TRAINS

Trains/subways run pretty much anywhere you wish to go. They are reasonably priced, safe, clean, fast, and very much on schedule. Being a fundamental part of Japanese life as the primary means of transportation, when you are reading home/apartment real estate listings, they always list the walking time to the nearest train station.

Nishi (West) Yokohama Station

As an example, a train ride from Tennocho Station to Yokohama Station takes about 12 minutes to go 3.9 km (about 2.4 miles) and cost 150 Yen (about $1.50).

Train Ticket Machine

STAIRS! Man, they have some heart pumping stairs! Most train station visits require ascending/descending stairs, sometimes multiple times. As often as not the stairs are quite steep. If you’re not in fair physical shape you will be (that or dead from over exertion). Quite often you are caught in the middle of a mass of humanity, and they are moving FAST and you will be somewhat forced with the flow. Watch your step and keep up so as not to impede the flow. That or look for the nearest elevator or escalator, which is not always available.

Stair Machine... you don't need no machine here!

Most, not all, train stations have signage indicating in English what station you’re at, what was the previous station, and what is the next station down the line. Knowing this can be a big help in making sure you’re on the correct platform going in the desired direction.

Where your going, where you are and where you were

The train schedules are clearly posted at each station and platform. Understanding the basic schedule is easy. Understanding the exceptions is another thing. Often your ride will include a transfer. There is also the Express trains that don’t stop at every station and you could end up stuck on a train that goes well beyond your intended destination.

Okay, red arrow is where I am... now what?

Train entering Wadamachi Station

Riding the trains includes knowing proper etiquette, that includes:

• When riding the escalators at a train station two single file lines form, you do NOT remain next to another individual and ride in tandem. Those opting for the left, remain to the left and remain in place, ensuring they do not impede those passing on the right. Those opting for the right, keep moving, walking up/down passing those on the left and NOT impeding the line.
• When the doors of the train open, those getting off go first, those waiting to get on step aside and wait for those getting off.
• Any chit-chat/discussion take place in a very low voice
• If you’re wearing a backpack, take it off and hold onto it with your hands

Narrow train aisles not conducive to backpacks

• At the back and front of each car is designated seating for the elderly, disabled, etc., with signs clearly marking them along with a statement to give up the seat to those in need (oddly, to me, this is pretty much ignored and usually first come/first served is what I’ve seen)
• Making room for others. During the rush hours, the trains can get pretty packed. Don’t think you can maintain your ‘personal space’, it won’t happen.
• Also during rush hour, certain cars are reserved for women ONLY. Due to the masses of humanity being packed into very confined space it is not uncommon to be ‘nut-to-butt’ with fellow passengers. Because of this there is accidental (and probably a fair amount of intentional) touching of body areas that most will not desire… thus the Women Only cars.

The signage is the only way to know if its a Women Only car

• Using your cellphone, just about everyone on the train will have their cellphone out but:
• Have your phone on silent/vibrate mode (I’ve NEVER heard a phone ring while on a train) 
• No, zero, nada, talking on your cell phone while on the train (I’ve NEVER heard someone talk on their cell while on a train) (To date, I've only heard two people talking on a phone while on a train)

GREEN CAR  - Another thing when you get in line at the train platform is the markings for the “Green Car”. The Green Car is a special, double deck, reserved seating car. After paying the initial fee, once on the platform, if available, you can purchase a reserved seat for specifically designated cars offered by some train lines. Avoid these cars, unless you did in fact pay the additional fee. 

Green Car

The other day, getting on a packed train, just after finding a convenient place to stand, an elderly lady, seated next to where I stood… she must have been in her 80’s, looked up at me, rose, and offered me her seat(?)! What the heck? Did I really look infirm, sick, OLD? My wife cracked a big smile, as I politely thanked (inwardly cursed) the nice little old lady.

Sign indicating reserved seating for those with special needs

Train at Tennocho Station

Trains in stand-by

Tickets machines and gateway

RANDOM ITEMS THAT CAUGHT MY EYE

Hillside of housing

Plenty of options here

Sake anyone?

 Wadamachi Shopping Area

 Red Lantern reads: Okonomiyaki (a type of pancake)

 Sign on bridge translation: Built 31 March 1980

 Fire Hydrant Marker

 Post Office Logo

Tobacco Sales

Night lights

Monkey Business

What a mass (mess) of wires!

PACHINKO

Pachinko, a legal form of gambling in Japan.  I really don’t know much about it, though I’ve been inside a couple of establishments just to look. The most memorable thing to me is the moment you open the door to enter; you soon learn that they have amazing sound proofing.  As you approach, the you only hear the normal sounds of the streets but once that door cracks open, wow, you are assaulted by a raucous cacophonous wall of sound!

