Train of Thought: Run on Time or Run Alone
Japan’s trains don’t run on time—they define time. If it says 07:32, it means 07:32:00. You could sync your Rolex to it. If you’re late, there’s no holding the doors. You’re just not getting on.
The Platform Ballet
Commuters queue in organized lines. Trains pull up precisely where they should. Everyone steps in like it’s choreographed. If you disrupt this flow, expect silent judgment in high-definition.
Delay Shame Is Real
Miss your stop? Delay the train? You'll likely be handed a “proof of delay” certificate so your boss doesn’t think you're lying. In most countries, this is charming. In Japan, it's deadly serious.
Moral of the Story
Be early, be orderly, and don’t be the foreigner who barrels into a car just as the chime plays. In Japan, timing isn’t everything—it’s the only thing.