commuting
Inspired by a family member’s recent need for a wheelchair, our reporter tries to see Tokyo from their perspective.
Timing of government’s extension of nationwide state of emergency could be contributing to worse commuting conditions.
More fun than a bike, more convenient than a scooter, the Blaze Smart EV is the best new way to get around town.
There’s definitely a beauty to the controlled chaos of the morning commute in Japan’s capital.
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!
If you have ever ridden a train during rush hour in Japan, you know it takes a certain amount of fortitude to survive it. If you are just visiting the country, sometimes you can avoid those super stuffed trains, buy if you live or spend an extended length of time in any big city in Japan you just can’t avoid taking a packed train. Whether it’s rush hour in the morning, rush hour at night, or the last few trains home, you will often find yourself in a position where you have to give up the luxury of personal space in exchange for a ride home.
It takes a certain amount of skill to stay upright as well as a bit of creative ingenuity to pass the time and avoid feeling claustrophobic in order to survive the crowded train. We’ve collated nine of the best tips to help you get through a hell-like train ride.
When you’re crammed into a train car during rush hour in Japan and almost everyone has a smartphone in their hands, you sometimes can’t help but look at what someone’s doing on their phone. Moreover, when you have a mix of seated and standing commuters, things get even more interesting, enabling a perfectly positioned passenger to sneak peaks at an unsuspecting person’s private messages. As you’d expect, you come across some really weird stuff when no one thinks you’re looking. Let’s take a look at five anecdotes from passengers who just happened to glance over at their nearby passenger’s phone.
Industrial designer Siew Ming Cheng has evidently had enough of being pushed and shoved on the Singapore subway. Those space-invading commuters have brushed up against, knocked and pushed her one too many times, and now the young creative is declaring war on space snatchers with special body armour: the Spike Away vest.














Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Totoro cream puffs and Catbus cookies are finally available in downtown Tokyo
Japan’s foreign tourist numbers projected to fall for first time in years in 2026
McDonald’s Japan releases a Mushroom Mountain and Bamboo Shoot Village McFlurry
Japan’s Poképark Kanto Pokémon theme park area shows first attraction photos
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Nicolas Cage meets Gachapin and a world record is broken at Osaka Comic Con 2025
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Our 52-year-old pole dancing reporter shares his tips for achieving your New Year’s exercise goal
Starbucks Japan releases new Frappuccino and latte for Valentine’s Day
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Princess Mononoke magnets return just in time to treat yourself to awesome anime decorations
Umamusume anime girl plushie recalled for having parts she absolutely should not have【Pics】
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Japanese women showing rebounding interest in giving Valentine’s Day chocolate【Survey】
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
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
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
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
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Japan’s otoshidama tradition of giving kids money at New Year’s gets a social welfare upgrade
Nicolas Cage meets Gachapin and a world record is broken at Osaka Comic Con 2025
Japan has seven lucky taxis in Tokyo, and we just boarded one of them
Japan’s Self-Defense Forces take “radio calisthenics” to an interesting new level
Japanese department store rooftop is a secret oasis where you can escape the crowds in Tokyo
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Yakuza-themed love hotel rooms! Great for couples, friends, and business meetings, owners say
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Cherry blossoms blooming on new sakura Air Jordans from Nike【Photos】
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Giant hotel rooms in Osaka reflect the new non-niche face of travel in Japan.
Aliens attend baseball game, thrown out, never heard from again
Private booths are coming to Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains even sooner than we’d thought【Video】