But that’s not the case in Japan. For whatever reason, Japanese culture isn’t as litigious as US culture. It means that Japanese people can get away with things that would be seen as grounds for a lawsuit in the US. Spigots with boiling hot water in kaitenzushi restaurants, sometimes-dangerous walkways, and—what struck me the most—train stations.

Many train platforms in Japan are open-air, meaning that trains whizz by, sometimes at high speeds, without any real barrier between people waiting on the platform and certain danger. I damn near jumped outta my skin the first time I heard a bullet train speed through a station.

Make no mistake, Japanese trains are remarkably safe. Considering how many people in Japan commute and travel by train every single day, the number of injuries and fatalities is extremely low. And the technology to keep people safe and comfortable in trains is evolving every year.

However, there are still problems. While we were in Japan we never saw anybody get hit by a train or fall onto the tracks or anything like that, but people in Japan are still killed and injured by trains all the time.

Safety Measures

Japan has one of the highest suicide rates in the world, and one way people end their lives is death by train. It happens all the time around the entire country. We even indirectly dealt with the issue while we were there: one of our trains in Tokyo was delayed by a suicide.

There are some mechanisms in place to deal with this at train stations: some have buttons you can press if somebody falls onto the tracks to alert the trains to stop, but most stations leave you pretty helpless.

Fortunately, the Japanese are working on keeping people safe on train tracks. Some cities have begun to add doors to train stops that open once the train arrives, and researchers are even working on station barriers that adjust to different train models.

Fixing the Root Cause

Of course, there are plenty of efforts to tackle the suicide problem to make sure that these barriers aren’t even needed in the first place.

Because Japan’s suicide rate has been extremely high for some 20+ years, people in the government and all over the country have taken efforts to solve this complex problem.

Of course, there’s no one solution to suicide just as there’s no one cause; the Japanese have funneled money into numerous programs including suicide hotlines, counseling, treatment, and public awareness campaigns to change cultural attitudes towards suicide.

Unfortunately, there’s still a long way to go before Japan’s suicide problem is anywhere close to fixed. But until this epidemic is stymied, a train remains a dangerous thing.

Bonus: Our illustrator extraordinaire Aya put together an animated gif of the illustration from today’s header, enjoy!

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More Young Japanese Heading Abroad to Study: While there’s been a historic dip in Japanese studying overseas in the last few years, it looks the trend is reversing. The surprising part of this story to me is that Canada is becoming the destination of choice for many of these young Japanese students. Why? Because “people feel greater affinity with Canada, and perhaps stereotypically, people think that English spoken there is more elegant.” I always knew that that those “eh”s and “aboot”s had something graceful to ‘em. [via Reddit][/threecol_two] [threecol_one_last]New Steve Jobs Biography Manga Starts: Steve Job’s biography was a runaway hit when it came out, and the upcoming Steve Jobs movie is already causing a bit of a stir. So why wouldn’t Japan make a Steve Jobs manga? It only makes sense. Plus, think of the tie-ins with other manga! Next issue of One Piece: the whole crew gets the newest iPhone.

200-mph red bullet trains thrill rail-mad Japan: Japan always seems to be pushing the envelope when it comes to cool trains, as evidenced by its latest, a 200 MPH bullet train called the “Super Komachi.” The new train features technologies to make clipping along the Japanese countryside at ridiculous speeds more comfortable. Well, as comfortable as you can be going 200 MPH in a giant metal tube.[/threecol_one_last]

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[threecol_one]Google Street View Captures Ghost Town in Fukushima’s Evacuation Zone: A little over two years after the disastrous 3/11 earthquake and tsunami, the area around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant still largely remains abandoned. Google Street View, however, has made it possible for people across the world to take a tour of the eerily deserted city.

