🚃 Getting Around
Japanese train etiquette: what not to do on board
No phone calls, no eating, and how to survive rush hour without annoying anyone.
Avoid these
Calls & loud talk
Trains are near-silent. No phone calls. Set your phone to “manner mode” (silent) and keep voices low.
Backpack on your back
In a crowd it bumps everyone behind you. Swing it to your front or put it on the rack.
Blocking the doors
Don't crowd the doorway or push on before others are off. Step aside first.
Do exactly this
Let people off first
Stand to the side of the doors and wait for everyone to exit before you board.
Queue on the lines
Line up on the painted marks on the platform. Boarding here is calm and orderly.
Bag to front, voice off
Backpack on your front, phone on silent, talk quietly or not at all.
The phrase locals love
降ります
orimasu!
“I’m getting off!” Trapped behind a wall of people at your stop? Say this and the whole crowd instantly makes way for you.
📍 when you’re stuck as the doors open