I cannot believe it - I am watching a documentary about a RAILWAY STATION and I want to cry - such devotion to the job and desire to make life easier for us at the station. This deserves so much respect and thankfulness.
@@alisonwunderland9900 they were super helpful and nice for me in London, and a blind friend of mine was almost annoyed at how far they went in helping her.
@@alisonwunderland9900 Visited London for the first time last year. One of the London Underground staff at Heathrow proactively asked me if I needed any help-which I did-to get my ticket (the Oyster card, to be precise). It was a nice experience overall on my end, coming from a third world country with next to dysfunctional public transportation system.
We were there on our holidays from rural Lincolnshire in the UK, two very lost and overwhelmed tourists in rush hour and a kind local stopped and asked if we needed help. instead of just pointing us in the right direction he took us to our platform ( which we may have found when the rush cleared ) and stood us in the correct place for the doors to open bowed and left with our sincere thanks, do not think it would happen in the UK
Before I visited Japan a friend told me that the most important thing to understand is that people there whose job it is to help you will always help you.
I live near Stonehenge and I'm going to Japan for the first time this April. I'm trying to learn some Japanese to help me get by a little but I know I'm going to need the help of a local or two at least once.
When I was in Japan I saw how big Shinjuku station was since I went down all 7 layers and I had no idea on forehand so it took waaay longer than I had anticipated. The staff always was super friendly even though the language barriers was real. Always so polite I really appreciate that
@J Blank Well then let me introduce you to the state-run train organization from my country. most of the cars goes way back from WWII era and some even from the establishing era which was nearly 100 years ago. Corruption runs rampant, lots of nepotism, all the upper managements are bloated with money from us taxpayers with no sign of improvements in the last 40 years... I'd say you still have it much better than me.
Paying 300¥ for a ticket seems like nothing when you think of all the human resources and tecnology that goes into maintaining the whole station working and safe. And i just watched a documentary about it that required script, video, edit, voiceover, and more, all for free... Thank you so much!
YoSoyDavidGalleta Even better, when the staff is repeating the rules aloud, the guy literally says “Excuse me, may I help you” in English. Yet, the narrator translates it as “I’m ready to help.”😅
@@ybenax the narrator actually translated what the staff member said after "may I help you?", because he continued in Japanese. It just was overlayed too early.
@@ybenax And at the beginning when they meet satoshi he actually says:''so yeah its always busy and theres too many people its cool but everyday its this bad ,nothing i can do about it really , oh yeah i dont hate it '' but instead they translate : '' the statiopn is very big and important for me and a lot of people and i have to use it everyday , .... its my favourite station in tokyo'' , what the hell translators ???the edition line dude
I've been to Japan twice, in the mid and late 80s. I always got lost at Shinjuku and had to ask at the ticket counters how to find the platforms and trains for Nagoya and Chiba and other more obscure towns and cities I traveled to. The people were very helpful and friendly everywhere I went.
The public transportation network in Japan is second to none. But the trains especially are simply amazing. You can set your watch by their departure time. And the frequency is also wonderful. 👍👍👍
Having used this station every day for five weeks i can honestly say that the markings and bilingual nature of the signs are a godsend! AND if there are any issues there are always incredibly helpful and kind staff around. Just show some respect and you'll get good service every time. However, even thou the sub stations are incredibly clean and nice, they all tend to blend together after having used 5-6 stations 2-3 times every day, it gets quite crazy quite quickly :)
I was in japan when I read local news *"train company apologize for departing 20 seconds early than scheduled"* I laughed sooo hard. thats way too japanese
@@jamesbond1231 I don't think that is a racist comment or something bad, just like the other guy says Japanese people are so well manered and behaved, reason why a moajority of people like Japan including me aswell
10:20 I have been to this station and many others in Tokyo; I don't understand why tourists were complaining about finding their way around (This is a really well done station). Google Maps was so specific that it told you exactly what you needed to do and even how much money to pay for the trip! Plus they had english speaking "helpers" of some sort to help people with the machines. They were not there for just tourists, but most of them spoke enough english to help. Japan is amazing for how nice they are. I really enjoyed my time. This station is amazing.
That ticketing system is in the Stone Age compared to Oslo. We don't have any ticket barriers, and nearly all people buy tickets with an app on their phones. Tickets are valid for any form of public transport in and around the city. The only time you need to show a ticket is when a ticket inspector asks, which is typically once or twice a year - if that, or when boarding a local bus into or out of the city.
@@huaiwei There are ticket conductors in one carriage of every train where you can buy a ticket if you don't have one. All other train carriages, metros, buses, trams, and ferries don't, as a rule, have them. There are a few (maybe a dozen in the whole city) roving inspectors who jump on and off checking tickets at random. But that's all.
@@-_James_- so? "Barrierless" train stations, ticket inspectors and buying tickets at stations or on trains actually predated ticket barriers, so it is not a step forward, but backwards. There are no barriers too in most other European countries, but how does that make them advanced? In fact as a foreign traveller, what I find particularly annoying is that I needed to have my physical ticket pass ready to show to inspectors (and they appear on every trip), compared to being able to just keep everything safe and secure and doze off on the Shinkansen uninterrupted. The only aspect more "modern" you mentioned is the app.
