満員電車(まんいんでんしゃ)

Forms

満員(まんいん) (full capacity) + 電車(でんしゃ) (train) → full-capacity train

Japanese rush hour

During peak commuting hours (通勤(つうきん)ラッシュ) in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, trains can reach 180-200% of their designed capacity.

Related words

• 通勤(つうきん)ラッシュ (commuter rush)
• 帰宅(きたく)ラッシュ (evening rush)
• 吊(つ)り革(かわ) (hanging strap)
• 押(お)し屋(や) (train pusher - staff who push passengers into trains)

Common experiences

• 身動(みうご)きが取(と)れない (unable to move)
• 潰(つぶ)されそう (feeling crushed)
• スマホも見(み)られない (can't even look at phone)

Tips for avoiding

• 時差出勤(じさしゅっきん) (staggered commuting)
• リモートワーク (remote work)
• 各駅停車(かくえきていしゃ)に乗(の)る (take the local train)