Japan is a country that loves its trains. For many rail enthusiasts, there’s nothing better than a getaway to one of the rural parts of the country to ride on and snap pictures of unique trains running through beautiful countryside scenery.

Some localities even drum up tourism by keeping old-fashioned steam locomotives in service, which are always a big draw. This summer, though, Shizuoka Prefecture’s Oigawa Line is going a step further by dressing up one of its trains as Thomas the Tank Engine.

Just as promised back in January, the world’s most beloved train with a face is set to spend the summer in Japan, where his numerous fans are sure to be excited about seeing Thomas in action. As a matter of fact, the friendly-faced locomotive has already been spotted scurrying about the rails.

Thomas has started making test runs around Shizuoka, greeting onlookers with his ever-present smile and billowing plumes of white smoke.

Or, more accurately, his billowing plumes of usually white, occasionally black smoke.

▼ You feeling OK, Thomas?

▼ Headed for the bathroom?

Since these are still practice runs, you have to expect a few problems to rear their heads, and hopefully the Thomas support team can have everything running smoothly before schools let for summer vacation. In the meantime, though, Thomas’ smokestack troubles don’t seem to have dampened the mood of his adoring fanbase any, though.

The special locomotive has also been attracting plenty of attention on the Internet in Japan, with commentators offering the following opinions on the bright blue visitor.

“Kids are going to love this. In some ways it’s as well thought-out as the Shinkansen.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if it started talking.”
“Hey designers, can you make his eyes move too?”

Not everyone is quite so taken with Thomas, though, with a least one person describing him as flat-out “scary.”

We agree that seeing Thomas in full scale and three dimensions is a little on the surreal side. We’re not sure if we’d call him frightening, though. We’re reserving that label for the creepy “naked bald man hiding inside Thomas” T-shirts being sold in the U.K.

Images: YouTube

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Origin: Life-size Thomas the Tank Engine begins running on Japanese railroad
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For the past few decades, getting around Japan has been a snap using the extremely efficient rail network that crisscrosses the country. Even better, in just a few years, not only will you be able to go anywhere on the main island of Honshu by train, but you’ll be able to do it in style, thanks to luxurious new trains servicing the Chugoku, Kanto, and Tohoku regions.

Hokuriku, the part of Japan running along the central northern coast of Honshu, isn’t about to be left out though, and its upcoming train may be the most opulent of all, with an interior decorated with traditional lacquer and gold leaf.

Compared to the other new trains listed above, Hokuriku’s initially seems like a much more modest travel option. The Tohoku train is an ultra-fast Shinkansen model, and Kanto’s and Chugoku’s are sleeper trains. In contrast, the new train for the Hokuriku area, which will run between Kanazawa and the Wakura Onsen hot spring resort in Ishikawa Prefecture, is neither, plus only two cars long with seats for just 52 passengers.

The small scale doesn’t mean any less effort is going into the aesthetics, though, as revealed by concept renderings recently released by Japan railways.

The design cues for the project are “beauty,” and “Japanese tradition,” and plenty of both are apparent in this early artwork. Ever since gold was discovered in the surrounding area centuries ago, Kanazawa has been associated with the precious metal, and the city remains Japan’s most famous producer of gold leaf handicrafts. Lacquerware from the town of Wajima, also located in Ishikawa, is similarly prized, and both elements are prominently featured in the interior of the train’s carriages.

The exterior also gives a nod to Hokuriku’s traditional culture, with imagery evocative of the patterns that grace Ishikawa’s Kaga-Yuzen kimono.

Inside, travelers can snack on Japanese-style desserts or sample a selection of Hokuriku sake. There’s even a stage for folk music performances in one car, which is then relayed by monitor to passengers riding in the other.

Hokuriku’s snazzy new train has its first run tentatively scheduled for October of 2015.

Sources: Jin, JR (1, 2)
Images: JR

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Origin: Beautiful new luxury train for Ishikawa dazzles with gold leaf and lacquer interior
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The cleaning crews who maintain Japan’s high-speed bullet trains have a mere seven minutes to make the interior of the train spotlessly clean for its next journey. Those seven minutes are carefully divided into different tasks to make sure everything gets done in the allotted time.

Another curious detail people often notice about these cleaners is the way they bow as trains are entering and exiting the station. While this act is generally thought to be a respectful gesture, the intended recipient of the bowing seems to be a matter of great debate, with plenty of conflicting opinions out there, even among the Japanese!

The following short video clip of cleaning staff bowing to an incoming train on the platform prompted a host of reactions from non-Japanese. Some were confused by the meaning behind the bowing, while others praised the act as a sign of respect. One common topic of discussion that emerged, however, was what exactly the staff were bowing to.

Was the bowing directed towards the train? The passengers? The driver? All of the above? Unsurprisingly, commenters didn’t exactly reach a consensus, but the vast majority agreed that regardless, the act was a sign of respect that should be commended.

One writer at Japanese site Lakatan became interested in the reactions of foreigners regarding such a typical Japanese scene, and subsequently translated several of their comments into Japanese for a broader Japanese audience to read. The following are some of those reactions, organized by the country of origin of the commentator.

Note: The following quotes are based on Japanese translations of the original comments, so they may differ slightly from the originals.

Reactions of foreigners who saw the video clip:

Aruba (Netherlands Antilles)

“It’s great that the Japanese value the importance of paying respect to others. The West has a lot to learn from them.”

Brazil

“Japan is a terrific country! The only problem to speak of is its high suicide rate :( “

Canada

“Nice. In my personal experience, if I wave as the train is arriving at the station, the train driver will usually wave back.”

China

“I’m Chinese, and I honestly don’t feel comfortable with all the bowing in Japan. It’s because in China, people mostly bow to honor those who have passed away.”

Italy

“They are bowing to the passengers, the drivers, and to each other, right?”

Netherlands

“Didn’t anyone else notice that no one was riding in the train?”

United Kingdom

“Japanese traditions are the best in the world! We’ve lost courtesy and grace in the West.”

United States

“It says in the title that they’re bowing for the train, but isn’t it for the passengers riding inside?”

“If people in the West were more respectful to each other, America wouldn’t have become the police state it now is.”

“A strange aspect of Japanese culture…”

“I think they’re going a bit overboard, but it’s good. “

“Lovely stuff!”

“I respect this. We definitely need more of this in the West.”

“What the Japanese are doing is great. Please stay like that!”

“Yup, when I was in Japan, even a car driver would bow if he cut you off.”

“I read this somewhere, but Japan is the only country in the world that has managed to hang onto its culture and traditions while making scientific progress.”

▼Bowing as the train comes in

Taking it a step further, here are the reactions of some Japanese people who read the foreigners’ comments and posted their own thoughts on Lakatan:

“The cleaners are only doing it because it’s a rule of the company. They wouldn’t continue doing it if they didn’t have to.”

“It’s refreshing to view Japanese etiquette from the eyes of foreigners. But the ideals of service and ‘business smiles’ originally came from America. That spirit has died out in America, so the Japanese may also lose their sense of courtesy someday.”

“All things begin and end with courtesy.”

