Survival
With the ability to withstand the weight of up to 20 people, this bed doesn’t mess around!
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.
Being the most earthquake-prone country in the world, earthquake drills are as common in schools in Japan as fire drills are in the West. Knowledge of what to do and how to prepare for big quakes is essential, but many foreigners visiting or living in Japan are simply not used to larger tremors and have little or no idea how to respond should the earth start to rumble. Thankfully, even in Japan the chances of being hurt or killed in an earthquake are relatively slim, but it’s important to know what you can do to prepare. Combining our own first-hand experience with the expert advice of a seismologist from the California Institute of Technology, the following article not only discusses how best to respond in the event of an earthquake, but also lists the essential items that anyone living in Japan or any other earthquake-prone country should have stowed away in their earthquake preparedness kit.
Talking safety is never the most exciting subject, and no one’s asking you to go all Dwight Schrute and build a nuclear fallout shelter here, but it pays to be ready. And if the thought of tooling up in the name of earthquake preparedness fails to get your heart pumping, simply substitute the word “earthquake” for “zombie outbreak” and the process will become infinitely more fun.
What could possibly be worse than having to put down your beloved dog? How about that dog coming back from the grave and hunting you down?
Okay, that’s a gross exaggeration, but as you’ll see, there’s a good reason for that being my first thought when I saw this story.






Tokyo Station’s ultra-rare cakes look, and taste, like a cup of coffee
Japanese government considering tripling departure taxes to combat overtourism
Totoro, Catbus sleeping bags are perfect place to stay cozy all winter…if you fit inside【Pics】
Entry to Tokyo’s Pokémon theme park zone has physical fitness requirement, will cost a lot
Tokyo National Museum seeking donations to pave over pond, create space for beer and music events
Meet the eerie police statues of Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture
Japan’s plus-sized idol singer group releases new video about the joys of eating【Video】
McDonald’s Japan’s moon-viewing mochi pies are a little more westernized-tasting this year
Tokyo police found our lost wallet, but the story of how they did made us feel empty
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
Brand-new Pokémon park opens in Japan with larger-than-life-size Lapras【Photos】
Naturally brown-haired Osaka student sues government for forcing her to dye her hair black
Unique inclined elevator in Japan leads to a town that inspired Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away
Starbucks Japan unveils the new Soupuccino
One of the busiest stations in Tokyo is changing the name on its signs, but not necessarily to make it easier for people to find their way around.
Real takoyaki is almost impossible to find in Tokyo, but this place has it, our hardliner says
Studio Ghibli releases new Ursula’s blanket from Kiki’s Delivery Service
Never forget that Mister Donut’s super-simple ramen is actually very hard to beat
Japan’s permanent Pokémon theme park zone announces grand opening date, ticket sale start
Studio Ghibli releases new “komorebi” plush toys to brighten your days
Sanrio and Sonic the Hedgehog characters become fast friends with new plushie collection
Tokyo bento boxed lunch shop charges different prices depending on how heavy your laptop is
Japan has vending machines that put protective film on your phone for you — Here’s how to use them
Studio Ghibli anime stoles are here to keep you warm with a range of famous characters
Totoro fountain figurine recreates the sights and sounds of one of anime’s most memorable scenes
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas Frappuccino and holiday drinks for 2025
Ghibli Museum clock is now yours to take home with you
Step into Japanese culture with Converse’s new Japan-exclusive shoes featuring gods, sushi style
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Possessing Harry Potter’s Sword of Godric Gryffindor is now illegal in Japan
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Meet the eerie police statues of Miyakojima in Okinawa Prefecture
Japan’s plus-sized idol singer group releases new video about the joys of eating【Video】
McDonald’s Japan’s moon-viewing mochi pies are a little more westernized-tasting this year
Tokyo police found our lost wallet, but the story of how they did made us feel empty
Japan’s famous Suica Penguin JR train pass card mascot is “graduating”/being laid off
Clash of the instant ramen! Taste-testing seven instant noodles on a flavor trip across Kyushu
We almost cried on our first visit to this under-the-radar budget Italian restaurant in Japan
Giant digital sumo wrestler now stopping trains at Tokyo station【Video】
For the working otaku – Convertible bags you can take to work and anime/idol events【Photos】
Does the maxixe live up to its promise of being a whole new flavor for our Japanese reporter?
7-Eleven Japan’s banana milk sparks controversy over deceptive packaging
We spill the tea–a guide to all of Japan’s Gogo no Kocha Milk Teas sold in the wintertime
Beautiful Starbucks in Kobe is one of only 28 special Regional Landmark Stores in Japan
Tokyo Disneyland fails to get top spot in survey asking Japanese kids what theme park they want to visit