| For new arrivals in Japan riding trains quickly becomes | | | | this coveted spot with the dexterity and |
| a necessity of life. Taking on the challenge of a | | | | determination of a fullback sprinting toward the end |
| crowded morning rush hour train is a right of | | | | zone. This same inclination to bump and jostle is |
| passage, and foreigners who pass this grueling test | | | | obviously to be expected in a city of fifteen million, |
| are promoted to the ranks of those tenacious | | | | but care should be taken when walking along |
| individuals able to adapt to this country's major form | | | | crowded platforms, especially in late evening when |
| of transportation. Scenes viewed on television or in | | | | salarymen staggering home after a night of drinking |
| magazines of white gloved conductors pushing | | | | have been known to accidentally nudge commuters |
| throngs of commuters into crammed compartments | | | | off the edge onto the tracks below. |
| are unfortunately a reality, and anyone bold enough | | | | Another potentially lethal hazard stems from gaps |
| to literally jump into this melee will experience the | | | | that can be found on various station platforms. |
| claustrophobic's worst nightmare. | | | | Although trains in Japan are an engineering marvel, |
| My initial encounter with rush hour in Tokyo was on a | | | | oversights were obviously made when designing the |
| Monday morning, and I was due to report bright and | | | | tracks in relationship to certain platforms. A number |
| early for my first teaching job thirty minutes away | | | | of stations contain very large spaces between the |
| by train. With the naivety of a novice rider I patiently | | | | train and platform, and upon entering the carriage |
| waited for the crowd on the platform to disperse, | | | | you find yourself carefully stepping over them like a |
| convinced there was no possible way to physically | | | | mountaineer negotiating crevices. Some of the gaps |
| enter the packed carriage. Allowing several cars to | | | | are large enough to consume an adult or child, as I |
| pass I realized that if I didn't board the train soon I | | | | was witness to one Spring afternoon in Akasaka |
| would be late for my first day of work. Eventually | | | | station. Sitting near the entrance I suddenly heard a |
| forcing my way into the compartment I was | | | | shrill scream of panic erupt from a female passenger |
| engulfed by a multitude of bodies compressed into | | | | attempting to board. Apparently as she and her |
| one cohesive mass which swayed uncontrollably with | | | | young daughter entered the compartment, the girl |
| each erratic surge of the train, my freedom of | | | | inadvertently slipped between the train and platform |
| movement relinquished entirely. This seemingly | | | | onto the tracks, the distraught mother desperately |
| endless ordeal continued until the next station, when | | | | pulling her trembling daughter back onto the train |
| for a brief moment passengers would frantically | | | | seconds before the doors shut automatically. |
| disembark, only to be replaced seconds later by | | | | Women riding trains also have a special concern; |
| another group vehemently intent on entering the car | | | | gropers known as "Chikans" are famous for fondling |
| at the same time. I realized I would never survive | | | | women on trains so crowded it's often impossible to |
| thirty minutes of this pandemonium, and found | | | | determine with certainty who the offender is. |
| myself fighting my way off the train at the next | | | | Though Japanese women have recently become |
| stop. I decided the only solution to the dilemma was | | | | more aggressive confronting these molesters, the |
| to find accommodation within walking distance of the | | | | incidence of assaults has been steadily rising each |
| office, or to establish a schedule that would allow me | | | | year to such an extent that one of the main train |
| to avoid the inevitable crowded conditions that exist | | | | lines in Tokyo has now incorporated a "women only" |
| in any major Japanese city from the morning hours | | | | car to accommodate those wishing to ride without |
| of seven to nine. | | | | fear of being accosted. |
| In addition to the horrors of rush hour there are | | | | Despite the crowded conditions and negative aspects |
| other pitfalls that newcomers should be aware of | | | | of riding trains in Japan as previously mentioned, the |
| when riding trains in Japan. The reputation of the | | | | Japanese rail system still maintains a reputation as |
| Japanese as being polite is very accurate, but in | | | | one of the most efficient in the world. Punctuality is |
| regard to getting on and off of trains this noble trait | | | | almost guaranteed, and frequency of departures and |
| often seems to vanish. Caution should be exercised | | | | arrivals is truly impressive, with a waiting time of only |
| as you enter or exit the carriage due to the number | | | | a few minutes between trains, and a maximum of |
| of impatient passengers who feel the need to | | | | only ten minutes on smaller lines servicing outlining |
| aggressively push and shove. Some of the worst | | | | areas. Japanese trains are also among the cleanest |
| offenders are "gray haired little old ladies" who upon | | | | and safest in the world, and accidents or breakdowns |
| seeing a rare empty train seat make a bee line for | | | | are almost non existent. |