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Jan 27, 2024
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SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

Thank you. Looking at these photos, I realized that the scenery of the station has changed a little over the past 10 years.

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Jan 28, 2024
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SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

It might be as you say. It's a bit of a leap, but I was reminded of the last scene of the movie "Planet of the Apes".

The Brothers Krynn's avatar

Gosh how I used to hate the train-stations when I was in Japan, now I wish for nothing more than to be in one again. I miss them ever so much, they had such a great energy at times, there was excitement and being surrounded by Japanese people, all of whom were always keen to help point you in the right direction was a moving experience.

Domou Shimizu-san, I really needed to see these beautiful pictures and remember the small kindnesses the Japanese are always keen to show (outside of Tokyo, as the Tokyo-jins were never very helpful).

SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

It seems you had an unpleasant experience in Tokyo. (There are nearly 14 million people living in Tokyo, so there is diversity in both good and bad ways.)

Japan's urban stations and trains are lively, while local trains have a laid-back atmosphere. I like traveling by train, but I definitely don't want to ride a crowded train during rush hour.

The Brothers Krynn's avatar

Very true on all accounts, I love the local trains and the Nagoya & Kyoto ones such good memories! I did have an unpleasant time or three in Tokyo, but I don't think too deeply on it, and you're right there are good and bad folk there. The important thing is to focus on the good.

Louise Haynes's avatar

I love these shots, Akira. Just scenes of everyday life. I’m on the Nagoya subway, not trains, so not much looking out the windows. Where I grew up, there were no trains, so at first, it took a little getting used to. Now, it’s a part of life. Like @thebrotherskrynn, I would miss it if I couldn’t ride them.

SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

As you say, the subways are not as interesting.

By the way, I used to think that it was normal to have a well-developed railroad network, trains always running on time, and people lining up on station platforms waiting for people to get off the train before boarding. However, I have recently realized that these things are a characteristic of Japan.

Louise Haynes's avatar

So true! I lived in Spain many years ago. At that time, the trains were never on time... and with no apologies. Quite different from Japanese trains.

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

I think Spanish trains are better than they were! but not as good as Japanese ones, of course...:)

Louise Haynes's avatar

I imagine they are much better than when I was there in the late 1980s!

Jeffrey Streeter's avatar

Excellent. The railway network is showing its age in places, but it is still one of the backbones of Japan. In Tokyo, I can use the underground or overground and generally prefer the latter, even though it's more expensive. You see a lot of life outside the window from the overground trains.

SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

When I'm on a subway train, where I can't enjoy the scenery outside, I enjoy people-watching (actually I want to take pictures of interesting people, but I try to hold back as much as possible).

SHIMIZU Akira's avatar

I like that too. Even if the time comes when that building is renovated, I think that mural should remain.