I live in Netherlands and for trains, there is barriers before you get in but it is an open barrier, yes people can get in for free but when they arrive somewhere other than the airport they need ticket to check out and there will be ticket inspectors next or few stops later boarding the train, sometimes it happens randomly but transportation in Europe is wayy better than America for sure, can't say for Japan cus I've never been there but I'm sure it's the same or much better than Europe
Shinjuku is my favorite station in Tokyo ... It's very busy almost all the time, but you can find many restaurants or entertainment there. My favorite one is Kabukicho.
Just got back from Tokyo this morning & guess what ? I finally found a limited edition Kato N scale full Shinjuku train station along with Yamaguchi line 35 series train set ! 👏👏👏👏 it’s massive but my tears drop after years of searching 👍
Wei Andy cheers mate ... this is my 2nd set which the first one was bought 12 years ago , it’s the shinagawa train station😂😂 another massive set but I love it . 😜
@@50centswarlord Shinagawa was simple to anderstand for me. Shinjuku and Ikebukuro are very huge. Still loosing my way after 4 visit in this country. More than 250 exit in Shinjuku station. Now, I make the difference betwen Railway part and the metro part.
Utilisateur Lambda lmao 😂 shinagawa im still confuse a little especially between subway lines and bullet train platform ... often lost 😁 . It looks like you are a lot better on road sense than me . 🤦🏽
Went recently to Tokyo and Iwate, and I'm still watching videos about Japan. I fall hardly in love. And I must say I got lost at Shinjuku station, but I had a great time riding the trains all over Tokyo.
The staff almost look like they're in military uniforms. The Station Manager looks like an Admiral walking onto a ship's bridge. The Japanese operate their railways to the same degree of high precision and rigorous discipline as would be expected from the finest militaries in the world. What a fascinating concept...
Because in post war 50s, Japan National Railways company had ex-Imperial Army troops as their employees. They were military guys that reused for doing public jobs.
This was my train station for over a year in the late 90s - I remember the first time I was there, I stopped and leaned against a wall, literally open-mouthed in awe at the non-stop rush of commuters. It's like you don't even know how to enter the flow because it won't let you in.
I used to be so intimidated by Shinjuku Station, but really once you get used to it, it becomes actually quite easy to get around in. You just gotta learn to properly read the signs for directions. And you can't complain because signs are very much detailed. The Japanese people makes sure that you're given enough information to get around the city. Reading signs helps a lot. And you can't complain, because they make sure there is an English translation for everything when it comes to directions. I am super excited to come back to Japan this summer 2020. I come back to this country every time I have the chance to, at least twice a year. I'm happy to say that I choose to come back to Japan than spend my travels elsewhere in the world. I'll probably do that when I've seen all of Japan. It's such a wonderful country.
totally agree, it's even exciting when you understand how it works and are able to find your way on your own. it feels like being on a high level of a video game and still having a few lives left :-P
I feel right at home in a train station. The bigger and busier, the better. I just love the buzz. The signage in Tokyo's stations is perfect, sometimes I'm puzzled that apparently many people can get lost. For getting from A to B in Tokyo overall, Google Maps works very well. It will guide you to the right station entrance, tell you which train on which line on which platform to take and where and how to transfer, select the best station exit and lead you to your destination. It will even tell you which train car is the best to board to be closest to your exit or transfer. Despite the vastness and complexity of traffic in Tokyo, the right helper makes it really easy and convenient to use.
So far Japan & mainland China are the only countries I've been to where their train stations' platforms are connected to concourses both above & below the tracks - probably showing how big & busy they are
i recall arriving at shinjuku station whilst on a trip around '97 or '98 I was trying to contact a friend who had arranged to meet me there and i left my camera and equipment on top of a locker. I didnt realise until the following day (jet lag) by which time we were already in a different part of the country. I assumed my camera was lost, however when i was in the same part of the station nearly 2 weeks later, my camera and everything was still there.
True, but Shinjuku is the busiest of them all. There’s just so many connecting trains and busses there, and at the same time it’s one of the connecting points for most tourists well.
Way back in 1993 when I lived in Japan, I went through both Tokyo Station & Shinjuku Station regularly. (The best bookshop at the time - Kinokuniya - was in Shinjuku.). I agree that you get used to it. I used to walk through a long underground tunnel each way.
I lived in Tokyo from 1992 to 1997. I used to love Kinokuniya book store. Going there on my days off kept me sane. I used to work in Shinjuku, near south exit.
Very well done! It's mostly correct, but I disagree with some parts. (1) I can easily walk from the northern-most platform (Marunouchi-line) to the Southern-most platform (Toei Shinjuku-line) in about 15 minutes. No problem. The only way it takes 45 minutes to walk from end-to-end is if you are talking about the most distant station tunnel entrances. 45 mins. is misleading if you don't explaining sprawling exit tunnel network. Those tunnels are full of various shops, separate from the main station area. In contrast Tokyo Station has fewer daily passengers, but it takes me much longer to walk between the most distant platforms. (2) 1 to 2 hours of overtime every day is very common, not 4 hours. 12+ hours of actual work every day is unusual and leads to Karoshi (過労死), death by overwork.
Seems to be a very American docu, with the dramatic narration and music and occasionally embellishing some things. Not saying that other docus from other countries don't do this, but seems to be common in North America
@@Dongonzales123 It's actually produced by a German company, Maximus Film. They regularly produce documentaries for German TV stations N24/Welt and ProSieben. The narrator sounds familiar, he might be on the German language productions too. He's German as well and his name is Mark Rossman. But I think these channels mostly started with licensed and redubbed American productions from National Geographic etc., so this is the style they took on.
