Chōshi Electric Railway gets an A for effort, even if they don’t quite nail the whole Christmas spirit thing…
While less than one percent of the population identifies as Christian, Christmas is still a pretty big thing in Japan. The holiday may have lost its religious connections (though some would argue the same has happened to Christmas in western countries as well), but you will still find gorgeous illuminations throughout major cities, Christmas trees and decorations adorning stations and department stores, and Christmas music almost everywhere you go.
One particular railway in Chiba Prefecture—the Chōshi Electric Railway, running from Chōshi Station to Tokawa Station—decided they wanted to join in the fun and get into the Christmas spirit by decorating their trains, inside and out, with Christmas lights.
▼ The only line owned by Chōshi Electric Railway
Image: Google Maps
From the outside the decor looks normal enough—plain golden lights encircling the windows and edges of the train car, and green lights creating the shape of a Christmas tree.
銚電の銀座線カラーの電車が、イルミネーションになっています。 https://t.co/CEmegExAmF
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音羽ざくろ (@zakuromusic1994) December 10, 2015
But if you take a closer look, you’ll see some pink lights gleaming from the windows. Hmm, what could be going on inside?
銚子電鉄イルミネーション列車の車内www https://t.co/HdadGF5761
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ぷらーざ営業所ツイッター支店 (@plaza_eigyosho7) December 14, 2015
Oh. Oh, wow…
We’re not sure where exactly they went wrong. Their choice of colors, perhaps? Maybe their excessive use of stringed lights? Or probably a combination of the two…
▼ “The Chōshi Line is looking like a love hotel”
銚電がラブホみたいになってるらしい https://t.co/3kcdVBqZWX
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ぱなそにっく (@Imagination_72) November 30, 2015
Love hotels, if you’re not familiar, are just what they sound like: hotels, available to rent by the hour or for overnight stays, as a place for, well, love-making. Themed hotels are quite popular, some going quite over the top with the decor, much like, some are arguing, the Chōshi Line’s trains.
▼ Something seems oddly similar…
@amidwinternd
流石にポールはないけど、てるてるぼうずならありますよ😇 https://t.co/TY38TAnsdh
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たくや (@takuuuuu1029) December 15, 2015
Japanese netizens are certainly having a good laugh about it all.
“What is that, a strip bar? lolol”
“There’s something dirty about it lolol”
“Is Chōshi Railway running a brothel?”
“I’m almost expecting a naked woman to appear…”
Here are some other Christmas trains from around Japan that Chōshi Railway can take some hints from for next time.
Hiroshima’s street car, lit up beautifully at night.
クリスマス電車おったー! https://t.co/RtsOugtdQf
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おだののか (@jimn_88) December 13, 2015
Even the conductor is dressed as Santa-san!
クリスマス電車初めて見た! https://t.co/gS1obO1q1O
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時信悠樹 (@aghdjgeuhffj) December 14, 2015
クリスマス電車がいましてちょうど https://t.co/uuReBEnKV5
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みやはらさん (@nero_0202) December 12, 2015
The Kikuchi Line in Kumamoto Prefecture seems to be raining Santas from the ceiling!
クリスマス電車。
何とも言えないローカル感(笑)にほっこり。 https://t.co/MhuGqk6TFp
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satomi (@kuronekowasabi) December 08, 2015
クリスマス電車が来ました。
#熊電 https://t.co/ya2sHlnUbx
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パトクラ好きっ! (@pcFukuoka110) December 10, 2015
In Sapporo, Hokkaido, the street cars are getting into the spirit with Coca Cola.
市電の車内が無駄にクリスマス仕様なんだけど。
超ヤバイんだけど。
乗ってるのほとんど大人で皆飾り付けみても真顔なんだけどどうしよう。
とりあえず寝る。 https://t.co/e7hXGWukXv
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ほのか (@honoka_rainbow) December 14, 2015
昨日東本願寺前〜資生館小学校前間で撮影した札幌市電221号車①♪
先日から車内及び車体にクリスマスの装飾が施されている♪♪ https://t.co/wMzzGPKoca
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こじぱみな@今年も色々堪能できた♪♪ (@kojipa_mina) December 15, 2015
市電の中がクリスマス装飾されてる!
初めてみた★笑 https://t.co/VXvWVxncRu
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れーな (@IlovekismyReina) December 16, 2015
Are there any Christmassy trains in your area? Please share them with us!
h/t Naver Matome
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