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)
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I am a winner. I only see green money. I... oh forgot to press record.
when you realize you forgot your headphones and you just know you're gonna be bored all day
"If you put your hand on the glass it will be like we're holding hands in real life"
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...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!
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...Now, immagine you have to get out at a station nobody else is getting out at.
Gross. Why don't they work from home, ride bikes, and/or spread the rush using flexible hours?
It looks like these people either weren't aware or didn't want their photo taken. Not okay.
You don't wanna know how is rush hour in Lima... at least they have a fast train to travel...
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?
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...Most people travel facing toward their own group of known passengers, pressed from all sides in a secure and convivial manner. The "Personal space" bubble isn't a universal cultural thing. It just depends on what you grow up seeing as "normal".
Well, you get used to it. I never thought that I would say that but after taking the Yamamoto line in rush hour times to get to work day-to-day for half a year, I can assure you that there are worse things. At least the trains are on time, the commuters respect each other and try their best not to inconvenience each other. In summer, it's difficult sometimes but it's doable.
It's a daily routine where I live. I drive my car which is 5 times more expensive than to use the public transport, but whenever it breaks and I have no other alternative (taxi is way too expensive), I wait for 2 or 3 trams to pass, because there is no place and finally I am so late that I have to push myself into other people's body - feeling like in a nightmare - smells, dirt, fear of being pin-pocketed, it is a real life horror! So I work really hard to make enough money and always use my car! Sofia, Bulgaria, April, 2017.
And it has happened to me to faint in the tram one Summer. It was hot, traffic jam, nothing moving, no air conditioning in the old trams, and I lost consciousness.
Load More Replies...Very beautiful, haunting and evocative. Would love to see in a museum exhibit
i've actually been there so many times and i've never really witnessed such extreme conditions. even during rush hours on the famous busy lines like Yamanote and Chuo lines ... always wanted to capture these moments
I remember getting in the subway at 7 in the morning. I was visiting my bf in the capital. He looked at me and panicked "take off you backpack!". I was like Wtf dude ok. Then I got it... It was hell. At least these guys are next to a window. I was in the middle and I am 1.5 meters tall. I still wonder how I survived.
On the bright side, the train runs on time, they will apologize, if they are late.
And I thought Tokyo was probably a great place to live... not for those who need to go to work...
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...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!
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...Now, immagine you have to get out at a station nobody else is getting out at.
Gross. Why don't they work from home, ride bikes, and/or spread the rush using flexible hours?
It looks like these people either weren't aware or didn't want their photo taken. Not okay.
You don't wanna know how is rush hour in Lima... at least they have a fast train to travel...
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?
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...Most people travel facing toward their own group of known passengers, pressed from all sides in a secure and convivial manner. The "Personal space" bubble isn't a universal cultural thing. It just depends on what you grow up seeing as "normal".
Well, you get used to it. I never thought that I would say that but after taking the Yamamoto line in rush hour times to get to work day-to-day for half a year, I can assure you that there are worse things. At least the trains are on time, the commuters respect each other and try their best not to inconvenience each other. In summer, it's difficult sometimes but it's doable.
It's a daily routine where I live. I drive my car which is 5 times more expensive than to use the public transport, but whenever it breaks and I have no other alternative (taxi is way too expensive), I wait for 2 or 3 trams to pass, because there is no place and finally I am so late that I have to push myself into other people's body - feeling like in a nightmare - smells, dirt, fear of being pin-pocketed, it is a real life horror! So I work really hard to make enough money and always use my car! Sofia, Bulgaria, April, 2017.
And it has happened to me to faint in the tram one Summer. It was hot, traffic jam, nothing moving, no air conditioning in the old trams, and I lost consciousness.
Load More Replies...Very beautiful, haunting and evocative. Would love to see in a museum exhibit
i've actually been there so many times and i've never really witnessed such extreme conditions. even during rush hours on the famous busy lines like Yamanote and Chuo lines ... always wanted to capture these moments
I remember getting in the subway at 7 in the morning. I was visiting my bf in the capital. He looked at me and panicked "take off you backpack!". I was like Wtf dude ok. Then I got it... It was hell. At least these guys are next to a window. I was in the middle and I am 1.5 meters tall. I still wonder how I survived.
On the bright side, the train runs on time, they will apologize, if they are late.
And I thought Tokyo was probably a great place to live... not for those who need to go to work...