I used to live in Japan. Yes trains are always on time and clean. Now I find myself living in Malta. I really would appreciate it if a Japanese train company came here and built an Underground system.
Despite being so vast and very busy, they seem to always find time to keep the station and it's surroundings absolutely immaculate. Most of the credit goes to the staff but the passengers are also very careful not to litter or leave something behind. Japanese seem to be a lot less self absorbed and aware of their actions than the typical American or even Canadian.
“They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue.” Tom Cruise The Last Samurai
What’s even more amazing is the layer of pathways underground. You’d literally find entire shopping malls underneath shopping malls there, and thousands of people walking through underground tunnels.
Japan gave me the most amazing and the most frustrating feelings I ever had, at the same time. The first one came for the sense of efficiency, beauty, safety and confort that fills literally everything, the second one for the unfulfilled need to spread my respect and thankfulness to all the people who make that possible. 🙏
I certainly don't. Life in Japan in super constrained because deep down J people are incredibly chaotic. All these rules are more rituals than rationally justifiable measures.
Working an additional 4 hours of overtime on average per day... When I visited, I saw businessmen in gutters, passed out drunk with their suits still on. They would get up and walk right back to work.
No their not perfect. I lived in Kyushu for years, everyone is overworked, depressed, childless, and getting older and further into debt. The entire nation is very far from perfect.
this station being maintained and working so well though, has nothing to do with the negative aspects of Japan. This in particular, is something more countries ould and should have.
I would like to experience this but I could never live like this. I’m a city boy who found the country life and I love it. Living like is way to stressful. So now. I just go to these places via TH-cam
whats interesting about Shinjuku station is that it's a hub for regional train lines, so a lot of the passengers you see in this video can be living the country life too, but working in the city. There are trains stations even in small towns.
I used to get lost in there every single time when I first came to Tokyo. But now after 7 visits, I got the hang of it. What is key is losing the belief that a line that ends at or passes through Shinjuku will let you out in roughly the same area, when in fact lines can be half a kilometer apart and share the same station name. That, plus remembering shops & location details.
Main subway hub for the world's most populous metropolis. (2:30, 8:00) 6:50 Japanese "after work team-building events", AKA getting drunk with your boss. 12:0628:25 History. 14:5524:24 Customer service. 21:1234:45 Safety and security. 32:05 Earthquake-proofing. 42:20 Cleaning and maintenance.
Just head to south exit ... no wait the one at east exit might be bigger, but thinking about that reminds me of the underground one at south-west exit. Or did you mean the big one at the mall in north-west station? nevermind ... I missed my stop
One advise for those who dare to step into the labyrinth that is called a station. Don't bother ask directions to passer by, cuz chances are, they only know how to get to their destination only. Even that changes without notice with constant construction going on. Ask station staff and keep your fingers crossed. If it's any consolation, it's not 24 hour operation, so they do close and hopefully, you'll get kicked out at night rather than being lost forever :-p (Tokyo Station, on the other hand have urban myth of those who are permanently lost)
The dude diligently scraping the gum off the platform - I've witnessed this at Tokyo Station. The cleaner arrived at the 'site of the gum' with what I can only describe as a cleaning supply toolkit. There was no trace of the gum after he was done! Equally amazing are the special cleaning crews for the Shinkansen (Bullet Train). The coordination and precision involved in cleaning a 16 car train in mere minutes before departure is something to see.
In the netherlands we use a single public transport card for the entire public transport system in the whole country. So trains, local buses, trams, metro's and even bikes
I used to go through Shinjuku Station everyday to work. I didn't think about anything when I was going through Shinjuku Station but it was a kind of miracle if I think about it. The system works so efficiently.
Also, make sure you have internet connection on your phone when you're in Shinjuku Station. Google Maps are reliable and most of the time is accurate. I was there for the first time ever without internet on my phone, and when I tried to find this store to pick up my tourist SIM card, I ended up going round in circles for 20 minutes while it would only have taken 3 minutes to get to the store from the exit gate I got out of .. But! It was all good, part of the trip, and the people I asked for directions were super kind and helpful :)
First time I went to Japan (no google maps for various reasons), we went out of the wrong exit of Shinjuku station thinking "Oh it will be alright we'll just walk around to the other side and find our hotel". Well, we ended up walking for ages then ended up at Yoyogi station and ended up having to get the train back to Shinjuku again. It was hilarious.
I was in Tokyo recently with my wife and two young nephews. My older nephew who is highly intelligent was able to figure out how to use the subway beginning at Shinjuku station. By using some app on his smartphone he was able to figure out which trains to take to the locations we wanted to go to. He made a few mistakes but for the most part he was right on in getting us to the right trains. We wouldn't have been able to visit so many neat places like Shibuya, Ginza, Sky Tree, Asakusa and Odaiba without his help. We had a blast riding those trains. So modern, clean and efficient. I don't think there is anything in the U,S that can compare to it.
Naturally if your new in Shijuko really confusing but granting you stay in Japan for 2 weeks or a month you will get acquainted to it. I experienced that in HK, Beijing, Shenzen, Guanjao and other major cities of the world. Nice video.
