Signal, okay!
"Otomatsu Sato to be
stationmaster at Horomai"
Horomai!
How was the trip?
Heavy snow
No passengers
Even a dummy
would be a good companion
A dummy? Me?
A gift from us all. Please accept it
For me?
For your late daughter
It's her memorial day
She's still in your memory. She's happy
Thank you
"In memory of Yukiko Sato
Died January 5, 1 978"
the Railroader
Track open for the next train
Thanks. It warmed me
You're welcome
Greenhorn!
Yes
They are for you to drink on trip
Drink this and keep your eyes open
Good coffee
Thank you
Outbound closed
Inbound open
Signal, okay
Start!
Rear, okay
Signal, okay
I've got a grandson!
I'm a grandpa now. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
I'm a grandpa now
Will you see Oto today, Pop?
About his new job...
I'm trying to find one, but...
I know
If only our subsidiary company wants him
The trouble is...
Despite our worries,
he isn't eager to get a new job
He thinks he'll
never quit the railroad
But there's the age limit
They gave me a new job,
but not him. I'm sorry for him
Toshi
Was the location good?
Yes
No other restaurants around
Business will be good
We'll renovate it
You bought it?
It's our chance. Yours is there
Why don't you take care of my old restaurant?
Me?
Who'd take care of my station?
But you...
I'm busy
It's old and shabby, but...
I just can't leave it without tears
Granny
Is it all right?
I told you
We can't stay here doing nothing
This town is dying, but we aren't
Rear, okay
Signal, okay
The train just left
Watch out! It's slippery
You like trains?
There'll be no other...
train before sunset
Are you home for the holiday season?
I'm going to school
First grade, huh?
Be careful!
I hope it won't snow
No need for a snowplow tonight
Yeah
I'll be going
To see Oto?
Mister Sato
He's a stationmaster
He used to be a great engineer Respect him
What are you shooting?
The last chance...
to see that engine
Take mine
A souvenir
They don't have to take pictures
Because it's valuable
Some people came along way to see it
Then, why abandon this line?
Because it doesn't pay anymore
Shall we go slowly after the express?
There may be deer on the track
Be careful
I'll return tomorrow
I understand
Start
But this line has been...
Iosing money for years
No passengers during the high school vacation
They could've...
abandoned it long ago
It did make a profit once
It had its heyday
Don't you remember?
It hauled coal...
Coal from the Horomai mines
The town was booming then
Is the company waiting...
for Oto's retirement?
No. They don't care about it
No way
My age limit is next autumn
You'll be a director at the Tomamu Hotel
It's no secret at Biyoro
Not decided yet
A hotel tycoon hires me
I can't work...
dressed in a dark suit, bowing to customers...
You and Oto are...
typical railroaders
"Start!"
What's that?
Oto's-l men-Stationmaster Sato's war cry
Six minutes late
Oto's on the platform
Blow the horn
He's been standing in the cold
It's below zero
He's a railroad hero
That's a railroader
He wouldn't work in a dark suit...
at a resort hotel. He's proud
Horomai
Hello
Welcome back
Hi, Sen!
Happy New Year!
You came here for greetings?
You could've phoned
You've got no place to go
You pity me?
Thanks
Six minutes late
No rest
Any passengers?
None
Here you are
Shall we go?
Yes
Thanks for the treat
You've gained a little weight
Blame the holiday food
New year's food from my wife
Thanks. Is she fine?
As usual
I'll send off the train
Shizue! Can you see?
My man?
Not yet. Try to live
He's on duty at the station
He'll take the last train
He's a man like that
Indeed
He's true to his job He loves the railroad
He's a real...
railroader
Ridiculous! How can you be so mean to your wife?
Why didn't you come before she died?
Shut up
Even if you were on duty, you could have come
Poor Shizue!
Oto
Why?
Why don't you cry?
Cry for her
I'm a railroader
Her death is a private matter
"Wave the flag when you want to fight"
"Sound a whistle when you want to cry"
"Cry your lungs out when you want to yell..."
The railroader
Tough work
No. I'm finished
I'll take a bath
Really?
But you'll have to work longer
Very tough
Not at all
Be careful
Trouble?
I go right now
What's that?
A lost article
It's very old
Yeah
No kids would play with it nowadays
What?
Just a cup
No. I'm still on duty
then, eat some New Year's food
Fine
Even your letters are rigid
What?
