The Tobu Railway "Narihirabashi" Station—the nearest stop to Tokyo Skytree, often visible from the Palaceside Building rooftop in Takebashi—is scheduled to be renamed "Tokyo Skytree" Station by March 17.
"Narihirabashi" was named, along with nearby Kotoi Bridge, after Ariwara no Narihira, regarded as the model for the hero of The Ise Stories. But "Narihirabashi" is not only the Tobu station name. A Toei bus stop is also called "Narihirabashi Station," and the route is named "Gyo 10" from Narihirabashi. The traffic signal in front of the station reads "Narihirabashi" too—all likely to change. Maps and car navigation will need updating; the impact is considerable.
Perhaps to promote Tokyo's new landmark, Tokyo Skytree—but giving up a name with history and familiarity for a new one... One might wonder. Perhaps katakana would have been better after all.
I catch myself wishing Takebashi Station would become "Palaceside Building" Station, but "Takebashi" itself is said to come from a bridge woven of bamboo in olden times, and the Takebashi Gate of Edo Castle gives it a name with pedigree—Tokyo Metro would not switch to katakana that easily.