Steel Sanctuaries: Inside Japan's Culture of Quiet Transit

There is no doubt that any foreigner that has had the privilege of riding these steel sanctuaries knows what I'm talking about. Just as if you were entering a temple or church, you keep quiet, bow your head, and become small, as if there was a god observing your every movement. The god might be the train itself, or perhaps the collective unconscious that keeps telling every single passenger to shush and to keep the あ高い飲み物 (warm drink) inside their pockets out of respect.

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I like to call them steel sanctuaries because they are exactly that! A place where everyone respects each other, where you can sit down for a quite relaxing ride, and know for certain there will not be any unpleasant surprises or noises (unless you're in the Yamanote line, duh)

It's a magical place where you will find most people looking down, probably praying to their little steel devices that somehow emit light and noise. I think the power of these steel sanctuaries is so big that most people succumb to its strength. But these mobile sanctuaries do not offer only silence and peace; they also offer spectacular views. And sometimes it is impossible to not look straight ahead, even if it means stopping your prayer for a couple of minutes. It's like another wish emerges from the train itself, telling you to search for the buildings that are perfectly aligned outside the rails or the trees that bring life to one of the busiest cities in the world.

Photo by Yuri Yuhara

We're not riding just a piece of metal because it has eyes that allow every passenger, or perhaps believer, to see through the windows and enjoy these surreal 景色 (landscapes).

These sanctuaries need to be welcoming and clean, so it's obvious that they have installed very efficient air conditioning for the most extreme weather.

I am not a believer nor a fan of any religion, so besides science and myself, I believe in the power, beauty, and sacredness of these metallic sanctuaries. I hope they remain as they are for a long, long time and that I can always see Shinjuku's lights, Mount Fuji, and the rice paddies.

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