Tokyo’s trains are modern, multi-carriage machines that efficiently and also impersonally move people round the city. Outside the capital, however, it can be very different indeed, with far older locomotives, and a much more personal experience.
An old Japanese train and its driver
Coli says
Great photograph. Was this a single carriage diesel engine type? There are a couple of these near where I live. I love the stations even more because they are so small. No ticket machines or anything. Great experience
Lee says
Cheers.
Yes, it was. A very local affair. And that single carriage was more than enough space. Like you said, the stations we also interesting. Nothing like the experience in Tokyo. And also generally no ticket machines too, so we had to pay the driver before we got off. Made it fun, rather than just a mere form of travel.
Hans ter Horst says
I do like the fact that the driver is keeping an eye on you via the mirror ; -)
The whole train network in the countryside is more relaxed too, nobody is going to be demoted if the train is a minute late and the single track system forces the trains to wait for oncoming trains at the most remote locations. All very agreeable once you get used to the pace in the countryside.
Lee says
Yes, that’s what made the photo for me!
Couldn’t agree more. A totally different experience. First time I’ve actually enjoyed a train journey for a long time.The only thing we had to watch was the time, as the trains were an hour or more apart, but that was easily done.
Al says
Ha, gotta love the look of the driver! 🙂
Lee says
Yeah, he was watching me. And as a man in charge of a train, a little too much I thought!
YTSL says
Japan sure has a variety of trains — and train stations!
Re trains: was surprised to come across older style trains in Kyoto as well as rural places like Furano and Biei. Re stations: have been in ones without any staff — and also one with an old style co-ed toilet! :O
Lee says
It certainly does.
Even in Tokyo — albeit on its western extremities — there are tiny stations with no staff. Just a ticket machine and a timetable showing you how much longer you have to wait for a train than in the city centre. But never seen one with such an old-style toilet. At least not yet!