If you’ve ever been in a busy train station in Tokyo, you’ll understand my problem.

I have to direct a half a dozen people to a meeting place in a two-level station that services three different train companies and innumerable lines. I can’t simply say “Let’s meet at the ticket window.” The directions to the meeting point are starting to get pretty long:

“We’ll meet at the Seibu Ikebukuro line ticket machines on the first floor, near the Seibu Higashi (east) entrance to Ikebukuro Station. If you’re coming to Ikebukuro via the Yamanote line, other JR lines or the subway, note that there is a Seibu ticket area on the lower level—this is the wrong one. Please come upstairs!” Posted by kuri at April 22, 2001 09:23 AM