“I think that they bow because they take pride in their jobs. The passengers don’t feel like they’re being bowed to. It’s a virtue of the cleaning people.”

“Isn’t it just a regular greeting to the train driver and the train that conveys something like, ‘Work hard today!’ and, ‘We appreciate your efforts!’ And wasn’t the idea that inanimate objects have a spirit (tsukumogami) born out of the custom of showing respect? Or maybe it’s vice versa.”

“Korea’s Confucianist culture also emphasizes respect.”

“There are many schools where the students bow when entering and leaving the gate.”

“It’s the same as Pavlov’s dogs, or the deer in Nara.”

“I’m surprised that there are so many negative comments. Do we really need to find fault with this?”

▼Bowing as the train comes to a stop

Whose thoughts do you find most compelling–the foreigners’, or the Japanese? If you’re ever in Japan and waiting on a train platform, maybe you too can see the sight in person and decide for yourself.

Source: Lakatan
Images: Lakatan, YouTube

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Origin: Why do Japanese cleaning crews bow at trains? Foreigners and Japanese sound off
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In the modern world of dating websites, hook-up apps, and whatever is going on with Ashley Madison, you’d think “finding the one” would be easy. But while Internet dating has become nearly the norm, it’s still not easy to find someone you’re compatible with online. On the other hand, sometimes real life drops a cutie right in our laps, but we don’t have any idea what to do about it!

Logically, the best thing to do would be to pluck up your courage and give the sexy stranger a nice “How do you do?”, because if you don’t seize the opportunity, your only recourse is the missed connections section. And we’re pretty sure people only read those in TV shows! But one woman in Singapore has turned her “missed connection” into a viral video, guaranteeing a lot more viewers than just a lonely Mindy Kaling.

Now the real question is: Did it work?

Before we go on, we have to wonder aloud just how okay–both legally and morally–it is to surreptitiously record a video of someone and post it to YouTube. We’re not lawyers–at least not the last time we checked–but we can’t help thinking that this probably isn’t something everyone should start emulating. However, Harlene Azuela, the Filipina woman who posted the now-viral YouTube video of the handsome man, seems as if she has good intentions, so we’ll let it slide this time. And considering how viral the video’s gone, we don’t see any harm in sharing it with you.

▼The unnamed man and Harlene

The story itself is actually quite simple. Harlene apparently found herself sitting across from the man pictured above on the train last year and was struck by his good looks. She was apparently so impressed by the young gentleman that she was too scared to approach him–and instead took a short video. For anyone who gets tongue-tied by a pretty face–or even just any face–her plight is certainly understandable.

Harlene originally posted the video to her Facebook page last November and it has slowly spread since then. Recently the video has gotten noticed even further abroad and has been shared over 2,500 times on Facebook. Check it out below.

▼Portrait mode? Isn’t that a crime punishable with prison time?

Unfortunately, one Singaporean news site, Stomp, is reporting that the gentleman has been found–but he’s apparently already in a happy relationship. However, the site’s reporting seems to indicate that this is sort of third-hand information–they received a message on Facebook from a reader who saw a comment from someone who claimed to know the man who said he is in a relationship.

▼Hunh?

Image from QuickMeme

While we wouldn’t be surprised if Harlene’s cutie is actually in a relationship, we would like something a bit more concrete! Can someone get an official comment from this guy? And maybe a modeling contract–we suspect that there are quite a few people out there who would be happy to see his face on posters or in the movies. Hell, he would probably be a better actor than any of the guys in Star Cinema’s She’s The One, the movie that apparently inspired Harlene to post the video.

▼Warning: Really, really bad voiceovers ahead.

Whether Harlene’s search is really over or not, we wish her the best of luck in finding whatever she’s looking for!

Sources: The Daily Pedia, Stomp, Facebook, YouTube
Images: YouTube

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Origin: Woman in Singapore is looking for the “sexy” man she saw on the train–but is she out of luck?
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It’s been 100 years since the opening of Tokyo Station. For many people, it’s more than just a rail hub, it’s a symbol of the city and the lives of those who live in and around it.

With just about everyone in Japan’s capital passing through sooner or later, Tokyo Station serves as the backdrop for a lot of nostalgic memories, not to mention some life-changing events for workers and travelers alike. So it’s fitting that the anime made to commemorate Tokyo Station’s 100th birthday is filled with both comforting looks back at the past and hopeful expectations for the future.

Commissioned by Tokyo Station City, the shopping, dining, and entertainment complex attached to the station, the five-minute short was produced by A-1 Pictures, which has been involved with such fan favorites as Big Windup!, Black Butler, Fairy Tail, Blue Exorcist, and Sword Art Online.

Titled Passage of Time –Tokyo Station–, although the Japanese kanji could also be translated as Through the Seasons, the five-minute short focuses on a woman named Misaki, voiced by Seiko Yoshida.

As the anime opens, we see Misaki hopping on the train for Tokyo Station. In her hand is the pocket watch that belonged to her deceased father, who used to work at the station, just like his father before him.

Misaki alludes to a falling out between her and her father, which the two don’t seem to have been able to repair before he passed away. The pocket watch has been broken for many years, but Misaki seems determined to get it fixed, perhaps as a way of belatedly mending her relationship with her dad.

Unfortunately, Misaki is informed that the repair shop her father used to frequent has gone out of business, which sends her scurrying about the area in a search for another place that can fix the watch.

Finally, through a twist of fate, Misaki find what she’s looking for, plus a little something more.

Aside from the English version above, the anime can be viewed with traditional Chinese or Thai subtitles, as China and Thailand continue to send increasing numbers of travelers to Japan. An uncaptioned version is also available here.

Misaki’s search is accompanied by a ballad by singer Yu Sakai. Like the anime’s story itself, the song is a little bittersweet, yet ultimately comforting and uplifting, plus a reminder that as busy as we sometimes get running about in our daily lives, we’re often more connected to one another than we think.

Source: Anime Anime
Images: YouTube

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Origin: Emotional anime short celebrates Tokyo Station’s 100th birthday【Video】
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Well, it looks like train fans in Japan have something to be excited about — the real-life Thomas the Tank Engine, which has already attracted considerable attention on the Internet and media, is now in service! The Thomas steam locomotive, designed with a large face in the front to quite accurately recreate the well-known children’s character, started on its very first journey on July 12 with about 560 passengers on board. And since we knew this was a ride that would be sure to delight kids as well as adult train fans, one of the reporters from our Japanese site traveled to Shizuoka Prefecture in the center of Honshu, the main island, to see the “real Thomas” on his very first day in operation!

The seven-car Thomas locomotive is made from a C11 type locomotive that was originally manufactured in 1942, and  for a limited time, “he” will be servicing the approximately 40km route on the Ōigawa Railway between Shinkanaya Station and Senzu Station, in an area of Shizuoka about 200km from Tokyo. Thomas is scheduled to make one round-trip a day on most weekends, holidays and on irregular weekdays until around mid-October, but tickets for all days have apparently sold out and there is now a waiting list, which we guess isn’t surprising considering Thomas’ popularity in Japan.

