While on the train, your phone should be on silent mode and you should avoid making or receiving phone calls. Keep conversations to a minimum. Much like phone etiquette, if you are riding with friends, family, or coworkers, you can typically talk but do so quietly. Don't eat or drink.

Train etiquette in Japan is centered on silence and consideration for others. It is expected that you set your phone to "manner mode" (silent) and refrain from making voice calls entirely. Conversations should be kept in a very low whisper. During rush hour, it is customary to wear your backpack on your front or place it on the overhead racks to save space. Eating and drinking are generally frowned upon on local commuter trains, though it is perfectly acceptable on long-distance trains like the Shinkansen. When boarding, passengers form orderly lines and wait for everyone to exit before stepping onto the car. Finally, always respect priority seating—even if the train is not full, these seats should be left for the elderly, pregnant women, and people with disabilities.