Artistic Passion for Trams

The specially-designed tram that celebrates its 115th anniversary this year

I spotted this special tram over the weekend and love the story behind it.

Up close the tram is covered in hundreds of pictures (about 350) -- of other trams in and around Hong Kong to celebrate 115 years in the city.

They are the work of Japanese artist Koichi Matsuda, who has taken as many as 10,000 photographs of trams in the past five years.

Koichi Matsuda has taken 10,000 pictures of trams in 5 years

He found not only this type of transport but also the advertising on them very eye-catching.

"Hong Kong trams are special. In Japan, there are no double-decker [trams]," Matsuda, 65, said.

"The constant change of tram advertisements is the most suitable subject to showcase the vigorous economic growth of Hong Kong."

In the past five years, Matsuda has visited Hong Kong 20 times and used the same camera and lens to take pictures of the trams, usually at the Shau Kei Wan terminus. He took so many pictures that from 2016 to last year, he held six exhibition in Japan and Taipei.

After seeing his pictures, some Japanese were inspired to visit Hong Kong. "Many of my friends became more interested in Hong Kong and trams after seeing my work," he said.

But Matsuda hoped to use his photos to decorate a tram and the opportunity came after Hong Kong Tramways "liked" one of his photos on social media, and he contacted the company about his idea.

He is thrilled his proposal became a reality. This tram will be running along Hong Kong Island for two or three months. It's one of 164 trams running along the 30km system that carries 200,000 passengers daily.

Ding ding!