In Denmark, a train is on time if the delay is less than three minutes. We adjust reality instead of adjusting mentality. Btw. Denmark has no mountains, volcanoes, typhoons, earthquakes or tsunamis.
One of my favourite things about Tokyo is how crazy clean everything is.
It is simple if the people are not slobs who litter instead if finding a rubbish bin.
Super Di yes it is really clean you should go there one day
It’s actually quite dirty, but mostly because some areas are quite run down.
People don’t litter at all though, so there’s no trash seen anywhere.
especially when u realise its super hard to find rubbish bin in Japan
Well, there are no shitholers in Japan. Wait until "diversity" hits them and Tokyo will become a garbage dump.
I cannot believe it - I am watching a documentary about a RAILWAY STATION and I want to cry - such devotion to the job and desire to make life easier for us at the station. This deserves so much respect and thankfulness.
Yes, and how I feel sick thinking about how don't-give-a-damn station staff are in the UK.
@@alisonwunderland9900 they were super helpful and nice for me in London, and a blind friend of mine was almost annoyed at how far they went in helping her.
In the Uk, I needed help and the station staff were very unhelpful and rude
@@alisonwunderland9900 Visited London for the first time last year. One of the London Underground staff at Heathrow proactively asked me if I needed any help-which I did-to get my ticket (the Oyster card, to be precise).
It was a nice experience overall on my end, coming from a third world country with next to dysfunctional public transportation system.
But if you are a train station staff working there, it can be really demanding
Legend has it that Satoshi Kuwana is still on his way to work.
Some says the legendary lunch box legend , Hazuki Yamadera still selling her lunch box now .
Yes, he seems to be doing everything possible to delay his journey.
@@adeejinnz - I think we've all had a job that gave us the same lack of motivation.
Kuwana had to take the Keio Line. Instead he took the JR Yamanote Line
Varun Pai we’re onto him
We were there on our holidays from rural Lincolnshire in the UK, two very lost and overwhelmed tourists in rush hour and a kind local stopped and asked if we needed help.
instead of just pointing us in the right direction he took us to our platform ( which we may have found when the rush cleared ) and stood us in the correct place for the doors to open bowed and left with our sincere thanks, do not think it would happen in the UK
Wow. What a lovely experience. Thanks for sharing. Makes me want to hop on a plane..
Probably would be told where to go in the Uk!
Before I visited Japan a friend told me that the most important thing to understand is that people there whose job it is to help you will always help you.
@@FreeDocumentaryit happened to me also and so did I commented too
I live near Stonehenge and I'm going to Japan for the first time this April. I'm trying to learn some Japanese to help me get by a little but I know I'm going to need the help of a local or two at least once.
When I was in Japan I saw how big Shinjuku station was since I went down all 7 layers and I had no idea on forehand so it took waaay longer than I had anticipated. The staff always was super friendly even though the language barriers was real. Always so polite I really appreciate that
nice
The efficiency and precision of any Japanese organization are truly admirable.
Richter Belmont its too much...
@@johnhattanfine "Learn from theJapanese but never do as the Japanese"
Yes Japanese are very efficient I don’t know why
@J Blank Well then let me introduce you to the state-run train organization from my country. most of the cars goes way back from WWII era and some even from the establishing era which was nearly 100 years ago. Corruption runs rampant, lots of nepotism, all the upper managements are bloated with money from us taxpayers with no sign of improvements in the last 40 years...
I'd say you still have it much better than me.
omg
I admire the Japanese discipline. This virtue has contributed to the economic boom and material prosperity of their beautiful country. I love Japan.
agree
Went through Shinjuku Station many times some 30+ years ago. Nice to see the improvements they've made. Very impressive.
One of the highlights of my life was travelling in Japan with my sister. The train system is second to none. ❤️
Paying 300¥ for a ticket seems like nothing when you think of all the human resources and tecnology that goes into maintaining the whole station working and safe.
And i just watched a documentary about it that required script, video, edit, voiceover, and more, all for free...
Thank you so much!
I love how they translate "Drinking party" as "After-work team-building events"....... 😂😂😂
YoSoyDavidGalleta Even better, when the staff is repeating the rules aloud, the guy literally says “Excuse me, may I help you” in English. Yet, the narrator translates it as “I’m ready to help.”😅
@@ybenax the narrator actually translated what the staff member said after "may I help you?", because he continued in Japanese. It just was overlayed too early.
Better than working overtime sober
Always stay polite... elsewhere its called "lying to your wife".. 😄
@@ybenax And at the beginning when they meet satoshi he actually says:''so yeah its always busy and theres too many people its cool but everyday its this bad ,nothing i can do about it really , oh yeah i dont hate it '' but instead they translate : '' the statiopn is very big and important for me and a lot of people and i have to use it everyday , .... its my favourite station in tokyo'' , what the hell translators ???the edition line dude
Japanese discipline and work ethics are truly something else.
I've been to Japan twice, in the mid and late 80s. I always got lost at Shinjuku and had to ask at the ticket counters how to find the platforms and trains for Nagoya and Chiba and other more obscure towns and cities I traveled to. The people were very helpful and friendly everywhere I went.
