Japan boats some of the world’s busiest train stations. Even with the right signage instruction, the complex building structure may still lead to confusion. Recently an interesting photo of Shinjuku Station in Tokyo has been brought to public attention.
While the East Exit is the West Exit
ひと目で分かる新宿駅の異常性 pic.twitter.com/e0GSUxklEr
— コーヒー豆 (@caffeine528) February 22, 2020
“Caffeine528” shared a tweet and raised hot debates over the SNS. How strange is it when East Exit and West Exit are pointing at them same direction? This abnormal instruction was found on a temporary sign at Shinjuku Station.
Some netizens shared their creative thoughts.
時空の歪みが発生している?
— 桃園 (@vnFd2OnqsD3rKDS) February 23, 2020
“Did space warp just happen?”
“If you go all the way towards the west, after circling the globe once you shall eventually arrive the east.”
“It’s unavoidable. Since Shinjuku Station is the toughest maze underground.”
Mystery unlocked and it is not a mistake
Why would the two seemingly opposite direction being put together? In facts, it is explainable with a bigger blueprint of the complex station.
新宿駅に限らず、東(口)と西(口)が同一方向になることはあり得ます。
例えばこの画像のような道がある場合、★の位置に置く案内表示は東口も西口も同じ方向になります。 pic.twitter.com/Ulqpezhv0s— shelfall@FP2級勉強中 (@shelfall) February 23, 2020
“shelfal” shared her view on this unusual signage,
“This does not only appear in Shinjuku Station. The east (exit) and west (exit) can be possibly at the same direction. Take the map below as and example. If you place the signage at the starred position, this situation will make much more sense.”
Comparing the underground maze in Japan
Japanese train station is a sprawling maze of corridors, stairways, escalators and platforms and they all look nearly the same. Even if you have a decent direction sense, contradictory signs may still get into your head.
Here are some more hilarious signs shared on the tweet.
相模大野駅の案内板なのですが，いつ見ても意味が分からない。英語を読むともっと分からない。 pic.twitter.com/eisjwFJJte
— paina (9歳) (@paina) September 11, 2019
“Take a look at Sagami-Ono Station. Can you believe what is written on the English sign? lol”
渋谷駅にはまだ勝てませんよ！ pic.twitter.com/vOYfLCDt16
— ktgohan (@ktgohan) February 23, 2020
“I have faith in Shibuya Station!”
Meanwhile, some claimed comparing to Umeda Station in Osaka, Shinjuku Station is only a piece of cake.
新宿はまだ序の口 本当のダンジョンは梅田の地下 あっこは魔界 上にある案内板を見なかったら一生外には出られない
— ゆーちゃん (@portwer53264442) February 23, 2020
“It is so simple when comparing to the underground of Umeda Station.”
“Shinjuku Station is only your beginning. The real maze running starts from Umeda Station. You will never get out of this hell if you do not read the signs above.”
If you think it is exaggerated, let’s pay a visit to the mysterious underground castle of Umeda Station.
