Adobe and Echigo Tokimeki Railway teach safe trainspotting with AI editing

The event was framed around a persistent problem: dangerous or nuisance behavior by some trainspotters, such as entering tracks or trespassing on private land. Rather than simply asking fans to behave, the organizers proposed a different route — shoot from safe locations and use generative AI and editing tools to finish the image.

The day was split into two parts. Participants rode a specially reserved train using one car of the three-car retro "TOKI Train," photographed the Sea of Japan scenery and stations, and joined a headmark exchange shoot at Ichiburi Station. Back at the workshop, they edited their own shots, with techniques demonstrated by Adobe staff and guest Yuki Ishikawa, including removing unwanted people or wires, erasing station-name text, and applying film-style effects.

In closing remarks, Ishikawa said that if people can shoot safely without worrying about what is in the frame and fix it later with AI, a gentler world where railway fans yield to each other could open up. President Takashi Hirai of Echigo Tokimeki Railway described AI tools not merely as a labor-saving measure but as a partner that can draw out individuality and broaden expression.