The public transportation network in Japan is second to none. But the trains especially are simply amazing. You can set your watch by their departure time. And the frequency is also wonderful. 👍👍👍
Great, I saw myself in the video near the end, just when Satoshi Kuwana took the Yamanote line at 8:14 A.M. Now I know when this was filmed
Having used this station every day for five weeks i can honestly say that the markings and bilingual nature of the signs are a godsend! AND if there are any issues there are always incredibly helpful and kind staff around. Just show some respect and you'll get good service every time.
However, even thou the sub stations are incredibly clean and nice, they all tend to blend together after having used 5-6 stations 2-3 times every day, it gets quite crazy quite quickly :)
42:35 - In typical Japanese style the team boosts morale with a chant...
'BE NICE TO COLLEGUES AND AVOID DISASTERS! '
OK, motivated...
It's just Japan. Everything works, there is clean and tidy everywhere, a pleasure to visit the country every time!
I was in japan when I read local news *"train company apologize for departing 20 seconds early than scheduled"* I laughed sooo hard. thats way too japanese
I cried in German
What a racist comment..
@@jamesbond1231 No, and japanese People are very well behaved, thats why they do that.
@@TUIfly_simpilot are you intentionally being obtuse?
@@jamesbond1231 I don't think that is a racist comment or something bad, just like the other guy says Japanese people are so well manered and behaved, reason why a moajority of people like Japan including me aswell
i was really lost until a young Japanese girl came up to my platform to show me the way, this is best country for hospitality.
Fascinating, makes you realise how far behind a lot of the Worlds other transport systems are.
I've been to Tokyo a few times and inevitably I end up at Shinjuku station for one reason or another. Truly a marvel to behold.
agree
10:20 I have been to this station and many others in Tokyo; I don't understand why tourists were complaining about finding their way around (This is a really well done station). Google Maps was so specific that it told you exactly what you needed to do and even how much money to pay for the trip! Plus they had english speaking "helpers" of some sort to help people with the machines. They were not there for just tourists, but most of them spoke enough english to help. Japan is amazing for how nice they are. I really enjoyed my time. This station is amazing.
Funny; at 1540 they start to talk about the helpers I mentioned before....
New York City is in the Stone age compared to Tokyo
That ticketing system is in the Stone Age compared to Oslo. We don't have any ticket barriers, and nearly all people buy tickets with an app on their phones. Tickets are valid for any form of public transport in and around the city. The only time you need to show a ticket is when a ticket inspector asks, which is typically once or twice a year - if that, or when boarding a local bus into or out of the city.
@@-_James_- you have ticket inspectors? That's pretty stone age. There are practically non in Japan.
@@huaiwei There are ticket conductors in one carriage of every train where you can buy a ticket if you don't have one. All other train carriages, metros, buses, trams, and ferries don't, as a rule, have them. There are a few (maybe a dozen in the whole city) roving inspectors who jump on and off checking tickets at random. But that's all.
@@-_James_- so? "Barrierless" train stations, ticket inspectors and buying tickets at stations or on trains actually predated ticket barriers, so it is not a step forward, but backwards. There are no barriers too in most other European countries, but how does that make them advanced? In fact as a foreign traveller, what I find particularly annoying is that I needed to have my physical ticket pass ready to show to inspectors (and they appear on every trip), compared to being able to just keep everything safe and secure and doze off on the Shinkansen uninterrupted. The only aspect more "modern" you mentioned is the app.
I live in Netherlands and for trains, there is barriers before you get in but it is an open barrier, yes people can get in for free but when they arrive somewhere other than the airport they need ticket to check out and there will be ticket inspectors next or few stops later boarding the train, sometimes it happens randomly but transportation in Europe is wayy better than America for sure, can't say for Japan cus I've never been there but I'm sure it's the same or much better than Europe
"All roads lead to Rome."
JR East: "All tracks leading to Shinjuku. Unless you're taking the Shinkansen, that is; please switch tracks to Tokyo."
Pork-eating Infidel Ueno left the chatroom
Ok disbeliver
so true
And if you're the Narita Express, you arrive at Nippori.
@@FlorianHWave true
Shinjuku is my favorite station in Tokyo ... It's very busy almost all the time, but you can find many restaurants or entertainment there. My favorite one is Kabukicho.
Just got back from Tokyo this morning & guess what ? I finally found a limited edition Kato N scale full Shinjuku train station along with Yamaguchi line 35 series train set ! 👏👏👏👏 it’s massive but my tears drop after years of searching 👍
@@50centswarlord congrats bro
Wei Andy cheers mate ... this is my 2nd set which the first one was bought 12 years ago , it’s the shinagawa train station😂😂 another massive set but I love it . 😜
nice
I've survived in Tokyo Station when the first time arrived in Japan, yet I got lost in Shinjuku station in my 4th visit to this station.
Nothing to be ashamed of , I lost countless time not only in Shinjuku station but in Shinagawa as well , after living there for 6 months already .
@@50centswarlord Shinagawa was simple to anderstand for me. Shinjuku and Ikebukuro are very huge. Still loosing my way after 4 visit in this country.
More than 250 exit in Shinjuku station.
Now, I make the difference betwen Railway part and the metro part.
Utilisateur Lambda lmao 😂 shinagawa im still confuse a little especially between subway lines and bullet train platform ... often lost 😁 . It looks like you are a lot better on road sense than me . 🤦🏽
I invite you to try Osaka/Umeda station! I think it's not as bad as Shinjuku, but definitely more confusing than Tokyo station!
@@50centswarlord you moved to Japan why?