Looks like Las Vegas Slot Machines

A tiny bit like pinball, but more similar in looks and set-up to a slot machine, there are steel balls (you purchase them), there is a knob (way back they used spring release levers, as in pinball) to launch the balls, there are obstacles for the balls to bounce off of, there are holes for the balls to fall into, and there are LOUD SOUND EFFECTS, VERY LOUD. Apparently, if your ball falls into the proper hole you are rewarded with more balls. There is ZERO SKILL required. You simply turn a knob and the balls auto-launch, pinging randomly. The odds of winning are much lower than Las Vegas slots and it is TOTALLY BORING!

Makes lots of noise

When you decide to quit, you turn in any remaining balls, and if you have enough, which is MANY you can get a cheapo prize. That is everything I know or want to know about Pachinko.

No way to add a bit of skill

Public Trash Bins

Make sure to use the correct bin

 Public trash bins are RARE. I’m guessing that due to all the restrictions/rule/regulations related to trash, and there are MANY, that people, business, and government facilities avoid dealing with it by not offering trash containers to the public. As an example, the other day I walked around a very large public park, about 3 miles around the perimeter, and I did not see a single trash bin. Most of the time, if you find a public trash bin, it will be found next to vending machines and is specifically for drink containers. Occasionally, in front of stores, such as Lawson’s or 7-11’s they will have multiple containers, each designated for a very specific type of trash, paper/plastic/bottles and cans.

Another rare sighting

On the Endangered List

I’m told that there is an extra fee to throw away just about anything beyond normal household trash, and its expensive. I’ve noted that many of the small parks I’ve walked, there are NUMEROUS bicycles seemingly abandoned in the bushes. My speculation is that it is too costly to properly dispose of them therefore people just leave them in a park.

Sign downtown Yokosuka

VENDING MACHINES

If you are in need of a refreshing beverage, there is probably a vending machine within a couple minutes of where you stand. They can be found outside along the streets, train platforms, bus stops, just about everywhere. Unlike the states, almost every machine offers both COLD and HOT refreshments. Yep, ice coffee or hot coffee, the choice is yours. To determine the serving temperature, just under the desired selection, if it is boxed in BLUE it’s cold, if RED it’s hot! Generally, the machines offer water & soda’s, coffee & tea’s with/without milk/sugar.

Vending machines are around every corner

Hot or cold, your choice

Blue for COLD & Red for HOT

Also, unlike the states, there are still plenty of cigarette machines found pretty much everywhere. Any kid would have easy access to these machines but the Japanese society/upbringing keep the kids in line.

Smoke 'em if you got 'em

Years ago, I remember coming across vending machines that sold alcoholic beverages. They dispersed whiskey, beer, and sake. I haven’t seen one in years so perhaps they have fallen from favor now.

Another popular use of vending machines in Japan are for restaurants. Many a small shop has a machine at the doorway that the customer uses to order their entire selection.  You choose, you pay, you get a ticket. Place the ticket on your table, an employee comes picks it up and soon delivers the goods. Couldn’t be more easy!

Making your food order easy

Toilets

I find it amazing the juxtaposition of the old and the new technology throughout Japan, one of the most obvious are their toilets. Most of Japan has converted to the western style “throne” seat but it is not hard to find one or the early style ‘straddle pots’ (my wording).  

The ‘straddle pots’ look awkward but really are not so hard to use. Straddle the pot, pull your britches down and squat. The problem, being a gaijin, my muscles are not used to that position and I can’t remain in the squat position for very long. Also, of course, you can’t help worry if your pants are completely out of the ‘line of fire’.

Straddle pot seen at train station

Though the western style throne is now the most common, the new and improved electronic ultra-throne is making its presence known. What I’m referring to are the bolt on seats that plug into an electric outlet and:

•          Have an electric eye senses your approach and automatically raises the lid
•           If it is cold, the seat heats up
•           There is a button to raise/lower the seat avoiding the need to touch it with your hand
•          There are two button options for flushing, one for minor needs and another for more heavy duty tasks
•           There is a built-in bidet if you like to “rinse”

Electronic Ultra-throne

Toilet Controls - Choose your button, choose your fate!

Nothing new or unusual here

Clothes Dryers

Japanese do NOT, generally, use a clothes dryer. They use sun and air. If it’s raining, they simply hang up things inside the home. I have visited a few appliance stores already, just to see some prices, and not a one offered a purposed clothes dryer.You can find washing machines with clothes drying capabilities (an all-in-one machine).

 Solar/air power is the standard. Everywhere you go you see clothes hanging out on a line on the balcony, rooftop, or in the window (during inclement weather they simply hang things inside).

Back in the states, where you hear so many people talk about saving energy, pretty much everyone uses a power hungry electric/gas dryer. In fact many U.S. communities actually ban hanging clothes out to dry; it so ‘unsightly’.

Solar Power