Railroad Photojournalist Kan Sakurai Visits Los Angeles

On Monday and Tuesday, May 13^th and 14^th, 2019, as part of the Japan Brand Program of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, railroad photojournalist and enthusiast Kan Sakurai visited Los Angeles to introduce audiences to unique railway journeys in Japan. On two consecutive nights, Mr. Sakurai conducted presentations at JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles to showcase different luxury cruise trains and sightseeing trains waiting to be ridden in Japan, such as the Seven Stars in Kyushu and the Sagano Romantic Line in Kyoto. Mr. Sakurai additionally touched upon the culture and business of “ekiben,” specialty meal boxes sold at train stations across the country.
 
Consul General Akira Chiba offered remarks and a toast at the Monday event which welcomed local companies and businesses, while Deputy Consul General Hiroki Matsuo and JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles President Yuko Kaifu gave remarks at the Tuesday event which welcomed the general public. On both days, East Japan Railway Company representatives, Haruo Soga and John Tedford, provided further insight into the many different types of train lines in Japan as well as the discounted tickets available to foreign travelers, such as the Japan Rail Pass.
 
For more information about the Japan Brand Program, visit:
https://www.mofa.go.jp/p_pd/pds/page22e_000759.html.
 
For more information about JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles, visit:
https://www.japanhouse.jp/losangeles.
 
For more information about the Japan Rail Pass, visit:
https://www.japan.travel/en/guide/jr-rail-pass/.
 

Consul General Chiba	Monday reception for local companies and businesses
JAPAN HOUSE Los Angeles President Kaifu	Deputy Consul General Matsuo
Quiz time with Mr. Sakurai	East Japan Railway Company representative John Tedford
Audience reactions to Mr. Sakurai’s photos	Chuggington “ekiben” container
Mr. Sakurai introducing railway memorabilia	Mr. Sakurai answering questions from guests