ADDITIONAL NOTES:
riding the subway systems in tokyo is intuitively easy, but explaining them is more complex. there are multiple companies running the chikatetsu (tokyo metro, toei, JR, and a few private lines) and fares aren't always clear when you transfer between them.other than that, i have become a fan of tokyo's subways: they are clean, they run on time, (yes, my dearest NYC, like london and DC, they run on a schedule), their signage is great, melodic bells chime when the train is arriving or leaving, and the passengers themselves are phenomenally quiet. so quiet, in fact, that it made it harder to take pictures without attracting attention.
above, photographic observations of japan's rail riding commuters beneath tokyo. further reading at jref.com, urbanrail.net, and at justin hall's /japan/subway. --- more japanese underground photos to come at my moblog, the tag along project.
Saturday 16 April 2005
watching city commuters on the tokyo subway lines
19 comments // subways, travel
And when caught, do they usually smile or frown?
Great photos. I've been following your stuff for a couple of weeks and really enjoy it.
It's refreshing to view captures of a japanese subway after enjoying so many of your NYC subway series.
Great pics! Are the masks for SARS?
franck: those masks are worn if they are having a flu or a cough and do not wish to spread the germs around, kind of a social consideration. or else, it could be just protecting themselves against pollution. i read all these somewhere..
you are fast becoming a 'must visit' when i check into my favourites! these images are gorgeous, i love the tones and the composition and the moments you have captured. thanks so much for sharing your photography with the world.
The masks are usually worn to prevent the spread of cold but this year there has been an almost epidemic level of hay fever. The masks help those with severe allergies by filtering out the pollen from air they breathe.
Excellent series, Rion. These shots capture the stillness and 'isolation bubble' that Japanese commuters surround themselves with really well.
The subway there does look really clean and nice.
Wonderful set!
how many times did you try to transfer to a different line run by a different company with your original ticket before you realised how it all works? i lost a few yen that way :)
Super series all around, but especially #1, and #7. I say: !!!
The past 4 series have really made me pine for Japan. I miss it a lot.
The photos are Sugoiiiiiiiiiiiii.
Well I just can't get over the cloth seats on a subway! Sometimes I think the lack of a schedule in the NYC subway is a point of pride. Wonderful work! I love seeing other city's subway.
Wonderful. The one with the blue seats and the ladies' legs is my favorite.
Great series Rion-san! Although surprisingly - as mentioned on your flickr set, you've only captured one photo with someone punching away on their mobile! Looking forward to more of your photos!
Cheers!
DO you see how soft and comfortable the seats look compared to our crap in new york?? Is it just me??!! (quiet subways.. on time?? Rion, you're kidding!!!) wow I think its time for the trans-atlantic/pacific move..
The masked man is just binding his time when... suddenly he leaps from his false slumber and screams. Everyones wallets and watches in the bag and no one gets hurt! OR he's just got a bad cold zzzzzzz.
Great series! Those maps look so complicated!
ciao, ADORO le tue foto, sono stupende! un bacio dalla svizzera!