"Lost articles: A doll"
At last you're off duty It's New Year's Day
How many years since your wife died?
How many years? Only two
Come here
Thanks for the food
Just a little
Happy New Year!
Since my wife died...
I haven't made a New Year's feast
Didn't the restaurant owner bring the food?
Toshi's new ltalian restaurant in Biyoro will open this year
They're busy
Leaving?
They have few customers here
Only one in three days
You'll be lonely
No
This town is more like an old people's home
I won't be lonely
Oto...
What?
I'll start working at the Tomamu resort in spring next year
Tomamu?
Across two mountains On the Sekisho Line
They're building four big hotels
Ski in winter, golf in summer...
They expect lots of tourists
Why don't your work there with me?
You'll retire from rail service
I can squeeze you in the staff
Sen
You don't have to squeeze me in
No thanks
Why not?
I'm not used to even riding an escalator
But you're an engineer
No
All I know is railroading, nothing else
I learned from experience
I'm not fit for another job
Sen
What?
Hideo, your son...
I hear he tried to help me
He couldn't
He's a college graduate...
so he'll get promotions, but...
he's not in a position to help you yet
Is that so?
I thought if he could come with me to see you, but...
he'll be on duty tomorrow
And his wife had a baby
He's busy
Your grandchild? You love it?
Of course I do
Sen
Will your son make a railroader out of your grandson, too?
Then he will be the third generation
I wonder
I wish I had a son
Is it born?
My wife?
You're sweating. Wipe your sweat
You're sweating, too
Don't be shy
No, thanks
It's born?
I'm glad
Congratulations!
I'm happy
Congratulation!
For your promotion and childbirth
I'm really happy
But Shizue isn't young
Childbirth is hard work
A boy, or a girl?
A girl
Are you okay?
You see her?
She can't succeed you
"Yukiko"
Her name. Means "snow child"
Will she be as beautiful as this snow?
Your home is far
Have another cup and warm yourself
My home is near
It's delicious
Nice compliment
It's not that. It's really tasty
Right? It makes a nice souvenir
Thank you
Yukiko's crying. Is she all right?
Sure. All babies cry
Another round?
No
Wake up!
Dear!
Come to the hospital
If someone replaces me
A taxi's waiting for you at Biyoro
Go ahead!
Rear, okay
Signal, okay
Hello
Shizue
What? It can't happen!
Shizue!
Hello!
Horomai!
Six minutes late
My condolences, Stationmaster
Your baby's dead
But you came to see her, waving the flag
Because I'm a railroader
What else can I do?
Who else would wave the train signals?
Or line the switch?
Your child...Yukiko...
She's back only when she's as cold as snow
The last train left
Oto, drink and sing!
It tastes good
What will you do?
How many times must I ask you?
You're a widower
As your old friend, I should be
That's why I'm worried
You must tell me what you'll do
I won't go home before you do
I'm not asking you to
Not again!
What'll you do?
Tell me exactly
I'll do nothing
Mr. Otomatsu Sato! Come on!
Forget it, Sen
Forget it?
I can't
You won't be able to live here after you quit
Where do you plan to live?
Tell me that, at least
Yukiko died here
My wife, too
But you'll have to leave
What'll you do?
The mines are closed
Only 200 old people are left
What if something happens?
I know you're secretly sick. You can't tell when you'll have an attack
You've got to be prepared for it Take my advice
Don't worry. Let me worry about myself
That's that
I am worried
I'm going to get a new job after the age limit
But unless you do the same,
I won't be happy with it
Sen! It's time to go to bed
Help me
Help me once again
Oto, let's be together
Stay near me
Sen!
Oto
What's wrong?
I inhaled gas!
Wait till we get out!
Sen!
Sen, Sen...
Oto...
Oto
Sen
Oto
I want to work with you forever
When I work at the Tomamu Resort,
I'll find you a good job
Sen
I...
I'm useless off the railroad
An engineer, you can do anything
I'm stubborn, like my old man
He was my hero, so I joined the railroad
We were linked somewhere on the same track
Tracks can bend You can, too, if you want
Do you remember?
When our union had a strike and stopped all trains,
we carried those young workers fresh from school to Tokyo
Yes. We did
I can't bend
Not anymore
Not at my age
Good!
After we take the kids,
we'll continue the strike
Those kids are going far from their parents
All we can do is take them to Tokyo safely
Right
We are internationalists
Shall we sing the Communist song?
