The Most Dangerous Games: How To Go To Another World Using A Train (Or, How To Open The Demon Gate)

Previously: The Devil Face Game.

Note: Please don’t copy/paste, republish, or narrate this post on other websites, video platforms, etc. without permission.

Here’s an interesting, if somewhat baffling, game: One that teaches you how to go to another world using a train. For this reason, I call it the Train Game — although it’s also possible that it’s actually not a way to travel to another world. It’s possible that it’s a method for how to open the demon gate.

It’s… complicated, is what it is.

Like the Elevator Game and numerous other “how to go to another world” rituals originating in Japan, this one arrived on the internet via 2ch circa 2008. Its original poster noted that it should only be performed by people who are absolutely sick of life as they know it. I call it baffling, though, because the actual purpose of the game is rather unclear. Its two different titles — “How To Go To Another World Using A Train” and “How To Open The Demon Gate” — suggest two different end results. Further complicating matters is the fact that the very last steps of the game have you focusing all of your thoughts on the thing you want most in the world, suggesting that it might serve a wish-granting function, as well.

[Like what you read? Check out Dangerous Games To Play In The Dark, available from Chronicle Books now!]

The trouble is, after those last steps, the game just sort of… stops.

It doesn’t say whether the player should, upon completion, find themselves somewhere else. It doesn’t say whether the demon gate should now be open. And it doesn’t say whether the thing you want most is meant to come to you.

As such, play with extreme caution; there’s no way to tell what the game truly accomplishes.

There’s one thing, by the way, that might prevent you from actually playing this game: It must be played in Tokyo, using specific lines and stations within the Tokyo Metro system. Note, too, that Tokyo’s rapid transit system operates quite differently than most U.S. subway systems do, so if you’re not familiar with it, make sure you pay special attention to the “Additional Notes” section.

I suppose at least the geographical limitations means that many of you might remain safer than you would have otherwise; if you’re not in Tokyo, you can’t play.

But if you are — and if you must —

Play at your own risk.

Players:

• One principal.

Requirements:

• 10 grains of rice, uncooked.
• Access to the Tokyo Metro.
• A wish. A desire. Something you want more than anything else in the world.

Instructions:

Venturing Out:

1. Begin at any time.
2. Prepare 10 grains of rice. Keep them on your person; make sure you won’t lose them. You may store them in a sealed bag or container for safe keeping, if you like.
3. Go to Akihabara Station on the Tokyo Metro. You may travel to this station by whatever method or route you prefer.
4. Enter the station. Find the platform for the Hibiya line heading towards Naka-megura.
5. Ride the Hibiya line in this direction to Kayabacho Station.
6. Your journey has begun.

Making The Journey:

1. Exit the train at Kayabacho Station.
2. Remaining in Kayabacho Station, go to the platform heading towards Hatchobori.
3. On the platform, look for an iron grill or set of iron bars. Beneath the bars, you will find a small pile of salt.
4. Kick the salt with your feet, scattering it gently across the ground.
5. Still at Kayabacho Station, find the platform for the Tozai line heading towards Nakano.
6. Ride the Tozai line in this direction to Takadanobaba Station. Exit the train at this station.
7. Still at Takadanobaba Station, go to the platform heading towards the Seibu Shinjuku line transfer.
8. On the platform, again look for an iron grill or set of bars. Beneath the bars, you will find a small pile of salt.
9. Again, kick the salt with your feet, scattering it gently across the ground.
10. Return to the Tozai line. Find the platform for the Tozai line heading towards Nishi-Funabashi.
11. Ride the Tozai line in this direction to Kayabacho Station (again). Exit the train at Kayabacho Station.
12. At Kayabacho Station, go to the ticket gate and exit through it. Once outside the gate, look for the station exit labeled 4A. Beneath the stairs marked with this exit designation, place your 10 grains of rice.
13. Re-enter the Kayabacho Station ticket gate.
14. Find the platform for the Hibiya line heading towards Naka-meguro.
15. Ride the Hibiya line in this direction to Tsukiji Station. Exit the train at Tsukiji Station.
16. Go to the platform heading towards Tsukiji Hongan-ji Temple.
17. On the platform, once more look for an iron grill or set of iron bars. Beneath the bars, you will find a small pile of salt.
18. Once more, kick the salt with your feet, scattering it gently across the ground.

The Final Ride:

1. Return to the Hibiya line. Board the train. The direction is unimportant.
2. Once the train has begun moving, close your eyes.
3. Keep them closed.
4. Are they still closed?
5. Good.
6. Now: Think about the one thing you want most in the world.
7. Think about only that thing.
8. Think of nothing else.
9. Keep your eyes closed
10. Clasp your hands together.
11. Keep riding.
12. Good luck.

Additional Notes:

The rapid transit system in Tokyo works quite differently than many Western players may be accustomed to. Rather than being a single system operated by a single company or government body, the Tokyo subway is made up of two different systems operated by different entities: The Tokyo Metro, operated by the Tokyo Metro Co., and the Toei Subway, operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation. Furthermore, a third entity, Japan Rail (JR) East, operates additional rapid transit lines within Tokyo, as well.

This game takes place entirely on the Tokyo Metro. You should only find yourself riding Tokyo Metro lines during the course of the game — specifically the Hibiya line, which runs between Naka-meguro and Kita-senju, and the Tozai line, which runs between Nakano and Nishi-Funabashi. If, while playing, you find yourself on lines that are part of either the Toei Subway or the JR East system, or if you find yourself on Tokyo Metro lines other than the Hibiya or Tozai lines, you have played incorrectly and must forfeit the current attempt.

You may try again another time — this time making sure that your line and station information is correct.

Maps and information for the individual stations referred to above may be found here:

• Akihabara Station
• Kayabacho Station
• Takadanobaba Station
• Tsukiji Station

Information about the individual Tokyo Metro lines referred to above may be found here:

• Hibiya line
• Tozai line

Regarding The Salt:

It is not known who or what is responsible for the placement of the salt in the designated locations of each station.

It has also been reported by recent players that the salt may no longer be present.

If you do not find salt in one or more of the designated locations, the ritual may not proceed.

Do NOT attempt to play if the salt is not present.

You have been warned.

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[Photo via Ken OHYAMA/Flickr, available under a CC BY-SA 2.0 Creative Commons license.]