On the day of his first official outing, Thomas departed the Shinkanaya Station at 10:30 a.m. Our reporter went to see him at the other end of the line, at Senzu Station, where there was a “Thomas the Tank Engine Fair” going on and  several other trains from Thomas and Friends were on display too.

▼Here we are at Senzu Station!

▼The sign advertising the Thomas The Tank Engine Fair

▼The crowd certainly was there!

▼There was even a bit of Moe advertising on display: this is apparently the Tetsudo Musume (Railway Girl).

▼We also had the chance to say hello to friendly station staff.

▼And this is what we came for — here comes Thomas!

▼See that big, smiling face!

▼Here’ s a look at the inside of the train. Compared with the train’s outside appearance, the interior is quite simply decorated, so even if the tickets to actually ride on the train are hard to come by, it should be plenty of fun just looking and taking pictures from the outside.

▼They were even selling a Thomas bento box lunch. Now, children will surely love that box!

▼The bento contained a sausage, fried prawn, a piece of  cooked sweet egg, a small piece of hamburger patty with what looks like teriyaki sauce, some fries, ketchup-flavored spaghetti, a pineapple jelly snack …

▼ … and rice sprinkled with furikake flakes for flavor.

▼Unfortunately, our reporter says that the Thomas bento (950 yen [US$9.40]) was not exactly a culinary masterpiece and would be best enjoyed by kids who love the packaging.

▼The crowd certainly seemed to be having a good time!

▼We’re sure fans were thrilled with the other locomotives on display as well!

▼Here’s a video our reporter took at Senzu Station showing Thomas in action:

If anyone has plans to travel to Shizuoka to ride the Thomas locomotive, our reporter recommends starting at Shinkanaya Station and making the round trip back there without getting off at Senzu, as Senzu Station is apparently not easily accessible by car even for experienced drivers due to the mountainous roads in the area. And if you want to just go see Thomas, you’ll want to make sure you check the operation schedule with  Ōigawa Railway, as again, the timetable is quite irregular, especially for weekdays.

Whether you’re a kid Thomas fan or a serious train enthusiast, seeing Thomas and his friends in real life should be quite an exciting experience. We have a feeling Shizuoka will be a particularly popular destination for families with children this summer!

Reference: NHK News Web (Japanese), Ōigawa Railway website (Japanese)
Photos: RockeetNews24

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Origin: We travel to Shizuoka to come face to face with the real-life Thomas the Tank Engine locomotive!
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Being an island nation, there is no shortages of beaches in Japan–though if you live in Tokyo, there are times when the only thing resembling the ocean to be seen is a sea of people. After a weekday morning commute spent sloshing around in a packed train car, it’s easy to find yourself wishing for a more relaxed environment like the beach. And with summer in full swing, there are plenty of beaches we’d rather be lounging on than just about anything.

But it’s a busy world and who has time to sit on the beach and just relax? Well, we sure don’t! But for those of us always on the go, there are a few train stations that at least will give you a view of the ocean on your way to whatever business you may have. Think of it like a vacation that lasts as long as the train stops!

Here are 12 of Japan’s stations on the sea–beautiful, serene, and just outside your train window!

Kitahama Station

Located on the Sea of Okhotsk in north-east Hokkaido (map), this is perhaps one of the coldest train stations Japan, though you couldn’t tell it from the first two photos below. However, it turns out that a train ride to Kitahama Station will provide you not only with a beautiful view of the ocean, but also of drift ice! In fact, Kitahama Station is apparently the only train station in Japan that regularly offers a glimpse of that fantastic frozen, floating phenomenon.

Image by Genya Nikki

Image by Twitter (@mhtt_1)

Image from Twitter (@waiwairedserow)

Todoroki Station

Heading to the mainland, this station in Aomori Prefecture (map) is close to the Sea of Japan–extremely close! During stormy weather, waves actually wash over the track and up to the station. While we’re not sure if that’s the most practical location, it does make for beautiful photo opportunities. In fact, the station was featured in JR advertising in 2002, driving train- and station-loving fans out to Aomori. We can’t blame them–a dip in the sea sounds great right now!

Image by Kiki Blog

Image by Wikipedia (Uehara82)

海を観ながらのんびりしたくなる – 驫木駅（JR東日本五能線：青森県深浦町） http://t.co/H3DVx6Ypct—
和紀 (@kazukin_jp) July 15, 2014

Nebukawa Station

Located in Kanagawa Prefecture (map), this is the only station on the Tokaido Main Line between Tokyo and Kobe that is unmanned, though it is apparently a popular destination during New Years. It also provides a stunning view of open waters.

Image by Tochuu Gesha

Image by All Stations Guide of Japan

Image from Wikipedia (Kicho-)

Shimonada Station

Another unmanned stop, Shimonada Station is located in Ehime Prefecture (map, Streetview) on the Shikoku Yosan Line. Having been featured in numerous posters and other JR advertisements, the station has become popular among train lovers and photographers across the country as a location for breathtaking landscape photos. It even has its own Facebook page!

Image by For Shimonada

Image by For Shimonada

Image from Facebook

Baishinji Station

Another station in Ehime Prefeture (map), Baishinji Station is not famous just for its location–though it certainly is beautiful. The station captured the popular imagination in 1991 thanks to the TV drama Tokyo Love Story, about three Ehime friends who eventually reunite in Tokyo. As you may have guessed from the photo below, Rika, one of the main characters of the show, ties a “bye-bye handkerchief” to the railing in a climactic scene. Fans of the show and travelers have kept up the tradition for over two decades!

Image from Wikipedia (Unamu)

Image from Wikipedia (Unamu)

最高の天気だな。梅津寺駅 http://t.co/f1twOAuh84—
Sebastian(shi-taro) (@ss_faust1977) May 10, 2014

Yoroi Station

This Hyogo Prefecture station (map) isn’t much to look at itself–it could easily be mistaken for a run-down bathroom in an interstate rest area–but the view from the platform certainly makes up for it. Not only is the station unmanned, there aren’t even any automated ticket machines! Despite its desolate appearance, the station has become a bit of an attraction for train lovers following its appearance in some TV shows. It has also appeared in JR advertisements, where it was written that “you can feel the sea breeze blowing off the ocean right under your eyes just standing on the platform.”

▼The station itself

Image from Wikipedia (Mitsuki-2368)

▼The view from the platform.

Image by Eki he no tabi

鎧駅すごすぎ http://t.co/L0XSGKcp1r—
ぷりずむっ子 (@seedofjoy1990) March 14, 2014

Oobatake Station

One of the more rural areas of Japan, Yamaguchi Prefecture (map) is also home to Oobatake Station, which sits right along the sea. An hour train ride from the Shinkansen station in Hiroshima, this station is an excellent sightseeing destination–though that’s about all you’ll have time for! In this part of the country, you can usually find only local trains.

