Can you make phone calls on trains?
In short
Better notPhone calls on trains and buses are generally avoided. Keep your phone on silent ("manner mode").
When does this apply?
Many Japanese railway companies ask passengers not to talk on the phone on board. Reading messages or watching videos with earphones is fine.
Why?
On a crowded train people are close together, and hearing only one side of a conversation can be distracting. Avoiding calls became a way of being considerate to those who want a quiet ride.
What to do
- Set your phone to silent ("manner mode")
- If someone calls, call back after getting off, or briefly say you will call back
- Use earphones for any sound
Better to avoid
- Have long phone calls on board
- Play music or videos through the speaker
Exceptions and differences
Since 2015, many railway operators in the Tohoku, Kanto and Koshinetsu regions ask passengers to turn phones off near priority seats when the train is crowded. Guidance differs by region and company, so follow the signs on board. Emergencies are a different matter.
Manners can differ by region, facility and generation. Local signs and staff instructions come first.
Check with a quiz
Your phone rings on a train. What should you do?
Choose an answer
Sources
- Japanese Manners Do's and Don'ts(opens in a new tab)
- Japanese Customs and Etiquette(opens in a new tab)
- 優先席付近における携帯電話使用マナーを「混雑時には電源をお切りください」に変更します(opens in a new tab)
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This text was written with AI assistance and has not yet been proofread by a person.