Experience Tokyo's Yamanote Line -- aurally

Blog Friday Jams offers the Internet a "Yamanote Line Sound Map" featuring the in-train announcements for all of the famed train line's 29 stations. Click on a station, and hear the plaintive female voice say the pre-arrival information in both Japanese and English.

All of the city's favorites are here: Shibuya! Shinjuku! Even obscure cult-classics like "Okachimachi" and "Tabata" are available.

That is neat and all, but to be honest, we are disappointed that the map does not play each station's unique little jingle melody that comes on right before the train leaves the platform. We are on our knees praying right now that the maker of the map is currently on the Yamanote Line with a Zoom Recorder, cataloging the entire oeuvre of JR East.

The Yamanote Line Sound Map could be a useful commuting tool, however. Passengers could learn in advance whether the left or right doors open at a certain station -- leading to a possible ten second head start on the crowds. We could also... no, that's about it for usefulness. Learning about train line transfers is best left to Wikipedia or Yahoo! Transit. Let's not ruin the fun of Yamanote Line Sound Map with over-reaching for functionality.