Tokyo Commute
(
27)
Fri 2007/06/01 20:36
There is one thing I miss about working at Microsoft - the great views (Amazon had great views too). But the thing I definitely don't miss is being squashed on the train and dodging swarms of fellow commuters on the way to work every morning.
Took this photo when I went to the Shizuoka Hobby Show and had flashbacks of me being squashed on the trains ^^;
Took this photo when I went to the Shizuoka Hobby Show and had flashbacks of me being squashed on the trains ^^;
Train platforms are located all over the place and you will experience people charging from all directions. Getting to your train can be most stressful from having to dodge human projectiles - then its more stress waiting on the train when you get there ^^;
But there is one technique that I use often to get through the crowds without having to go through grief - its quite simple.
What you do is to locate a fellow human who is charging through the crowds in the direction you want to go in. People tend to move away from Chargers due to the manner that they charge through the crowds.
What you do then is to locate yourself behind that person and use them as a shield.
If your Charging Shield wanders off then locate another Charging Shield until you reach your destination. This works wonders and you will find that you will be able to navigate even the most busiest of stations (like Shinagawa station pictured here).
But there is one technique that I use often to get through the crowds without having to go through grief - its quite simple.
What you do is to locate a fellow human who is charging through the crowds in the direction you want to go in. People tend to move away from Chargers due to the manner that they charge through the crowds.
What you do then is to locate yourself behind that person and use them as a shield.
If your Charging Shield wanders off then locate another Charging Shield until you reach your destination. This works wonders and you will find that you will be able to navigate even the most busiest of stations (like Shinagawa station pictured here).
Tokyo citizens will begin to experience service robots in public starting this December...(more)
Thu 05/31 23:28 comments (14)
For those who don't read Japanese, this sign says "Warning: Perverts lurking."
This s...(more)
Sat 05/26 23:13 comments (43)
Web Developer/ウェブデベロッパー, Photographer/写真や
I use that 'hide behind the charger' method often ^^; They clear the road for you so all you have to do is stick behind. Great for protecting your figures and anime stuff after an event ^^
(ID #48879) Posted on 2007/06/01 23:33
ColdFusion Developer
The packed train is definitely a down point, though when I was on the trains it didn't seem that bad. Though going through that everyday I can see it getting stressful. That charger method wouldn't work well here in Sydney as most people don't move out of the way.
(ID #48882) Posted on 2007/06/02 00:11
I hate it when there is another bloke pressed up against my back. Or when you are pressed up against another blokes back in the morning train. Ueggh (vomit sound). Actually, how do I spell a vomit sound properly?
(ID #48884) Posted on 2007/06/02 01:02
Animator/ graphic designer
*BLarghhhh~* vomit sound? yeah i go through lots of commuting..i found its best to just stay out of the way until the crowd thins so i can make my way in without much hassle(sidles in and out of morning bus crowd everyday)
(ID #48886) Posted on 2007/06/02 01:12
Geek Liaison
Behind the Charger.... I am the Charger. ;-) But, when your 6 foot 4 (195cm) people tend to get out of your way whither you are Charging or not
(ID #48888) Posted on 2007/06/02 01:28
Hobby Store clerk guy thing...
I tend to use the charger as the shield a lot, since I'm not that large or intimidating lol While I was in Japan I did experience the packed train syndrome, it was REALLY packed, those TV shows and anime don't lie! It was nice having a lady pressing up to you tho ^^;;
(ID #48890) Posted on 2007/06/02 02:08
Policy & Research Officer
Normally I end up being the charger in many occasions where gf, friends, even my mom used me as a shield to walk through the sea of people.
(ID #48892) Posted on 2007/06/02 02:20
.NET/Web Developer
There's no such thing here in my area. heheh. Although I did experience that situation when I was in Manila. Especially during rush hour. Man, I felt like a packed of canned sardines. >_>
(ID #48894) Posted on 2007/06/02 02:40
anime/cosplay events organizer
lolz. same grief that i've experienced during commuting especially riding the train. i have to battle the hordes of people on-peak and/or off-peak rush hours @@
(ID #48900) Posted on 2007/06/02 04:39
hahahah the MRT is worse, next to the old LRT line... have you tried the newer LRT line? It runs like a breeze :P getting squashed hurts and sometimes tearful too. I remember being in the women only carriage and i was forced outside the train when the older women got off--I was squealing for my friends to pull me back! hahaha some women are as strong as men when they push O_O"""""""""""
(ID #205255) Posted on 2008/06/05 22:16
Student
This sort of thing dosn't really happen to me unless im going to an event like London MCM Expo. There is always a massive fight between comuters to get onto the DLR. Reason being everyone wants to get to expo as soon as possible. Due to the fact me and my friends are always on the DLR before we get near the excel centre, we are always crushed by the masses of Expo-ers.
