In both Japanese and English, they change to show the name of the next station, arrival times at the following stations, connections to other lines, which carriage you're in, which side the doors will open, and where the stairs, toilets and exits line up on the platform relative to your carriage at the next station. If only Connex did this.Sounding like something out of Bladerunner, there are also Japanese and English announcements that let you know the line you're on and the next station, connections to subways and other railway lines, and which side the doors will open.
On the Yamanote line every station also has different musical chimes that begin playing when the carriage doors open. In fact, even different platforms at the same station have different music. They sound like the tinny music from old Astroboy cartoons. After precisely 10 seconds the chimes stop and the carriage doors close. I guess if you're snoozing on the train the sound of familiar chimes might tell you to wake up and get off fast!?
8 comments:
Japanese trains are incredible.
I remember there was a poll a few years ago on the Paris Metro, asking commuters to choose a new voice for their railway PA system. Passengers voted Marilyn Monroe's breathy tones the most appealing ...
Perhaps some people find the news that they'll be delayed 40 minutes less painful when prefixed by 'Happy Birthday, Mr President'?
Are you planning to visit Kyoto on your travels? If you are I would recommend Kyoto: Seven Paths to The Heart of The City by Diane Durston &
Old Kyoto: The Updated Guide to Traditional Shops, Restaurants, and Inns by the same author. They make great pre-travel reading & the latter introduces you to many hidden treasures around Kyoto. It is one of my favourite places with all its wonderful temples, shrines & gardens. Two must sees are Kiomizu temple & Fushimi Inare a Shinto shrine in the sake making area of Kyoto, with rows & rows of deep orange tori gates winding up the hill ....unforgettable! I was last there nearly 17 years ago now, but the memories are still fresh & vivid. In fact writing this really makes me want to go traveling there again! Lucky you planning for your second trip. what drew you to travel in Japan?
In Japan, it's probably that you'll be delayed by 4 seconds!
I also remember watching a TV show years ago with Elke Sommer recording train announcements - "we're now arriving in Vienna" - in English, French and German. She was very good I thought.
JWA, actually we'll be staying right near Kiyomizudera in Kyoto!
I did too! In a little ryokan within easy walking distance, so went there at different times of the day. Early morning was especially good, without
the masses of school kids!
Just listened to your audios & the tune took me right back to that ryokan, because in the toilet when you stood on the foot pads, automatically an electronic version of Teddy bear's picnic would play!! Could only happen in Japan!
You inspired me to write the post I have been meaning to write about Connex's most recent ad campaign and real world usability, so I gave this post a plug, too :)
Shinagawa is my favorite stop! It smells weird at night. I love the Yamanote Line so much I named my Etsy store (www.yamanote.etsy.com) Yamanote.
I like the little station at Harajuku.
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