Then they'd lose their jobs
Let's pray for the success of...
the boys and girls who'll work in Tokyo!
Long lives!
Blow the whistle!
Let them remember the sound!
Stationmaster! Stationmaster
What do you want?
My doll is missing
Are you her sister?
I'll turn on the light
That one?
Yes
She said she lost it
Now you found it
I don't know you. Where do you live?
Near the shrine. I'm Sato
But there are lots of Satos in town
Me, too
Near the shrine?
Isa's daughter?
Torao's?
We came to my grandpa's house
Don't walk alone at night
No bears will come...
but you might slip or fall in a ditch
I'll take you
Never mind
Why?
It's not far
And the moon is bright
How old?
Twelve
Junior high school? You have long legs
Primary
The last year
Really?
Lavatory?
A leak?
I'm afraid. Will you escort me?
All right
Look. It's there
Nothing to fear
What's wrong?
Please stay here
Alright
Promise
I promise
Hello
For your girl?
How about this?
Handmade. It's valuable
A doll for a newborn baby?
Oto's hasty
It's his first gift. I'm glad
I'll make a dress for her
He loves you very much
What a nice father!
Thank you
Not at all. Warm yourself
The stove
A friend of mine. He's a walrus
A sleeping fatso!
Sleepy?
No. It's hot
Thanks
Your family must be worried
I'll take you home
Have a sip
No thanks
Close your eyes
A surprise
If I close my eyes? Really?
Nothing happens
What?!
I kissed you!
No joking
I'll be back tomorrow. Bye!
Be careful
What is it?
Nothing
She came for this, but forgot to take it
I want to take it, but...
She lives near the shrine. Name's Sato
A child?
Yes, a girl
What time?
One o'clock
You had a dream
She's from the city. She sits up late
Maybe Snow Lady
If it was Snow Lady who kissed me, I'd be frozen
Kiss?
Was she really there?
Hey!
Oto, are you sure it was a girl who kissed you?
No
Wasn't it her mother or grandma?
Anyway, it's a kiss
Get lost
Really
Sen, sleep here
Oh? You still keep those things we used long ago?
Good old days!
It still smells...
The smell of rust and coal
The smell of the mold on an old station
My eyelids and hands were dark with coal dust
I thought they'd never be clean
But somehow or other, as time passed, they got clean
They got clean and tamed
They used to knock five or six guys down in a fight
It was long ago. Forget the past
Don't be smart!
Dad!
Stop!
It's no fun to push a drunk around Stop it, will you?
Shut up, railroader! None of your business!
Damn Communists!
What?!
You regular workers easily go on strike
It's us temporary workers who lose our job for it
Shut up!
Immigrant miners like you
break strike and shorten the life of a mine
I came from the south thinking
I could work here till I die
But the mine's closed now
Because of you lazy workers!
Watch your tongue! Don't push your luck!
You can't talk to us like that!
Stop! Don't bully him!
He's alone
So you want to fight for him?
Interesting! Let's get out!
Let's get out!
Stop it! Sit down, everybody!
Stand up only when you pay your bills
Drink on the house tonight
Drown your worries in sake
Excuse me
I'll wave neither the Red Flag nor the Rising Sun
I'll wave my own flag of sake
Sonny, what'll you have?
A bowl of chicken and eggs? Or pork and rice?
All right, I'll make it for you
This way
It hurts!
He could stay here...
but he'll have work tomorrow
His barracks isn't far
Take care
Can you walk alone?
Try to walk alone
Come on!
Dad!
Hey! Don't sleep! Keep awake!
Don't worry, son
He's strong
It's cold tonight
Let's throw snowballs
You're home!
Your mom?
Only Dad and I came from Kyushu
Mom left home with my sister
So I must take care of him
Bring sake! Sake and a basin!
A basin!
When your dad is back, eat with him
For him from the restaurant
How's it going?
I didn't think it was easy It really isn't
I told Toshi we'd have a feast
Shall I order food from the restaurant?
Don't lie to kid
Can I tell Toshi our idea tonight?
That we want to adopt him The sooner, the better
I see
He'll succeed you
But...
Railroaders and miners are alike
They aren't good jobs
Still, you want him to be a railroader It's in your eyes
No joking
What are you doing?
Auntie cooked it all
Eat your fill
It's delicious. Shall I cut the cake?
I'll make some tea
Are you all right?
