Blog posts

A calico cat named Tama became stationmaster of a struggling rural railway and turned it into a phenomenon. Discover her remarkable story and how to visit Kishi Station today.

Japan's stations are famously spotless, yet finding a bin can feel like a treasure hunt. Here's why trash cans are limited, and what to do with your rubbish.

The Joetsu Shinkansen links Tokyo with Niigata through Japan's legendary snow country. Discover the Toki and Tanigawa trains, key stops, ski access and JR Pass coverage.

Why do Japanese train drivers wear white gloves? Discover how this crisp detail improves safety, visibility and precision — and what it reveals about Japanese railway culture.

Why are Japanese trains so quiet? Discover how manner mode, low voices and clever railway engineering create Japan's famously calm train journeys.

That pink heart tag or red-and-white cross on a bag means something. Here's how Japan's maternity and Help Marks work on trains — and how to respond kindly.

Sliding barriers now line thousands of Japanese platforms. Here's why the doors are spreading, how trains stop so precisely behind them, and what it means for you.

In Japan, train timetables are treated as a promise to every passenger who plans a journey around it, so the apologies that follow even the smallest slip are a sign of accountability rather than theatre. Find out more here.

White-gloved staff squeezing commuters into packed carriages became a symbol of Tokyo. Here's the real history of the oshiya — and whether they still exist.

Out in the countryside, trains run 'wanman' — one driver, no conductor, and boarding rules that surprise first-timers. Here's exactly how to ride them.