Konan Railway operates in one of Japan's snowiest regions, Aomori Prefecture. For the people who live there, heavy snow is unavoidable. For the railway, clearing the snow is crucial to maintaining scheduled operations. To combat the snow, the railway uses a snowplow (which also doubles as a blower) and Japan's oldest active snowplow (a favorite among railfans). See how the railway combats the long, harsh winter and the various ways they tackle the snow.

In recent years, the Japanese railway industry has seen the introduction of many unique trains designed by famous designers. These new trains were made possible thanks to rolling stock manufacturers and parts suppliers coming together to meet the new design challenges. Also, not only new trains are created, but existing trains are transformed, such as JR Kyushu's Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (scheduled to open in the fall of 2022), produced by an industrial designer. See how new design elements are causing Japanese trains to evolve.