You can only trust half of what this Japan Railways display board is telling you.
In contrast to its consistent record of calm orderliness, there’s been a sudden spike in chaos in the Tokyo rail system. Over the past few days, passengers have spotted lazy anthropomorphic eggs, alien superheroes, and even a butt-naked man in and about the stations.
But while those were all unusual sights, a bigger problem came last Sunday evening when service was temporarily suspended on the Yamanote Line, the rail loop that encircles Tokyo’s city center. It wasn’t just Tokyoites who were being inconvenienced at the time, either, as the multi-segmented Togane Line, found east of the capital in Chiba Prefecture, was simultaneously shut down.
Still, with such a sprawling network of trains and tracks to take care of, it’s inevitable that sometimes these sorts of problems are going to occur. Japan Railways, which operates both the Yamanote and Togane Lines, quickly notified passengers of the delays and stoppages, both with intercom announcements and video displays. However, Japanese Twitter user @Section_Rapid couldn’t help but notice something ironic in the map highlighting the affected areas (with the Yamanote Line shown in red and the Togane in orange).
https://twitter.com/Section_Rapid/status/744487509787181056“It’s not OK at all!” laughed @Section_Rapid. “It’s totally NG!” he went on, using the Japanese abbreviation for “no good.”
That said, it wasn’t too terribly long until both lines were running again, and there were no reports of mass strandings, so maybe the hidden message here was “Don’t worry, it’s going to be OK. We’ll get you home eventually.”
Trust us, it’s OK to follow Casey on Twitter!
Source: Jin, Twitter/@Section_Rapid

Tokyo travel alert: City’s most important train line shutting down for construction this weekend
Construction start date announced for rebuilding of Tokyo’s iconic Harajuku Station
Tokyo’s busiest commuter line slowing things down with special one-lap Yamanote sightseeing train
Tokyo trains set to become less convenient with new last train schedule
What should Tokyo’s newest rail station be called? Poll asks high school girls for their opinion
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japanese schoolgirl talks foreigner out of suicide attempt on her way to class【Video】
Do you remember giant robots? Full-scale Macross Valkyrie lands in Yokohama
Kinotake Mother AI developed to study Japan’s divide between chocolate cookie snacks
Final version of Sanrio: Beginning of Kawaii exhibition opens in Tokyo[Photos]
7-Eleven Japan now sells… hot takoyaki!
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo
Why is Yoshinoya called Yoshinoya?
Quick-thinking, compassionate Japanese cab driver prevents passenger suicide at dam
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
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
Japanese government wants overseas anime market to roughly triple in 10 years, but are they crazy?
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japanese bento shop sells croquettes for 13 cents, but are they any good?
Starbucks Japan releases FIVE new Frappuccinos in a day, and we try them all in 90 minutes
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
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
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
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
Tokyo train little luxury showdown – Green Car vs. Kaiji, which is more comfortable?
Tokyo trains add live in-car musical performances, including Ghibli anime themes
Tokyo party problem: Last train on most important line will soon leave almost 30 minutes earlier
Tokyo’s newest mascot character is a rabbit who’s permanently sad【Photos】
First-class section being added to Tokyo commuter trains this month with double-decker Green Cars
Yamanote trains in Tokyo display unique poster ads that look like paper but move like video
Tokyo train operator begins issuing body cameras, but it’s not employee conduct that worries them
New way to buy Shinkansen tickets, through messaging app, coming this fall
Japan’s train travel soundscape faces sad change as JR East axes special station departure melodies
New JR Shinkansen-inclusive rail pass is a huge bargain, great way to help out a region in need
Swapping seats on Japan’s bullet trains is not allowed, Shinkansen operator says
Tokyo trains now have new first-class Green Cars, but are they a sell-out hit?
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Tokyo train stations to host Super Mario box/character art displays to celebrate 35th anniversary
Tokyo’s downtown Chuo Line now has first-class Green Car carriages for no additional cost to ride