So you think your morning commute is a nightmare?
After seeing this Business Insider video of Japanese commuters in Tokyo's Shinagawa Station, you may reconsider; your own commute will look like a luxury in comparison.
Chances are your morning rush hour isn't as bad as this one https://t.co/A9lQrYYzLQ— Business Insider (@Business Insider) 1525864800.0
The time-lapse video captured 30 minutes worth of passengers constantly flowing through the busy station thoroughfare.
According to the video, Japan operates six of the 51 busiest train stations in the world, and a million commuters travel through Shinagawa Station alone.
@businessinsider Damn! No thank you!— Tran-sì-toooohh♎ (@Tran-sì-toooohh♎) 1526579152.0
Disgruntled straphangers in New York may be among the 6 million passengers cramming into trains everyday, but Tokyo accommodates more than 8 million passengers on a daily basis.
Non-residents shared their experience from living there in the past.
Brings back memories of riding packed trains to school when I lived there decades ago...imagine it's so much busier… https://t.co/rnAav4arGJ— Gerri Detweiler (@Gerri Detweiler) 1521736445.0
@businessinsider I can say I’ve been there when I used to live there. It’s definitely an experience like no other.— Ardent Defender (@Ardent Defender) 1521031674.0
Hum-ants. Hats off @JapanRail .I have been through this station and it flows like clockworks. #HumanCenteredDesign… https://t.co/i72thfwwaj— Naveen Rajdev (@Naveen Rajdev) 1509892959.0
During the early morning and evening rush hours, some stations employ agents called "oshiyas" who shove commuters like sardines into a packed train to maximize capacity and to keep the train schedule running on time.
Despite the madness, passengers are cooperative and respectful of fellow commuters, which results in a smooth operation.
@businessinsider How do they remain pacifists with this kind of congestion and traffic?— Ritij Kapoor (@Ritij Kapoor) 1525865197.0
@BrownMamba88 @businessinsider Because even tho its packed trains arrive on time and are fast. Things run smoothly.— 💖TabisMagicalQueen💖 (@💖TabisMagicalQueen💖) 1526612060.0
Would other cultures exhibit the same level of efficiency? People compared notes.
@businessinsider There’s a difference. In Japan trains are reliable and people are respectful and understand the ar… https://t.co/4YEsvgOHoo— JustSomeDude (@JustSomeDude) 1526573339.0
@businessinsider I’v been in this station during rush hour. I wouldn’t say it’s bad! It’s an experience and crowded… https://t.co/bCxSwX1gn9— Denise (@Denise) 1526574941.0
@A10Warpig @businessinsider I concur. I was amazing - AMAZED - at the etiquette and efficiency in Japan. Coming bac… https://t.co/jyXUzgjH0V— JustSomeDude (@JustSomeDude) 1526576055.0
With Tokyo hosting the 2020 Olympics, tourists and residents alike vying for a spot on trains could become a competitive sport.
Wait for the Olympic Games in 2020...maybe commuting could become a sport? https://t.co/QKfcEopy4Y https://t.co/OGVYU2mNNH— John (@John) 1525927295.0