Each year, sometime in August, the municipal train authority turns Kyoto's subway cars into ghost trains, or "Yokai trains" in the native Japanese. This public attraction seems so cool, I almost want to demand its institution elsewhere.
Ghosts and otherworldly spirits are a major part of Japanese folklore and often wander the human realm due to unresolved problems from their former lives. Although the spirits of myth aren't necessarily evil, the characters depicting them on Yokai trains effortlessly scare the life out of small children. These dressed-up characters stalk subway cars and prey on any children foolish enough to approach them. The lesson: never underestimate the supernatural!
The Yokai train program has been operational since 2007 and was introduced in order to revitalize the workaholic culture of the Japanese megacities. From what I can tell, the annual injection of whimsy into the typically boring subway rides has done the trick!
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Ghost Train Attractions
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create ghost train attractions in other cities to provide a unique and thrilling experience for subway riders.
- Incorporating Folklore in Entertainment
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Incorporate folklore characters and themes into various forms of entertainment to create immersive and culturally rich experiences.
- Revitalizing Public Transportation
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Inject whimsy and excitement into public transportation systems to make commuting more enjoyable and encourage ridership.
Sectors Adopting This
- Tourism and Entertainment
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop Yokai train-inspired attractions and events to attract tourists and entertain locals.
- Folklore-based Merchandise
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create merchandise featuring Yokai and other folklore characters to cater to the growing interest in Japanese folklore and mythology.
- Urban Transportation
- Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore ways to enhance the experience of public transportation by incorporating interactive elements and engaging themes.
