Though the Bombers are not performing to their fan’s hopes and expectations in the final season at the legendary House that Ruth built … they are hanging on and have, once again, spoiled the momentum of their arch rival up north in that little city of Boston .. and witnessing it first hand was truly amazing .. again.

The date is Sunday July 6th, 2008; the final night of a 4 day set in the Bronx with the Sux taking 2 of the first 3. There was a looming fear of imminent rain lurking above throughout the entire night the forces of nature held up and the game was played without interruption.

The Greatest Moment of the game came with 2 outs and the go ahead runner on 3rd base .. the pitch-hitting, towel-headed Manny Ramirez faced the Greatest Closer of All-Time, Mariano Rivera. In 3 pitches, and Mo says “no”! … as Ramirez just stares at the called strike 3. Check all 3 (poorly documented) pitches for yourself.

Check out photos of the extravaganza and witness for yourself.

There are no performers in the Tokyo subways .. nor are there people selling candybars. In fact, there isn’t any talking on the subways. People spend their time durning their commute either just text messaging friends/family, listening to music, reading or studying, playing their DS or PSP video games, or catching up on their sleep. Learning to be quiet has never been my forte, though I have found this to be the best time to study Japanese either using Flashcards, listening to my language CDs/podcasts, or just attempting to read as many of the million of advertisements plastered throughout the train car. The JR Yamanote train (a separate rail system from the Tokyo Metro) has a televion screen above the doorways in each car informing passengers of the timetables for the train, advertisments, and for the Japanese interested in learning English, an educational show teaching common and useful phrases while they make their way to their destination.

The main difference to notice is the amount of detail provided once you have arrived on your platform. There is a clock displaying the current time, the time the next two trains will be arriving and their final destinations. There are train diagrams on the platform pillars, indicating the best train car to ride in based on the closest to the exits, transfering trains, and/or handicap accommodations for EVERY stop on the line.

The trains are timely and frequent .. a small consolation to the city’s daily commuters who’s normal work day ends hours past most American supper times. The trains schedules are so efficient and timely that if they run late during the morning hours, commuters can pick up a train slip as they exit the station proving how long their train was delayed for them to present to their boss. Japanese companies are very likely to require employees to punch in (and out) as they arrive for the work day … making these slips critical when evaluating performance.

Every subway system is different when it comes to purchasing and using tickets. The ease of acquiring and using a ticket can make a big difference on one’s commuting experience. Tokyo is different than what I experienced in New York and Boston, but is it better?

The NYC Transit Subway issues “metro cards” from a vending machine. You can buy a fixed number of rides, offering a free pass with a certain level of purchase. (by 10 rides, get 1 free kinda thing). You can also buy a single pass or monthly unlimited pass (1 price for unlimited rides over 30 days). Boston, honestly I don’t know any more. When I lived there they continued to use coins that you bought from the train station attendants. I wonder if they have set up vending machines yet or if they are still handling it old school. To use the coins or tickets, you swipe or insert then upon entry to the station .. and then you are done with your ticket. The turnstile either keeps the coin or you toss your ticket when you have used all the rides. You simply exit a one-way turnstile when you get off the train.

The Tokyo Metro, on the other hand, is set up slightly differently. Similar to NYC, there are several ticket purchasing options. Tokyo-ites rely much more on the train systems then New Yorkers, largely because the cost of taxis are 3 times the cost. The most common ticket is a single ride, though they also have prepaid tickets (Passnet cards) for 1000¥, 3000¥ and 5000¥ (roughly US$10, $30, and $50). This is convenient, but no free rides… hmf.

The yellow circle at the bottom left is the station that you are standing at. The numbers (160, 190) are the cost to get to that particular station from your current location. Notice how the farther from the (yellow) station .. the more the ticket price costs. (190¥ is still only US$1.60)

The first (of the 2) biggest difference between the Tokyo and Boston/NYC systems is the price for ride. In Boston/NYC, the price is fixed. $1.50 in Boston (i think) and $2.00 in NYC. When purchasing a ticket in Tokyo, you need to check the destination of your commute because the cost to commute will depend on which station you exit. The trip may cost as little as 160¥ ($1.35) – up to 230¥ ($2.00) within Tokyo. The

The second biggest difference is the fact that you actually keep your ticket once inserting it into the gate. There is no turnstile .. just a gate. When you insert your ticket into the gate, it will calculate whether you have the minimum fare (160¥ within Tokyo) on your metro card. If you don’t have the minimum fare, then doors will swing in front of you to prevent you from walking through. If you do, the electronic gate will calculate the cost for your trip and print it on the back of the card before spitting it out. You then take your ticket and insert it into the gate at your destination station as you exit. If you do not have enough money on your ticket, the gate will beep and you will need to go to a vending machine prior to the gate and adjust the payment.

Pretty complicated? It’s actually pretty efficient .. and more cost effective than NYC or Boston. The fares are fare. Go figure. You are charged on your distance of travel. Even though a fixed price is nice if you are commuting far .. the Tokyo fares are 1/4 – 1/2 cheaper on average. It is not even just the price .. everything is clockwork and everyone seems to be in the zone. You will notice people “shi—n” you (kinda like a way to verbalize/articulate a pause .. for having to wait for you) if you don’t have your passnet ticket prepped and ready as you walk towards the gate. Fumbling is the sign of a tourist. There is no pushing or shouting (or talking for that matter) but everyone moves swiftly and with a purpose.

Omotesando Station: There are 3 train lines that come into the station, the Ginza Line, the Hanzomon Line, and the Chiyoda Line

It is not uncommon to be short on time when commuting. Once you are in the (unfamiliar) train station, will you know how to navigate? Are you more likely to go in the right direction or just go crazy?

