Tokyo train

Tue 2006/07/25 23:28 JST
 41
 in Japan
2882 views
Tokyo train title=

Been living in Japan for 7 years and there's not much that bothers me apart from the morning train...
A train is said to be at 100% capacity ( Josha ritsu 100% (乗車率100%) じょうしゃりつ) when all seats are taken and all standing space is also filled up with everybody standing shoulder to shoulder. The train I get on in the morning is probably about 150 - 200% capacity where you can step on somebodys foot by accident and keep your foot there without anybody complaining. This is because its sooo packed that you cant even adjust your footing. I suppose this is not as bad as the tube back in London where you have to kind of bend your neck sideways if you are standing next to the door as the shape of the train is round - get squashed and risk doing permanent damage to the neck.

You may have read about the women only carriages over here and I though I'd mention something about this subject while we are talking trains. There have been many cases where groups of young girls get together to accuse some poor business man of perversion. Girl "A" would shout out "chikan!" (痴漢(ちかん)which is the word for perv and accuse some innocent bloke of touching her. Another girl "B" who is supposedly another passenger would say that she would confess in court that the man touched girl "A". Girl "A" then goes on to say that she will drop charges if the poor bloke gives her all the cash he has on him...
These happenings have been on the TV and what they recommend you doing is that you keep your hands visible holding one of those dangling straps above your head. If there's nothing to hold on to nearby, I recommend you put both hands on your head like those rebel soldiers on endor after the bunker was captured by stormtroopers. Just try to look natural or somebody may report you for looking suspicious.

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  • Radamanthys
    Radamanthys in Toronto, Canada (Registered on 2008/12/05)

    Rush hour in Toronto is getting worst and worst! We need more trains!

    Sat 2008/12/06 09:01:46 JST (ID #400909)
    reply to Radamanthys's comment
  • hope F-35J
    hope F-35J in Osaka Japan (Registered on 2008/12/14)
    student

    But tokyo's train is very clean.Yokohama's subway is very sad.

    Sun 2008/12/14 17:06:14 JST (ID #411728)
    reply to hope F-35J's comment
  • Laevetein
    Laevetein in Philippines (Registered on 2009/01/07)
    iCafe Manager

    Our train rails are on top of pillars in the middle of the road. Probably the only thing worse here than a pervert on a packed train is a fish vendor.

    Fri 2009/01/09 19:26:29 JST (ID #441872)
    reply to Laevetein's comment
  • Minaru Chou
    Minaru Chou in Philippines (Registered on 2008/09/25)
    Programmer Trainee
    http://jointsareokay.blogspot.com

    So far I haven't seen or heard of an experience like that here.

    I take the train once in a while with friends. Due to the increase of gas prices the train is REALLY cramped now unlike before. And it sucks a lot for me because I'm to short to hold on to the handrails so I have to find my center of gravity to survive. I still enjoy the train sometimes regardless

    We don't just have a women's carriage for the train. It also accommodates seniors, kids and the disabled. I guess that's for the best since it's not really safe in the train with all those perverts and stuff.

    Wed 2009/01/14 11:02:27 JST (ID #447634)
    reply to Minaru Chou's comment
  • Sat Nav
    Sat Nav in england (Registered on 2009/04/01)
    anime + games collector

    the trains are alright and on time but they suck.

    Sun 2009/04/12 18:25:18 JST (ID #560176)
    reply to Sat Nav's comment
  • darklyss
    darklyss in Sydney, Australia (Registered on 2009/03/08)
    "jack of all trades" (master of none)
    http://japanweloveyou.blogspot.com

    Trains here r ok. Not crowded, but mostly because when you get on, there'll inevitably be some homeless guy twitching in the seat next to you asking if you're the Star Captain... *sigh*

    Thu 2009/04/23 02:30:13 JST (ID #575409)
    reply to darklyss's comment
  • micky2be
    micky2be in Tokyo (Registered on 2008/12/13)
    Web programmer
    http://www.micky2be.com

    arf, I hate rush hours in japanese train

    Wed 2009/05/13 01:49:36 JST (ID #603118)
    reply to micky2be's comment
  • Racer's Dream
    Racer's Dream in Curva Tamburello (Registered on 2009/01/27)
    90's F1 Afficionate and Anti-Otaku
    http://www.livestream.com/f1action

    Sorry, no can do!
    Public transport is a pain in tha woop ass

    Sat 2009/05/30 06:03:00 JST (ID #626665)
    reply to Racer's Dream's comment
  • [DaNiel]{G}
    [DaNiel]{G} in arizona (Registered on 2009/03/16)
    drafting designer,video game tester

    wow super crowded!!!!

    Wed 2009/06/17 23:13:48 JST (ID #648634)
    reply to [DaNiel]{G}'s comment

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