‘Digital art train’ dazzles areas along route in west Japan city

KAIZUKA, Osaka — A limited-time “digital art train” emitting lights in vibrant colors as it travels through the night here has passengers aglow with its magical world projected outside the train windows.

The train is operated by Mizuma Railway Co. in Kaizuka, Osaka Prefecture. The initiative was planned as part of the company’s 100th anniversary celebrations. From now until Dec. 1, the train will take 12 trips per day along the 5.5-kilometer route between Kaizuka and Mizumakannon stations between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.

Inside the two-car train, eight projectors have been installed, casting dazzling and colorful images via projection mapping onto the surroundings outside the train windows.

The 1 million images used were created by digital artist Akira Hasegawa. Even Mizuma-dera Temple near Mizumakannon Station, known as a “temple of protection from evil,” is enveloped in the light art.

A Mizuma Railway representative commented, “Since no two images appear the same during a journey, we hope passengers enjoy these one-of-a-kind views.”

(Japanese original by Tadakazu Nakamura, Izumisano Resident Bureau)