Is it a switch?

[Densha]

I was browsing the internet lately (again) and came across this picture on flickr:

 

 

When I took a good look at the switch I realized it looked a bit weird. Anyone who knows what this is?

There seems to be a weird bulge at the left of the switch as well.

[Guest ___]

I noticed one of these as well in Osaka last year. I think they call that bulge "An Osakian Cheeseburger" but I'm not sure if that railfan was joking with me or not.Never quite figured out kansai style Tetsudo otakuhumor.

[westfalen]

These are used for rarely used emergency crossovers or sidings for storing track maintainence equipment. There are hinged pieces which flip over the running rails to direct the wheels onto the diverging track thus leaving the rails unbroken for normal running. The 'bulge' is to raise that rail level with the hinged piece that flips over the frog opposite it.