Uploads from amirjina, tagged 東海道

The 18.54

nobody@flickr.com (amirjina) — Mon, 19 May 2008 04:13:17 -0700

amirjina posted a photo:

The sky is quite unaltered, I assure you!

This is a picture of the Izu Hakone line that runs from Mishima station. It cuts its way through the wonderful Izu peninsula, through rice fields and looming mountains, to Shuzenji.

Usually I get off at Nirayama or Izunagaoka stations. On my way to see some of the kindest people I have ever met.

Late One Night

nobody@flickr.com (amirjina) — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 23:56:09 -0800

amirjina posted a photo:

. . . and here is what happens on the last train! Yes, he is asleep on the floor. Unlike the last picture, where there was no one really on the train and taking up two seats was not particularly inconsiderate, this is the Last Train.

Not having enough space to stretch out on the seats, and being too considerate to take up that much space, this man decided to sleep on the floor. Of course, no one said anything to him, he was almost certainly drunk. I even witnessed the conductor step over his slumbering mass.

Of course, as ever, even when drunk enough to pass out on the floor of a busy train, he was able to wake up mere seconds before his stop, and stumble, with difficulty, off the train.

Have a look at some more bizarre train sights . . .

Early One Morning

nobody@flickr.com (amirjina) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 15:32:37 -0800

amirjina posted a photo:

Seen one morning on the way into Tokyo on the Shonan Shinjuku line.

As I mentioned before, the trains are woven into the fabric of life in Japan. Strangely enough they stop quite early, often leaving people to dash madly for their last train or stranding them very far from home. I am just guessing, but in the case of this man it was probably an intentional all night outing. Work parties in Japan have a few levels to them - the first party, which is moderately respectful after which some people go home, the second party, which can involve Karaoke and more drinking, and the respectful air is eroded, perhaps a third party after that that involved a pub or snack bar - and so on and on.

Such is the tyranny of the Last Train that it is not unusual to see people sleeping in train stations, outside train stations (fully prepared with blankets), parks, Internet cafes, capsule hotels . . . An early morning nap when the trains start running again is usually a nice relief.

As for this man, well, like most people I see fall asleep on trains here, he woke from his deadened slumber a mere minute before his stop, and walked off the train as the wrinkles fell out of his suit and his professional facade was restored.

The theme continues . . .

Not quite

nobody@flickr.com (amirjina) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:38:52 -0800

amirjina posted a photo:

Continuing my theme from my last photo, here is another taken on trains in Tokyo - this time at rush hour in Shinagawa Station. Before you click away elsewhere, please notice the man's arm and sleeve - he was lucky to make it on this train. But at least he can see out.

Tokyo is a city where people try to maintain a certain distance from each other - both emotionally and physically. Walk around during the day and you won't see very many smiles. The warmth of each person is reserved for people who are closer acquaintances than a passerby on the street. In a way, I understand. Tokyo is not only one of the most interesting urban environments, it is also one of the harshest - and the picture above shows some of the stresses that each day can bring.

Ironically, on a train like this, barely able to breathe, people still manage to maintain an emotional distance, even if the physical one is nonexistent.

The theme continues . . .