Went recently to Tokyo and Iwate, and I'm still watching videos about Japan. I fall hardly in love. And I must say I got lost at Shinjuku station, but I had a great time riding the trains all over Tokyo.
The staff almost look like they're in military uniforms. The Station Manager looks like an Admiral walking onto a ship's bridge. The Japanese operate their railways to the same degree of high precision and rigorous discipline as would be expected from the finest militaries in the world. What a fascinating concept...
Because in post war 50s, Japan National Railways company had ex-Imperial Army troops as their employees. They were military guys that reused for doing public jobs.
Yeah - it'd be great. Just like being in a concentration camp. Weeeee
Can you imagine living in such a miserable overcrowded wasteland? Life in a sardine can
@@westside213 less dense Japanese cities exist and they have rail networks like these.... and guess what, they're not packed!
Agreed that bloke does look like an admiral on a bridge !!
One thing we all can learn from Japanese people, commitment to achieve a vision
Well done!
Ikigai?
agree
This was my train station for over a year in the late 90s - I remember the first time I was there, I stopped and leaned against a wall, literally open-mouthed in awe at the non-stop rush of commuters. It's like you don't even know how to enter the flow because it won't let you in.
It’s an amazing discipline tbh. Nobody stops at any time, it’s just a constant stream of people moving.
I used to be so intimidated by Shinjuku Station, but really once you get used to it, it becomes actually quite easy to get around in. You just gotta learn to properly read the signs for directions. And you can't complain because signs are very much detailed. The Japanese people makes sure that you're given enough information to get around the city. Reading signs helps a lot. And you can't complain, because they make sure there is an English translation for everything when it comes to directions.
I am super excited to come back to Japan this summer 2020. I come back to this country every time I have the chance to, at least twice a year. I'm happy to say that I choose to come back to Japan than spend my travels elsewhere in the world. I'll probably do that when I've seen all of Japan. It's such a wonderful country.
totally agree, it's even exciting when you understand how it works and are able to find your way on your own. it feels like being on a high level of a video game and still having a few lives left :-P
@@makasii Totally agree also! Also, I love it and many others in Tokyo and around Japan!
I feel right at home in a train station. The bigger and busier, the better. I just love the buzz. The signage in Tokyo's stations is perfect, sometimes I'm puzzled that apparently many people can get lost. For getting from A to B in Tokyo overall, Google Maps works very well. It will guide you to the right station entrance, tell you which train on which line on which platform to take and where and how to transfer, select the best station exit and lead you to your destination.
It will even tell you which train car is the best to board to be closest to your exit or transfer.
Despite the vastness and complexity of traffic in Tokyo, the right helper makes it really easy and convenient to use.
How did that trip go?
So far Japan & mainland China are the only countries I've been to where their train stations' platforms are connected to concourses both above & below the tracks - probably showing how big & busy they are
I loved Shinjuku when I lived in Tokyo in 1996-97. Bravo!
nice
i recall arriving at shinjuku station whilst on a trip around '97 or '98 I was trying to contact a friend who had arranged to meet me there and i left my camera and equipment on top of a locker. I didnt realise until the following day (jet lag) by which time we were already in a different part of the country. I assumed my camera was lost, however when i was in the same part of the station nearly 2 weeks later, my camera and everything was still there.
Shibuya, Shinagawa, Ikebukuro, Akihabara, Tokyo station and more.
Tokyo is so many exist huge station just like Shinjuku.
True, but Shinjuku is the busiest of them all. There’s just so many connecting trains and busses there, and at the same time it’s one of the connecting points for most tourists well.
it's the busiest but also quite easy to navigate. Shibuya these days on the other hand...
Nippori, Ueno and Asakusa too.
Efficient and friendly
This is how it should be everywhere
I disagree. Humans should be allowed to behave like humans, not like machines.
Max Simon Japanese humans are the subjects we’re talking about.
It’s their culture
Only except India they like theirs with toilet smell
I didn’t expected interaction between two separate interviewees lol
tsuguminxken That was the biggest documentary plot twist I’ve seen on my life.
Way back in 1993 when I lived in Japan, I went through both Tokyo Station & Shinjuku Station regularly. (The best bookshop at the time - Kinokuniya - was in Shinjuku.). I agree that you get used to it. I used to walk through a long underground tunnel each way.
I lived in Tokyo from 1992 to 1997. I used to love Kinokuniya book store. Going there on my days off kept me sane. I used to work in Shinjuku, near south exit.
I love that Tokyo is clean, organized, efficient and safe. No American city can compare to it!
San Francisco
@@Abdullah-uv2pv What about San Francisco?
agree
Very well done! It's mostly correct, but I disagree with some parts.
(1) I can easily walk from the northern-most platform (Marunouchi-line) to the Southern-most platform (Toei Shinjuku-line) in about 15 minutes. No problem. The only way it takes 45 minutes to walk from end-to-end is if you are talking about the most distant station tunnel entrances. 45 mins. is misleading if you don't explaining sprawling exit tunnel network. Those tunnels are full of various shops, separate from the main station area. In contrast Tokyo Station has fewer daily passengers, but it takes me much longer to walk between the most distant platforms.
(2) 1 to 2 hours of overtime every day is very common, not 4 hours. 12+ hours of actual work every day is unusual and leads to Karoshi (過労死), death by overwork.
