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Tokyo-based German photographer Michael Wolf invites you to take a look at the Japanese capital through the eyes of the city's daily commuter. And as you're about to see, that sight is actually quite horrendous.
Michael first took notice of the incredibly crowded Tokyo's subways back in 1995, after the infamous sarin gas attacks on the city’s subway system. He then spent years going into the subway with his camera to capture people stuck in this claustrophobic nightmare of a commute.
The result is a series the photographer called "Tokyo Compression," and the artist had some harsh words while describing it: "These people are squeezed against the back walls as more and more people are shoveled in," he told CNN. "You're living life as a sardine -- it's horrific. This is not a dignified way of living. It's like looking into a ride in hell."
More info: Michael Wolf (h/t: huckmagazine, demilked)
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Daniela Dimitrova 7 years ago
whats wrong with all you men in the comments? it is not about how beautiful she is. Do you think she feels good at this moment? It is about - how people are squished as sardines!
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#2
Rishav Pal 8 years ago
more like a horror movie scene before she breaks her face through the glass and screams
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Bill Ross 8 years ago
Everyone should be wearing a mask in there.. I know I would, but I don't think it does much to cut the smell.
#4
Bruno Deschênes 8 years ago
You need to understand that it is very rude in Japan to take a picture of someone in public without asking his or her permission first.
Karen Chaddock 8 years ago
I think he is motioning that he will not give up his seat to anyone !
#5
Kracken 8 years ago
Yeah, touching all the condensation from other people's breath would make me feel ill
Load More Replies... Jeanne Deaux 8 years ago
Oh.My.God. Just imagining all the bacteries on this glass. I just can't, nope nope nope.
Márk Beregszászi 8 years ago
Thats so disgusting... Having your face stuck on the dirty window drenched in the condensated juices from people's breath....
Karen Chaddock 8 years ago
It appears that this train is just too over loaded with people for some of them to be able to get comfortable.
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Laurence Gauthier 8 years ago
The fact that there is so many people that the window are full of steam is cool???
#8
ldao 8 years ago
Must...ignore claustrophobia. HOnestly this looks so uncomfortable, and even more so for women I'd imagine.
Regan Thomson 7 years ago
Pretty uncomfortable for men with morals too - always wondering if someone is going to accuse you of "something" when all you've done is your best to avoid doing that exact thing.
Load More Replies... John L 8 years ago
One nice thing about all this crowding is that if I fall asleep, I can't ball down.
Dana Miller 8 years ago
All these people with their eyes closed probably didn't give consent on this pictures being taken, in school to everyone else.
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Talise Snyder 8 years ago
This is irrelevant but she has perfectly manicured french tips that I am low-key jealous of.
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Joe Gutierrez 8 years ago
I am a winner. I only see green money. I... oh forgot to press record.
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Susann Campbell 8 years ago
Thank goodness everyone is sleeping because they all would be screaming to get off the train.
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Riko Williams 8 years ago
when you realize you forgot your headphones and you just know you're gonna be bored all day
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Bobbie Perry 8 years ago
"If you put your hand on the glass it will be like we're holding hands in real life"
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What do you think ?
Just a Purpler 8 years ago
Not necessarily, lots of space other places in the world. I mean if the alternative is to stop having kids, that seems kinda sad too
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Amanda Panda 8 years ago
This makes me feel sick. I can't imagine the stench of bad breath, BO, and bodily gases that must be a circulating stale stench in those trains. GROSS!
John L 8 years ago
The one thing that is at once apparent is the accumulated moisture on all of the windows. There are literally so many packed in to each compartment that everyone's breath is transformed into an unhealthy mist that is everywhere. This is so unhealthy that it is a wonder there haven't been any serious health out-brakes we know about. Its a good thing they don't eat 'kimchi' in Japan. ;D
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Daria B 8 years ago
Now, immagine you have to get out at a station nobody else is getting out at.
Cees Timmerman 8 years ago
Gross. Why don't they work from home, ride bikes, and/or spread the rush using flexible hours?
SpookyBoots 8 years ago
It looks like these people either weren't aware or didn't want their photo taken. Not okay.
José Alejandro Díaz Bravo 8 years ago
You don't wanna know how is rush hour in Lima... at least they have a fast train to travel...
htbq 8 years ago
This is why there is so much sexual harassment and assault on the trains in japan. bunch of people packed in like sardines, cant move. if someone did touch you, you wouldn't even know who did it. riding the train in japan scares me. well, in big cities. its not as bad as it is here in Nagasaki. would it be a possible solution to make the trains a double decker?
Daria B 8 years ago
When you're squished like sardines, you can't even move your hands to actually touch somebody, though... But your point still stands, as it doesn't take you to move your arm to touch someone's a*s sometimes. Even accidentally, possibly.
Load More Replies...
Just a Purpler 8 years ago
Not necessarily, lots of space other places in the world. I mean if the alternative is to stop having kids, that seems kinda sad too
Load More Replies... Amanda Panda 8 years ago
This makes me feel sick. I can't imagine the stench of bad breath, BO, and bodily gases that must be a circulating stale stench in those trains. GROSS!
John L 8 years ago
The one thing that is at once apparent is the accumulated moisture on all of the windows. There are literally so many packed in to each compartment that everyone's breath is transformed into an unhealthy mist that is everywhere. This is so unhealthy that it is a wonder there haven't been any serious health out-brakes we know about. Its a good thing they don't eat 'kimchi' in Japan. ;D
Load More Replies... Daria B 8 years ago
Now, immagine you have to get out at a station nobody else is getting out at.
Cees Timmerman 8 years ago
Gross. Why don't they work from home, ride bikes, and/or spread the rush using flexible hours?
SpookyBoots 8 years ago
It looks like these people either weren't aware or didn't want their photo taken. Not okay.
José Alejandro Díaz Bravo 8 years ago
You don't wanna know how is rush hour in Lima... at least they have a fast train to travel...
htbq 8 years ago
This is why there is so much sexual harassment and assault on the trains in japan. bunch of people packed in like sardines, cant move. if someone did touch you, you wouldn't even know who did it. riding the train in japan scares me. well, in big cities. its not as bad as it is here in Nagasaki. would it be a possible solution to make the trains a double decker?
Daria B 8 years ago
When you're squished like sardines, you can't even move your hands to actually touch somebody, though... But your point still stands, as it doesn't take you to move your arm to touch someone's a*s sometimes. Even accidentally, possibly.
Load More Replies... 
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