Even Choshi Electric Railway, which operates unique vehicles, has a very ordinary track that stretches beyond the driver's seat

Tracks visible beyond the driver's seat of Choshi Electric Railway

After getting off the train at Chiba's Choshi Station, I proceeded toward the head of the platform without entering the station building, and found that a ticket gate had been quietly set up. When I left the ticket gate, I found myself on a platform belonging to another railroad company. I moved to the platform of the Choshi Electric Railway, which was attached to the end of the JR Choshi Station platform as an extra.

A small train was conveniently waiting for me as I entered the platform, perhaps in consideration of the connection with the limited express train coming to Choshi. I bought a paper ticket from the conductor and got on the train. There were seats for passengers to sit on, but colorful balloons and stuffed animals decorated the train. Choshi Electric Railway is famous for its collaborations with animation characters and companies from different industries.

Operating a line of only 6.4 km between Choshi Station and Tokawa Station, the company is struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, it is trying to attract customers in every possible way, and collaborations with animation and other companies are part of this effort. What is interesting is that the company is also focusing on the food business, which is not directly related to the use of the railroad. The company also focuses on the sale of "Nure-sembei" (wet rice crackers) and "Mazui-bo" (bad snack) snacks to sustain its operations. According to one theory, about 80% of the company's sales are generated by non-railroad businesses, so perhaps it is more appropriate to call the company a confectionery shop rather than a railroad company.

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