For those who are used to the breezy and stranger-hating atmosphere of Australian public transport, you will be in for a shock if you travel to Japan. Their train system is incredibly efficient, and can fix many people in a single carriage. True, this does involve getting up close and personal with a random person you don’t know, but if you know what you’re doing, catching the train in Japan can be a lot easier. Thus, I present this guide to maximising your Japanese train experience!

In Japan, you can buy paper tickets for each train ride, but as I ride the train sometimes 4-5 times per day, a Suica or Pasmo is really important. Suica are for shorter term stays, whereas Pasmo function pretty much the same way as a myki. I really recommend getting one of these {probably Pasmo} and ensuring is has at least 5000円 {$50AUD} on it. Always have your train card ready when approaching the gates, most Japanese have a special holding pocket that they keep on an outside pocket of their bag. The worst thing you can do is hold up a crown of people by digging through your bag in search of your train card. So make things easier for yourself by having a consistent place for your train card, and taking it out in advance.

My second tip is: don’t be afraid to get close to people. If your train is looking really crowded, get on! Usually, there will be a little space {about 2 people’s worth} that is open per carriage. Even if this is not the case, make your way on to the train. The best method is to find a foothold on the edge, and hold the inner top of the train, if nobody else is coming, remain in this position until you hear the leaving tone, at which time, push yourself inwards and step back to avoid the doors. If others are coming in the train after you, get a grip on your bag and go with the flow. People will fall on you, and you them, so try to get a steady stance and make use of the available holding straps if needed.

This brings me to my next piece of advice, which is: don’t complain. I get it, you’re cramped and somebody is stepping on your shoe, but everyone else is functioning under the same conditions. This is the way that trains work in Japan, and if you are going to complain about it every time you utilise this method of public transport, maybe you should just take a taxi. Also, I’m pretty sure complaining loudly breaks a few of my rules from my post on Japanese train rules.

As also mentioned in the above post, a really important thing is that you don’t stand for sexual abuse. My host sister informed me that almost every school girl will be touched on the train throughout the course of her schooling life. It is really important that you make it known that someone is doing something questionable to you, whether this be by yelling ‘hentai!’ {pervert} or telling a friend you are travelling with and acquiring help.

Knowing the Kanji for your desired stop is really important. Though most trains will also have the English below, it makes things so much easier if you only need to glance quickly at the sign. Normally, the trains will also have an audio played before each stop, telling you what it is in Japanese {and sometimes English}. Do a tiny bit of planning before you go and write down or learn the Kanji for your stop.

Also, it is important to know which trains are express, as these ones might not go to your desired destination. On the board telling you the arrival time, there will most likely be a scrolling list of stations, look for the Kanji for your stop, and if it isn’t pictured, the train might not go there. However, be prepared to take a punt, if the sign is in green, then it probably isn’t an express train. Most express trains are depicted in red.

My final tip is for dealing with a crowded train alone. Everyone can look really awkward when squished up against strangers. Some people will pull their phone out and do other things, but in the long run, this action just makes it more cramped for everyone. Thus, I recommend the penguin stance: if you have a large backpack or bag, place it between your legs and make sure it stays there, then if the train isn’t so crowded that you can reach a support, make sure you won’t fall over. Following this, raise your head and close your eyes, adopting the stance of a penguin screaming at the night. If you are claustrophobic, picture somewhere else. Don’t be worried about the crowded train and just look relaxed, less you fall in to the worried, sweaty foreigner stereotype.

I hope that this guide has been a little helpful in explaining Japanese trains. Please remember that it is based off my own and my host sister’s experiences, so is most certainly not a comprehensive guide. Thanks!

-H