HAPPY, whacky fun time learning station names

Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi

^^ Oh, and it's "ka-ROH-shi" (long and stressed middle syllable)

The first time I tried to use this phrase with Japanese friends, they couldn't understand me even when I pronounced it as "ka-ro-shi". Sigh. -- MagicalNezumi

 

Originally Posted By Malin

*** According to him, the ONLY acceptable way to get yourself out of the office (or the bar or restaurant where business continues on through the night) is to claim "kindly forgive my incredibly selfish excuse, but I simply MUST leave now in order to catch the last train". ***

Interesting and it would explain a lot, I have walked around Shinjuku at 10.00 pm at night feeling exhausted, to see all these Business Men falling out of bars, while others are finishing there day at the office. And a couple of hours later these same people will be back on the street heading to work. Not exactly 9-5 work is it.

 

Originally Posted By SuperDry

I think it was a Friday night, but last year I rode the Yamanote from Shibuya to Shinjuku at something like 11:30pm and it was packed to overflowing, just as if it was rush hour. It really surprised me. It was still about an hour before last train, but there were people everywhere. A good many of them appeared to be going home from work.

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Which is why the official line from JR and other train companies about their being "no demand" for later night trains is a bunch of hooey (the last train is absolutely packed on many lines).

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

***last year I rode the Yamanote from Shibuya to Shinjuku at something like 11:30pm and it was packed to overflowing, just as if it was rush hour***

What's even weirder is when you hop on a train at 5:30 or 6pm and find yourself a seat!

I guess from casual observation that the real "rush hours" in Tokyo are around 5:30-7:30am and 8-10pm.

 

Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi

I've taken 5:30-6:30am trains through Ueno and Tokyo Stations many times (usually on my way to TDR). They are not that crowded, not even Yamanote or Keihin-Tohoku Lines.

Very crowded morning commuting into city center is from about 7:30am to 9:00am.

For leaving city center, 6:00pm to 8:00pm and 10:00pm-midnight.

-- MagicalNezumi

 

Originally Posted By Mr X

Got me there MN. I was just guessing on the earliest hours since I'm never awake then.

(I am often surprised at how un-busy it seems around 9:30 or 10am though)