”Why fly when you can ride?” this crow in Sapporo seems to be asking.
For a while, my parents had two sons living in Japan, with me in Yokohama and my older brother out in a more rural part of western Honshu. When it came time for him to leave the country, he asked me if I wanted to take over ownership of his car.
As much as it pained me to turn down his offer, in the end, I had to tell him thanks, but no thanks. In urban Japan, the public transportation system is so efficient and effective that any other mode of transportation is just a less convenient way to get around the city.
And if you think I’m crazy for passing on a nicely-maintained Nissan Skyline in order to keep taking the train, consider that this Japanese crow has apparently chosen public transportation over flying.
いやそんなことある? pic.twitter.com/7uKHy3VpJN
— s.r (@ShikanaiRyohei) October 29, 2016
The video, shared by Japanese Twitter user @ShikanaiRyohei, shows the bird sauntering through a car on the Tozai Line of the subway in Sapporo, the largest city on the northern island of Hokkaido.
While Japan’s crows are known for their unsettlingly large size and occasionally aggressive behavior, one knowledgeable commenter pointed out that the specimen seen in the video is a carrion crow, a species generally more docile than its jungle crow cousins. Sure enough, it seems remarkably calm in what should be, to it, extremely unfamiliar surroundings. The bird patiently makes its way to the subway car’s doors, waits for them to open, and seems ready to hop out onto the platform of the next station.
It hesitates just long enough for the doors to begin closing, though, which seems to startle it into backing away. But as it struts down the aisle and into the next car, I can’t help but think that maybe it’s simply gotten a taste for riding the rails, and wants to see what’s at the end of the line.
Source: Twitter/@ShikanaiRyohei
Follow Casey on Twitter, where he’s kind of upset at Hokkaido over the Fighters beating the Carp in the Japan Series.

Tokyo crow who tried to buy a train ticket gets illegally captured
Crow surprises Japanese commuters by attempting to buy train ticket from a machine【Video】
Turtle spotted riding Tokyo subway makes commuting in Japan’s busiest city adorable【Video】
An adorably awesome use for Japan’s mini rice cooker capsule toys: Pet bird feeders!【Video】
Japan’s EF English Proficiency Index rank drops for 11th straight year, hits lowest ever
Major Japanese noodle chain is closing on Christmas Eve so workers can spend time with families
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Miffy Cafe in Shibuya looks so deliciously cute we could eat it right up 【Pics】
The top 5 ice creams you should try at Family Mart convenience stores in Japan this summer
Tokyo city hall gets menacing red makeover as coronavirus infection numbers rise【Photos】
Daiso has giant new branch in middle of Tokyo’s Shinjuku neighborhood (and another beneath it)
Reports that using -chan in Japan constitutes sexual harassment are at least a little exaggerated
New Kyoto experience package lets you film epic samurai battles with your friends
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Yoshinoya adds first-ever chain-wide ramen with new beef and pork-broth noodle hot pot meals
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Shibuya’s Don Quijote?
Japan considering raising international traveler departure tax even more than previously reported
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowd sizes in Nara?
Studio Ghibli stamps lift your spirits with motivational phrases from Totoro
New fish discovered and named “Vanderhorstia supersaiyan” for obvious reasons
Japanese town suing resident for being a jerk
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Tokyo hotel lets you make your stay a Sanrio one with special My Melody and Kuromi rooms【Pics】
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
J-pop mega star Ado reveals she’s been living in the U.S., may not understand language acquisition
Leave a Reply