What if you miss the last train?
There might be some times when you missed the last train.
I myself have some experiences that I could not catch the last train.
If the next day is a day off, no broblem. But what are you going to do if you have to work tomorrow or you have any reasons you really need to reach your house?
Unfortunately the trains and subways here in Tokyo – I talk about around Tokyo in this post – finish early or late midnight (it depends on the line). Some lines finish earlier than you might expect.
How you can recognize the last train?
When you arrive in the station you will see the people running. You will find the electronic timetable board, which is notifying you which is the last train. Train officers do not let you in, after the last train is gone. Also there are
You will find many people checking Last train time schedule on their cell phone, using the web / internet function. It is something everyone cares!
You might think, Oh, well, I can go home by taxi. It would be the best way if you live not too far. However there are many people living really far from central Tokyo. It will cost around JPY30,000 if you drive home 30 to 40 Km, which is around US$290.
If you do not want to spend so much money and have a reasonable night, what is the best way?
- Stay in a business hotel
- Stay in a capsule hotel (Male only)
- Stay in a pub or Izakaya (Japanese style restaurant/pub/bar)
- Stay in a Karaoke room
There are one of the ways to spend the night. However there is one more option – Manga Kissa. It is a place full of manga and some computers.
What is the Manga Kissa?
For the detail explanation, please wait for the next post!
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December 10th, 2004 at 9:46 am
“How you can recognize the last train?”
And of course, everybody should be listening for the horrible screaming on the train platform PA systems of the two key words:
“SAIGO” and “DENSHA”
Pronounced “sigh-go” (last) and “den-sha” (train)
February 16th, 2005 at 5:35 pm
If you live in Saitama, you deserve to miss your last train.
June 4th, 2005 at 12:39 am
Adding to taro’s comment: most people refer to the last train as 終電 (しゅうでん, shuu-den) which is short for 終電車 (しゅうでんしゃ, shuu-den-sha). There are some other ways to say it, but 終電 seems to be the most popular. In “survival Japanese” it’s possible to get by with just saying “終電” and giving a confused look on your face (from previous personal experiences).