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Getting to Work in Japan – my morning routine and commute by bicycle and train in the winter!



Living and working in Japan has its ups and downs. Living outside of large city areas, in more rural locations has its ups and downs. I live in a more rural-like area outside of Kyoto City. In this video, I share my story of what I actually do from the moment I wake up in the morning, get ready, and then ride a bicycle in freezing temperatures to the train station to catch my train to the office in Osaka.

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13 Comments

  1. J Lee

    Have not been to Japan for a few years, but this brings back some memories of my last visit around new Year, Thanks for sharing.

  2. Greg in Japan

    Mike,

    I used to ride my Honda 90 Cub to the station near my home, take a train to Kawanishi, Hyogo, change to a train to Umeda, take the subway to Tennoji, then the JR Kansai line to Kami….then a 10 minute walk to the office. Then the reverse in the evening… I know your pain! LOL!

    Now I telecommute…..and love it!

  4. True Cuckoo

    Thanks for sharing 🙏🏼 What’s your job? I’ve been to Japan several times, but have never taken part in the “office worker lifestyle”, for lack of better terms.

  5. Andreea Piturca

    Seeing how some people are so early risers makes me feel ashamed of myself… What time do you go to bed to be able to wake up at 4.40 am? Happy New Year and we look forward to more videos!

  6. PAPAJOHANNESPATRIOT

    Wow! Hectic way to start a work day. I suppose you stop for groceries on the way home. 2 baskets on your bike should contain enough food for 1-2 days. Avoiding extra expenses of having a car in Japan means you can use that money for other things..

  7. Dhemereon

    Holy moly is that a long commute. Is that the standard for most people in Japan or are you a special case?
    In Germany I generally need 15 min. to get to university (with walking to the train station and to university its a bit under 30 min.).

  8. zubofsam

    Wow! Compared to your morning ritual I feel so much better about my commute here in NYC. It’s just one subway line, but, I leave at 4:20am and it takes about an hour.
    Wishing you a fantastic New Year!!!

  10. Tobin Drake

    I sympathize with your week day routine. When I'm in Japan, I live and work in Tokyo. My wife and younger children live in Kyoto in her parents home since it is much larger than our apartment in Tokyo. So every weekend, I have to rush to get on the Shinkansen to Kyoto and early Monday morning get up and go back to Tokyo. When I'm in the US, it is like a vacation. I can work from home if I want to, but I usually don't (growing up in Japan I was trained you need to always show up) and can leisurely drive to work. The two countries and cultures are so different.

  11. John Smith

    I'm a Japanese who grew up abroad. Let me tell you, working in Japan is just hell. Excessively intense and long work hours. No one literally talks for 12 hours. Complete silence for the whole day. It's like you're in a mental institution combined with prison environment with military strictness.

  12. Nils

    Why dont you move closer to your workplace? Getting up at 4 something would be no-go for me 🙂

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