This episode was originally released as episode 3 of the Ichimon Japan podcast. Today’s Question On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: Why do Japanese train stations do that? Topics Discussed The train system in rural areas versus urban areas in Japan Trains in Kagoshima and Ishikawa What a Wanmanressha (one man trains) is Unmanned rural train stations Why Japanese train …

On this episode of Japan Station, licensed travel guide Miyuki Seguchi shares 5 travel tips that will help you make the most out of your next visit to Japan. Topics Discussed What the process is like for becoming a licensed travel guide The importance of planning your trip to Japan Advice for making the most out of your trip to Japan …

On this episode of Ichimon Japan we ask: What is Kansai-ben? Topics Discussed What the Kansai dilaect is The different that are found within the Kansai region of Japan Osaka-ben vs other dialects within the Kansai-ben umbrella The stereotype of the Ōsaka no obachan (older lady from Osaka) Leopard print clothing Who uses ōkini and where it is typically used …

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Tony has a chat with the owner of a voice that anyone who has ever ridden the Shinkansen (bullet train) will have heard numerous times: voice actor and singer Donna Burke. About Donna Burke Donna Burke is an Australian singer and voice actor based in Japan. Her voice can be heard in …

An in-depth look at the history of the Shinkansen “bullet train” and the future of high-speed rail travel in Japan.   Speed has always fascinated mankind. From early days when horses were used as a mode of transportation, to recent times, the race to be the fastest has always enthralled people. This need for speed is not just confined to …

It’s only a matter of time before a black market emerges for “classic” female train station employee uniforms. Whereas the general trend for companies in Western countries has been to move away from the practice of having female workers dress in uniforms with traditionally feminine features such as skirts and high heels, in Japan many companies have yet to embrace …

Travel to Kyoto in style, Kyoto-style. Japan’s famous train system is about to become even more unique, thanks to the introduction of the Kyo-train Garaku, a new train service that will soon start running between Kyoto and Osaka. Forget the dull, sparse interiors of most trains—the interior of the Kyo-train Garaku is styled on Kyoto townhouses and the carriages feature …

This is how the trains become sentient. Given how incredibly efficient and complex Japan’s train system is, it’s easy to forget that just about every single train in Japan is still operated by a human conductor. However, it’s beginning to look like human-operated trains may soon go the way of coal locomotives because tests for a new “driverless” train system …

Choo choo. Thanks to its abundance of trains, Japan has no shortage of what have come to be known as densha otaku. These “train nerds” absolutely love trains and are always coming up with new and interesting ways to share this love with the rest of the world.  Take the case of a YouTube user going by the name of …

Whoops. If you’ve been to Japan, then you’ve undoubtedly seen a Japanese train conductor. Not to be confused with the train driver who can be seen at the front of the train operating it, conductors are the uniformed individuals who ride at the very rear of the train and watch over the safety of passengers. At stops, conductors can often …

Soooooo cute! A female train conductor in Osaka is proving that some people in Japan actually do sound like anime characters. Tweeted out by Twitter user @aito_momomo on December 1, the video below shows a female train conductor on the Osaka Municipal Subway Chuo Line who has gotten Japanese Twitter users to go crazy over her super high pitched voice …