Image from Matomesu

山陽本線 大畠駅から。 http://t.co/Aaa29vh4b2—
どらぽん(^ ^) (@DORAGONPON) January 05, 2014

Oumikawa Station

Apparently this Niigata Prefecture station (map) is the closest to actual open waters in Japan, though judging from other entries on this list, the competition for that honor is fierce. In fact, the train line runs right along the coast for several miles, making not just this station but the entire route a beautiful destination for sight-seers. And, like many other stops on this list, the station is unmanned. We’re starting to wonder how JR gets people to pay for tickets…

青海川駅にいきたい(｡･ω･｡) http://t.co/vBKOVocS4p—
ちゃんまん (@mkpiiii9) July 14, 2014

日本で一番海に近い青海川駅。
次は、夕焼けを見に行こ～っと。 http://t.co/kTqojqXybr—
HIROAKI KANEKO (@hiroaki_kaneko) July 14, 2014

Yukawa Station

Located in Wakayama Prefecture (map), Yukawa Station provides a magnificent view not only of the sea but also of the prefecture’s mountains. And if you’re a fan of the beach, the station is just a stone’s throw away from the Yukawa Kaisui Yokujo (Yukawa Swimming Area). Best of all, this station is also unmanned, so there won’t be any attendants to scold you for tracking sand and water all over the platform!

Image by Wikipedia (Kouchiumi)

Image by Tsudanuma Note

Umashibaura Station

Situated on Tokyo Bay in Kanagawa Prefecture (map), this station is probably not where you’d want to wait out a storm with large waves. It is, however, an excellent destination for sight-seeing. In addition to the view of the bay, rail riders are afforded an excellent view of the Yokohama Bay Bridge, Tsurumi Tsubasa Bridge, and fireworks launched from Yamashita Park in the summer.

Image by Rail & KQ Club

Image by The Wonderful World of Stations

Kamakurakoko Mae Station

As you may have guessed from the name of this station, it’s located in Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture (map) near Kamakura High School. Kamakura City, in addition to its beautiful temples, shrines, and German sausages, is a popular destination for its gorgeous beaches. The station offers a beautiful view of the ocean and as well as Enoshima, Miura Peninsula, and even Mt. Fuji on clear days. That said, we’re sure it’s a horrible way to start the school day–imaging having a gorgeous beach dangled in front of you only for it to be ripped away and replaced with an hour spent conjugating English verbs!

Images from Seesaa Wiki

Images from Seesaa Wiki

なみが たけえぜ (@ 鎌倉高校前駅 (Kamakurakoko-mae Sta.) (EN08)) 4sq.com/1nvqp5n http://t.co/C9rTP9CjaN—
  (@k1y054) July 14, 2014

Tagi Station

This beach-front train stop is located in Shimane Prefecture (map), the second least populated prefecture in Japan. Despite the lack of people around to use it, Tagi Station and the area between it and its neighbor down the line Oda Station are famous as sight-seeing destinations and have appeared in numerous magazines. Apparently there is also a sakura (cherry) tree next to the platform, providing a unique photo opportunity when the tree blossoms in the spring.

Image from Houchoki

山陰本線を西へ進んでおります！

さきほど反対列車待ち合わせのとき田儀駅で下車！

江津駅まできました！ http://t.co/XSibiO42uD—
小林祥樹 〈鉄道アカウント〉 (@ks09133) December 11, 2013

We hope you enjoyed our beach-front trip around the rail stations of Japan. Let us know if we missed your favorite station on the sea!

Source: Naver Matome, Houchoki, Seesaa Wiki, The Wonderful World of Stations, Tsudanuma Note, Eki he no tabi, Facebook, All Stations Guide of Japan,
Image: Naver Matome (unless listed above)

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Origin: 12 beautiful Japanese train stations by the sea
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Public transport such as trains and buses serves millions of commuters each day. Regardless of the country, there are rules and codes of conduct (both written by law and unspoken) that should be observed to ensure all commuters can enjoy a safe, comfortable journey. Although most public transport users adhere to these rules and social norms, there are also bound to be those who ignore them and annoy the hell out of their fellow passengers with their inconsiderate behavior, like these people, who fellow commuters in Korea recently decided to snap and shame online.

Of course, rules and social norms vary in each country, so there are things that may be prohibited in one country, but allowed in another.

For example, in Japan, there are no explicit rules that prohibit eating or drinking in trains (though some people regard eating in trains as a violation of manners), but passengers are required to switch their mobile phones to “manner mode” (silent mode) and talking on the phone in trains is generally frowned upon. Passengers sitting or standing near the priority or courtesy seats are asked to completely switch off their cell phones, a rather unique rule that was supposedly implemented to show consideration to passengers who use pacemakers.

▼ Passengers seen using their phones near the priority seats may be verbally requested to turn off their phones by patrolling train officers.

In Singapore, smoking, eating and drinking in trains is strictly prohibited and enforced with fines. While passengers can freely use their cell phones in the train, durians aren’t allowed onboard due to the strong smell of the fruit, a rule unique to the durian-loving tropical country.

▼ No fines for bringing durians on board, but a little consideration for fellow passengers never harmed anyone.

In Korea, it seems that eating, drinking and smoking in train cabins is also prohibited, but Korean internet users have been posting these sightings of inconsiderate passengers on local public transport who have broken the rules and challenged the tolerance levels of their fellow commuters.

▼ Eating cup noodles on the subway? She must have great confidence that the train isn’t going to jerk.

▼ That looks like alcohol she’s drinking from the bottle.

▼ Smoking is taking things way too far, people.

▼ We’re not familiar with the law, but we’re pretty sure urinating in trains is not allowed.

There are also behaviors that may not be breaking any written rules, but are generally unsightly.

▼ Women airing their feet and sitting in an improper manner. Well, it would have been equally disturbing had it been men doing the same thing.

▼ People sleeping on the floor.

▼ No one wants to see your boxers, sir. Well, except those two people in the next cabin, maybe.

▼ Couples using the seats at the train station as their living room couch. Now everyone knows they love each other… and that the girl wears black safety shorts under her dress.

▼ They did so much shopping they had to sell their car and steal the trolleys to transport their purchases home on the train. (Hypothetical situation)

What do you think of such behavior on public transport? Are there any unique public transport rules where you live? Share your views in the comments section below!

Source: Zhaizhai News
Images: Nate (1, 2), ItSue, GGemguide, Gasengi, Pitt Urban Studies in Singapore and Malaysia, Cyber Life 2ch

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• Taboo behavior abroad according to Japanese travelers
• Inspiring or Inconsiderate? Foreigner Plays Guitar for Frustrated Train Passengers While Stranded in Typhoon

Origin: Inconsiderate commuter behavior in Korea – A photo guide
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Fear is commonly held to be a cold sensation, which is how we ended up with English phrases like “bone-chilling” and “a chill ran down his spine.” Those idioms may not translate directly into Japanese, but Japan has also traditionally thought of feeling cold as part of being scared.

Figuring that when life hands you horror lemons, you make horror lemonade, long ago Japanese society decided to use this to its advantage, which is why in Japan summer isn’t just the season of lightweight kimonos and all-you-can-drink beer gardens, but the time for ghost stories, too.

But in this modern age, maybe you’re too busy to sit around candlelit rooms in old manor houses swapping creepy tales with your friends. So if you’ve got an active lifestyle and need to keep moving while you get your terror on, a ride on Kyoto’s ghost train might be in order.

Even by the standards of Japan’s elegant former capital, Arashiyama is a tranquil place. Located on the western outskirts of Kyoto, the district is famous for its scenic Togetsukyo Bridge and bamboo groves.

