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Train Etiquette

I must admit that the Japanese have some quirks about them.  Some things, to the western mind, seem ridiculous. Lots of things actually. However, at the same time there are some things that the Japanese have perfected and Western cultures wouldn’t be any worse off taking note. One of these things are the train system in Japan.

The trains are super clean, unbelievably punctual and can take you anywhere you need to be. One of the things that helps the trains run so nicely is the line etiquette.  In America the train doors open anywhere on the platform while here in Japan they open in specific locations. At those locations everyone lines up and files into the train. Very orderly-like. Although it does sort of turn into a dog-eat-dog moment with grannies pushing for their rightful seats. Stick to the etiquette and good luck!

trainetiquette

Let’s Take a Walk

Tokyo is a metropolis full of various places all jam packed in a small area.  The boundaries of all these cities are vague but due to and depending on the main roads and train stations in Tokyo and the sort of isolation they create, each city seems to be able to establish it’s own special characteristic or style.

Walking south along the Yamanote line from Shinjuku station, a station which connects Tokyo to various other prefectures, you can see an assortment of very different people and their respective “cities”. Within one hour you will pass the prep school and central park-esque city of Yoyogi, to the fashion capital of Harajuku to the young people mecca of Shibuya to the slightly high-class city of Ebisu.  Not only does the atmosphere of these “villages” change quite a bit but so do the people.  Even moving away from the previously mentioned area and thinking about the second hand bookstore hub of Kanda to the techie/maid cafe enthusiast town of Akihabara, it becomes clear that each place in the heart of Tokyo makes a very different impression on the people who live there to the people who visit.

For tourists, Tokyo has one of the best train systems in the world.  Amazingly punctual (to the point where is it scary!), it makes such a hugely packed place easy to navigate.  However, I recommend you throw that train ticket away and put on your walking shoes because watching the places and the people change as you make your way from station to station is far more interesting.

Transit, Tokyo, Paris

Hey hey! Here is Babouin, your reporter from Tokyo!

Life in Japan is very different from France!

For example, taking the subway is more enjoyable because it’s so clean. First I was a little surprised and I needed some time to understand the system. But now that I understand I found it even more convenient than in France.

From Minowa Station to Shinjuku it costs about 300 yen for a one way ticket. It depends which trajectory you choose. Ticket prices vary by destination and distance. A friend gave me his PASMO card before coming to Japan. It’s a magnetic pass like NAVIGO in Paris. You just have to put it in the ticket distributor and choose the amount you wish to load. The minimum is 1000 yen.  If ever your ticket or your pass are not sufficiently charged at the arrival station, you must pay the difference. There are special machines called “Fare Adjustment” machines located before the automatic door exit.

In Japan there are many private companies: Tokyo Metro Line, Toei Line, JR Line … etc. Whenever possible I try to take only the Metro Line because if you change lines it will become more expensive. To identify the subway is quite easy and well marked. Even if you can’t read Japanese, the names of stations and lines are written in romaji (Latin script). Announcements are made on the train at each station: you are told the current station, the direction and then the next station and which side the doors will open. Everything is finely organized! Once you understand the system, taking the metro is really pleasant.

But beware! Avoid peak periods in the morning between 7 and 9 am and evenings from 5 pm. Most people go to work! It’s like a tidal wave in which you can be swept away violently by the current. You end up literally packed like a sardine in the train. It is very unpleasant. But fortunately there is air conditioning in all trains. Besides the morning, some compartments of the train are reserved exclusively for women! Because sometimes perverts touch women!

In the corridors of the subway and trains there is no tagging or graffiti! In France the trains are continually degraded. It’s a shame. Here people do not throw their garbage everywhere. The Japanese know how to show respect and good manners.

Hello Babouin