Mouth agape, eyes rolled back, head bobbing – when home is an hour or more away and work continues late into the night, the only place for many Japanese office workers to lay their weary head is against a train car window. This phenomenon is not unique to Japan, but the combination of overwork and limited affordable housing in big cities like Tokyo give rise to crowds of sleepy commuters just trying to get to their futon. If you have never witness the varied sleeping positions of Japan’s overworked commuters, take a look at the following video created by real estate website HOME’S.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5BKgnuDXr0
Our favorite sleepyhead has got to be this guy:
If you found yourself bobbing along to the simple, yet pleasing melody featured in the video, you’re not alone. It’s nursery-rhyme-like lyrics are quite clever, utilizing the Japanese alphabet in order:
“あ”したはすぐにやってくるのに
“か”えり道は長すぎる
“さ”っさと靴下脱ぎたいよ
“た”くさんの録画溜まってるあいうえお かきくけこ さしすせと たちつてと
“な”かなか家には着かないよ
“は”やくお風呂に入りたい
“ま”っすぐ布団にすべりこもう
“や”っぱいい夢みたいよなにぬねの はひふへほ まみむめも やゆよ
In English, it doesn’t have quite the cuteness of the original, but the meaning is perfect for the video of dozing riders:
Tomorrow comes so quickly
The road home is too long
I want to hurry up and take off my socks
There’s a lot of shows recorded on my DVRA-I-U-E-O Ka-Ki-Ku-Ke-Ko Sa-Shi-Su-Se-So Ta-Chi-Tsu-Te-To
It’s taking forever to get home
I want to take a bath already
And dive straight into my futon
I want to have sweet dreams tonightNa-Ni-Nu-Ne-No Ha-Hi-Hu-He-Ho Ma-Mi-Mu-Me-Mo Ya-Yu-Yo
The video ends with a reminder that companies don’t compensate employees for commuting time and prompts viewers to try out HOME’s commute time search engine. The real estate company is aiming straight for the tired and weary in their commercial; we wouldn’t be surprised if they played this on the trains, giving fatigued workers a mirror image of their own commute.
Let’s learn Japanese through terrible “American jokes”
The 30 most ‘romantic’ lines that women want to hear (well, according to the Japanese internet)
New Hatsune Miku Music Video “ODDS&ENDS” Leaves the World in Tears 【Updated】
Our Japanese reporter talks to a stranger on Skype…things get awkward
10 Japanese phrases for travelers that will help, amuse, or just plain confuse
Harajuku’s new permanent Tamagotchi shop is filled with cuteness and a surprising lack of poop
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
Check out this 8m robot that appeared on Tokyo’s waterfront【Video】
Japanese thug wear from Birth Japan perfect for those breaking bad next year
New Studio Ghibli collection includes a US$2,450 wooden Totoro 【Video】
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Tokyo train stations giving out awesome giant Pokémon cards, but you’ll want to hurry
Amazon releases new Kindle model specifically designed for manga readers
Is the all-you-can-eat KFC buffet in Tokyo really as good as they say it is?
Human traffic jam on Mt. Fuji shows why weekdays are the best days to hike the symbol of Japan
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan’s ramen-cooking robot whipped us up a bowl of noodles【Taste test】
Cyberpunk anime meets traditional culture in Ghost in the Shell gold leaf Japanese changing screens
7 great places to see Mt. Fuji from without having to climb it
Hello Kitty Choco Egg figures are an adorable trip through three periods of Japanese pop culture【Pics】
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Sumo Sanrio! Hello Kitty and pals team up with Japan Sumo Association for new merch【Pics】
Can a dirty butthole make you filthy rich in Japan? We’re starting a New Year’s lottery experiment
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Unforgettable lines from popular manga
Getting a haircut in Japan: A survival guide
Inventor of instant ramen noodles appears as Japanese samurai in awesome new animated rap video
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 offensive Japanese insults【Weird Top Five】
Your vote will decide which Ghibli film will be shown on the big screen in Japan!
All you need to know about Japan’s unasked-for restaurant appetizers that you have to pay for
18 Japanese words understood around the world
Leave a Reply