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.















Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Are Japanese convenience store sandwiches scamming us with their fillings?
Game of Jenga filled with high-grade whiskey goes on sale in Japan for nearly 2 million yen
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Ghibli Park opens final area to first visitors, with stunning new attractions and shops 【Videos】
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
Komachi Shokudo: Japanese mum’s-style cooking for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan opens new cafe and art gallery in top Tokyo tourist neighbourhood
The top 10 graduation songs in Japan as chosen by current Japanese high school students
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino 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
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
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Japanese convenience store sandwiches get extra protection from new business backpack
Pizza Hut Japan’s new ie-kei ramen pizza is here and weird, but is it tasty too? [Taste test]
Ghibli Park opens final area to first visitors, with stunning new attractions and shops 【Videos】
Starbucks Japan opens new Kyoto store in Place of Scenic Beauty
Universal Studios’ Sailor Moon theme park attraction is finally coming to America
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Japan’s budget chain restaurant Saizeriya might just be the perfect first date location
Japanese woman stumbles on the power of the infamous “gaijin seat” phenomenon during flight
How to make epic pancakes with your Japanese rice cooker
Nintendo brightens the life of a Game Boy-loving 95-year-old Japanese grandmother
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo