( CNN ) -- Japan is known the world over for its supreme train network . In the capital Tokyo , nearly half of all commuters travel by train , heavily outweighing other modes of transport like cycling , buses and private transport . Of the 48 % of people who use the public rail network , 22 % use the city 's vast subway network . Sandra Barron is an American freelance writer who has lived in Tokyo for the last five years . Having spent the previous 10 years in New York , she is a seasoned subway rider . But nothing could have prepared her for the congested world of the Tokyo subway . Subway sandwich . `` The peak rush hour is really unbelievable . I 've only been a few times and I 've really made an effort to avoid it ever since because it is really crowded . It 's like a cattle cart , '' Barron told CNN . `` It 's just bodies squished as tightly as you can be into a small space . You can see people whose feet are n't touching the ground sometimes because they are wedged in so tightly , '' she laughs . Barron recalls a subway journey early into her stay in Tokyo . `` It was just streamed with people ... I basically could n't get on the first couple trains with my bag . I finally got on and if you are n't paying attention and you are on the wrong side of the train , you might not be able to get out . '' 'Pushy ' staff . On both the rail and subway lines , train operators employ `` oshiya '' ( or `` pushers '' ) . Barron says : `` It 's funny because `` pusher '' sounds really aggressive but they wear uniforms , white gloves and they have hats . It 's like if you had a big laundry basket that overflows and you have to push the clothes down to close the lid . That 's what they do . Infographic : The railway capital of the world . `` They make sure everybody gets in and does n't get caught in the doors . '' The subway line operators have also introduced women-only carriages to help women commute more safely through the city . The designated train cars are usually recognizable by signs in the carriage and on the platform and were brought in to combat `` chikan '' ( `` groping '' ) . Subway snoozers . Another familiar sight on the Tokyo subway is sleeping commuters . `` A lot of people have a long commute -- an hour , two hours . Also , a lot of people stay out late drinking and they start early and have long hours at work , '' she says . `` There is a tolerance that if the person next to you falls asleep and their head kind of lands on your shoulder , people just put up with it . That happens a lot , '' she adds . `` People do n't like it , they do n't cuddle with them or anything but it 's kind of accepted that that happens . '' Watch : Car vs . Train race to Tokyo . The Tokyo subway ends its daily service between midnight and one o'clock , depending on the line . `` Oh God ! You get a mad dash and all the conductors are platform attendants with megaphones reminding people : 'This is the last train , it is leaving now ' ... It 's literally like a wave of people running for the train , '' says Barron . For those unfortunate few that either miss their last train or fall asleep on the platform , there are a few options to pass the time before the first train begins in the early hours . `` They can stay at a capsule hotel , there are the manga cafes that are like internet cafes but you can stay the night in a little cubical , '' Barron says . `` People sometimes go to fast food restaurants and wait it out because things start running again about 4.30 in the morning . '' When asked which subway network she prefers -- Tokyo or New York -- Barron ca n't quite decide . `` Compared to New York , [ Tokyo ] is really efficient , really orderly , really clean ... Gosh , it 's like which of your children do you love more . '' More : Japan rail quiz -- How will you fare ? Barron 's top tips for stress-free subway rides . 1 . Buy a Suica card . A prepaid travel card that allows you to touch in and out at the stations . You can buy paper tickets but prepaid cards are easier and less time consuming . 2 . Pay attention to your exit . Train stations can be huge terminals covering large areas of the local suburb with overwhelming crowds . Make sure you know where you are trying to get before you arrive at the station and keep an eye on the signs . 3 . Follow the charts . Barron points out that each station has signs on the platform showing you which car you should ride depending on connecting lines . Use these to make your journey easier without missing your stop . 4 . Be aware of your surroundings . Consider how people are acting and behave accordingly . Remember you do n't have to be the noisy foreigner . 5 . Use an app or website . Barron suggests Hyperdia or Jorudan as a good route finder .
24 million passengers use the Tokyo subway and subway system every day . Rush hour periods can be overwhelming and exhausting even for the uninitiated . CNN speaks to travel writer and Tokyo resident , Sandra Lee on how to traverse the Tokyo subway .