from Dotonbori Bridge.

Although the Glico signboard was somehow visible, Ebisubashi was completely invisible.

A group of police officers appear to be having a meeting on the Dotonbori Bridge.

The car that DJ Police would pick up later was also waiting.

Ebisu Bridge, which I glimpsed through the gap between the seats, was packed with people.

It was quite crowded on Ebisu Bridge.

The southern end of the line of police cars was Sennichimachi-suji.

As the sun went down, police officers could be seen heading towards Ebisu Bridge with lanterns aloft.

There are also police officers monitoring the surrounding area from the top of the car.

A police officer was standing in front of a sheet installed on the Dotonbori Bridge, guiding people to proceed without stopping.

A TV station covers the situation.

This is what it looked like when I crossed the Dotonbori Bridge from Kitazume to the south.

A large number of police officers protect the Dotonbori Bridge, wary of the Hanshin Tigers winning the league - YouTube

The slope at Ebisu Bridge was closed and measures were taken to prevent people from jumping into the river.