"Rainy Day In Tokyo - August 1990"

A rainy day - and typical rush-rush train riding/changing in August 1990. Door-about-to-close warning sound old-type "Bee!-Bee!-Bee!" ("Rush!-Rush!-Rush!"). Large segment of view out right-side window of Shinjuku-bound Saikyo Line (with Shinjuku as the last stop in 1990), passing Yamanote Line trains. Long and detailed announcement about connecting trains in Shinjuku (made by a real live human being and not a robot-like bloody recording). Walk through middle passage to west side of Shinjuku Station, where a man is standing on top of a van ranting about politics at the passersby through very loud horn speakers.

Lyle (Hiroshi) Saxon
http://www5d.biglobe.ne.jp/~LLLtrs/
http://uk.youtube.com/lylehsaxon

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Tokyo
• rain
• train
• rush
• 1990
• Saikyo
• Line
• Shinjuku

[Dominus357]

lol at the pile of bikes @ the end.

I want one! :D

[lylehsaxon]

Every so often they crack down on illegal bicycle parking and just haul a bunch away. Most people use inexpensive models, so a lot of people - rather than pay a fine to get the bike back, just buy a new one when that happens. These were probably picked up by a truck later after someone threw them into a pile.) - LHS

[Dominus357]

Do they lock bikes in Japan nowadays?

Or is it like in the old communist countries where you could leave your shiny bike wherever and no1 would steal it?(It was back then when people didn't even lock doors)

[lylehsaxon]

Crime is still low in Japan, but higher than it used to be. Even so, I remember reading in 1984 (just become coming here) that "There are two things people steal in Japan: umbrellas and bicycles.", and in fact, I had my bicycle stolen at the library about six months ago. I was just dropping off some books, so I didn't lock it, and someone stole it in the two minutes I was gone! I sure lock it (new one) now! Near my company I often see a car with the keys in it though, and it seems okay.... - LHS

[Dominus357]

Ah, that sucks.

I've had it happen to me aswell. I'd go into the store to get ice-cream and thinking no1 would steal it in the 5minutes I would be inside. But alas, I've lost 1 good mountain bike this way.

A car with keys in it? Sounds like something off a movie where a Triads car would have keys in the ignition but no1 would steal it :D

[lylehsaxon]

Every time I see it, I always wonder if someday, someone will steal that car, but so far it seems to be okay. - LHS

[lylehsaxon]

Right, the announcement was made by the conductor (in back - there are two people per train).

Until recently, it was illegal to have political advertisements on TV and radio (which was a very good idea!!), and so politicians and ranters both would set up in front of stations and shout at people.  You still see it around elections, but (fortunately) there seem to be less of the fanatical ranters, which were fairly common before. - LHS

[ChocoBanana777]

So this announcement is live from the train Engineer? Sounds like it anyway. And that's what we get here.

Is'nt openly discussing political matters sort of like taboo unless it's the actual news program? (I've had enough of people airing their political dissatisfaction over here... ヾ(*´▽｀)ｂ )