Like most subway systems, some stations will connect several different train lines (Government Station in Boston, Grand Central/Port Authority/Union Square in NYC, and Omotesando/Otemachi stations in Tokyo). It is especially difficult at these stations to know which direction to walk in order to get to the correct train line. Otematchi has 5 different train lines connecting and they can be as far as 350m (1,148 ft.) apart. How do they help lead you in the right direction?

Through a combinations of ceiling and wall signs, many in both english and japanese, the path is pretty clear. The train lines are labeled using a romaji (latin) letter for each station and encased within a colored circle .. very similar to the NYC Metro’s labels.

NYC Transit Metro labels

Tokyo Metro labels

These labels will pretty much be the main guide throughout the station from the beginning to the end. It will be used on the hallway signs, the ceiling signs, the subway maps, and entrance signs. The romaji characters (latin letters) are familiar in both English and Japanese, making it possible to accommodate the locals and the majority of the international folks visiting on business.

The ceiling signs (above) and the wall signs (below) showing which direction to the subway platforms in Japanese Kanji, English, and the distance (in meters) from that spot to the platform. One question; Where’s the kitchen sink?

Ok. Most of you will not be able to read the shirt. Sorry .. it is from my keitai (cell phone) and this was the closest I could get without being too obvious. Now, I am posting this without checking the whitestarr.com URL on the top … but it was the second, smaller text that caught my attention. Having trouble reading it? Need a hint? Yes. There is some slang in there. “….. in yo’ window’. Now the first word is what cracks me up because it took me reading it 3 times to understand it. I am slower than most so perhaps my friends would think rereading something 3 or 4 times is my normal … but I think you might do the same if you saw someone wearing a tshirt that said “Sexual in yo’ window”.

Yes. That’s right. And no. I am NOT certain what it means .. but I think I know. And that is the typical Engrish that you notice all around the city. My mission .. to create Japanish .. the embarrassingly bad, yet humorous use of Japanese … just don’t expect anything to be going on in yo’ window.

When approaching something new, I believe the time that we need the most direction, whether it be learning how to play the clarinet (don’t laugh!), putting together your new IKEA EKTORP JENNYLUND chair, or learning Japanese so you know how to order a hot dog instead of a coffee (again don’t laugh!), is at the very beginning. Once we take a few steps, we generally pick up a few things as we go; understand a little more, making it easier each time that follows until it becomes routine and instinctive. The more intuitive the instructions are from the start, the quicker we tend to grasp how it works. This is especially true when it comes to figuring out directions. What is the key to clearly communicating one’s orientation? That’s right … design .. and this is how the Tokyo Metro begins…

The front entrance. Easy to recognize and not too much different than most other entrances. Though, I should point out the subtlies that might at first go unnoticed. The irregular yellow brick pattern is there for a specific reason… to help aid the blind. This type of tile is consistent throughout not only the train station .. but the entire city of Tokyo.

The stairs are labeled as to which side of the walkway you should go up and down. This is helpful for Americans like myself because they walk on the wrong .. uh (d@mn American) .. opposite side of the hallway; just as they drive on the opposite side of the street than we are used to in the States. You go up the left and down the right… most of the time..

Ok, you are at the bottom of the steps of the Metro entrance. Perhaps a few bends and turns here or there but, on the whole, it was pretty straight forward so far. Now, important note.. and I have to find out figures that actually compare the two subway systems, but I can say with no actual proof that the Tokyo Metro subway system is UNBELIEVABLY larger than the NYC Transit. As the significance of this might not be clear, the challenges of orientation and maintanence multiply. Let me just say, though I have said it so many times, the Tokyo Metro is impeccably clean.

I simply want to go north and for some reason I first have to go south and then east and then northwest. Would you trust me if I said to “Just follow the signs and the fact that you have no idea what the words on the signs are saying .. isn’t a problem, either.” Ever think that perhaps, the quickest way from A to B isn’t a straight line.

The Tokyo Metro … it isn’t the “sub”way .. it is the best way to get around this city. And it’s (no joke) one of my favorite places in the city. I have dedicated an entire series to showing as many of the amazing aspects of what most Tokyo folks probably take for granted every day.

The main reasons to be impressed? It is unbelievably efficient, it is impeccably clean, and it is inconceivably monstrous. The REAL reason for me to be excited about a train system? Because it shows the value and impact of good design.

First ask yourself how often you want to go directly north or south (or directly east or west, for that matter). Usually, your destination is located at some sort of an angle from your present position. Transferring is somewhat unavoidable. “How quickly can I get there” becomes dependent on several factors, not just one.
1) Do you know where you are going.
2) Do you know the route to get there.
3) How much will it cost
4) Depending on my destination, where is the best place for me to begin [a few blank faces on this one]
5) How long will it take to get from the subway to the exit of the station.
6) If I am unfamiliar with the area, will I know which of the 18 exits is the best one for me to take

Seems like a lot to think about .. and I guarentee that you ask every single question anytime you are traveling whether it be a subway or highway. You just don’t normally have all the information present in the transportation system here.

Most all of information regarding directions in the Tokyo subway is in both Japanese and English. Even if it isn’t, the pictograms are extremely intuitive. From the minute you walk into the subway, you can
a) figure out which line you need to take, and at which stations you need to transfer to get to your final destination
b) how much it costs regardless of the number of transfers
c) which train car is closest to the exits or toilets when you get off at the destination
d) the exact time the train will arrive at the station
e) the final destination of the next arriving train
f) the amount of time it takes from your current station to your destination
g) how many meters from your current position to the train platform
h) find several vending machines offering hot and cold beverages
i) in some locations, sit and eat ramen while you wait for the next train