Even with three station attendants shoving passengers in to pack them like sardines, this guy remains cool as a cucumber.
The human psyche can be a remarkably resilient thing. Over time, the mind can learn to adapt to even extreme conditions, making situations that once seemed unreasonably unbearable merely an unpleasant yet endurable part of daily life.
Consider, for example, commuter trains in Japan. If you’re just visiting the city, and it’s your first time riding the rails in Tokyo at rush hour, you’ll probably be shocked at how much humanity can be crammed into a single carriage.
But if you’re a local, and you take that train to work every day? Eventually, it doesn’t even warrant a change in facial expression, as demonstrated by the gentleman in this video from Japan-based photographer Marco Patella.
Shot at Shakuji Koen Station, located in the Tokyo suburb of Nerima and a major rail hub for people who work and study in the city center, the video opens with the stoic salaryman casually checking his smartphone, despite the fact that the train he’s boarded is so crowded that it seems to have the woman attempting to get on next to him on the verge of tears. The train is actually so packed that the doors can’t shut, which causes one station worker, then a second, and finally third to come over and try to manually compact the mass of commuters inside the train.
The salaryman calmly puts away his phone, then raises an arm to take up less space at the shoulders and balance himself against the interior wall of the carriage. Even as the three attendants begin pushing him deeper into the pile of bodies, the man’s countenance remains as calm, even mildly bored, as it was while he was fiddling with his phone.
But again, this is hardly an uncommon occurrence at Shakuji Koen Station. Here’s another video taken there, once again from Patella.
Thankfully, Patella also gets to spend some time in locations that are relaxing even for people who haven’t been conditioned by Tokyo commuter trains, such as the historic and cultural towns of Kamakura and Nikko.
And even if you should happen to find yourself going through crowded Shakuji Koen in the morning, you can at least take solace in the fact that things actually could be worse.
Related: Marco Patella Instagram
Source: Stomp, Instagram/marco_patella_photography

Think you had a rough commute? Japanese salaryman gets jumped by wild boar on way to work【Vid】
These are the 11 most crowded trains in Japan…and surprise! They’re all in the Tokyo area
And now, the story of a smelly fart on a crowded Japanese commuter train
One passenger pusher isn’t enough for Tokyo area train that needs three-man team【Video】
Japanese salaryman creates jaw-dropping model of Shinjuku from paper
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Samurai Coffee: Try Edo period coffee once enjoyed by Japanese warriors
Japanese hair salons going bankrupt in record numbers
Studio Ghibli releases crystal glass paperweights featuring Totoro and the Catbus
Uniqlo’s high-end sunglasses are a fashion minefield for anyone who isn’t Mr. Sato
Beard Papa goes beyond just matcha with its new premium green tea cream puffs
Eating cheap sushi in a narrow building in Tokyo is an adventure for bold diners
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Hayao Miyazaki’s Whisper of the Heart concept art revealed in new Ghibli illustration book
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Retro-style Evangelion T-shirts coming to Uniqlo sister brand GU[Photos]
Viral tweet suggests Japanese convenience store ripping off customers with donuts, so we investigate
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
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
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
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
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
Commuter chaos at Shibuya Station after glass window breaks on door of crowded Japanese train
Train continues to stop at rural station for lone schoolgirl until she graduates in March
Sleep in a Japanese rail carriage at new train hostel in Tokyo【Pics】
How to escape the Tokyo crowds with a trip to a hidden gem on a special Japanese train
Should strong-smelling foods be banned from bullet trains? Japanese citizens debate
Hypnotic moving map of Tokyo’s crazy rush hour trains almost makes them relaxing【Video】
Tokyo Station’s new guidance robot is extremely terrifying, pretty helpful【Video】
Our otaku reporter Seiji rides the slowest train to Chichibu–and his coworker flips out
Crazy crooner crashes Tokyo typhoon report with his passionate ballad and guitar-playing 【Video】
Anime star Captain Tsubasa takes over Tokyo train station, turns ticket gate into soccer field
How far away from Tokyo can you get with 5,000 yen? Let’s find out!