Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station is the Guinness World Record holder for busiest transport hub in the world, with an average of 3.64 million people passing through the station, which has 36 platforms and over 200 exits, each and every day. And it’s never busier than during the morning rush hour, with commuters from all over Tokyo and its neighbouring prefectures pouring through the station on their way to work. No wonder the trains are so crowded!
Since Ashley, our “Japan Wish” competition winner is currently in town soaking up as much Japanese culture as she can, we thought it would be great if she could experience the rush hour crush for herself and share her thoughts with her fellow RocketNews24 readers.
Check out the video we took of Ashley being squished like a sardine and see for yourselves how she rates the experience!
We had Ashley hop on one of the tightly packed trains while we dashed to meet her at the other end. While she was slightly nervous about what was to come – after all, Japan’s rush hour trains are famous for being hellishly tight – Ashley was nonetheless prepared to do battle with the hordes of commuters!
Ashley squeezed herself onto the train, instinctively adopting the time-honoured “shuffle on backwards while avoiding eye contact” method. Sometimes it’s hard to shove yourself face-first into a crowded carriage, mostly because of all the resentful eyes upon you. It’s better to back your way on, making sure not to get your nose trapped in the closing doors.
▼ Here she is before getting on the train – all smiles!
▼ And… after we met her at the other end!
Check out the full video including Ashley’s thoughts on the experience below!
As you can see, Ashley found the experience more than a little bit shocking, and it’s probably not something she’d like to endure every day! Nonetheless, crowded trains are, for better or worse, a part of Japanese city culture, and now Ashley has experienced it for herself she’s gained an even deeper understanding of the country and its society!
Don’t forget to keep checking the site for more updates on Ashley’s trip! You can easily locate all the articles covering Ashley’s trip under the tag “Japan Wish“.
Photos & video © RocketNews24
Filled to bursting point? Rush-hour crush on Tokyo subway leaves train with broken window
Rush hour trains in London are worse than Tokyo, according to our Japanese-language reporter
Here’s what happens when the trains shut down in Tokyo during rush hour: Craziness 【Photos】
Tokyo subway bribes people with free noodles to get them to take earlier, non-rush hour trains
Faster than a speeding bullet! Ride the Tokyo to Kyoto “Nozomi” Shinkansen with us! 【Video】
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
This Japanese vending machine doesn’t sell drinks, but you can buy drinks through it
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
We go looking for a monkey mommy like Punch with Amazon Japan’s ultra low-rated orangutang plushy
Captain Japan? Marvel’s Captain America reimagined as samurai warrior in awesome new figure
Japanese government says country needs more women’s room toilets to meet modern society’s needs
Peko-chan Milky Time Cafe opens in Chiba and we go to check out all of the pastries and merch
Japanese jam jar lids close on their own, as if by magic
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
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
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
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
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
Hypnotic moving map of Tokyo’s crazy rush hour trains almost makes them relaxing【Video】
These are the 11 most crowded trains in Japan…and surprise! They’re all in the Tokyo area
Ultra-luxurious breakfast bus will give Tokyo commuters a break from the hell of rush-hour trains
Tokyo Metro adds platform display showing where least crowded parts of the next train will be
Commuter chaos at Shibuya Station after glass window breaks on door of crowded Japanese train
Four things our new-mother reporter felt riding the Tokyo subway with her baby
What’s it like traversing Tokyo using only wheelchair accessible routes?
What’s it like to watch a sumo tournament in Tokyo during the pandemic?
What it’s like to get the Moderna vaccine at the large-scale vaccination centre in Tokyo