[Practical] A roundup of ways to kill time on the train [for commuting to work or school]
When it comes to transportation closely tied to our daily lives—like commuting to work or school—trains are the first that come to mind.
Sitting or standing, just waiting to arrive at your stop…
Many of you probably find that boring or feel it’s a waste of time.
If you ever think, “I have nothing to do,” or “This time is going to waste,” this article is for you.
We’re about to share a whole bunch of ideas for passing the time on the train.
We’ll cover ones that use your smartphone and ones that don’t require it at all.
Find the time-killers that suit you best!
- [Solo Time] A roundup of ways to kill time without using your smartphone
- Kill time while waiting or stuck in traffic! A roundup of games four people can play
- Games you can play in the car! Fun activities to liven up drives and traffic jams
- [For Adults] Make the Most of Your Free Time! Ideas to Kill Time
- Recommended ways for girls to spend their free time
- Recommended for upper elementary grades! Exciting indoor recreation and games
- Recommended time-killing websites to enjoy your free time
- [Killing Time] A Roundup of Fun Without Spending Money [Saving Money]
- [For Middle School Students] Recommended Ways to Spend Your Free Time
- Perfect for killing time! Fun games you can easily play on LINE
- A collection of personality quizzes perfect for killing time
- Recreation popularity rankings for junior high school students
- Single-player games: a roundup of time-killing games
[Practical] Ways to Kill Time on the Train [For Commuting to Work or School] (11–20)
Writing novels on a smartphone
There may be more people than you’d expect who have thought, “I want to write a novel.” And perhaps some of you have felt like writing your own autobiography based on your life so far.
If you’re interested in writing, it’s an activity I strongly encourage you to try.
There are apps that let you write on your smartphone, so give them a try.
If that feels like a hassle, you can also jot things down bit by bit in your notes and then compile them at home when you have time.
Household account book organization
According to statistics, as many as 40% of people have never kept a household budget.
However, by keeping one, you can understand how your money flows and identify areas where you should cut back.
Wouldn’t it be nice if that helped you save money or buy things you like? If you let the entries pile up, it becomes a hassle, so try using spare moments to input your expenses.
There are convenient apps that let you enter data from both your computer and your phone, so check them out.
Also, if you write in a small notebook, you can keep it in your bag.
Binary with fingers
Speaking of binary, it’s a way of representing numbers—also used in computers—that uses only 0 and 1.
The counting system we generally use is decimal, where the place value increases by a factor of 10.
Did you know you can do this with your fingers? You assign the thumb to the ones place, the index finger to the tens place, and so on, and you count by bending a finger to indicate a 1 in that place.
It’s not only handy for counting, but also serves as finger exercise, making it a great brain-training pastime.
Meditation
An activity I recommend for your commute to school or work is meditation.
By stepping away from your smartphone and social media, shutting out external input for a moment, and turning your attention inward, you can calm your mind and build emotional stability.
Doing this can help ease daily stress and boost your self-esteem.
It’s especially recommended for those feeling worn out by work or relationships.
Meditation is effective even in short sessions, so why not try it on the train or while you’re waiting?
puzzle ring
Disentanglement puzzles (wire puzzles) are a great, easy way to pass the time in the quiet space of a train.
They also work as a mini brain workout, potentially boosting concentration and logical thinking.
The sense of achievement when you solve one is exceptional.
You can easily pick them up at 100-yen shops, which makes them simple to start.
It’s not just about taking them apart—putting them back together can be quite a challenge, too.
Since they engage both your fingers and your mind, they’re a great way to make good use of your commute time.
Give them a try!
One-Line Library
This site offers a new reading style: experiencing classic literature one line at a time.
Unlike ordinary books, the text is displayed line by line, keeping distractions out of sight and making it easier to focus on the prose.
It’s optimized for smartphones, so you can casually enjoy classic literature during your commute or in brief spare moments.
Even busy people who struggle to find time to read can progress line by line and enjoy reading without pressure.
It’s ideal for those who want to savor the nuances of the writing as well as for anyone looking to build a reading habit.
If you’d like to try a new kind of reading experience, why not peek into the world of the classics with this fresh approach?
OpenRailwayMap
An online map that displays the world’s railway infrastructure in detail.
It leverages OpenStreetMap data, allowing you to closely examine line types, signaling systems, and operating status.
It shows everything from urban subways and regional local lines to high-speed rail routes, making it a valuable resource for rail enthusiasts.
If you’re interested in overseas railways in particular, you can take a careful look at networks in countries you don’t usually see, which may lead to new discoveries.
It’s also a useful site for travelers and railfans to compare railways around the world and plan their next trip.
In conclusion
Since this is, of course, a train used by many people, I introduced activities you can do within the space of a single seat. Have you found any ideas that make you think, “I might give that a try”? Please use this article as a reference and make the most of your spare moments!