Tokyo Metro Posters

Most of you have probably seen these amusing posters online in one form or another. Blogs and humor sites have been milking them for years. The original source of the posters is an ongoing courtesy effort by Tokyo Metro, one of the two subway companies backed by the Tokyo government.

Taking the Tokyo Metro subway is often less favorable when compared to the privatized JR East railways. Apart from the joy of outdoor (as opposed to the subway’s underground lines) transport, JR East fares are cheaper and their stations are usually more accessible. What the Tokyo Metro excels in though, is entertaining the public with its unusual “Please do it at home” campaign.

Please do it at home.

Please do it in the yard.

Please do it at the beach.

Each month for the past two years, the stations display a new poster disapproving of ungraceful actions on the train. Staring last month though, Tokyo Metro has added a twist to the campaign, suggesting courteous things to do instead.

Please do it again.

Please do it again.

You can check out the full series of posters at the Tokyo Metro website.

Tokyo Heart.

Apart from the public service advertisements, Miyazaki Aoi was also recruited as Tokyo Metro’s cover girl back in 2007. An ongoing campaign featuring the actress was held to improve the subway’s image, entitled Tokyo Heart. Up until April this year, posters of Miyazaki could be found in all Metro stations and trains. Commercials featuring the actress were also aired on television and in stations.

Unfortunately (or fortunately for some) starting last month, Aragaki Yui has become Miyzaki’s Aoi’s successor in the Tokyo Heart campaign. The new Tokyo Heart website can be found here. As before, a new wallpaper and commercial featuring the actress will be available each month.