Train transportation is both a blessing and a curse. Train networks make getting around extraordinarily easy, and much cheaper than owning a car. Compared to buses – which are well-known haunts of swindlers, witchcraft users and the very smelly – trains are also safe, clean and convenient.
But sometimes they present a problem, especially for those that don’t own private means of transport. Cosplayers, for instance, may have to get from A to B in costume – which, even on Halloween in Japan, can attract stares and scoffs. Or what if you want to hang out with your giant bird friends at the pub but your giant bird heads won’t fit into the car door? Circus performers, extremely drunk salarymen, movie monster extras and more have all faced this dilemma.
▼ Sad Alien 3 extra was sad because he had to take the train to work in costume.
Some might hire a taxi or even a moving truck, but others don’t have that luxury. Like these people spotted on (seemingly) Japanese trains:
▼Hey ladies!
▼ Ah, the classic salaryman sleeping photo. Will we ever know this man’s identity!?
▼ We just hope that’s a new plunger
▼ “Sorry, these seats are taken.”
▼ Oh. That’s not in the slightest bit creepy.
▼ And we’re pretty sure this train will make it safely to its destination
▼ This one not so much
▼ “Well, this is embarrassing…”
▼ “What? I don’t get to have a day off?”
What’s the craziest thing you’ve seen on the train? Or maybe you actually were the craziest thing others saw on the train? Let us know in the comments!
The weird and wonderful things people leave behind on Japanese trains
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Crow surprises Japanese commuters by attempting to buy train ticket from a machine【Video】
15 rude things not to do on trains in Japan【Survey】
Japanese baseball player shows us the craziest batting warmup we’ve ever seen 【Video】
Japan’s real-world Pokémon hot spring’s first photos are here![Photos]
Two new Sailor Moon art manhole covers are coming to Usagi’s real-world Tokyo neighborhood
What makes the Starbucks Japan chocolate terrine so popular?
Krispy Kreme releases new limited-edition fox doughnuts at only four stores in Japan
Tokyo restaurant offers lunches for less than 1 U.S. cent…if you’re good enough at rock-paper-scissors
KFC Japan’s “The American Burgers” include a pile of guilt
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Government says 5.7 trillion yen of Japanese media was pirated last year, thinks AI could help
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japanese train platform door tech promotes safety, illusions of being in a sci-fi universe
Japan votes on the rudest behaviors seen on trains and at stations this year
Pigeon cuts in line, casually boards train in Japan【Video】
Unexpectedly cute stowaway on JR train causes delays, smiles
The 8 most annoying things people do on Japanese trains, according to local commuters
Japanese railway line closes, company keeps trains running for residents
Rugby World Cup fans perform lineout on floor of a Japanese train
Train etiquette poster features legendary Japanese folklore hero in an unusual plot twist
Japanese netizen comes up with brilliant idea for child-friendly train handle
Japan bad train manners survey reminds us of three things to watch out for while riding the rails
Parakeet found riding Shinkansen by itself, gets taken into police custody【Video】
Pigeon gets on the wrong train but doesn’t notice in time—we can totally empathize!【Video】
Japanese school bag collaborates with a limited express train company for one awesome bag
New anti-chikan cellphone stickers let you mark train gropers with sign of shame
Crazy comparison shows why Tokyo’s massive train network even freaks out some Japanese people