This Asian City Runs A Hidden Scavenger Hunt Across Its Train System

Tokyo is a train-loving city, which is fair considering that the whole nation of Japan essentially runs on tracks. The country is home to the world-famous shinkansen (which will soon be barking like a dog), and Tokyo’s biggest tourist site, the Shibuya Scramble, was built around a train station.

Japan loves trains so much that they even have subculture terms for specific train nerds, including ‘onkyou-tetsu’, which is someone who loves the sounds made by trains and recordings, and ‘bkiben-tetsu’ or people fascinated by the lunch boxes available on the train.

However, you don’t have to be a local locomotive geek to appreciate the efficient and wondrous world of Tokyo trains. ‘Real-life game’ company Scrap has teamed up with Tokyo’s underground metro network to produce their very own unique city-wide scavenger hunt, and you can join in on the fun.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeJ6pg9lzWM/

To play, participants have to pick up a game kit from the Tokyo Metro pass office at Ueno station or Shinjuku station. The kit, which costs 2,160 yen (around US$21), contains a booklet, clues to get you started and a 24-hour Tokyo metro ticket to get you to all the necessary locations. Filled with all the essential tools to begin your hunt, it’s a ‘choose your own adventure style’ journey where the different puzzles depend on which stations you choose to visit.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BeKhGTWFGU1/

Overall, the game takes around three to six hours to complete, but there’s no real time limit on the hunt. So, if you want to take it easy and check out the local sites in the area, there’s no harm in doing that too. Even if you’ve lived in Tokyo for a while and the thought of hopping on another train seems like the complete opposite of fun, what makes this game so special is its utilisation of hidden nooks, crannies and secret spots, giving even the most seasoned metro traveller a fresh perspective on their most visited stops.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BZsqVvKgFKn/

If you’re interested in trying it out for yourself, you’d better be quick as the game kits are rather limited. They went on sale on October 1, 2017, and will no longer be available after January 31, 2018. For those heading to Shinjuku station, be aware that the English game kits are only available for purchase on weekends and public holidays between 10 am and 2 pm. If you miss out this time though, don’t sweat. As it’s been such a hit, there is no doubt that the game will be making a return for the 2018–2019 period. Stay ‘choo-choo’ tuned at realescapegame.jp.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.