(ID #48906) Posted on 2007/06/02 08:25
icie in Sydney
Well, I do use the "hide behind charger" tactics sometimes, but mostly (when I am feeling energetic) I make use of my danmaku experience and get dodging right into the crowd, trying to avoid damage to my "hit box". It's pretty fun especially if your headphones blasting Touhou music blocks out all the obscenities being hurled at you. :P
(ID #48909) Posted on 2007/06/02 09:58
Student
Like icie, I envision myself as someone engulfed in danmaku, and I just imagine that I''m trying to go through some tight patterns while boarding and leaving trains. It's a lot easier when you listen to stuff like Alstroemeria Records' trance and ZUN's music. It helps me relax (or at least to get into the mood).
(ID #48910) Posted on 2007/06/02 10:50
i wish i lived in japan.... its soo seems soo exciting
(ID #48913) Posted on 2007/06/02 12:00
At least Japanese people bother queuing before they get onto the trains or to wait for the next train to arrive. In Singapore, its a mad scrum to get onto the cabin, even before letting passengers alight.
(ID #48914) Posted on 2007/06/02 12:41
radical anime fan in Singapore; starting to freeze up. Mmm, end-of-year weather. (Registered on 2007/01/25 21:20)
Polytechnic Freshman. Mmm... fresh.
i second Zero. its a real pain when people just squeeze past. they dont queue up, dont wait for the people to finish exiting, dont apologize when they bump into others. ToT one more thing. is it just me or did S'pore's train system become a new fad for suicide? plenty of people have been going that way...
(ID #48919) Posted on 2007/06/02 13:16
lol @ charging shield - sounds like a RPG battle technique ^_^
(ID #48921) Posted on 2007/06/02 14:40
AV Movie Critic :p
Well, impressive amout of people but since in Japan everyone has at least some basic knowledge about good manners and social behavior, you never feel like running for your life in those train stations. Compare that to Shanghai on a moderate busy weekday for example in People's Square Subway station - Hordes of people pushing and squeezing into (and out of) the trains, running around, pushing you around and worst case stealing your mobile phone. Not to mention those blarring "Traffic advisors" who constantly shout 先下后上！！ into their megaphones which really kill your nerves sometimes.... ah well... I am just pissed off today... time for a relaxing shower and watching that new Mihiro flick :p
(ID #48923) Posted on 2007/06/02 15:31
Interactive Media Design and Graphic Design
hahah that is a nice strategy danny, i know the feeling.
(ID #48930) Posted on 2007/06/02 20:09
Director/代表取締役
One thing I do like about Japan is that people generally queue up in a good manner.
(ID #48946) Posted on 2007/06/03 02:03
Lol, I seen that here in the U.S., when I drive my car ambulances pass by in a rush to save someone with sirens blazing and everyone moves out of the way for it and some jerk is following it and speeding through after it. Really annoying when traffic happens and you see that lol.
(ID #48970) Posted on 2007/06/03 06:47
What a great idea! I never thought of that. Now I have an alternative to getting around Tokyo without having one of my friends gaijin-smashing a path for me.
(ID #49124) Posted on 2007/06/05 12:37
Castigator of Students
Using the trains to commute here in Manila is sometimes annoying due to the small size of the trains. The newest train line is pretty spacious, but the most-used one along our main thoroughfare is always pretty cramped. You have like five people cramming through a door designed for one. -_- Thankfully I'm taller and broader than most other people here, but it's still pretty hard to squeeze in when I'm carrying a huge backpack with my laptop inside.
(ID #49401) Posted on 2007/06/09 22:33
haha I don't wanna try and guess where you're commuting from XD
(ID #205258) Posted on 2008/06/05 22:24
Part human, part student, 100% loser
I usually walk to school even if it's raining... LOL, use charging commuters as shields...
(ID #71878) Posted on 2008/02/09 14:44
Senior 3d designer/ CAD Engineer
I actually wanted to comment about the different behavour between the train passengers or Japan and Sg. But then, seem like my thoughts has already been well said here.. haha. Nevertheless, when I was in Japan, Through observation, I learned allot from the people simply by talking trains and buses. Something that we here (in Sg) must really practise.. "patient". But one worst thing we could ever experience was... To get squessed with a big group of unknown people in the same cabin that smells.. That is happening here and one of the main really which drives people to buy a car, eventhough it is damp expensive here.
(ID #205418) Posted on 2008/06/06 02:01
Usually don't have any issues with my commute, 20 mins drive each way. However, this week have the joy of working at a different office 200mile round trip commute. Nice long drive at start and end of the day. Still better than usuing public transport for the trip though.
(ID #205452) Posted on 2008/06/06 03:07
Sankei has discovered a "gender free" school where girls don't mind changing their clothes...(more)
Mon 10/13 12:54 comments (60)
Looks like I'll be getting this figure of Sakura Nanako by Megahouse. Also looks like from...(more)
Mon 10/13 10:34 comments (31)
