Random Observation 2: "Yeah...that's the ticket!"~Jon Lovitz as the Pathalogical Liar

This post we will be discussing (and by we I mean I, feel free to talk to the screen as you read but I make no guarantees that I'll hear you) the majesty, beauty and lack of mystery that is the Japanese rail network. Now I say lack of mystery for one reason. When you ride on these trains for the first time, and really look around you (unless its rush hour) you will understand immediately why the train system is so widely utilized. You see, the Japanese rail system isn't just used by business men, or hobos. People of all ages and destinations from school to a corporate office to misc. widget factory ride the rails back and forth. From what little I have seen, this is just a natural part of life. My own commute is roughly 45-75 minutes depending on a variety of factors. From the type of train I get on, to the time I decide to leave to just how lost I get wandering Shinjuku. As before mentioned, Shinjuku Station is the busiest station in the world with more than 2 million people passing through it every day. Have you ever seen a salmon swim upstream to spawn? That is what its like navigating Shinkuku Station at rush hours. I don't know how the Japanese do it, but there seems to be a conspiracy that whatever platform to which I journying toward, all 2 million other people are heading in the opposite direction. Strike that salmon analogy, imagine a tadpole swimming upstream...up a stream of Japanese people with suits ties and briefcases. Oh the agony of attempting to maneuver through them. But I digress...

The train is so popular because of the extensive network of rails across Japan. If my own trips are any indication, one can usually get within minutes walk of any location you desire in Japan. Japan's rails are almost disturbingly efficient. In New York and Boston, I would assume that a train is on time if it arrives within 5 minutes or so of its scheduled arrival (if someone who utilizes the trains daily could confirm or correct this fact to me in a comment it would be most appreciated!). In Japan every train I've ridden has seemingly arrived within seconds of the arrival time (I haven't actually timed it, but I'm being a rebel this post). Another factor which contributes to its appeal is the cleanliness of the trains and train stations. Look at these photos of various parts of rail network:

These pictures are of the platform where I board my last train home. Notice that you cannot see a single piece of garbage. Even in the gravel pit by the rails is almost unnaturally clean! You'd be hard pressed to FIND garbage at a Japanese station and train, than you would to find a clean spot

The conductors also wear uniforms vaguely resembling American police uniforms. These are usually always in crisp and clean condition. Now compare to your average Amtrak train station and worker's uniform (not that Amtrak is bad, but this seems almost ridiculous). For those who have been on New York or Bostonian subway lines and inside those stations, you will notice a wonderful scent of flowers, lemon, thyme with just a hint of urine. The strongest scent I've experienced on a Japanese train since being here was the smell of a wonderful perfume on the woman next to me (I wasn't sniffing her out you weirdos out there; it was rush hour and people tend to be forced together like sardines...you'll see though). Another drawing point of the trains is the seating. The seats on a Japanese train (even just short local subways) are cushioned with a velour like fabric (Zap Brannigan would love the Japanese rails).

A Map of the Odakyu Lines. I ride use these trains to get to and from Shinjuku every day

The above map has saved my butt more than once. You cannot see it at the moment, but the location stops are written in Japanese (kanji, katakana, and hiragana). However I have the ability to read this map because the Japanese were kind enough to also write the location names in English lettering (romaji).

This is a my commuter pass. It is amazing because I don't have to take it out of my wallet to use it. All I have to do is wave my wallet in front of the reader and I am allowed through the gate. Think of it as a train version of an American E-Z Pass for toll stations.

Now, can anyone from New York or Boston tell me what this man is doing wrong? THAT'S RIGHT, he' s sleeping on the train. See, in America if you fall asleep on the train, the p robability of getting something stolen or you being molested or some such criminal activity seems quite high. However in Japan, people sleep rather comfortably on a train system which is extremely safe (Disclaimer: We here at Nan Desu Ka?! make no guarantees that if you sleep on a train in Japan you won't have something st olen or be groped, by reading this aloud you have absolved Nan Desu Ka?! of any a nd all responsibility if you're stupid enough to let something like that happen to you). I wonder if, now that I've said that disclaimer, tomorrow's post will be So I was Robbed and Someone Touched Me Today...

All of these factors, which make the train system in Japan so wonderful, has the downside of being crowded at rush hours. For my UConn people, imagine a green or yellow line in the middle of a torrential downpour at noon. Once you have that mental image, add 100 more people into that bus, and you'll have some idea of what its like. Below is a video showing a mild-moderately crowded train:

I imagine you're asking, "Dan, this looks pretty crowded, are you sure it gets any more crowded than this?". Wonderful question my good sir or ma'am. Here's how you know that this train is not overwhelmingly crowded. The proof is that I was able to take this video in the first place. You see, taking this video required mobility of my arms and the slightest bit of pivoting of my torso. On rush hour trains the best I can do is look up and down and pray that I have oxygen to breathe.

Gambatte

-DPN