Hiroshi Deng Luma (He/him)

Hyakken Roka

⚫Blog Updated⚫
"Memorials at Soji-ji Temple"
Many temples and shrines in Japan have a strong connection with railways - and not always in a positive way. Soji-ji in Yokohama reminds us of some of the darkest days in the railway history.
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Two years ago today...Nishi-Oyama station on Ibusuki-Makurazaki Line, Kagoshima Prefecture. It is the southernmost railway station in Japan excluding a monorail in Okinawa. The lovely mountain behind is called Mt Kaimon.

Rail journeys between Tokyo and Sapporo were a bit hard of course, but I enjoyed them.

Good morning ☁️

Run before it is too late!

Whenever possible, I fasten my seatbelt on a coach. Whilst I know that coach trips in Japan are mostly safe, I still think of the tragedy in Nagano nearly ten years ago, in which a younger clubmate of mine at university, whom I knew well, lost her life just weeks before graduation.

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Nine years ago today...Keikyu 800 series train was restored to its original livery with a sticker commemorating the repainting, which also implied that it would retire within years (actually withdrawn in 2019).

Suicaのペンギン「卒業」へ　四半世紀の活躍、後任キャラは未定：朝日新聞 JR東日本は11日、交通系ICカード「Suica（スイカ）」のマスコットキャラクターとして、四半世紀にわたって親しまれてきた「Suicaのペンギン」について、2026年度末に「卒業する」と発表した。…

Suica Penguin retires in March 2027 as JR East introduces a new mascot.
www.asahi.com/articles/AST...

Sign says “Lounge: Please wipe yourself before entering” in a challenging translation of「体を拭いてからお入りください」

This precautionary translation gave me pause, in more ways than one:

Kotoden 1300 and 1080 series

⛩️Blog Updated⛩️
"Kotoden in Kagawa Prefecture"
Many railways in Japan are associated with religions, and Kotoden in Takamatsu is a good example. This article briefly introduces its history, as if a book for tourists.
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Nine years ago today…Hakone Tozan Railway 3000 series and MoHa 2 series at Hakone-Yumoto station. The left one was introduced in 2014, while the right one was designed in the 1930s. Look how different they are!

I receive English text messages about WhatsApp login issues every single day, which are obviously scams. I really wonder who disclosed my Japanese phone number and how they found out that I have basic English skills.

I CANT SPEAKER ENGLAND !!

Counter-terror police investigate claim UK university halted research after Chinese pressure Sheffield Hallam University ordered professor to cease human rights study into Uyghurs forced labour in China

"Counter-terror police investigate claim Sheffield Hallam University halted human rights research"
www.theguardian.com/education/20...

Academic freedom violated by university itself but effectively ensured by the authorities- something that we don't usually see.

Just learned he took a different train. Delayed but far better than being attacked of course.

just sent a message to the colleague heading to Leeds if he is ok. he was highly likely to be on the same train or another one around that time

- Two arrested after multiple people stabbed on train in Cambridgeshire

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025...

Whether the mayor of Ito city really obtained a degree at the university or dropped out (or was even expelled) isn't a problem at all. Had she not lied with a forged document, the assembly would not have adopted the motion of no confidence.

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12 years ago today...Yako sidings on Nambu Line before E233 series trains were introduced. Nambu Line had been one of the lines with "secondhand trains", as there were quite a few old commuter trains. The right one was 209 series, and the others were 205 series. All of them retired by 2015.

The European Commission is working in tandem with national governments and Nato to co-ordinate the sharing of trucks, rail carriages and ferries that can carry tanks and heavy artillery across the continent in case of war ft.trib.al/6uHvIBU

Any boisterous morons under the influence of alcohol should immediately be disposed of. They are literally rubbish.

The British government warns anyone in Japan to be particularly vigilant when consuming alcohol as it may cause severe methanol poisoning.

Something that I have never heard of in Japan in the last 60 years or so.
www.gov.uk/foreign-trav...

Honestly, I must say it isn't worth watching. When it comes to arguments made by both sides, I absolutely agree with Chris Broad. What I disagree with is why he made the most recent video in such a manner.

He did conceal her name, but in a way everyone can easily find her. He clearly wanted to continue the trouble, otherwise he could have just ignored her. I wish he made a counter argument in a sophisticated manner, like just showing how Naka-Meguro looks like today.

Chris Broad and Oriental Pearl have been accusing each other of harassment instead of having a meaningful discussion. I must say both are responsible for the trouble and thus there is little difference between them. I must conclude that YouTubers are always as such and don't deserve any respect.

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🟠Blog Update🟠
"Chuo Line, another route to Nagoya"...Most people choose Tokaido Shinkansen when travelling between Tokyo and Nagoya, but there is another alternative. How is it like, and is it really worth it?
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Seven years ago today...A sudden pre-recorded announcement saying "Due to a reported emergency, would all customers leave the station immediately." No details given, just ordered to evacuate, and the station was closed for hours. I later learned that a person was hit by a train at a platform.

Hmm...doesn't sound passenger-friendly. Not just wheelchair users but those with large suitcases might struggle with it.

When I used Eurostar 23 years ago, it was totally useless. My parents later told me that they chose it simply because I liked trains, otherwise they would have headed to Stansted instead of Waterloo.

Things have dramatically changed since then.

Eurostar to run doubledecker trains through Channel tunnel from 2031 Operator signs €2bn deal with Alstom amid boom in international rail travel from UK

Eurostar to run doubledecker trains through Channel tunnel from 2031
www.theguardian.com/business/202...

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13 years ago today…Looks like a middle-aged lady riding a bicycle entered into a closed level crossing, resulting in an emergency stop of the train. She seems to have ignored the warning from maintenance workers, and thus they looked very irritated.

✖Blog Updated✖
"Railway Operation Act"...There is an old law specifically for railway stuff. Still valid today - or is it really?
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