This train station dungeon wants you to turn back at this point, but what happens if you go ahead?
public transport
We find out if people in Tokyo are ripping off their masks and throwing them to the wind in light of the new changes.
When you hear this term being used on trains, it’s often a euphemism for something more serious.
The group will continue to test their zip-line propelled capsule cars in Odawara City in Kanagawa.
With any luck, we might be able to see this awesome autonomous public transport quite soon.
This past year the Tokyo Metro has been brought to life in many different ways, ranging from a spaghetti-alien map to, well, a 3-D spaghetti-alien map. But it’s the latest re-imagining of the Tokyo Metro in the highly versatile SVG format that’s currently causing a lot of commotion online.
The first time I went to Tokyo alone, I got lost within the first five minutes of arriving at Shinjuku Station, unable to comprehend why there were so many transfers to different lines going in different directions. Without mobile data on my phone, I was basically one of the ‘internet-less lost gaijin’ crippled by the lack of Google Maps who ended up befriending the station master at every transfer station because, without them, I would probably have had to spend the night hanging out with the buskers on the streets.
The maps in Japanese subway stations are not only confusing, they also look like multi-colored spaghetti or weird roller coasters, and I can clearly recall thinking how nice it would be to have a better-looking representation of the city’s train lines. Thankfully, it looks like South Korean design company Zero per Zero has fulfilled my wish with their subway map designs, which are becoming a hot topic on Reddit.
Taking the bus or train is a mundane routine for many of us. Sometimes, when there are delays in the arrival or an unexpected breakdown of such public transportation, we get annoyed or even angry at the drivers or transportation companies. But how many of us have ever thanked them for fulfilling their responsibilities of arriving on time, or for driving safely?
Over in Taichung, Taiwan, a bus driver went the extra mile to help a blind commuter onboard and off the bus, winning some unexpected praise and commendation from passengers and netizens on Taiwanese forums.
Japan is of course not the only country that experiences crowded trains and subways during rush hour. Over the last 10 years Singapore’s population has increased by 30 percent, putting pressure on its public transportation system, especially during the morning rush. Though Japan is trying to alleviate overcrowding with wider trains, Singapore is taking a different approach to the problem; free fares until 7:45 a.m. for anyone getting off at one of 16 stations in the downtown core.
Bringing commuters to Tokyo from neighboring Saitama Prefecture, the Saikyo Line, operated by the East Japan Railway Company (JR East), is one of the busiest in the metropolitan area. During morning rush hour its trains are packed to 200 percent capacity. On June 30, however, E233 Series trains were introduced to the line, and officials are hoping the new carriages, which are a whole 15cm wider, will reduce crowding by ten percent.
That’s right. Now instead of having to endure bone-crushing, suffocating, sucking-the-will-to-live commutes in trains packed to 200 percent capacity, riders will be able to breathe, and perhaps move just a little, while enjoying the relative luxury of a train crammed to just 190 percent capacity!
MOST POPULAR
Now
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Here’s what our bachelor writers ate over the New Year’s holiday in Japan
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
Tokyo train stations giving out awesome giant Pokémon cards, but you’ll want to hurry
Things get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard
Mr. Sato visited Black Thunder’s new factory, but was mostly captivated by their sukajan jackets
Starbucks Japan adds a Shine Muscat Grape Frappuccino to the menu for a limited time
Never work with animals: Outtakes from Japanese delivery company’s adorable black cat ad【Video】
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
Weekly
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
We found possibly the quietest Japanese-style hotel in Tokyo’s bustling Shinjuku district
Pizza Hut Japan’s hot lucky bags are perfect for a New Year’s pizza party
Japan’s oldest largetooth sawfish in captivity back on display in Mie Prefecture
Monthly
- 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 considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Yearly
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
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Things get heavy with the Gold Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard
Mr. Sato visited Black Thunder’s new factory, but was mostly captivated by their sukajan jackets
Starbucks Japan adds a Shine Muscat Grape Frappuccino to the menu for a limited time
Never work with animals: Outtakes from Japanese delivery company’s adorable black cat ad【Video】
Kyoto samurai house wants to share its history of seppuku, torture and gold coins with visitors
The Purple Lucky Bag from Village Vanguard is an extra-large waste of money
Upskirt photos lead Japanese high school to redesign cheerleader uniforms
Four Shinto shrines to pray for love at in Japan to start the New Year
Senkoji: The Japanese temple that’s more like a theme park to heaven and hell
Japanese police attempting to clamp down on “zombie cigarettes”
You will never guess why this Tokyo candy store never fully opens its shutters
Tokyo fish market breaks New Year auction record as single fish sells for over 500 million yen【Vid】
We zapped up some tasty hot sandwiches in the microwave with 3COINS’ new gadget from Japan
-
