24Kviews
I Rode Trains In Japan With My Camera In Hand To Capture Its Fascinating Train Culture (36 Pics)
It was a pleasant culture shock when I first visited Japan in 2006. I especially loved Tokyo. It's a city bustling with energy and rich in culture, a juxtaposition of old and ultra-modern. The lure of Japan was powerful and I ended up making several more trips there with my camera in hand.
One of the many fascinating things about Japan and Tokyo, in particular, is its vast railway system and the people who use it. I live in California where we have an automobile culture and most of us spend many hours in cars getting around. For the Japanese, trains are the major means of transportation. They’re in the trains and train stations almost daily to commute to work or school, and run errands. To make lives easier for those busy bodies, everyday necessities, such as grocery stores, restaurants, and other numerous retailers are found inside or near the stations. It’s quite convenient, even for tourists. I bought the tastiest pork dumplings inside the Shin-Osaka Train Station and ate them for lunch inside the Tokyo-bound Shinkansen (bullet train). My mouth is watering just thinking about those dumplings.
I look forward to riding the trains while in Japan. As a Street Photographer, it allows me to observe people in their daily lives and capture something that’s uniquely Japanese as well as get creative composing each frame to tell an interesting story. I hope by sharing these photographs, I'm able to show a little slice of the intriguing culture of Japan.
More info: Instagram | pakhan.com
This post may include affiliate links.
Ticket machines?!? In America we have live raccoons which sell the tickets. Japan is so odd!
I watched the entire gallery with great interest. You have great eye for details and can capture the moment. Amazing work!
Fantastic.. I so want to get back to Japan after 25 years. So much has changed.... but still a very clean place.
I am a fan of black and white photos , I think they show better the essential....
These are so powerful! I love the effect black and white can have, personally I love taking pictures in it ^ ^ <3
it doesn't look like you actually asked anyone if they wanted to be a part of your little project. as a Japanese person who rides crowded trains, I most certainly would not enjoy being photographed by someone I do not know, from a low angle without my knowledge.
So well captured Pak...!! And your writing is so natural. You’ve found your voice in your writing. Many writers, even highly paid ones, never really find their voice. Keep it up ... Jim Tobin
This was a really good shoot. Honestly, I really liked it, props to you!
What train culture??? These are just people taking public transport .
As much as I like street photography, and you say that it is to "creatively document the every day life", you have to understand that not all people want to be documented. They could be livid if they find their image posted online (even friends ask before posting). Its strongly part of Japanese culture and reflected in its law, thus is insensitive and to some extent illegal to do without consent. Japan is very "private in public". And the very thing you say you have a culture shock of should be the first hint of that. - The announcers and silent mode signs on the trains. Also the posters against dodgy photography in the train stations asking to report them. Although it doesn't happen often, you are lucky you didn't have have police involvement. All it takes is one female feeling any level of "stress". Pictures of other peoples children are also a nono. Look up: "Japan Anti-Nuisance Ordinance" and remember you don't represent yourself when overseas, you represent all foreigners.
It's pretty creepy taking photos of people without their consent. Especially since a few are of women and children. Should they find out, they could sue you and BoredPanda. Refer to Article 16 of the Constitution (right to privacy) and Chapter 5 of the civil code (tort law).
I watched the entire gallery with great interest. You have great eye for details and can capture the moment. Amazing work!
Fantastic.. I so want to get back to Japan after 25 years. So much has changed.... but still a very clean place.
I am a fan of black and white photos , I think they show better the essential....
These are so powerful! I love the effect black and white can have, personally I love taking pictures in it ^ ^ <3
it doesn't look like you actually asked anyone if they wanted to be a part of your little project. as a Japanese person who rides crowded trains, I most certainly would not enjoy being photographed by someone I do not know, from a low angle without my knowledge.
So well captured Pak...!! And your writing is so natural. You’ve found your voice in your writing. Many writers, even highly paid ones, never really find their voice. Keep it up ... Jim Tobin
This was a really good shoot. Honestly, I really liked it, props to you!
What train culture??? These are just people taking public transport .
As much as I like street photography, and you say that it is to "creatively document the every day life", you have to understand that not all people want to be documented. They could be livid if they find their image posted online (even friends ask before posting). Its strongly part of Japanese culture and reflected in its law, thus is insensitive and to some extent illegal to do without consent. Japan is very "private in public". And the very thing you say you have a culture shock of should be the first hint of that. - The announcers and silent mode signs on the trains. Also the posters against dodgy photography in the train stations asking to report them. Although it doesn't happen often, you are lucky you didn't have have police involvement. All it takes is one female feeling any level of "stress". Pictures of other peoples children are also a nono. Look up: "Japan Anti-Nuisance Ordinance" and remember you don't represent yourself when overseas, you represent all foreigners.
It's pretty creepy taking photos of people without their consent. Especially since a few are of women and children. Should they find out, they could sue you and BoredPanda. Refer to Article 16 of the Constitution (right to privacy) and Chapter 5 of the civil code (tort law).