One of the easiest ways to get to Arashiyama is by using the Keifuku railway line. Just hop on at Shijo Omiya Station conveniently located in central Kyoto, and ride all the way to Arashiyama Station at the end of the line. The trip takes a little over 20 minutes, and since you’re consistently moving farther away from the population center and closer to beautiful natural surroundings, it makes for a relaxing ride.

Unless, of course, you’re on the Yokai Train.

▼ They’re not nearly as friendly-looking as their counterparts from video game series Yokai Watch.

Every summer, Keifuku infests a few of its trains with yokai, the supernatural creatures that feature prominently in Japanese folklore. Different linguists have made compelling arguments for translating yokai as ghosts, goblins, or monsters, but we’re also satisfied with Keifuku’s official English name for their spooky carriages.

▼ Haunted Train

The company has yet to release a time table for the 2014 Yokai Trains, but Japanese website Kyoto no Sakura reports that the service will be starting on August 1. Fittingly, the yokai trains only run after dark, with their window shades shut and the only illumination coming from interior black lights.

Adding to the atmosphere is the eerie background music played inside the yokai train. Oh, and one more thing to keep in mind: The Yokai Train runs both ways from Shijo Omiya and Arashiyama, but it doesn’t stop at any of the usual stations along the way. Once the doors close, you’re trapped with the yokai until the end of the line.

Having the intestinal fortitude to travel with ghostly entities isn’t without its advantages though. A ride on the Yokai Train costs 200 yen (US $1.98) for adults, a 20-yen savings compared to the price for Keifuku’s human-only trains.

▼ A Yokai Train ticket from 2013

Kids’ tickets are cheaper still at just 100 yen, but even they’re not the most economical way to make the trip.

That’s because yokai can ride for just 50 yen. Since Keifuku is, first and foremost, a rail company, it doesn’t employ a team of mystics, mediums, and exorcists to officially verify passengers’ yokai status. Instead, that judgment call gets left to station attendants, who have the power to bestow the discount on anyone who “looks like a yokai at first glance,” so if you’re looking to get some summertime use out of your Halloween costume, this could be your chance.

Just don’t be surprised if no one wants to sit next to you when you transfer to another line on your way home.

Sources: Jin, Kyoto no Sakura
Top image: YouTube
Insert images: YouTube, Carview, Twitter (1, 2, 3)

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• 42 reasons why we love riding the rails in Japan

Origin: Get your chills on the rails with Kyoto’s Ghost Train 【Video】
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In a lot of ways, hit anime Love Live seems to be been created with laser precision to strike right at the weak points of Japanese otaku. It’s got a cast filled with high school girls in frilly idol singer outfits who all have their own unique hairstyles and quirks, but are without exception earnest, pure, and devoted to their fans above all else.

So it’s no big surprise that we’ve no seen not only Love Live smartphone cases and shoes go on sale in Japan, but also big-ticket items like sports cars inspired by the franchise. The series isn’t just popular in Japan, though, as the bevy of idols are seeing their popularity rise in China as well, as a Shanghai subway decorated with the show’s characters recently brought fans to their knees in reverence.

China’s biggest game industry trade show, China Joy, was recently held in Shanghai, lasting from July 31 to August 2. But while the show has wrapped up, the subway train wrapped in Love Live decorations will be running until August 20.

As part of a promotional campaign for the new Love Live smartphone game, the anime’s cast started showing up in the city’s mass transit system on July 26. Being consummate idols, the Love Live girls greet the public with warm and polite smiles, and while they have only a limited effect on less-enthusiastic or non-fans, the truly hardcore seemed to find themselves unworthy to gaze directly at their 2-D goddesses.

▼ We’re not trained psychics, but we’re pretty sure we can read the thoughts of the dude in the sunglasses on the left, which are, “What the hell are you guys doing?”

So strong is some of the fans’ commitment to their anime beloved that they’re willing to avert their eyes out of respect even when there are real-life girls in the immediate vicinity.

▼ For this man, an anime top hat beats actual short shorts.

Of course you wouldn’t be in a subway station if you didn’t have somewhere you needed to be. This fan apparently took enough of a break from prostrating himself to get onto the train. Once aboard, though, he ran into another problem, as the interior had Love Live decorations too. So of course, he did the only logical thing, and got down on his hands and knees inside the train.

We’re hoping he either had a short ride or a pair of kneepads inside that bag, because the floor looks awfully hard.

Sources: Jin, Narinari
Images: Weibo via Jin 

• Special subway cars in Kyoto are perfect for travelling anime fans
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• Elitism divides otaku culture as the popularity of Japanese pop idols expands

Origin: Subway car decorated with anime idols literally brings fans to their knees in Shanghai
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The One Piece anime is turning 15 this year, and one of the birthday surprises includes a One Piece takeover of JR’s Yamanote Line.

From August 1 until August 15, the cars will wrapped in One Piece decorations, with walls sporting famous scenes from the anime, and One Piece paper and TV ads on the train.

One Piece and the Yamanote Line had a similar collaboration back in February 2011 when the One Piece manga sold over 200 million copies.

For other One Piece anime 15th anniversary celebrations, check out the info about the upcoming musical concert and commemorative merchandise, including animal figures, video game DLC, CDs, and even 3D mousepads.

[Via Akiba Souken]

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• We attend Sailor Moon’s birthday bash — and watch a preview of Sailor Moon Crystal!

Origin: One Piece takes over Yamanote train for 15th anniversary
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With how crowded trains get during rush hour in Japan, finding an open seat can be like discovering an oasis in the desert, or a cold can of Ebisu beer in the fridge nestled behind a group of lesser brews. Oftentimes, though, you’ll step into the train and find every seat occupied.

While no one really likes standing for a 30- or 60-minute ride, for some elderly, pregnant, infant-accompanying, or handicapped passengers, that’s not just an unpleasant situation, but a painful, or even impossible, task. Those groups of people still have as much need for mobility as anyone else, though, so rail companies put up signs directing those passengers to special seats for them along the corner benches of each car.

It seems that able-bodied passengers in different parts of Japan react differently to these suggestions, though. Not only that, not everyone believes keeping those seats open is the right thing to do, and a lot of it has to deal with a subtle difference in the wording used in Tokyo and Sapporo.

Setting off the debate was a photo, shared by artist and Twitter user Robot Nozomi. Snapped while on the train in Sapporo, the largest city on Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido, it shows passengers crammed into every available patch of space inside the carriage, except one.

Along with the photo, Nozomi tweeted:

“In Tokyo, a lot of regular people sit in the priority seats, but in Sapporo, none of them do, even if the train is packed. Now I get it. This is how it’s supposed to be.”

As you’d expect from the show of conscientious kindness, many who saw the snapshot were impressed. “That’s wonderful,” earnestly commented one person, and a few of the locals were filled with a sense of pride. “That’s just how we do things here!” replied one Sapporo resident.

Still, not everyone was sold on the Sapporo-style seating standards. “I think that’s really kind and all, but even if I was injured or handicapped, that sort of atmosphere would make it hard for me to take a seat,” explained one self-conscious individual.

