
I think we could all benefit from having a note like this dropped on us by a stranger.
So we all know that many Japanese people have a habit of sleeping on trains. While this may seem strange at first glance, it makes sense considering the lack of sleep most of the population gets. If you don’t have time to sleep at home, then you might as well take advantage of that sweet one or two-hour commute, right?
Most onlookers get used to the sight of a train full of sleeping Japanese people pretty quickly, but apparently not one passenger, who left this note to Japanese twitter user @Bugen_TK while they were sleeping on the train:
▼ “I saw this note left on my bag after I woke up from a deep sleep.
My heart stopped for a moment!”
電車で爆睡してたらカバンの上にメモ置いてあって心臓止まりそうになったゾ pic.twitter.com/GrEuQzGWCd
— かずら・ここのえ (@Bugen_TK) February 19, 2016
Those three kanji at the beginning spell out nihonjin (“Japanese person”), so the note basically says: “Japanese person! Go home and get some sleep!”
While some may see the note as inappropriate or embarrassing, like @Bugen_TK who says their “heart stopped” when they saw it, there’s probably a bit of truth behind it too. Falling into a deep sleep on the train on a regular basis can’t be healthy, so maybe this is the passenger’s way of giving @Bugen_T some tough love to get their life back on track!
Seems like most Japanese netizens saw the note as a positive message too. Here’s what they had to say:
“Wow, how thoughtful.”
“It’s nice to have other people think of you.”
“The only people who would be concerned are foreigners….”
“At least it doesn’t say, “Oh and thanks for your wallet!” at the end.”
“So… did you go home and sleep?”
I think we can all agree with that last question. We need an update! Did @Bugen_TK go home and get a good night’s rest? If not, then they shouldn’t be surprised when their next train nap gets interrupted by a bucket of concerned, thoughtful notes being dumped on their head.
Source: Twitter/@Bugen_TK via twicolle, Hamusoku
Featured/top image: Twitter/@Bugen_TK

Get ready for the weekend by reading Japanese Twitter users’ funniest train stories
Sister won’t wake up? Time to make crazy art out of her hair, decides Japanese Twitter user
Japanese Twitter debates the best breathing technique to put yourself to sleep
Disturbing video shows man pulling pubic hairs, flicking them on sleeping woman on Japanese train
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
Japan has new rules for bicycle riders, and these 14 things could get you a fine or a court date
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
New Travelling Bento pouches turn your luggage into a Japanese lunch box
No, that’s not French bread, it’s Japan’s crazy-big gobo!
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
Drink vending machines disappearing in Japan as number drops to lowest in 30 years
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Lawson convenience store at popular tourist site is one of the most unusual in Japan
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
30 Pikachus want to share a Tokyo hotel room with you that has separate Grass, Water, Fire spaces
Man bites woman at cherry blossom park in Japan, dies shortly after
Howl’s Moving Castle’s scene-stealing dog is here to clean your home as a plushie mop
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Japan now has a special desk for people who work at home with a pet cat[Photos]
Famous Tokyo cherry blossom spot installs view-blocking screens to fight overcrowding[Video]
Uniqlo announces new T-shirts for One Piece, Naruto and more for manga publisher’s 100th birthday
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Krispy Kreme releases Super Mario doughnuts in Japan for a limited time
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
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
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
Bold as brass: Trombonists take over last-train, earn Twitter fans and critics【Video】
Why do Japanese cleaning crews bow at trains? Foreigners and Japanese sound off
Modern fable of two strangers on the train moves Japanese Twitter users with message of kindness
Commuter chaos at Shibuya Station after glass window breaks on door of crowded Japanese train
Little brother’s observations of older brother “studying” cracks up Japanese Twitter
Twitter users share 16 heartwarming moments of kindness in Japan
That time a stranger gave us money on a Japanese train
Train etiquette poster features legendary Japanese folklore hero in an unusual plot twist
Crow surprises Japanese commuters by attempting to buy train ticket from a machine【Video】
From Tokyo to Tohoku for less than 25 bucks? Our epic Seishun 18 Ticket Japanese train voyage