We find out if people in Tokyo are ripping off their masks and throwing them to the wind in light of the new changes.
public transport
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
Japanese convenience store releases a new bento sandwich, but is it better than a bento rice ball?
Dove ad slams Japanese beauty ideals, backfires with complaints from public instead
Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Kyoto becomes City of Yokai, with Night Parade of One Hundred Demons festival this autumn
Clear tonkotsu ramen becomes a cult hit at “Ramen Runway” in Japan
Ultimate lazy chanko – Can you make Japan’s sumo wrestler hot pot stew in a rice cooker?
Japanese izakaya serves up cheap breakfast…and morning drinks in Tokyo
“Shibuya is closed for Halloween” – Hachiko to be covered, monitoring towers put up on October 31
Studio Ghibli releases cute new blanket socks for winter
This non-sweet matcha treat is one of our new favorite Kyoto snack souvenirs【Taste test】
Weekly
Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces- Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
Japanese government wants to acquire original anime and manga art for creation of national archive
After 21 years, Harajuku’s famous Lolita fashion and cosplay shop is permanently closing
Pizza Hut Japan creates Landmine-type Pizza to celebrate Japan’s dark jirai-kei fashion
KFC Genshin Impact fried chicken combo meals now on sale in Japan- “Shibuya is closed for Halloween” – Hachiko to be covered, monitoring towers put up on October 31
- Japanese izakaya serves up cheap breakfast…and morning drinks in Tokyo
- Studio Ghibli releases cute new blanket socks for winter
Monthly
- Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
Studio Ghibli releases free-download board game — Here’s how to play it without reading Japanese- Studio Ghibli releases new insect whistle necklace from Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind
Studio Ghibli lets you cosplay as Howl from Howl’s Moving Castle with cosy anime fashion range
New Hello Kitty McDonald’s Japan Happy Meal toys are here, and Kitty’s sister is part of the set
Starbucks teams up with the oldest of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns to create a Bizen ware coffee mug- Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno returning to anime with new project for 50-year-old franchise
One of Tokyo’s most beautiful gardens gets its own moon for moon-viewing season
Right now is the peak time to go to Tokyo’s most-beautiful-view beer garden【Photos】
Pizza Hut adds a “Guilty Secret” sandwich to its menu for a limited time
Yearly
McDonald’s new Happy Meals offer up cute and practical Sanrio lifestyle goods
Foreign tourists on Shinkansen bullet train break suitcase etiquette, angering local passengers
[Deleted] Article written for April Fool’s Day 2018
Japanese government to make first change to romanization spelling rules since the 1950s
Foreigner’s request for help in Tokyo makes us sad for the state of society
Ghibli founders Toshio Suzuki and Hayao Miyazaki contribute to Japanese whisky Totoro label design
Doraemon found buried at sea as scene from 1993 anime becomes real life【Photos】
Tokyo’s most famous Starbucks is closed
Princesses, fruits, and blacksmiths: Study reveals the 30 most unusual family names in Japan- Japanese convenience store Family Mart announces abolishment of eat-in spaces
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Ultimate lazy chanko – Can you make Japan’s sumo wrestler hot pot stew in a rice cooker?
Japanese izakaya serves up cheap breakfast…and morning drinks in Tokyo
“Shibuya is closed for Halloween” – Hachiko to be covered, monitoring towers put up on October 31
Studio Ghibli releases cute new blanket socks for winter
This non-sweet matcha treat is one of our new favorite Kyoto snack souvenirs【Taste test】
What does a family restaurant in the middle of nowhere, Hokkaido, serve? We find out
We go on our own hunt for “the biggest mountain” to climb in the style of Tokyo Swindlers
Our top 3 cafes in Azabudai Hills, Tokyo’s newest and possibly swankiest shopping complex
A diner’s guide to oden: Japan’s weird-looking, super-popular winter dish
Japanese men list seven traits that would make it impossible for them to date a woman
Brazilian man acquitted of sexual assault after kissing Japanese woman on Nagoya train
Japanese government wants to acquire original anime and manga art for creation of national archive
Chikawa beats out Evangelion and Super Mario to win Japan Character Award 2022
This Tokyo rice ball takes 20 years to make and 2,000 yen (US$14.30) to buy, but is it worth it?
-
