JAPAN: Transportation

Japan has an efficient public transportation network, especially within metropolitan areas and between large cities.

The public transportation system moves BILLIONS of passengers in a year!

Railways are the country’s main method of passenger transport, with fast and frequent access between and within major metropolitan areas. 

Japan's bullet trains (called shinkansen) are fast and direct with speeds up to 320 km/hour (200 miles/hr)!

We felt like locals in Japan taking public transit the entire time.

It is a bit intimidating to figure out. And this is just in Tokyo!

The Japanese pride themselves on the punctuality of their public transit. Literally, apologies would be made over the intercom if a train was a minute late. 

Cocktail Party Trivia: Overall car ownership in Japan is about 590 vehicles per 1,000 people, which is less than America's rate of about 800 per 1,000. On average, there are 1.06 cars per household. It is much lower in the big cities. More about Tokyo later,

John was fascinated with their popular boxy cars. 

Perhaps when John is ready to "Adult" again this might be one of his first purchases?

 There is etiquette to riding public transit. Employees wear white gloves.

When entering/exiting the train cabins the employees would bow at the door. (NOTE: Inserting a video is a new blogging experiment for me. TBD if it will be continued,)

Most importantly, there is etiquette as a passenger.

It is generally not acceptable to eat or drink on public transit. “If you are carrying a small bottle of water or something similar, then it's a good idea to wait until the bus comes to a halt at a traffic light or bus stop, before taking a drink to minimize the risk of spilling your drink on the seat or someone nearby.”

 

“Being quiet on Japanese trains is an embodiment of consideration and courtesy towards others.  By refraining from loud conversations, phone calls, or disruptive behaviour, passengers demonstrate their awareness of others' needs and their commitment to maintaining a harmonious communal space.”

On trains, subways, buses or waiting at stations something was common among passengers. (To be fair, I have also found this is common with commuters around the world.)

 

Because of the population density in Tokyo, subways and trains are the best way to get around. Every day, over half a million passengers board trains in Shinjuku, Japan's busiest station. 

Good public transit in the big cities is vital. Tokyo alone has a population of 14 million people with 6.3 million households and about 3.0 million registered private vehicles. That is less than one car for every two households. Many Tokyo residents do not even possess a driver’s license. Which makes reliable and efficient public transit essential.

Not to mention, buying a car is not that simple. To be allowed to purchase a car, you must be able to prove that you have somewhere to park it! Parking space is scarce and expensive. 

With my self-admitted parking challenges, this gives me asthma to just look at!

 

While on the Tokyo underground, this little cutie, travelling alone (GASP), captured my heart. 

I could not imagine a young child riding the subway system, let alone such a complicated one, by herself in North America. Yet, she marched on the subway with the confidence of a veteran Subway Warrior in her school uniform, complete with cap and huge backpack.

 We would steal glances and shyly give little smiles to each other. Before her stop came, she confidently waited at the door with everyone else and kept glancing back at us. Siiiiiigh. After she got off, she stopped and looked back at us, walked away, and then came back and looked at us again! My heart melted.

Several minutes later the doors closed, and the train took off, BACKWARDS!  

Obviously, our young Subway Warrior understood the underground network far better than we did.

POSTSCRIPT:

This little postscript is for anyone looking to procrastinate getting back to whatever they are supposed to be doing, or, someone looking for some more useless Cocktail Trivia.

I am sure we have all seen the videos and photos of trains in Tokyo packed full of people and “people pushers” (“oshiya”) cramming more people through the doors.

I found this Oshiya Job Description while googling info for the blog (and I wonder why it takes me so long and why I have a love-hate relationship writing the blog). It reads as follows:

“Oshiya are responsible for helping to pack as many passengers as possible into crowded trains, ensuring that the doors can close and the train can depart on time. Here’s a breakdown of what it’s like to be a people pusher on Tokyo trains:

 Job Description: People pushers, also known as oshiya, are employed by individual railway companies to help manage the flow of passengers during peak hours. Their primary responsibility is to guide and push passengers into the train cars, ensuring that everyone can board safely and efficiently.

How it Works: During rush hour, people pushers can be found at major train stations, such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Tokyo Station. They wear distinctive uniforms and are easily recognizable by their white gloves and hats. Their job involves:

1. Monitoring the platform: People pushers observe the platform and anticipate the arrival of the train, ensuring that passengers are prepared to board.
2. Guiding passengers: They guide passengers towards the train doors, helping them to board safely and efficiently.
3. Pushing passengers: If necessary, people pushers will gently but firmly push passengers into the train cars to ensure that everyone can fit.
4. Closing the doors: Once the train is full, the people pusher ensures that the doors can be closed, allowing the train to depart on time.

Interesting Facts:

• The term “oshiya” literally means “pusher” in Japanese.
• People pushers are not a dedicated profession; they are usually part-time workers or students who work during peak hours.
• The salary for people pushers is around ¥1,000 to ¥1,200 per hour, with two-hour shifts during peak hours.
• Some people pushers may work as part-time employees or students, while others may be full-time workers.
• The job requires good communication skills, physical stamina, and the ability to work well under pressure.”

I never witnessed “oshiyas” in action, so I have no photos to prove it, but I can believe it during rush hour. 

Besides, I found it on the internet, so it has to be true!