Railway fans go too far - 15th April 2022

The Japanese railway network is highly respected globally. Famous for its reliability, timetabling and its high tech, the system has countless fans, both in Japan and overseas. Although Japanese trainspotters are typically mild-mannered people who spend hours looking at timetables or recording the sounds of the vehicles, some are guilty of acting carelessly or dangerously.

The 'toritetsu' or rail photographers are in serious competition to achieve the best close-up train picture. This has resulted in arguments and even physical aggression, as well as illegal trespassing. Train fan Tsutomu Okawa feels ashamed of their bad behaviour.

Tsutomu Okawa: "I hear some fanatic train fans went overboard and even stopped a train. It's too much, too heated. Train companies have also had to give warnings that some fans' behaviours may be dangerous. I myself want to show train operators that some fans like me are well aware of safety when taking pictures. In that way, I want to remove the impression that the 'toritetsu' fans are notorious."

The majority of the estimated five million train enthusiasts in Japan simply enjoy riding trains or focusing on the immaculately presented boxed bento meals sold in stations.

Another lifelong trainspotter is Masao Oda, who's now in his seventies. He's witnessed how dramatically his hobby has changed for the worse.

Masao Oda: "The number of train fans has increased since digital cameras became mainstream. Now anyone can take train photos with a digital camera. People flock to a place like this more casually, not like before when we had to get a position very early in the morning. And we have better tripods too. Now we are banned from using ladder steps or tripods at a platform. The manners have gotten worse for sure."

Many rail businesses have recently tightened security to prevent trainspotters from trespassing onto the railway tracks. In contrast, the massive East Japan Railway is experimenting with an original solution. Using the photos taken by the toritetsu themselves, it's promoting the company on social media in the hope of creating a community that wants to mend its ways.