Prior to World War II he became known as a railroad fanatic; he acted as a director and honorary chairman of Tetsudo-tomo-no-kai (Railroad Fanatics' Association) and often attended railroad-related ceremonies held in the Kansai region, such as the presentation ceremonies of Blue Ribbon Ward (railroad) and the Osaka City Railroad's final day of operation.
戦前からの鉄道ファンとしても有名で、鉄道友の会の理事や名誉会長も勤め、ブルーリボン賞(鉄道)叙与式、大阪市電最終運転日など関西での鉄道関係のセレモニーには来賓としてしばしば顔を出した。