6 Things in the Train that Will Tell You You're in Japan

old train in Hamamtsu
at Tenryu-Futamata Station

1. Almost everyone is on their phone or some handheld console.

You're definitely in a Japanese train when most of the people around you have some gadget on their hands. It's noticeable how train commuters would instantly bring out their phones or game consoles as soon as they find a place in the train. It doesn't matter whether they're standing or sitting, or whether the train is packed or not. 

2. Those who are not on their phones are either reading or sleeping (or pretending to sleep.

Those who are not part of the ''ALMOST EVERYONE'' population are either seriously reading something. It's usually a small paperback covered in light brown paper similar to a doggie bag. You'd be amazed how these reading public can walk in and out of the train without tearing their eyes off their books. That's Japanese secret power!

Those who aren't reading are sleeping- in varying degrees. 
a.) Some are napping lightly- like truly taking a power nap. 
b.) Some are pretending to be napping because they're sitting down and there are old people standing near them. (This is the ''I'm-sleeping-and-I-can't-give-up-my-seat'' nap)
c.) Some are sleeping with heads banging on another person's shoulder. 
d) Some are sleeping like there's no tomorrow. Take the trains on a Friday night and you'll know what I mean. 

3. The train is quiet even if it's packed.

I always had this equation:  crowd= noise. Then I came to Japan and debunked this equation. No matter how packed the trains are in Japan, it's generally quiet. If you're blind and can't see the number of people in the train, you wouldn't think it's filled to the doors because of the hushed noise levels. If there are chattering sounds it's usually from school girls, old ladies and foreigners. Still, the chattering noise couldn't drown the general silence. 

HOWEVER, 

The noisiest thing in Japanese trains is the announcement system. The speaker wouldn't stop telling passengers where the train is heading, what time it will arrive in all the stops, what stop is the train about to stop, what things can we see in that stop, etc, etc. In major cities, all the information would be translated in English so the speaker system is just drowning all the silence and chatter. 

4. There's a train conductor that make rounds.

Japanese train conductors usually walk back and forth in the trains. They'll open the connecting doors, bow and mutter something under their breath. Then they'll walk to the other end, bow and mutter again. Then they go to other car. 

Why do they that? I'm not sure. It's probably for security reasons. Not because there are possible criminals hiding in the train but maybe they're checking the train for chikans (the Japanese gropers in the train)or for loud or messy drunk men. Or they're just possibly bored with simply standing so they walk. 

5. There will always be students in uniform- even if it's a holiday.

Japanese students have an affair with their uniforms. They just wear it all the time On school days- uniform. On weekends- uniform. On holidays- uniform. On vacation- uniform. They just wear it all the time I wonder how they wash it. Since they love their uniforms so much, you will always see a student in uniform on the trains. A Japanese train is not complete without a student in uniform. 

6. There's an unspoken rule of boarding and getting off the train.

The Japanese are truly disciplined even when it comes to using the train. You can easily notice the following: 

a.) People who will board the train REALLY fall in line. 
b.) When the train doors open, people who are in line will step aside to give way to those who are getting off. 
c.) People who will board the train usually steps in from the side of the train doors. 

There's some pushing but boarding and getting off the trains in Japan is comparatively more systematic.

Next time you board a train in Japan, check these 6 things out and you'll definitely agree with me. 

Nabana no Sato: Illumination and Loneliness

Dusk at Nabana no Sato, Mie

In spring, Japan's covered in flowers. In summer, fireworks are exploding everywhere. In autumn, bursts of oranges and magentas are all over the place. In winter, romantic tiny lights illuminate various places.

Winter's over in most part of Japan but one of the grandest illuminations in the country lasts until March 31st. It's the illumination in Nabana no Sato. Nabana no Sato is a big flower garden.  I've been wanting to see this illumination in my previous winters here but for one reason or another, I didn't. I resolved that whatever happens, I'll see this illumination this year- even if I go alone. I tried inviting some people but they couldn't be bothered to go all the way there. (I do really need friends!)

Guest Post: 48 Hours in Osaka- What Not to Miss

This is a guest post from Caroline Secure Thoughts. She is originally from the US but is a long term expat and avid traveler. She has lived in various locations around the globe including spending a year teaching in Japan in 2014 which she loved. Caroline made sure to see as much of Japan as possible and also used it as a base to explore Asia further. 

Although she currently has a day job, writing about her international experiences is her passion and she travels as much as time and budget will allow. Her ultimate goal is to travel full time and see more of the world. 

Osaka Castle

As the third-largest city in Japan, Osaka is not a city that you can really see in a mere 48 hours—and once you get that first taste of the city, you will quickly find yourself planning a return trip! The city may be large, but it’s relatively easy to navigate, especially since it is one of the first cities in Japan to offer free WiFi at a citywide level—if you find yourself a bit lost, just connect to the Internet and you’ll be able to figure it out! (Note that you may want to set up a VPN to protect your personal information first, though.)

With only 48 hours in the city, you’ll likely want to pick a couple themes that you’re interested in and see the best things in those categories, or pick a mixture of activities from each category. Here are the not-to-be-missed highlights:

Historical Sights

It’s important to note that many of the Osaka’s historical buildings were destroyed during World War II, but their modern reconstructions are faithful to the original designs. Osaka Castle is one of the city’s best-known sights, for good reason. Although a reconstruction of the original structure and lacking in some of the romantic charm of castles outside the city—such as Himeji—it is still an impressive building which is especially picturesque during the cherry blossom season.

Inside the castle is a museum with many interesting artifacts, but if you’re especially interested in history, you may be better off visiting the nearby Osaka Museum of History, which has a far more comprehensive selection of exhibits.

Religious Sights

One great historical and religious site to visit is Sumiyoshi Shrine. This is one of the oldest Shinto shrines in Japan, and not only does it have some lovely traditional architecture, but it also sits in a tranquil park which can be a great place to escape the bustle of the city. You may also want to check out the Buddhist Shitennōji Temple, which originally dates back to the 6^th century. Unfortunately, most of the current buildings post-date World War II, but you’ll definitely still get a feel for the place.

With the Kids

If you’re travelling with kids, they may not be totally interested in history museums or temples—but in that case, head to Kaiyukan Aquarium. This is one of the largest public aquariums in the world, and your kids will be thrilled to see fish, rays, sharks, and other aquatic species from all over the world. For a more cultural activity, try the National Bunraku Theatre, which holds traditional Bunraku puppet shows in the afternoons.

See the City from Above

There are two fantastic places from which you can see the city spread out beneath you. Your first option is to head to the gardens at the top of the nearly 60-story Umeda Sky Tower. Your second option would be to take a spin around the Ferris Wheel in the Hep Five department store, which will lift you to a height of 347 ft. Either provides a spectacular photo opportunity—and they’re both especially magical at sunset, when you can watch the lights coming on around the city!

Ferris Wheel in Hep Five, Osaka

Get Out

Of course, if you find Osaka isn’t your thing, you have a couple options for side trips—try heading to nearby Kyoto for a glimpse at a more traditional, less urban lifestyle. There, you’ll have plenty of options for sightseeing. Or see Himeji Castle, which is often considered by tourists to be a more spectacular castle than Osaka’s. Of course, any side trip will require time in transit, so you’ll have to decide what you really want to do.

Regardless of your interests, you should have no trouble finding plenty of things to do in Osaka during your time there. Prepare to be dazzled by this interesting city, while still getting a feel for its traditional and less-glitzy roots. After your first 48 hours there, you will absolutely be excited to return in the near future! 

For more of Caroline's adventures, check out her other article: 

A Beginner's Guide to Living Outside USA