Tokyo is famous for the cattle-truck like conditions on its commuter trains during the morning rush hour. You might even have heard the stories of white-gloved platform attendants pushing passengers in so the doors can close. It really has to be seen to be believed. Taking a rush-hour train is certainly not pleasant, but I recommend it because it's a memorable, intense experience. It's something that you can tell your friends about and something that will stay with you forever. It's also a genuine experience of modern Japan, giving you a window into thel lives of the millions of Japanese who commute to work by train every morning in Tokyo, and other major cities. If you suffer from claustrophobia or lose your temper easily, you might want to think twice about trying this, though.

My advice would be to take no prisoners and try to manoeuvre yourself into a positon in front of the seats where the crush is not quite so intense, then take in the sheer lunacy of it all (meanwhile sparing a thought for those people who do this every day of their working lives). Discretely take a few photos so you can convey the experience to your friends. If you don't fancy getting up close and personal with dozens of "salarymen" inside the train, then you can always just observe from the platform.

One tip I have is to avoid travelling with bulky luggage during the rush-hour periods, especially the morning, for obvious reasons.

The Yamanote line, which circles central Tokyo, or any of the lines which bring commuters into central Tokyo from the outlying suburbs and beyond.

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