Railway in the mist: A man who takes pics of Tadami Line for 300 days.

Excuse me, this is a couple of weeks late report.  I have seen the title film, which was released in Tokyo at the end of July.

If you are interested in photographing or watching railroad landscapes in Japan, you have probably heard the name of Kenko Hoshi more than once. He is a photographer based in Oku-Aizu, or rather, he is a photographer who has been taking pictures of the Tadami Line only, for 300 days for 30 years. This film is a documentary work closely following his activities.

He believes that the Tadami Line is the only and greatest tourism resource that can save his hometown, which is suffering from depopulation and economic stagnation.  He has been continued to promote its appeal with his works to all over Japan and the world.

In 2011, the Tadami Line lost many of its piers and tracks in a landslide caused by torrential rains. In a critical condition, he himself recalls in the film, “I thought this was the end of the Tadami Line”. However, actually he did not give up and took the initiative in attracting domestic and international tourists to the Tadami Line, and even went to Taiwan, where there are many Tadami fans, to hold a successful Tadami photo contest, demonstrating his incredible vitality and inspiring the local people.

Although the film’s depiction is quiet and unobtrusive, with plenty of beautiful railroad scenery from season to season, the passion of Mr. Hoshi and the local people that comes through the images is quite high.

Anyway, if you have a chance, PLEASE watch the movie. Whether you know the Tadami Line or not, it will not be a loss just to enjoy one of the most beautiful landscapes in Japan, or even the world. If you touch the spirit of Mr. Hoshi and feel the pure passion of supporters, you will already be in the big circle of Tadami Line supporters, just like me.

I happened to be there on the day of the stage greeting where Mr. Hoshi and Director Abiko were on stage, so I had the good fortune to take this photo.
From left to right are director Abiko, musician Yumi Yamagata, Dr. Hoshi, narrator Akira Yamamoto, and music producer DAIJI.

I was unaware that Yumi Yamagata, who plays the flute in the film, is a very well-known musician in her field. It was interesting to hear the story about how the recording studio was so small that the staff was worried about whether Ms. Yamagata would be able to come to such a small place. Mr. Yamagata was also wonderful, smiling as he said, “It was difficult because I had to hold the flute sideways, but I just barely made it through”. In addition to the wonderful documentary scenario and video, the music angle is also of great interest.

And on October 1 this fall, thanks to the wishes and efforts of Mr. Hoshi and many others, the Tadami Line will be fully reopened for the first time in 11 years after overcoming the disaster. The reality, however, is harsh. As with many local railways, the problem of large management deficits remains unresolved, and the burden falls on the municipalities along the line. In his opening remarks, Director Abiko emphasized, “The danger of the closure of the line has not passed, and the reopening of the line is just the beginning. The crisis of the closed line has not passed”. Hmmm.

After watching the movie I was determined to revisit Okuaizu and support the Tadami Line by taking pictures and riding on the line.

Equipment used: FUJIFILM XF10

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