The Locomotive Train Culture in Japan
Why riding the train is just a contemplative and personally-enriching experience
Another thing I noticed in my five days in Japan was the prevalence of train travel everywhere. The overhead cables and the multitude of train tracks just adds an air of nostalgia to the place, as though everyone is still living in colonial times.
Even though I was only there for about a week, I can take a whack at what makes this mode of transport so appealing.
First, it’s communal. It’s like being put into a social experiment, where different walks of people are forced into a box and they are observed for their reactions. Sure everyone does their own thing, but even that can be a lesson in social behavior as well.
Second, it’s romantic. Just the chug of the wheels below you, the rushing scenery, and the rumbling hum, it gets people to fall in love with travelling. Since trains connect the various cities in Japan quite extensively, many natives probably use it for inter-city travel.
It’s calming. It takes you away from the world’s trouble for that time. Your mind drifts and you’re allowed to ponder about life or whatever that matters to you. For once, you don’t have to feel guilty for spacing out!
Lastly, it’s fast and cheap. Even without the bullet versions, trains are still fast and a good way for mass transportation. Yes planes fly faster but they’re more expensive and you have to deal with airport security, which probably loses the time advantage anyway. With trains you just hop on, zip, and then you’re there.