Others just didn’t see the upside of leaving seats empty if there was no one around who needed them. “That’s actually a nuisance for the other people on the train,” grumbled another detractor.

For some, there’s even a safety issue involved. “It can be dangerous to have too many people trying to occupy the same space,” he explained, asserting that spreading passengers out, in this case by having some sit in the special seats, would help people from crashing into one another in the case of an accident, sudden stop, or just as a result of the regular swaying of the train.

▼ This can turn into a bone-cracking human domino-tipping session surprisingly quickly.

Actually, there might be something more at play here than just the hustle and bustle of 13 million-person Tokyo versus the laid-back kindness of the smaller Sapporo and its two million residents. A lot of this could be chalked up to a difference in how those seats are labeled in the two cities.

If we take a look at the Japanese word Nozomi used in his tweet, he refers to the special seats as yuusenseki, literally “priority seats.”

▼ 優先席 / yuusenseki

That’s also what you’ll see written inside train and subway carriages in Tokyo, and most people interpret the term to mean that senior citizens, pregnant women, and the disabled should be given the seats ahead of any other passengers. Alternatively, if there’s no one around who fits into those groups, the priority seats are fair game, at least for the time being.

On the other hand, the trains in Sapporo apparently don’t call them yuusenseki. Instead, they’re senyouseki, the kanji characters for which mean “exclusive use seats.”

▼ 専用席 / senyouseki

There don’t seem to be any rules expressly prohibiting others from sitting in them, or levying fines against those who do. It’s even possible that whoever chose the name wasn’t even thinking about the stricter connotation it entails. Nevertheless, it looks like passengers in Sapporo take the designation seriously enough that if no one on the train belongs to one of the groups the senyouseki have been set aside for, then they should be left empty.

So who’s got the linguistic high ground? Well according to some people, it doesn’t really matter. In regards to Sapporo’s custom, one commenter felt, “This way of thinking, in and of itself, is admirable, but there’s no need to systematize it. It’s good manners to give your seat up for someone who needs it, and natural to sit down if no one does.”

Another open-minded individual concurred. “Whether you call them ‘priority’ or ‘exclusive use,’ what’s important is to think of the needs of the people around you.”

And as for what to call these seats in English? Well, it may be a little on the vague side, but we think this alternate translation for yuusenseki, used by the Tokyu rail network which runs through southwest Tokyo and Kanagawa Prefecture, perfectly encapsulates the spirit behind them.

Source: Jin
Top image: Twitter
Insert images: Twitter, So-Net, University of Tsukuba, Geocities, Nifty Cocolog

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Origin: To sit or not to sit? Linguistic and societal debate on Japanese train seats for the elderly
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There are thousands of Buddhist temples dotting the landscape in Japan, and as a result some of them end up in unique locations. One such temple is Henjoin in Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

You’re welcome to visit any time but just be careful not to get hit by the Airport Express out of Sengakuji Station that passes right through its entrance. This and many other trains zoom across the temple precincts on a regular basis as they travel along the Keikyo Main Line.

In case you can’t make it out to Yokohama, above is a video capturing the tranquil beauty of what is commonly referred to as “Fumikiri Tera” (Rail Crossing Temple). It highlights the temple’s elegant features such as the traditional roof tiles, the row of jizo statues, and the 3:18 from Keikyu Tsurumi Station.

Those praying to the spirits of their ancestors can be lulled into meditation by the gentle sounds of 60 tons of train clanking along rails at speeds of 70km/h.

Not only does a set of tracks run through the temple’s entrance, but the Tokaido Main Line also runs right along the back of it as well.

As you might suspect, the temple was here first originally built nearly 500 years ago. However, it had been rebuilt a few times, the most recent being 1956 after it was destroyed in an air-raid during WWII.

Information about why a train line runs through it is scarce. Minami Nagata with Hamarepo.com looked into it and came to the conclusion that during a time of Henjoin reconstruction, part of its land went up for sale. Some of it was purchased by Keikyo for their then-new electric line. However, because an undamaged part of the entrance lay near the area, Keikyo lent a 40m (130ft) wide strip of land leading out to the street to the temple for free.

We can only assume that Keikyo sprung for the boom gates as well. Without them Henjoin might also be famous as “the deadliest temple” in Japan.

Source: YouTube – sobanotanuki, Kotaro Blog, Hamarepo (Japanese)

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Origin: Enjoy the serenity of Fumikiri Temple, but don’t get hit by a train while doing so
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File this one under things we hope don’t fall into the wrong hands: Those Women Only train cars in Japan aren’t actually enforceable under the law.

All foreign men in Japan can recount their first harrowing experience of obliviously stepping onto a train, only to find that literally every single other passenger was a woman. There’s a moment of confusion and, if you’re lucky, a good Samaritan politely explaining that wieners don’t belong here, followed by the terrible realization that you’ve broken not only an official rule set forth by the train company but also an unwritten social rule, which is kind of almost worse. But, from here on out, you can rest assured that even though you’re committing a social taboo, you’re not breaking any laws!

Most of the time, women-only cars are effective during peak traffic times only – typically in the early morning hours and sometimes in the evening for the after-work rush – and are designed to prevent groping incidents perpetrated by disgusting individuals that for some reason enjoy non-consensual sexual contact.

Still, for reasons that are difficult for us to fathom, a small subsection of “Men’s Rights” guys in Japan take particular offense to the existence of women-only train cars, arguing that it somehow singles out all men as potential gropers/rapists. As if being a man wasn’t already a pretty cushy gig, these guys for some reason want in on the one last refuge women have available to them to escape the groping hands of men on their morning commutes.

One of the main arguments coming from this group is that women-only cars aren’t legally enforceable because it’s technically a gender-discriminatory practice. While that’s true, it’s one of those things we’re probably all better off quietly accepting – since, you know, men not being able to ride one particular train car at limited times during the day isn’t going to kill anybody.

On the other hand, the women only cars do have a tendency of concentrating the gross, pervy old men in the adjacent cars, which is just bad news for everybody.

Regardless of your personal opinions about women-only cars, they are a tried-and-true deterrent for sexual assault and have existed in Japan for longer than you might imagine: As early as 1912. So, if you’re a man that’s for some reason feeling outraged about not being able to take train car number five between the times of 8 and 10 a.m., keep in mind the practice has been around for a long time. Oh, and do everybody a favor and bike to work.

Photos: Wikipedia

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Origin: Are Women-Only train cars illegal in Japan?
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You know those hilarious baby pouches that parents use to strap their kid to their backs, and the kid instantly falls asleep, because that’s what babies do? And then the baby’s limbs just wobble around while the parent walks and you have to do a double take because it kind of looks like the baby is dead at first?

Well, those pouches are apparently also being used on dogs in Japan lately.

This snapshot of a lady carrying her dog in a baby pouch on what appears to be a somewhat crowded Tokyo train in mid-day is making the rounds on the Japanese Interwebs, originally with the comment, “At first I thought it was a stuffed animal, but nope! It’s alive!”

