Grammar Activities and Culture - The Subway

Grammar activity 1 - Let's review how to say the minutes in Japanese. Fill the blanks either with "fun" or "pun."

Grammar activity 2- Now let's practice using some of the counters in this module with the word "~gurai" which means "about" or "approximately." Complete the matching activity.

Culture - The Subway

Chikatetsu: Please read following excerpt from Irasshai Lesson 72.

Tokyo's subway system consists of nine different lines which passengers can easily identify by both name and color. For example, the Marunouchi Line which operates subway cars with red markings is shown in red on subway maps and on directional signs in the station.

The subway station entrances are clearly marked and even have the word SUBWAY prominently displayed on the sign above them. The Tokyo subway system is almost entirely automated.

Each passenger purchases a magnetized ticket from a vending machine, inserts it in a slot at the gate, retrieves it once processed, and then proceeds to the train tracks. After arriving at the destination station, each passenger again inserts the ticket into a slot at the exit gate. If the correct fare has been paid, the gates will open to allow the person to pass through. All train stations have a fare adjustment booth at the gate for people who have not prepaid the correct fare.

Japanese subway stations and trains are clean, brightly lit, and safe. The trains are consistently punctual. Tokyo's subways and surface train lines, however, are extremely crowded during morning and evening rush hour. Rush hour is sometimes so unpleasant that Tokyoites often refer to it as kurasshu awaa (crush hour).

Note: Tokyoite=People live in Tokyo and embrace the culture of Tokyo.

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