Japan Man ‘Tries to Kill Woman With Poisoned Shoes’: In my life, I’ve heard of a lot of bizarre ways people try to kill each other, but I think that “poison shoes” is a new one to me. I’ll give the would-be murder this: it’s definitely one of the more creative methods of killing somebody I’ve ever heard. And it’s definitely made me much more paranoid about my footwear. I’m on to you, sock! [via News On Japan][/threecol_one] [threecol_two_last]

Japan’s IT Badboy ‘Horiemon’ Released on Parole: Nicknamed because of his resemblance to manga star Doraemon, former tech entrepreneur Takafumi Horie was released from prison this month. After losing over 60 pounds in prison (which will no doubt kick off a new diet craze), Horiemon’s first stop out of prison was McDonald’s. After tasting the sweet, sweet nectar of the Mega Mac, I would probably have done the same.[/threecol_two_last]

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1. The “Bacon”

Bacon in Japan (and a lot of the world) is completely wrong. Bacon should be the most amazing thing you’ve ever eaten, and in Japan it is just another meat. It shouldn’t be slimy, floppy, or tasteless. It should feel like you will get a heart attack if you eat too much and should be everyone’s favorite food. If someone opened a (real) bacon restaurant or food stand, I think it would do pretty well. I can’t wait to get back to the land of bacon and have myself some of that magic food that keeps me from being a vegetarian.

2. Elevators aka “Murdervators”

Elevators in America are docile. You hit the close button and they don’t close. You wait and they don’t close. Then, they close very timidly. If the slightest breeze goes by, they open back up again for fear that someone will sue them and their masters. Although there are more laid back elevators in Japan, many of them are ruthless killers. The close door button works even when you’re not hitting it. I can’t even count the amount of times I felt my life was in danger from an elevator. They close fast and hard. So, don’t try to run into an elevator that’s closing if you’re not sure you’ll make it. It could grab you and drag you up into the ceiling cutting your leg off… and that’s only if it’s feeling nice that day.

3. Tiny Cups Of Water

Since beer equals water in Japan (both in taste and how much it’s consumed), water gets the boot. Water almost always comes in these tiny nearly shot-glass sized glasses, meaning that if you’re someone who likes to drink their water, you’re going to have a hard time. If you’re lucky, there’s a self serve water option. If you’re unlucky you’ll just be stuck with a lot less water than you’d normally want (or you have to keep asking).

4. The Last Train

For a country with cities as big and bustling as Tokyo, you’d think the trains would run later. For the most part, the last train is around midnight. Miss that train and you’ll have to walk, take a cab home, or stay in a capsule hotel / manga café. I guess it’s a good way to make sure people get home early. Or, perhaps it’s just not sustainable to run trains at night. Whatever the reason, it’s still pretty early if you ask me. Couldn’t the last train just be an hour or two later, please?

5. Cigarette Smoke

While smoking has taken a big curb in Japan the last couple years, there’s still a lot of indoor, poorly ventilated areas where people smoke. While I also feel sorry for smokers who have to go inside smoking boxes to smoke (that can’t be very good for anyone, right?), it would be nice to not have to deal with it in many restaurants and izakaya. That being said, the thing that really bothers me is the smell of my clothes afterwards, so I guess I can deal for the most part when I have access to a washing machine.

6. Heaters Being Too Hot

Rooms are too hot in Japan. It’s either sweltering or it’s freezing. No in-between. While you get used to it after a while, it can still be obnoxious. People up north in Japan wear too little clothes. People in the south where it’s warmer wear way too much. I’m just used to middle-of-the-road Pacific Northwest weather, so I suppose it’s really my fault, but it’s my list so I can complain about whatever I want :p

7. Lack Of Free Wifi

I’ve talked about this before. Free wifi is hard to come by in Japan. When you’re used to free wifi at just about every place you go in America, it can be painful to go to a place where free wifi is about as common as the dodo bird. I guess while places in America encourage you to stick around with free wifi if Japanese places did it they may have the opposite problem. People would stay forever and live in your coffee shop. This is why manga internet cafés exist.

8. Squat Toilets

I used to like them. They’re healthier for you, after all, right? Anyways, as I’ve gotten older and weaker, I’ve gravitated towards Japanese sit-down toilets from the year 2055. Why squat when you can have a warmed seat, water to clean your butt, and a bunch of buttons? So, when I run into a place that only has squat toilets (they’re usually dark, smelly, and freezing cold, too… coincidence?) I’m disappointed. It’s not that I can’t use them, that’s not my complaint. It’s just that they aren’t the luxury my butt deserves.

