Night Train

Going out in Japan often ends with a dash to catch the last train, a ritual as predictable as it is chaotic. Like a modern-day Cinderella story, the night peaks in lively bars, karaoke rooms, or izakayas, but as midnight approaches, everyone realizes the clock is ticking. Missing the last train means either an expensive taxi ride or waiting until morning.

By 11:30 PM, crowds start pouring into the station. The atmosphere shifts; people who were just singing, laughing, or toasting are now hurried, determined to squeeze into a train car. On the platform, announcements echo, counting down the minutes until the final departure.

When the train arrives, it’s packed to the brim, yet everyone somehow manages to fit, shoulders brushing and bags crammed tight. The air inside is a mix of late-night perfumes, the faint scent of yakitori or ramen, and the occasional slumbering commuter’s tired sigh… As the train speeds toward its destinations, there’s a collective sense of relief—this crowded car is the ticket home!