Toshi needs a "mother" to take care of him
I must go to the hospital, so I can't stay home
I'll give him up
I'll take care of him anyway
Whether I adopt him, or what he will be...
is for us to decide, after discussing it
I think it's our fate
I talked with my husband
We'll help you...
so please adopt him as your child
One bottle of milk is enough
An old woman needs two for her bones
My bones? Look at me
I'm younger than you
You needn't do that
Toshi's passport?
Where in Italy?
How many times must I tell you?
Bologna
I'll learn cooking at school
How long?
It depends. He's smart
He'll learn quickly
So, Oto, he'll be away for years
As I told you, I adopted him
I'm old. Anything can happen
Toshi won't leave me
Congratulations, Toshi! It's your chance. Try hard
I'm sorry
It's your son's leap into the world
Don't be
Congratulations, Toshi! It's your chance. Try hard
Thanks. Take care of Granny
"Granny," huh?
His passport
He's wearing a tie. Looks great
Thanks to the teacher
We must thank her
Thank you
Thanks
Italian cuisine is good
So are your lunches
But lunches are common
Italian food will be popular
Let's have a toast
We don't have wine, but sake will do
Sake during the day?
I hear, in ltaly, even kids drinks wine
What?
The first lesson in ltalian food for you all
Stationmaster, drink to the future ltalian chef
Your passport
Let me pour
Toshi, try hard. Cheers!
Cheers!
Oto, your wife must be worried, too
So is my wife
I told her I'd convince you this time by all means
Maybe I'm too forward,
but I'm trying to find nice apartment in Tomamu for you
Oto
Sen
Good morning
How's your restaurant?
It'll be ready
What did you name it?
Well?
Hi, Toshi!
The Biyoro stationmaster will patronize you
But you must name it first
Granny suggested we keep it a secret
till it's ready, but...
I'll tell you
It's "Locomotiva"
Meaning?
A locomotive in Italian
Granny likes it
Then we must give you a present
No, no
You've always been kind to us
Don't mention it
It's great
I'll present a big wreath to celebrate the opening
Sleep on my proposition
Please leave me alone
What'll happen to this engine?
It's old
Built in 1 957
We were feeding coal to the steamers then
Will it be scrap?
If lucky, it'll go to a museum or a park
Sometimes God appears quickly
Won't they put me in a museum, too?
Answer me later
Signal, okay
Start!
Rear, okay
Horomai Station
This is Sapporo Headquarters Hold the line
Hello. Happy New Year! This is Hideo
Hideo? Happy New Year!
You're part of management now
Your father returned to Biyoro
I couldn't go to see you yesterday
I'm sorry
That's all right
My father said you aren't worried, but
I'm trying to find you a railroad job
Only it isn't easy
Don't worry about me
Listen
I believed my father's saying and practiced it. He said...
"Steam engines will rebuild This country after the war"
"Work with them"
So I did
I became an engineman
Now I'm going to end my career as a railroader
I did my best. No regrets
Hideo
Thanks just the same
Don't use the phone for things like this
Hang up
Wait! Wait uncle
What happened?
Here's news for you
The Horomai Line will be closed earlier than planned...
at the end of the term...
at the end of March
You'll be notified later this week, but
I wanted to tell you first
I'm sorry. It's bad news
Thanks
Thanks, Hideo, for your consideration
Uncle, I'm extremely grateful to you
I could go to school for many years
because you ran the train, rain or shine
between school and home
I can't explain well
Thanks to you, I could get my education
Forget it
Besides my stuff...
You're a railroader A member of the staff
You have a lot of work
Try your best
Thanks
What is it?
I was right
What?
A baby
Ah
Our baby
The doctor said so
Really?
True?
Two months and a half
It's been seventeen years!
People can see us
That doesn't matter
It does
Sometimes I don't understand you
If you're happy, say so
Stop it
No! Look at me
Say, "You're great!"
Never!
Come on!
I've always felt indebted to you
I was sorry for you Because I couldn't give you a child
For 1 7 years!
I thought God was mean to me
As I saw Hideo, my heart pained
I never blamed you
You did
I didn't
You did!
I knew you blamed me
I knew...
They're watching us
Hello, stationmaster!
Oh? Another sister of the girl's?
How do you know?
Why not? It's the third time
My sister troubled you last night
I'm sorry
No. I enjoyed her company
Go in
Please
Thank you
Her doll is there
Are you back with your parents?
Yes
Is your mother Yoshie at Enjo Temple?
I look like her?
Oh?