9. The Lack Of Spicy

Spicy things are too sweet. Sweet things are not sweet enough (actually, they’re just right). As a kid this was great, but as an adult who has his tastebuds burned away by time and actually spicy things, the lack of spicy stuff (in general) makes “spicy” things disappointing. It’s not that I don’t like things that aren’t spicy, it’s that when I order something that says it’s “spicy” it should be spicy, you know? Japan loves its “sweetish” umami taste.

Bonus: AKB48

As Tofugu’s greatest enemy and rival, AKB48 is obviously something we do not miss. One day, we will strike down AKB48 with our Fugu fist. Until that day, we will not miss them. You guys comment about them too much in our comments threads for us to miss them, anyways.

What Do You Not Miss About Japan?

Anything you don’t miss about Japan? Something you wish you had / didn’t have while you’re in Japan? Obviously all of you will say bacon whether you’re vegetarian or not, so something besides that, please. Share them in the comments! I’m curious about different countries from America as well. Like, if you’re from New Zealand do you miss the Topp Twins and Lord of The Rings?

Fortunately Japan, with its love of trains, has its fair share of stylish, novel, and luxury trains running across the country. Some of them are so beautiful and carefully made, the most hardcore train otaku would shed a tear.

Let’s take a look at some of the most unusual, luxurious, and beautiful trains running the rails in Japan.

Cat Train

As a publicity stunt, in 2007 the city of Kinokawa made a calico cat named Tama the stationmaster of its local train station. Ever since, Tama has been a major tourist attraction for people across Japan and all over the world.

Tama has been a merchandising bonanza for Kinokawa, putting pictures of Tama on anything that stays still for long enough. That includes a special train, the たま電車, or Tama Train.

It’s less of your everyday commuter train and more like a cat lady’s living room, minus the cats.

Kotatsu Train

The Japanese winters can be pretty harsh, especially up north. Fortunately, there are a plethora of uniquely Japanese ways to keep warm, including the beloved kotatsu.

A kotatsu is a low table with a heater strapped to the bottom, with a blanket on top to trap the heat. For the last couple of years in the northern Iwate prefecture, Sanriku Railway Co. has offered a special kotatsu train that brings the comforts of home to the rail.

The line was shut down last winter because of damage from the 3/11 earthquake, but has come back this year to offer cozy trips to all who want to take them.

Demons from Japanese folklore occasionally show up

The Emperor’s Train

In the rare occasion the Emperor takes to Japan’s rails to travel or entertain foreign heads of state, he does it in style. You can’t expect the product of the world’s oldest monarchy to jump into just any old JR train.

The Imperial train (or お召し列車) has been a E655 series train since 2007. One car on the train is used exclusively by the Imperial Family, while the rest are reserved for special occasions.

The front of the train usually bears the Imperial Seal, Japanese flags and, if there are foreign dignitaries on board, the flag of those diplomats.

Toy Train

The same people who run the line that features Tama and the Tama Train thought that a toy-themed train would be appealing to tourists as well. The train features coin vending machines for toys, a toy store, and the kind of colorful decor you might expect in a kindergarten. It even has a crib built into the train for the younger ones.

Seven Stars in Kyushu

Seven Stars in Kyushu doesn’t exist yet, but it’s already generating a lot of attention. Billed as a “land cruise,” Seven Stars is a luxury train that’s set to open this fall. The cars will be filled with deluxe suites, there will be a dress code, and no children will be allowed.

Even though it’s months until the train makes contact with the rail, wealthy parties from the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong have already expressed interest. We’ll see if the Seven Stars lives up to all of the hype when it opens in autumn.

It’s an impressive, mismatched collection, to say the least. I wish that people put as much care, attention, and professionalism into the railways where I live, but for now I’ll have to just deal with the creepy guy sitting across from me on my commuter train and staring at me.

That’s why I was really excited to find a video series that takes you all over some of the most unexplored, rural parts of Japan. Following in the vein of TofuguTV, this series, Cycling Japan’s Abandoned Rail, really came out of left field as a pleasant surprise.

Trailer

The premise of the series is pretty simple: an American couple, Adam and Beth, explore Hokkaido’s abandoned rail lines on bikes.

Videos about Tokyo are a dime a dozen, but videos exploring Hokkaido are pretty rare. And going to abandoned places in Hokkaido? Even more few and far between.

