Salarymen are the Japanese corporate livestock. They are the thousands of faceless, suited, white collar office-workers. Dutiful conformists whose lives revolve entirely around work. They work long hours and when their day is over, they are often found spending their evenings in a local izakaya or karaoke bar plying themselves full of sake or beer or shōchū until the last train.

The following collection features 10 of the best publicly sleeping salarymen photos. Those who made the last train, and those who didn’t.

1. The Suicide Pact

The man in the foreground lies on the yellow navigation stripe used by blind people probably not realising it is for the vision impaired, not the blind drunk. Taken by jhtham in Shibuya at 5.00am on a Saturday morning.

Salaryman sleeping in Japan

2. The Contortionist

Dislocating a shoulder and a hip in the search for a comfortable sleeping position. Thanks to jsleeuw for this one. As Michael from emuu.net points out, ‘Gravity Defying Man and Ignore Anything Girl’.

Salaryman sleeping in Japan

3. The Flower Bed Man

First there was the British children’s programme the Flower Pot Men, now comes the Japanese version the ‘Flower Bed Salaryman’. This episode is a Friday night in Shinjuku.

Salaryman sleeping in JapanImage source: Tokyo Green Space

4. The Vulnerable Superhero

The legendary Man of Steel assuming a secret identity as a mild-mannered salaryman shows his vulnerability as he is compromised by the kryptonite-laced arrows on the tiles on the platform floor.

Salaryman sleeping in JapanImage source: flickr

5. The Pass Out

In the words of Meatloaf ‘Two Out of Three Ain’t Bad’. Taken at Shinagawa Station around 8.00am in June, the height of nomikai/bonus season. Thanks to Michael at emuu.net.

Salaryman sleeping in Japan

6. The Obama Escalator Bow

Bowing in his sleep this salaryman’s bow is fit for a president. Thanks to nateola for Yoroshiku O-Negai Shimathhhh.

Salaryman sleeping in Japan

7. The Backbender

Executing the Camel Pose (a.k.a. Ustrasana), this salaryman employs a yoga technique to improve spinal flexibility. Funny thing is though, as a salaryman, you would think that he would be wanting to improve flexibility of the spine the other way.

Salaryman sleeping in JapanImage source: flickr

8. The Knockout

This salaryman has hit the canvas and is down for the count. He must be riding on the KO line. *Insert rim shot here*

Salaryman sleeping in JapanImage source: flickr

9. The Stairmaster

New out from Nautilus – the Salaryman Stairmaster. It’s easy! Just lay on the stairs and hold on to the rails to stop the station from spinning.

Salaryman sleeping in JapanImage source: flickr

10. The Sideshow Clown

So, step right up and try your luck! It’s the Laughing Clown game in sideshow alley. We have great prizes on offer. First prize… a shoe.

Salaryman sleeping in JapanImage source: g-mixer

For more on the drunken antics of salarymen don’t forget to check out Japanese Barf Bins.

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