
As a natural phenomenon loved by many, snow can be pretty cool. Unfortunately, in Tokyo, it’s often more like a wet, cold monster that ruins everything!
While some parts of Japan have no trouble dealing with the snow, Tokyo is another story entirely. For example, today’s snow in Tokyo meant numerous trains were running late…and thus people were packing onto every train they find! Unfortunately, that caused a slight problem at Shimo-Takaido Station…
▼ “The Keio Line has become the Keio War… The train is leaning to the side and people are fighting. Yikes!”
To be fair, though, it seems that the curved platform at Shimo-Takaido Station meant the trains already started at a pretty steep angle, so it’s not simply a matter of too many people on the train. But we’re pretty sure all those passengers didn’t help anything!
▼ The train on a good day is pictured on the right!
https://twitter.com/hasamihaaka/status/688911187749150720With all the trains in disarray, even the staff sometimes had no idea what was going on. But we suspect some people might not have appreciated this particular sign…
▼ “Is there some snow there?” reads the orange text on the sign.
“At a time like this, you might as well just not display any advertising!”
こういう時くらいは広告控えた方がよろしいかと。 pic.twitter.com/3tI6QPBbtB
— 【ℛ】 絢辻さんは裏表のない素敵な人です (@aRina_Thsc3037) January 18, 2016
According to another Twitter user, this poorly timed message was actually a slogan for JR SKISKI, a ski trip campaign run by JR (Japan Railways), though we have to agree…it might have been better to just turn the display off.
And here’s another example of a display that was definitely less than helpful. The kanji aligned vertically above the orange line are the names of stations. And the numbers in the white boxes under the station names are minutes — as in how many minutes until the train will arrive there. We’re guessing it might have been faster to walk to the next station than spend 70 minutes on the train!
中央線がんばれ pic.twitter.com/KT7aRs3YHH
— ランビエ光輪 (@Hermes193) January 18, 2016
This next tweet was sent out at 9:04 a.m. According to the display below, the next express train for Hachioji was at 5:46 p.m. Fortunately, the next local train was only…36 minutes away?!
▼ It was definitely a “crawl back in bed” kind of day…
京王線八王子方面の特急は次17:46みたいですね・・・ pic.twitter.com/qTMLFVTuje
— どんちきフラクタル🦁💯🦂 (@nicofractal) January 18, 2016
But perhaps no one had as bad a day as this poor woman, who was utterly embarrassed on TV by her “romantic” boyfriend (or husband), who announced to the world, “When you’re with your lover in the snow, it’s like being awash in a special feeling. I like it!”
▼ This Twitter user’s response? “Shut up, four-eyes.”
黙れクソメガネ pic.twitter.com/KXJ1kP8zNF
— そらまる(´へωへ`*) (@EROYP) February 8, 2014
▼ Well, we guess these “zombies” weren’t having a very good day either…
https://twitter.com/ic_73shioka/status/688850424850300928Fortunately, some people found a small bit of solace from the cold. At Kami-fukuoka Station in Saitama, one supermarket let people inside to wait in line for their train.
▼ We hope everyone bought some warm cocoa!
もう謎過ぎてTwitter見てて楽しいwww pic.twitter.com/js9Axbb8si
— 小笠原楓(アカウント移動) (@kaepyon0604) January 17, 2016
And if you’re wondering just how bad the lines for the trains were, this photo ought to tell you all you need to know…
https://twitter.com/poyosuke2/status/688852936072364032Of course, people from the parts of Japan that are used to the snow couldn’t help pointing out how well their trains were doing. Even when it was like barreling through a mountain of powered sugar!
/4位 新潟はこれでも電車動くんだぞ pic.twitter.com/Ch1jNMoVZO https://t.co/CYXB9Lq1jQ #twitr
— 由貴香織里⭕️天使禁猟区新章連載中! (@angelaid) January 18, 2016
To be fair, it would totally be possible for Tokyo to truly winterize their trains, but it would cost a ton of money and only end up mattering a few times a year at best. So, it probably wouldn’t really be worth it. Still, that’s no solace to everyone who spent hours commuting today!
If you still want more snow after all that, you may want to check out what happened to Shibuya’s statue of Hachiko today. It was totally punny!
Sources: Alfalfalfa, Twitter/@EXmumu, Naver Matome
Featured image: Twitter/@EXmumu; Twitter/poyosuke2; Twitter/EROYP


Crazy Japanese snow video shows that this winter is no joke in Shiga Prefecture【Video】
Snow zombies and spooky faces: Snowpocalypse 2016 in Japan!【Pics】
Massive blizzard creates crazy snow scenes in Sapporo【Photos, videos】
November snow falls in Tokyo for first time in 54 years, causes chaos for peak hour commuters
The new “Snow Turtle” train is slower than running, but at least you won’t get tired
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Number of foreigners living in Japan has grown 50 percent in four years, hits historic high
We asked our Japanese team of writers how they deal with seasonal allergies in Japan
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
How do fans in Japan feel about the new One Piece Netflix live-action trailer?
Does this video about an abandoned dog leave you wiping your eyes or shaking your fist?
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Häagen-Dazs Japan releases new ASMR ice cream called “Rocky Crunchy!”
Hana Komon: Japan’s beautiful, samurai-style floral birthday crests
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
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
Tokyo snowfall, the heaviest in four years, causes chaos in the capital 【Photos】
Sapporo Snow Festival 2019 opens in Japan
Snow falls on sakura cherry blossoms in full bloom around Tokyo 【Photos & Videos】
Kyoto Station is a bad place to be in a snowstorm, videos show
Unbelievable photographs of snowflakes from Tokyo’s recent snowstorm taken with iPhones 【Pics】
Japanese Twitter user shares ingenious idea of what to do when you get way too much snow【Pics】
Crazy photo shows how Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station can be as confusing as a video game dungeon
Cats, dogs, pandas & more! An irresistible collection of photos and videos of animals in the snow
Snow globes are the newest winter trend in Japan!【Photos】
Check out some of the cool, weird, and funny sculptures featured at Sapporo’s Snow Festival