Seems to be a very American docu, with the dramatic narration and music and occasionally embellishing some things. Not saying that other docus from other countries don't do this, but seems to be common in North America
@@Dongonzales123 It's actually produced by a German company, Maximus Film. They regularly produce documentaries for German TV stations N24/Welt and ProSieben. The narrator sounds familiar, he might be on the German language productions too. He's German as well and his name is Mark Rossman.
But I think these channels mostly started with licensed and redubbed American productions from National Geographic etc., so this is the style they took on.
This is a great documentary. It is very well documented, narrated and the facts are incredibly accurate.
Their pronunciation is absolutely atrocious though.
yes, agree
I used to live in Japan. Yes trains are always on time and clean. Now I find myself living in Malta. I really would appreciate it if a Japanese train company came here and built an Underground system.
True. Traffic in Malta is terrible. and the buses go 5 km/h in rush hour
you are lucky that you dont use german stations....criminals, illegal immigrants,german alcoholic teen and odd activities every night
@@SM-ih6dt lol if you think germany is bad maybe you should go anywhere else
S M How do you just know illegal immigrants?
@Inw TH-cam Pretty sure it's about corruption and workers' dedication counts much less than what you think.
Despite being so vast and very busy, they seem to always find time to keep the station and it's surroundings absolutely immaculate. Most of the credit goes to the staff but the passengers are also very careful not to litter or leave something behind. Japanese seem to be a lot less self absorbed and aware of their actions than the typical American or even Canadian.
Or even the Dutch 🤣
39:35 - that lady cracks me up! Wearing an overcoat, scarf, hat and holding a portable fan to her face.
lol
Lol
I love the Free Documentaries. Excellent quality and film as usual ❤
“They are an intriguing people. From the moment they wake they devote themselves to the perfection of whatever they pursue.” Tom Cruise The Last Samurai
The feeling of unity and cooperation with anyone is an amazing thing we all should learn
Also, I dare you to spot a single trace of garbage there.
Even today, legend has it satoshi is still traveling to work 😊
What’s even more amazing is the layer of pathways underground. You’d literally find entire shopping malls underneath shopping malls there, and thousands of people walking through underground tunnels.
agree
Japan gave me the most amazing and the most frustrating feelings I ever had, at the same time. The first one came for the sense of efficiency, beauty, safety and confort that fills literally everything, the second one for the unfulfilled need to spread my respect and thankfulness to all the people who make that possible. 🙏
🙏
Despite the complexity and scale of Shinjuku station, the station staffs offered me the very nice guidance with politeness.
nice
I love the Japanese, there so "perfect" in everything they do. It's almost crazy. Wish this was worldwide!
I certainly don't. Life in Japan in super constrained because deep down J people are incredibly chaotic. All these rules are more rituals than rationally justifiable measures.
Working an additional 4 hours of overtime on average per day... When I visited, I saw businessmen in gutters, passed out drunk with their suits still on. They would get up and walk right back to work.
You don't wanna be a Japanese 😂. Believe me
No their not perfect. I lived in Kyushu for years, everyone is overworked, depressed, childless, and getting older and further into debt. The entire nation is very far from perfect.
this station being maintained and working so well though, has nothing to do with the negative aspects of Japan. This in particular, is something more countries ould and should have.
This is the kind of train system and kinds of train that Philippines should adopt.... Especially precision, technique, and DISCIPLINED!!!!!!
I can't agree more, considering the fact that most Filipinos are also hard workers. We badly need this kind of technology and way of life.
Our trains are nothing compared to theirs.
👍
LOL - "After work team-building events known as nomikai" - AKA "getting smashed".
Explain please ).
@@prayforukraineplease7605 Pretty sure the nomi in nomikai comes from nomimasu, the verb that means "drink"
@@noelaguirrechavez4462 and the "kai" is 会, which is like "meeting"
@@oliverchannelle6919 i get it now
Thanks
Japanese people drink a lot for not being able to metabolize it so well
Japan is amazing!!! The people works with heart.. their work ethics are admirable..
👍
Awesome! Thanks for sharing!
Great City, very nice big Station! I LIKe IT! Super Film! Thanks!
I would like to experience this but I could never live like this. I’m a city boy who found the country life and I love it. Living like is way to stressful. So now. I just go to these places via TH-cam
Stressful? I'm actually very relaxed.. in Tokyo anyway.. not sure where you're from...
You don’t really feel the stress in Tokyo, because people are very calm. They just stick to themselves and respect each other.
whats interesting about Shinjuku station is that it's a hub for regional train lines, so a lot of the passengers you see in this video can be living the country life too, but working in the city. There are trains stations even in small towns.
Japanese people are just as fascinating as japan. Such an admirable culture. Hope to visit soon!
🙏
Wow just wow, it's a long video but amazing.
Tokyo IS amazing!
I love documentaries and I love free. This channel is for me!
I used to get lost in there every single time when I first came to Tokyo. But now after 7 visits, I got the hang of it.
What is key is losing the belief that a line that ends at or passes through Shinjuku will let you out in roughly the same area, when in fact lines can be half a kilometer apart and share the same station name. That, plus remembering shops & location details.
Happy to see this station is under renovation. I love and admire this marvel of engineering in Tokyo
Clean. No graffiti. No bums begging for change. How refreshing.
