say no to spring showers

Terry is in Tokyo this week for work - so jealous! - but delighted to wake up this morning to this image in my inbox, of Tokyo Metro's public service advisory for March... 

When you cough, please cover your mouth

mass transit appeal

Received via email from Mizuho today: iphone pics of the latest Tokyo metro public service posters!

Enjoy.

 I presume the message here is... Don't walk too close to the edge!

 Do you have to use your mobile phone here?

Don't push past the old folks on the escalator! (just a guess)

poor thing

Tokyo Metro launched a new campaign this spring featuring a sad little bear suffering the brunt of all bad behavior. The messages thus far:

(April) "Something behind you may need your attention"

Please be considerate of others when pulling your rolling luggage

(May) "Why are you in such a hurry?"

 Please do not rush when trying to catch the train

 (June) "How did I get this wet on the train?"

 Please be careful when handling a wet umbrella

sage advice from savvy business traveler

Email from my husband to my brother who's coming to Tokyo next week from New York:

The [Narita express train from the airport] splits at Tokyo, with half of the cars bound for Yokohama (south) and half for Shinjuku (north), so you can take the N'EX 30 (or the 32 or the 34) and get off at Shibuya or Shinagawa.  Just go to the counter and tell them Shibuya and they'll give you a seat in a car going to Shibuya - just make sure you sit the designated one (it'll say on the ticket and the clerk will helpfully / painstakingly point it out).  You can pay with a credit card.


But really either station is fine - it's not that far to the Westin from Shinagawa, although it will be more than 1,000 yen.  It could be more from Shibuya as well, so you should take out money at the airport (if you forget you can use a credit card, by the way).  Just say "Card-o OK?" and look apologetic.  If they say bakka gaijin that means that they are welcoming you to their country with open arms and hoping to see you in their cab again soon.


But I do recommend you at least consider the bus.  I understand and agree with you about trains versus buses.  But you're not getting on a crusty Gray Line bus from JFK to the Port Authority, with some obese dude noisily eating a bag of Doritos in the corner.  You'll be boarding a gleaming Friendly Limousine Bus where a 75-pound girl will smilingly lug your bag from curb to cargo hold, and you'll be taken directly to your hotel.  No muss, no fuss.

Incredible Hulk

Please cooperate so that others can get on and off the train smoothly.

He's big, he's courteous, and he rocks the neckerchief like Fred from Scooby Doo, but he still scares the bejesus out of Marcy's parents

I worship the Cart Lady

One of several reasons why traveling by train is such a pleasure in this country...

Coffee, beer, water and assorted snacks, for sale at your seat!


The beer is cold, the snacks salty or sweet. I think you can get boxed lunches as well. This service was especially appreciated a few weeks ago, when I had to rush through many corridors and up and down endless escalators on a long-haul underground transfer deep inside Tokyo Station -- with two kids, two rolly suitcases and no husband in tow -- to catch the Wakashio Ltd. to Onjuku. Within minutes after collapsing into our seats, the lady with the cart entered our car. Best Asahi "Dry" ever.

eye candy

on the Marunouchi line, bound for Tokyo station

the Shonan-Shinjuku line

Dylan was not happy heading off to Conor's rugby match last Sunday morning -- it was sooooo cold and wet. I think at one point it was sleeting. Who wouldn't want to be back home in bed?

just for us ladies

Terry's mom and I had to go to the Cambodian embassy today to get our visas (we're all going to Siem Reap next week) so we took a ride on the Hanzomon line, and were happy to find ourselves on the "Women Only" car. I had heard about these but this was the first time I'd seen one, probably because I'm rarely going anywhere by train at that hour, and like the HOV lanes at home, the no-men-allowed rule is only enforced during rush hour. Apparently there had been a bit of a groping problem on crowded trains, prompting transit authorities to create this safe haven. The official reason, according to the Tokyo Metro website, is that these cars were adopted "so that women and elementary and younger children can ride with a sense of security."

Here's a shot of the station platform sign that tells passengers where to queue up for that special car -- specifically where the doors will open -- and let me tell you, I rarely see a train here miss its mark.
Looks like an ad for sanitary napkins, no?