Rush hours in Japan

Japanese rush hours are very always crowded, especially urban areas.
Trains begin to fill just after 7:00 am and the peak is 8:00-9:00 am. Key train stations and their platforms are filled with people.

Since the trains are so crowded, it is called as "Packed like sardines".

Train staff push people to get into a train

At some stations where there are many commuters, station staff routinely help the passengers get into the train by pushing them through the doors from behind.
The evening rush hour is 17:00-18:30, of which conditions are much better than in the morning.

A foreigner who visited Japan may be surprised to experience the packed train - people are packed in so tightly that they don't even need to hold onto anything. (on the other hand, no danger of falling - because of too packed)

The roads are very crowded, too - especially 8:00 -9:30am. But even after this rush hour, the roads of urban areas are always crowded. Because there are just too many cars for limited roads.

If we need to arrive on time, we will use trains or subway which run very punctual, instead of car or taxi.

Packed like sardines