ぬいぐるみかと思ったら本物だった笑 http://t.co/gpzZPkpXp8—
青木 大樹 (@daaaaiki0113) August 24, 2014

Now, it might look adorable at first, but, just like when you see babies in those pouches, it starts to get a little disturbing the more you look at it. Animals loathe being caged, and the pouch is basically a straitjacket for small, sentient creatures, which is why some Netizens in Japan are a little angered by this novel use:

“That dog looks like he’s not having a good time…”

“I sympathize with the dog.”

“This is animal cruelty! Owners that care about their dogs wouldn’t do something like this.”

“This is certain to disturb other passengers.”

So, the general Internet consensus is that this is not the greatest way to treat your dog, but we suppose there’s something to be said for being so attached to your pooch that you’ll literally carry him around like a little Bran Stark to his Hodor.

Source: Hachima Kikou
Photos: Twitter

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Origin: Dog-carrying accessory spotted on Japanese train is awesome, borders on animal abuse
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Last spring, pictures of a series of Japanese train-themed rice cookers surfaced online. Die-hard train fanatics were quick to rejoice, and eagerly awaited the products’ release date. After all, what better way to show a love of your hobby than in the form of a practical, everyday object that feeds you?

There was just one little problem–these awesome appliances are actually only fan-made inventions.

The fake images which fooled dozens of unsuspecting densha otaku were originally envisioned as a joke by Twitter user “Super Express Rice Cooker,” whose hobby seems to involve creating imaginary train models to fool the masses. Starting with the Kounotori, a limited express train operated by JR West, he started designing rice cookers based on different models of trains in Japan. The public response to his creations was so positive that many people failed to realize that they were only fan-made images, and were subsequently heartbroken to learn that there are no actual plans to manufacture and market the rice cookers in real life.

Japanese website Livedoor NEWS even went so far as to check with a company that produces railroad-themed goods to find out what the real story was, but they sadly confirmed that the creative products are not about to be sold anytime soon.

It’s a real shame since these would-be appliances are so funky and creative that we think not only hardcore train fanatics, but also the general public, would definitely snap them up. Not to mention that they’re educational as well. Compare the real deal…

▼Kounotori, former 183 series six-car set (April 2012)

…with the imagined product!

▼Kounotori, rice maker edition

The inventor himself has also expressed a desire to see them in stores someday:

これだけ反響が大きいので、いつの日か電車型の炊飯器が本当に製品化される日が来ることを願いたいです… http://t.co/PwDjeBLUM8—
超特急すいはんき@お飯仕様 (@Fukutoka_3800) August 19, 2014

“The reaction to these has been so huge that I hope a day comes when these train-themed rice cookers will actually be made…”

Check out his full ‘lineup’ as of the present:

Is anyone willing to start an online petition to get these little gems on shelves now?

Source: Livedoor NEWS
Images: Twitter (@Fukutoka_3800), Yahoo! Japan Blogs (Usoden), Wikipedia (Mitsuki-2368)

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Origin: Train-inspired rice cookers for all the railroad lovers out there
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There are seemingly endless things one is not allowed to do on Japanese trains: eat or drink, put on makeup, talk on the phone, take up too much room. Most of these are sensible if strict, making life more pleasant for everybody in a jam-packed carriage. There’s one rule that’s a bit more unusual, though, and that’s the requirement that you switch your phone off near the priority seats.

Mobile phones can interfere with pacemakers, ran the conventional wisdom. So to give passengers with medical equipment a safe haven from electronic interference, most train companies asked passengers to switch phones off completely in certain areas. This summer, rail companies in Kansai more or less ditched that policy, saying it’s no longer necessary. Tokyo, meanwhile, shows no signs of changing the rules.

▼ Phone-free carriages: also great for people who hate technology.

izayoi98re

The ‘power off ‘ rule stems from a 2005 recommendation from the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. Rail companies’ implementation of it varies, however: some ask that passengers turn phones off near priority seating; other companies have separate carriages; on some lines, all carriages are designated ‘power off’.

When 2G mobile phones were phased out, though, the danger posed to people with pacemakers all but vanished. Until 2012, the ministry recommended that phones be kept 22cm from a pacemaker – in a crowded train, there was a reasonable possibility of that being breached. Now, the recommendation is 3cm. So in the Kansai area, rail companies dropped the ‘power off’ rule this July, except for at busy times.

▼ Busy times are busy.

kaihan

In Kantō, however, the area further east including Tokyo that shares a centuries-old rivalry with Kansai, rail companies say they have no intention of relaxing the rules. Kantō’s urban trains are famously crowded, so perhaps that’s part of the thinking, although JR East and Tokyo Metro both cited customer unease as the reason:

“Passengers with pacemakers are [still] uneasy about the use of mobile phones.”

The government, however, has been clear that the old ‘power off’ recommendations were for 2G service, and are not necessary now that it’s no longer used. It seems like there’s a case for educating people that the risks have changed, rather than keeping the rules the same because of passengers’ misconceptions.

▼ Spotted: a phone with an actual antenna.

nakahori

Source:  IT media news
Top image: yumekata

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Origin: Kansai scraps “power off” mobile phone ban on trains; Kantō won’t budge
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Even though I could praise Japan’s efficient public transportation system for hours on end, there’s one major drawback about it that has left me traumatized on several occasions and never fails to induce terrifying flashbacks whenever I’m surrounded by too many people. You can probably guess what I’m talking about, right? Yup, it’s about how unbelievably crowded the country’s trains and subways can get during rush hour.

Anyone traveling in the Greater Tokyo Area or other metropolitan centers of Japan should be forewarned that the experience is not for the faint of heart–nor for the claustrophobic. I mean, you know it’s a bad sign when there are actually station staff on hand during peak rush hours to squeeze as many passengers as possible into each car. That said, if you’ve traveled or happen to live in Japan’s capital, you can undoubtedly sympathize with the following ranking of the most crowded train and subway lines in Tokyo at rush hour. And just so you don’t think Tokyo gets all the love, we’ve also thrown in the lists for Osaka and Nagoya, too!

About the only negative memory I can recall from my study abroad days in Tokyo was navigating the Chuo Line every morning and evening on my daily commute to and from school. On rare days, I could just manage to do some homework reading while standing up; on even rarer days, finding an empty seat felt like winning the lottery. On the worst occasions, I would be shoved up against a total stranger with my arms stuck out at odd angles, all while trying to politely ignore one another’s existence. After moving to the rural countryside and emptier trains of northern Japan, I actually experienced culture shock whenever I visited Tokyo and rode on public transportation there again.

The website for Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism recently released 2013 data about the most crowded train and subway lines in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya, three of Japan’s most populous cities. Each ranking comes with a percentage value which indicates the degree of crowdedness inside the train. The following graphic illustrates the different percentages:

For your reference:

At 100%, you have no problem finding your own personal space near the door and stretching out.

At 150%, you can still easily spread open a newspaper and read it.

At 180%, you can read a folded newspaper with some difficulty.

At 200%, you’re feeling a bit cozy, but you can still manage to read small books or periodicals.

