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】
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Man in Japan calls in bomb threat because he doesn’t want to go to his own work farewell party
Memorial bell inside Hiroshima’s Peace Park has been silenced, but for a sweet reason
Japanese vending machine find introduces us to a new drink you can’t get anywhere else
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Hundreds of rose bushes in bloom at Tokyo’s off-the-beaten-path, next-to-the-tracks flower street
Studio Ghibli’s president is leaving the company. Will it change how they make anime?
Let’s hike a Japanese mountain (that isn’t Mt. Fuji) – Mt. Tsukuba[Photos]
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
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
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
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
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
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