The video below has been making the email rounds recently, and it certainly doesn’t look like a fun commute. At any rate, I think the train line itself is pretty easy to identify. I think I know which station it is based on some cues in the video, but I’m not saying what I think just yet.
I’ll write down what I think with some way to timestamp it. Tokyo densha otakus, what station do you think is in that video and why?
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Comment by Kristofer
May 9, 2008 @ 2:12 am
I originally saw this video here on Google video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5127313249780524359&q=train&ei=UjYjSLCAPYvWigLrkpDEAQ
The poster there says it’s from 1991.
Comment by MTC
May 11, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
Since it looks like the Sobu Line and the train is boarding from the left side, I would have to guess Ochinomizu Station.
Comment by Ken Worsley
May 11, 2008 @ 1:23 pm
MTC, thanks. That’s not my guess, though.
Here’s my hint for the line: The stickers on the doors. That company has been using those stickers on its doors for years on its lines and still does.
Comment by Turner
May 12, 2008 @ 3:40 pm
Did I mention how happy I am to not have to face the morning commute in Tokyo?
Comment by Garrett DeOrio
May 12, 2008 @ 4:56 pm
It’s all about timing, Turner. That and the old saw real estate saw of location, location, location is even more true in Tokyo. Luckily for people who interpret location as I do, most Tokyoites seem to still think primarily in terms of proximity to certain lines rather than the direction in which they’ll usually be travelling.
MTC, I fell for the yellow stripe on the side of the train, too. Ochanomizu has the beige concrete arches and a step up in the middle of the platform, so that’s not it.
I know what Ken’s thinking and he’s convinced me. I’d add: look at the uniforms. The uniforms have changed, but not much.
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