Adam and Beth do a great job of going off the beaten path and exploring the rural parts of Japan that few people get an opportunity to see.

Part 1

The introduction to Cycling Japans Abandoned Rail starts off what seems to be a perilous journey full of giant wasps, narrow roads, fierce dogs, and small, empty towns.

The scenery though, couldn’t be more gorgeous. Biking along the coast of Hokkaido during the summertime provides some of the most idyllic landscapes you could ask for. Open fields, blue sea, and giant wind turbines seem like something out of a story.

Part 2

Part 2 did a great job showing just how rural parts of Japan (especially Hokkaido) can be. Adam and Beth find a bicycle path that once used to be an old rail line, but there’s one little complication — it’s officially closed because there are too many wild bears.

There aren’t many other parts of Japan where you would fear bear attacks, but fortunately Adam and Beth manage to elude these vicious beasts and survive for the next installment.

Part 3

This part in particular is great because it incorporates so much archival footage from these old train lines. Not just of their everyday usage, but of their final rides, too. Train otaku, get your tissues because this will be a tear-jerker.

Part 4

The fourth and final part does a great job and wrapping it all up. The journey comes to a close and you forget that you’ve witnessed 30 days of travel in just under an hour.

Overall, I was really impressed with this whole series. It’s clear that these two put in a lot of hard work not only in cycling all over Hokkaido, but the production is great too.

It’s inspiring that these two could create something so cool with so little. With nothing but their bikes, a camera, and (presumably) a shoestring budget, they were able to produce a very cool little documentary. And hey, I learned something too!

It’s a much different story in Japan. Trains are, and have been part of the Japanese psyche for a little over a century now. In that time, trains have gone from a faster, novel form of transportation to an essential part of Japanese culture.

But it’s not just that a huge number of Japanese people ride the trains every day, but there’s also been a whole culture built around them.

Train Music

It might seem strange to associate trains with music, but in Japan that’s just the case. Nearly every train station has its own departure melody, music that plays before the imminent departure of the train, encouraging riders to board before the train leaves. (It’s something you can see at the very beginning of Koichi’s latest episode of TofuguTV.)

This is partially Japan’s ongoing effort to brand everything everywhere. Japan seems to strive to give every train station, every town, everything its own unique identity; you can see this from Japan’s many town mascots, and even branded manhole covers.

A sampling of some of Japan’s departure melodies:

But aside from the branding aspect of departure melodies, they also make riding the train really pleasant. They’re little better than elevator music or Muzak, but the melodies are very gentle and give you a definite sense of place. Each unique melody lets you know that you’re at that particular station, and not any other.

Just a few days ago, I was happy to stumble upon an online discussion about people’s favorite train melody. It’s really nice to see people taking such pride in their train stations.

It’s worlds better than what I’m used to. The train station I go to every day is just a place for me to board the train, not really anything else. And the only warning for departure is a quick recording of “the doors are closing” moments before the train leaves and I’m left to futilely sprint after it.

Train Otaku

It seems like there are otaku for everything nowadays, and trains are no exception. Train otaku, not to be confused with the famous train-riding otaku depicted in Train Man, live and breathe trains. They study up on all of the different train models, collect train-related merchandise, and go out to take pictures of trains in their natural environment.

In the new book Otaku Spaces, Patrick Galbraith interviews one such train otaku who was happy to brag about his collection of conductor uniforms and model trains.

What I found most interesting is that he reveals that there are subsets of train otaku, including “funeral otaku,” people who go to see a train before it’s retired. They ride on it, take pictures, and say their farewells before the train is made completely obsolete.

It seems like kind of a gloomy pastime, but it’s a little touching, too. These otaku come out to show appreciation for all the work that was put into designing, building, and running these trains, the culmination of effort put forth by hundreds of people.

Japan ♥ Trains

Even if you don’t take the word of train nerds or people who love train-related ditties, you don’t have to look far to find other ways Japan adores its rail system. Just take a look at last year’s award-winning commercial for a new rail line (which I wrote about last year) to see what an emotional catalyst trains can be.

Maybe one day Americans will warm up to trains as much as the Japanese have. In the meantime, I’ll just have to bear with this country’s veritable Greyhound on rails.

Header photo by ykanazawa1999