JAPAN - TOKYO

I have been living in Tokyo for almost four weeks now, and the size of this city small amazes me. The amount of people living together in such a small space is incredible. The city is huge, but many spaces feel ;ght and overcrowded. There are convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Family Mart, and Lawson on every corner. There seem to be endless restaurants and cafés, just like the many shopping op;ons and sightseeing places to explore. However, nothing impressed me more than the number of people in Tokyo, especially during rush hour.

The most overwhelming moment was my first day in Shinjuku Station right aJer arriving in Tokyo. With over 200 exits, 53 platforms, and over 3.5 million people using it daily, Shinjuku Station is the world’s largest and busiest train station. I have heard before that many tourists get lost in Shinjuku Station. With that in mind and carrying 30 kilograms of luggage, I also tried to find my platform. I was struggling but after 20 minutes of wandering through this huge station, I finally found the right train line. Luckily, it was late in the morning, so it wasn’t very busy for Japan. When my train arrived, one Japanese man noticed my heavy luggage and stepped out of the train just to help me lift it on board. Despite my initial trouble navigating Shinjuku Station, this small act of kindness brightened my day and I felt even more excited to start my exchange semester in Tokyo.

However, this was not my last experience with Shinjuku Station. Every morning and evening I pass through this station on my way to and from university. Each day, I experience a rush hour at Shinjuku Station, which always amazes me. The flow of people moves like a well-organized stream through the large corridors and escalators. Nobody pushes, nobody raises their voice, even though thousands of people are moving at the same time. Everyone follows the unwritten rules: on the escalators, people stand on the left side, leaving the right side for those in a hurry. On the walkways people keep left so they don’t block the other side. People line up patiently everywhere, whether to get on the train, pass through the gates, or take the escalators. And when there is a perceived need for help, it gets offered without hesitation. This discipline allows so many people to move smoothly without chaos. This efficiency, consideration, and respect for others come from Japan's deep-rooted "Omotenashi" culture. Not just while commuting but in other stressful moments too, people show patience and politeness. They wait in neat lines, keep their distance when possible, and soJly apologize with a "Sumimasen" when they accidentally bump into someone. It feels like everyone understands that their behavior helps keep the whole system running smoothly.

In Switzerland and Liechtenstein it’s normal for things to get hectic and loud when many people come together. Pushing and impatience are part of the experience at train stations. Stress is something people accept every day. However, Tokyo shows that it can be different. Even with stress and crowds, it would be nicer if people acted respectfully and calmly, even back home. This would make public spaces a better experience for everyone.

For the last four weeks, I have experienced the “Omotenashi” culture of the Japanese people daily. The best example of this is still Shinjuku Sta;on. This respect, patience, and helpfulness make life in a big city like Tokyo, with almost 40 million people, surprisingly pleasant. Without this culture of respect, daily life in such a crowded city would definitely be more chaotic and stressful. I’m always amazed by how people here stay calm and respectful, even in the busiest situations.

My time in Tokyo has been a tremendous cultural experience so far. It has already changed the way I see life and how we treat each other. I’m enjoying every moment here, and I’m excited to see what the next few weeks will bring.