Your uniform looks like that of old Biyoro High School
But they wear track suits now
Some uniforms look alike
You look like Yoshie as a high school student
Then I'll serve you a cup of sweet soup
I made it a while ago for the trainmen
I don't know if it's good
Eat it
I feel fine now that I found out
I was wondering whose daughters they were
Who could be old and pretty enough to be your mother? Yoshie
Your mother was the best
She was the leader of students at Biyoro High School
The priest must be glad...
to live with three pretty granddaughters
Why? Do I look funny?
No. Your uniform is wonderful
This one?
I have a new one
But I prefer this
I like railroads
I'm in railfan club at school
You like it?
Few girls do, but...
Look
You don't see these old ticket-servers anymore
I'll show you something
Come here
Come in
Great!
A D-51 engine plate!
It's worth a lot!
A C-26 pressure gauge!
Take anything you like
Really? Anything?
Even that D-52 plate?
Sure
The priest, your grandpa, is always kind to me
I am donate, too
Wonderful!
So many valuable things!
A diesel engine whistle?
A D-51 whistle!
What a collection!
It's good
It's ready
I'll eat with you
Thank you
Then I'll eat
Please eat
It's sweet!
Good?
Stay a little longer
Enmyou Temple isn't far
Wonderful! You look nice!
This one...
I had a girl
She died soon
It was our fault
We let her sleep in the wind
We didn't know she caught cold
We should've taken her to the hospital quickly
The Horomai Line will be closed
What'll happen?
It'll be gone
The station? The track? This building?
They'll be gone
Gone?
It'll turn to wilderness like it once was
Wilderness...
Back to the barren fields before the railroad came
They'll forget it was here
Sad?
I have no regrets
There's nothing I can do
Memories will remain
Nice, happy memories...
Well, we talked a lot tonight
The train's coming
I'll take you home later
Have a good rest
It's getting colder
Put this on
Sen's waiting,
the hospital's open for you. Don't worry
Dear
What?
I'd planned to take care of you for the rest of your life, but
I guess not
You'll get well quickly
That worries me
Stationmaster, can I get started?
Start!
Rear, okay
Signal, okay
Cold, isn't it?
Here's hotchpotch. It'll warm you
What?
It's a treat. Did you make it?
I used the food in your fridge
Good
You made this all so quickly?
Can I use this?
Sure. It belonged to my late wife
I'm surprised
You're a good cook
Beer?
You know how to cook food without wasting it
You'll make a good wife
Here
Thanks
A little
I don't know, but it's like magic
I want to marry a railroader
I must make meals quickly
You're qualified
Then I'll eat
Thank you
Good?
Good
I feel my heart is full of emotion
Why?
I'm a lucky man
I did what I wanted to do,
and I couldn't save my wife and daughter
But everybody around is kind to me
I'm really happy
Really?
Yes, I mean it
I can die any moment now
It's really delicious
Wait
Hello
Happy New Year, priest!
Your granddaughter is here
She's lovely
She even cooked for me
That's right
Goodbye
Can such a thing happen?
Yukiko?
Yukiko
Why lie to me?
Because you might be afraid
I'm sorry
Why afraid of you?
What father... would be afraid of his daughter?
I'm sorry
You came here...
to show me how you'd have grown up, if you hadn't died
You appeared at first as a little girl with a doll
You came again at night a little older...
in a high school uniform
1 7 years!
You showed me how you'd grow up in seventeen years
You showed it to me
You had nothing good in your life. Right
I died without giving you anything to please you
So l...
I remember this doll. It's that one...
The one your mother put in your coffin
I treasured it
You bought it for me at Biyoro
Mother made a vest for it
That's right
But...
That day. When you died...l was here
I swept the snow off the platform
I wrote a report on this desk:
"All correct today"
You're a railroader What else could you do?
I don't mind it at all
I'm sorry
Thank you, Father
I'm happy
"All correct today"
Put him inside
Poor Oto!
He died content...
on the snow-covered platform
I'll run it
You?
Don't worry
I ran steam and diesel engines for twenty years
I'm better at it than you
They wouldn't like to see me do it
Cover the windows
Oto, I'll see you only in dreams from now on
Let's give this old thing its last drive together
Start!
Stationmaster
The sound of the horn touches my heart
I like the "bullet" train,
but the diesel horn sounds better
For no reason
You know I feel like crying
Not really
Our railroaders still have work to do
Not yet
Not taught railroader is ever moved to tears