I can imagine a world where trains run without people and the people running the trains are happy about that.
Our trip home today confirmed one of my long time theses about life in Japan: Japan Rail understands trains but it doesn’t understand people.
The problems actually began before we even left for the trip. She Who Must Be Obeyed managed to get all the tickets for the trip except, oddly, for the first leg of the return trip. Apparently Japan Rail East and Japan Rail West, although part of the same group of companies no longer cooperate enough that it’s no longer possible to buy tickets for one on the website of the other. (This hasn’t been a problem in the past.)
Keep in mind we were traveling in the U-Turn Rush on what is arguably the busiest travel day of the year as most company workers go back to work tomorrow. You would think a little cooperation would be be in order. But JR doesn’t think that way.
Instead we had to buy tickets at the station and the machine wouldn’t take SWMBO’s 1,000 yen notes and we had to use an actual person.
The trips on the local trains were fine but when we got to the bullet train the first thing we noticed was the usual omiyage (souvenir) stands were gone. This was a surprise because one of the last things Japanese do on their way home is buy gifts for friends and for the office. Also, as was mentioned yesterday, most kids are flush with cash and looking to spend. Instead, we had to go to a convenience store and get some gifts.
The biggest surprise, to me anyway, was on the train.
As soon as we departed the station a voice from the speakers informed us that there would be no food or drinks sold on the train. This means there’d be no drink cart roaming the aisles. This was a surprise because I’ve been on trains packed so full of people it almost counted as an orgy and been ordered out of the way by the cart lady as she tried to make her rounds. Getting out of her way required a level of intimacy with nearby passengers that probably violated several Japanese laws and makes me legally betrothed to several men, women and children.
This time, though, the aisles were empty but no cart came.
Luckily, in one of our stations the main omiyage and food courts were open and we were able to grab supper. They, of course, are actually interested in making money. Apparently JR is still in a hangover from its government owned days and isn’t that interested in profit.