Japan’s Train System: Clean, Quiet, and Efficient
While visiting Japan you are surely going to travel by public transport. The train is the most convenient and comfortable means of transport. Japanese trains are clean and quiet which is surprising due to the amount of people passing through in one day. In Tokyo, the urban railroad is the most used in the world with 40 million people traveling every day.
Japanese Train Rush Hours: A Traveler’s Guide
Unfortunately, comfort cannot be taken for granted as the busy hours strike the trains get pent with no personal space. The busy hours are the worst time to use the train so try to avoid these busy hours as it can be really uncomfortable. There are 2 types of busy hours. Starting in the early morning till 9:00 a.m. the train is overfloating with people going to work or school. The second rush hour starts around 5.30 p.m. and trains and platforms are slowly filling up with office workers and students returning to their homes. The peak of evening busy hour is between 6.00 – 7.30 p.m. At this time it is very much unrealistic to hope for a bit of personal space or even a seat.
Rush Hour Realities: Tokyo Train Crowds
To make it easier to imagine the rush hours just imagine you standing on 1 meter square with at least 4 people standing right next to you. Body to body. The reason for this is mainly the time and also the limited space on trains and an increasing number of people. Also, as passengers are getting on and off the crowd is in constant motion. Like a big mass. It’s almost impossible to stay in one secure spot without having to push others for it.
Tokyo Train Rush Hour: Efficient Boarding and Exiting Tips
While getting on your mission is to find a free spot that is bearable for you. Afterward, you have to try your best to hold your spot as long as you have to. It can be a bit difficult to find some good spot that has enough space and you like it. With getting off it all depends on where you end up after each movement of the crowd but there is a high possibility that you will be in a totally different spot than you wanted to be. All doors might be far away or hidden behind people. Getting on and off processes is not comfortable for anyone. Needless to say, pushing others and constantly repeating sorry is a part of busy hours in Tokyo.
