Thanks to Google Maps, I was able to feel confident traveling on my own around Tokyo fairly quickly and to enjoy taking the trains. In fact, I found taking the train very exciting, because in Tokyo people from all walks of life take the train, so I never felt lonely. I always saw many other people on their way in or out of town. Since I lived within walking distance of Waseda University, I did not need to take the train during the morning rush hour. For first-timers visiting Japan, getting packed into the train like sardines first thing in the morning can be very shocking and uncomfortable. This brief unpleasant experience is a normal daily occurrence for Japanese people, so if you visit Japan, try to avoid the crowds in the early morning or afternoon. On a separate note, during the winter months, the heaters in the train seat will blow warm air from under the seat on to your legs. What a great way to start feeling sleepy on the train ride home!
The feeling of freedom while traveling on trains is one of my fondest memories from living in Tokyo. As someone who doesn’t yet have a driver’s license, I often feel at a disadvantage since you need a car to travel around most American cities.
Very much so!
Let’s first think from a historical perspective. It was after the “Sakoku Period” or “The Isolation of Japan” and during the Meiji Restoration era that Japan decided it was important to industrialize in order to prevent other countries from colonizing Japan. In the pursuit to make Japan “modern”, the Meiji government invested heavily into infrastructure and building train lines.