I loved Shinjuku station. It was crazy. Actually, most stations in Tokyo are like this - so many people.
This is amazing. 7 whole floors. I'd like to visit this one day.
Main subway hub for the world's most populous metropolis. (2:30, 8:00)
6:50 Japanese "after work team-building events", AKA getting drunk with your boss.
12:06 28:25 History.
14:55 24:24 Customer service.
21:12 34:45 Safety and security.
32:05 Earthquake-proofing.
42:20 Cleaning and maintenance.
Always enjoy the energy at Shinjuku station. Japan has the best railway staff - professional and polite
The worst thing about Shinjuku Station is finding the right Lumine
Just head to south exit ... no wait the one at east exit might be bigger, but thinking about that reminds me of the underground one at south-west exit. Or did you mean the big one at the mall in north-west station? nevermind ... I missed my stop
geez there is 3 of them.
Sorry what are the lumine ??
@@frenchnickistan4602 It's a department store at the station split into 3 wings I remember (Lumine 1-3)
Damn right
So youtube suggested this video. I do not regret checking it out.
This is why the world love Japan 🗾.
I watched to hopefully see "the pushers" of another era in action. I was not disappointed. LOL
One advise for those who dare to step into the labyrinth that is called a station. Don't bother ask directions to passer by, cuz chances are, they only know how to get to their destination only. Even that changes without notice with constant construction going on. Ask station staff and keep your fingers crossed.
If it's any consolation, it's not 24 hour operation, so they do close and hopefully, you'll get kicked out at night rather than being lost forever :-p (Tokyo Station, on the other hand have urban myth of those who are permanently lost)
The dude diligently scraping the gum off the platform - I've witnessed this at Tokyo Station. The cleaner arrived at the 'site of the gum' with what I can only describe as a cleaning supply toolkit. There was no trace of the gum after he was done! Equally amazing are the special cleaning crews for the Shinkansen (Bullet Train). The coordination and precision involved in cleaning a 16 car train in mere minutes before departure is something to see.
I've been here and I got lost in this station - It makes our mainline stations here in the UK feel tiny.
You know what I love about Shinjuku station
TOKYO HANDSSSSS
Is there a better store anywhere? OR, it is as good a store as i have seen!
tokyu*
In the netherlands we use a single public transport card for the entire public transport system in the whole country. So trains, local buses, trams, metro's and even bikes
Love navigating this underground labyrinth, really amazing how you can end up in West Shinjuku from East Shinjuku and not feel the distance!
Until 20 years ago, I lived in Tokyo area... Stairs to the complex platforms of Shinjuku station still sometimes appear in my dream...
I love living in shinjuku. And having one of the best trains in the world.
This is the kind of technology and service and disciplined na dapat gayahin NG pinas.....
Darating tayo dyan.
I used to go through Shinjuku Station everyday to work. I didn't think about anything when I was going through Shinjuku Station but it was a kind of miracle if I think about it. The system works so efficiently.
Also, make sure you have internet connection on your phone when you're in Shinjuku Station. Google Maps are reliable and most of the time is accurate. I was there for the first time ever without internet on my phone, and when I tried to find this store to pick up my tourist SIM card, I ended up going round in circles for 20 minutes while it would only have taken 3 minutes to get to the store from the exit gate I got out of .. But! It was all good, part of the trip, and the people I asked for directions were super kind and helpful :)
A very informative video. Thanks.
Misinformative video.
Shinjuku Station is massive. It's easy to take a ride but finding the correct exit is a different story.
Was there 42 years ago. The story is still the same--Clean, Punctual, Dedicated Staff and Service.
First time I went to Japan (no google maps for various reasons), we went out of the wrong exit of Shinjuku station thinking "Oh it will be alright we'll just walk around to the other side and find our hotel". Well, we ended up walking for ages then ended up at Yoyogi station and ended up having to get the train back to Shinjuku again. It was hilarious.
Wow! The way everything seems to be organized is so impressive ✌🏽
Perfection beyond imperfections : JAPAN
Hahaha that's very funny
I was in Tokyo recently with my wife and two young nephews. My older nephew who is highly intelligent was able to figure out how to use the subway beginning at Shinjuku station. By using some app on his smartphone he was able to figure out which trains to take to the locations we wanted to go to. He made a few mistakes but for the most part he was right on in getting us to the right trains. We wouldn't have been able to visit so many neat places like Shibuya, Ginza, Sky Tree, Asakusa and Odaiba without his help. We had a blast riding those trains. So modern, clean and efficient. I don't think there is anything in the U,S that can compare to it.
"After work team building exercises known as "nomikai" eg drinking parties
Nihonshu
Love from India ❤
5:45 this guys can talk while maintaining his smile 🤣🤣🤣
This is discipline at work and at its finest 👍👍🤘🤘
Seems that the whole world love Japan and their people, and there are many reasons for that.
Naturally if your new in Shijuko really confusing but granting you stay in Japan for 2 weeks or a month you will get acquainted to it. I experienced that in HK, Beijing, Shenzen, Guanjao and other major cities of the world. Nice video.
In Denmark, a train is on time if the delay is less than three minutes. We adjust reality instead of adjusting mentality.
Btw. Denmark has no mountains, volcanoes, typhoons, earthquakes or tsunamis.
I remember getting out from a different exit every time I stopped in that station.
I love Japan ❤️
I'll have to visit this beautiful country one day