Skip to main content
Sensations English Logo
LEVEL C1

Shadowing the newsreader

Listen to the newsreader read out each line and then practise saying it. Record your own voice line by line and submit your voiceover.

Hide View

Japan's railway system has long been the envy of the world.

Famed for its punctuality, cutting edge technology and meticulous timetables, it has amassed legions of fans both at home and abroad.

While Japanese trainspotters are generally meek and mild enthusiasts who enjoy poring over timetables or recording the sounds of the rumbling locomotives, a small minority is accused of going off the rails.

The group, known as the 'toritetsu' or train photographers, vie with one another to snap the finest shot of approaching trains, but recently fierce competition has resulted in shouting matches, clashes, trespassing on the tracks and even violence.

Aficionado, Tsutomu Okawa is unimpressed.

Of the estimated five million train buffs in Japan, the majority relish simple rail-related pleasures such as taking a train ride or categorising the various bento boxes available at stations.

Still a trainspotter in his seventies, Masao Oda has spent his life alongside the tracks and he bemoans the decline in behaviour.

While some railway companies now have heightened security along the tracks to keep overzealous trainspotters at bay, the behemoth company East Japan Railway has changed tack by positively embracing the passion of the toritetsu.

It's putting their shots to good use by uploading their images onto social media as marketing.

It aims to have a knock-on effect on behaviour by establishing a community feel among train fanatics.

REGISTER NOW

Get videos, articles, games and study tools!

Learn at six levels from A1 to C1
Or sign up with your Email
By clicking “Sign Up” above you are accepting our Terms of Service & Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign in

Sign up with email

Enter the following information to create your account.
All sign up options

Log in Or create an account

or

Forgot password?

reset password or login

Crop Image

Crop preview
Add to homescreen