At 250%, it’s just like what the picture shows–you’re squeezed in like a can of sardines. Things may get a little awkward…

Now, let’s finally move onto the actual ranking. Here are the top ten most crowded train and subway lines during rush hour in Tokyo (the specific stretches of track between two stations are listed in parentheses):

1) Keihin Tohoku Line (from Ueno to Okachimachi), JR East: 200%

2) Tozai Line (from Kiba to Monzen-Nakacho), Tokyo Metro: 199%

3) Chuo-Sobu Line [Local] (from Kinshicho to Ryogoku), JR East: 199%

4) Chuo Line [Rapid] (from Nakano to Shinjuku), JR East: 194%

5) Yokosuka Line (from Musashi-Kosugi to Nishi-Oi), JR East: 193%

6) Odawara Line (from Setagaya-Daita to Shimokitazawa), Odakyu: 188%

7) Den-en-toshi Line (from Ikejiri-Ohashi to Shibuya), Tokyu Group: 183%

8) Tokaido Line (from Kawasaki to Shinagawa), JR East: 183%

9) Sobu Line [Rapid] (from Shin-Koiwa to Kinshicho), JR East: 178%

10) Chiyoda Line (from Machiya to Nishi-Nippori), Tokyo Metro: 177%

Yikes! Eight out of the ten most crowded lines are above that 180% mark! Now let’s see how those numbers stack up to Osaka’s top ten most crowded lines:

1) Kobe Main Line (from Kanzakigawa to Juso), Hankyu: 142%

2) Takarazuka Main Line (from Mikuni to Juso), Hankyu: 139%

3) Nara Line (from Kawachi-Eiwa to Fuse), Kintetsu: 135%

4) Midosuji Line (from Umeda to Yodoyabashi), Osaka Municipal Subway: 135%

5) Osaka Line (from Shuntokumichi to Fuse), Kintetsu: 133%

6) Katamachi (from Shigino to Kyobashi), JR West: 131%

7) Kyoto Main Line (from Kami-Shinjo to Awaji), Hankyu: 129%

8) Koya Line (from Mozuhachiman to Mikunigaoka), Nankai: 125%

9) Hanwa Line [Rapid] (from Sakaishi to Tennoji), JR West: 124%

10) Minami-Osaka Line (from Kita-Tanabe to Koboreguchi), Kintetsu: 123%

In other words, Osaka’s most crowded line at 142% is equivalent to the 26th most crowded line in Tokyo (which happens to be Keio’s Inokashira Line).

Similarly, let’s take a look at the ranking for Nagoya (note–the list only goes up to eighth place):

1) Higashiyama Line (from Nagoya to Fushimi), Nagoya Municipal Subway: 139%

2) Nagoya Main Line [East] (from Jingu-mae to Kanayama), Meitetsu: 138%

3) Nagoya Main Line [West] (from Sako to Meitetsu-Nagoya), Meitetsu: 138%

4) Nagoya Line (from Komeno to Kintetsu-Nagoya), Kintetsu: 133%

5) Chuo Line (from Shin-Moriyama to Ozone), JR Central: 129%

6) Meijo Line/Meiko Line (from Kanayama to Higashi-Betsuin), Nagoya Municipal Subway: 127%

7) Tokaido Line (from Biwajima to Nagoya), JR Central: 121%

8) Tsurumai Line (from Shiogama-guchi to Yagoto), Nagoya Municipal Subway: 113%

This time, the worst offender in the Nagoya area is equivalent to Tokyo’s 27th (the Keikyu Main Line).

Have you ever had the misfortune of experiencing an incredibly packed train ride in Japan? Feel free to share your own public transportation horror stories below.

Source/Insert image: Livedoor Blog (Golden Times), Blogos (Manshon Asobi)
Top image: RocketNews24

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Origin: The most crowded train lines during rush hour in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya are…
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One of the most awesome things about Japan is that you can expect amazing customer service just about anywhere. With exuberant convenience store clerks and burger deliverymen who reimburse you for the phone call you placed your order with, you almost expect employees to come bursting out of the walls in order to serve you…and sometimes they do!

The automated train and subway ticket machines in Japan are amazingly efficient. Even still, on very rare occasions they jam, and sometimes users get lost navigating the array of touchscreen menus for normal tickets, express train tickets, charging their prepaid cards, or the various other available options.

That’s why each terminal has a button you can press to call for an attendant if you run into trouble. However, at some sprawling stations there’s a bit of a walk from the turnstile to the farthest bank of ticket machines. With commuters in a hurry, no one wants to waste time while the attendant walks all the way from the back office to the gate, and then around to the person who needs help.

So instead, they take a more direct route.

In many stations, the panels between the terminals are hinged, allowing the station staff to make like more helpful, less destructive versions of the Kool-Aid Man by popping out from behind the walls to solve the problem.

Although stations have incorporated these designs for years, the reliability of their ticket terminals means that even Japanese nationals don’t see this sight too often, as illustrated by online comments.

“So that’s where they come from when you hit the button!”
“This happened when I didn’t know how to buy my commuter pass, and I was really surprised.”
“I’ve only seen this one time in my life.”
“Otsukare sama desu.”

But remember, the station employees all have busy jobs, so tapping the call button just to see them pop out from behind the wall isn’t cool. If, though, you make a point of always buying your tickets from the oldest, most dilapidated machine you can find, and secretly cross your fingers that the coin slot will jam, we won’t hold it against you.

Source, image: Hamster Sokuho

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Origin: Japanese customer service: So amazing that employees will burst out of the walls to help you
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Japan is known for many great things from its delicious food and unique culture to its abundance of anime, manga, and video games. Unfortunately, it has also earned a reputation for being packed with skeevy perverts, which is actually an extremely unfair characterization–the average Japanese citizen is no more perverted than the citizens of any other country. But that doesn’t change the fact that many women still have to put up with both discrimination and sexual harassment, as a story that broke on Friday demonstrates.

A young woman in her twenties was allegedly groped while riding the train. That on its own would be bad enough, but this woman was allegedly molested by two different men at the exact same time.

Various Japanese news sources have reported that, according to police, two men have been arrested under suspicion of being chikan, or molesters/gropers. What sets this event apart from other incidents is that both men had apparently targeted the same, incredibly unfortunate, woman–at the same time.

According to FNN News, the woman was apparently “sandwiched” between the two gropers, one in front of her and one behind. Someone standing behind the rear groper spotted the illicit activity and called out that there was a chikan, prompting the victim to point at the molester in front of her and say, “This guy too.”

▼Sad kitty is sad for the world.

Wikipedia (Harald Wehner)

So far, police stated that the men apparently had no previous contact with each other, and both denied the allegations. However, multiple witnesses have come forward, including the men who helped capture the alleged molesters when the train stopped at Monzenaka-cho Station.

The investigation is still ongoing, though it appears that both men were on their way to work. One of the arrested men is a 24-year-old administrator at the Tokyo District Court and the other is a 39-year-old banker at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ (abbreviated as MUFJ). In addition to the police investigation, the bank has promised to look into the ordeal.

Sources: Itai News 2Channel, Mainichi Shinbun, FNN News, Asahi Shinbun
Images: Wikipedia (Taichi Ichikawa)

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Origin: Woman on train groped by two men at once, suspects apparently unrelated
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