Loud chatter or other disturbance is considered rude. You may notice that most Japanese train passengers stand or sit in silence. If you must converse, try to do so quietly. Speak to the train driver only in emergency situations.

In Japanese culture, there is a very strong "unspoken rule" of silence on public transportation, particularly on local commuter trains and subways. While it is not strictly illegal to talk, it is considered impolite and disruptive to speak loudly or engage in long, boisterous conversations. Most locals keep their voices to a very low whisper if they must speak at all. On long-distance trains like the Shinkansen (bullet train), the atmosphere is slightly more relaxed, and quiet conversation over a "bento" box is common, though people still remain mindful of their volume. A much stricter rule applies to mobile phones: you are expected to keep your phone on "manner mode" (silent) and almost never take or make phone calls while in the carriage. If you receive an urgent call, the etiquette is to move to the "deck" area between cars to speak. This culture of quietude is rooted in the concept of omotenashi (mindfulness of others) and ensures that the train remains a peaceful environment for the thousands of commuters who use it daily for rest or work.