Tokyo Subway: Your Essential Guide to Tokyo’s Public Transport

Here’s everything you need to know to navigate the fast, affordable – yet incredibly complex – Tokyo subway system.

Headed to Tokyo? Congrats! Get ready to spend about 50% of your time on a train. Ok, I’m kidding. Well, sort of.

Tokyo’s public transportation is incredibly efficient, but that subway map? It looks more like a colourful game of tangled spaghetti, especially if it’s your first time here. But don’t panic! I’ve got you covered with a quick, easy guide to help you navigate Tokyo Subway like a local. Trust me, after a few rides, you’ll be weaving through those stations like a pro.

1. Train and Subway lines

The subway and train lines are the most convenient means of transportation for moving around Tokyo and its outskirts. They’re spotless, quiet, and always on time, so you should learn to take advantage of them as much as possible in the city.

The most useful train lines in Tokyo as well as the rest of the country are controlled by the Japan Rail (JR) company. Tokyo’s Subway network is operated, instead, by two different companies:

• Toei Subways (4 lines)
• Tokyo Metro (9 lines)

The subway map below displays all of Tokyo’s 4+9 lines and the most important JR lines for travel within the city centre, including some tourist spots. Here’s another PDF version. If you enjoy trip planning as much as I do, you may have already marked the places you want to visit on a map. If not, why not get started? Take a look at this article on the Best Things To Do in Tokyo.

2. Opening Hours

Tokyo’s subway lines and city trains operate from 5:00 am to 1:00 am, with some lines running throughout the night during National Holidays. The Japanese transportation system is known for being extremely punctual, with trains running every 3 minutes during peak hours and every 10 minutes or less in the early morning and late at night.

However, please note that trains and subways can get extremely crowded during rush hour, and if you plan your journey between 10 am and 5 pm, you’ll have a better chance of finding a seat.

When planning your route, keep in mind that transfers between lines can sometimes take a while, and you may also have to walk 1 km or more between platforms.

3. How to Navigate Through The Stations

All train stations in the city have automated ticket gates. When feeding the ticket into the slot, make sure to grab it when it pops up and keep it, as you’ll need the ticket for the exit gates. If you lose your ticket,  inform the station attendant about where you started your journey.

For metro cards, remember to swipe them both on the way in and on the way out. The digital screen on the machine will display the remaining balance.

Stations are sign-posted in English, and exits and transfer routes are marked. Most train stations have multiple exits. Look for the bilingual Japanese-English station maps, usually located outside the ticket gates. These maps show which exits are closest to major area landmarks. Finding the right exit for your destination can save you lots of time above ground.

4. Tokyo Subway Tickets: How To Buy Them & Bundles

Tickets can be purchased from vending machines inside all stations. The fare you need to pay is based on the distance you travel, so it’s important to choose the correct fare for your destination. You can usually find this information on a fare chart or a map above the ticket machines, although sometimes it’s only available in Japanese.

A wide range of day passes are available for the Tokyo area, and I highly advise purchasing one. The most cost-effective and convenient option for tourists is the Tokyo Subway Ticket which offers unlimited use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro) for one, two, or three calendar days for 800 yen (6$), 1200 yen (8$), or 1500 yen (10$), respectively. The pass is available at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, and electronic stores in central Tokyo.

Whatever you decide, consider purchasing all the tickets you need as soon as you arrive. It’s much more convenient than buying tickets every time you have to take the subway, and it eliminates the hassle of figuring out the prices at the ticket machines. Here are some additional options:

• Toei and Tokyo Metro One-Day Economy Pass (1000 yen): Offers unlimited use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro) on one calendar day. This pass is only worth it if you plan to use the subways excessively. It’s not valid on JR trains and can be purchased at subway stations in central Tokyo.
  
• Tokyo Free Kippu / Tokyo Tour Ticket (1590 yen): Provides unlimited use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro) and JR trains in the central Tokyo area on one calendar day. It is also valid on buses and streetcars operated by Toei.
• Tokyo Metro Open Ticket (1-day: 600 yen; 2-day: 980 yen): Offers unlimited use of the nine Tokyo Metro subway lines, but not the four Toei subway lines and JR trains. The regular one-day pass costs 600 yen, while the tourist version for two consecutive days is available for 980 yen at Narita Airport and Haneda Airport.
• Toei One-Day Economy Pass (700 yen): Provides unlimited use of the four Toei subway lines, buses, and streetcars on one calendar day. It is not valid on the nine Tokyo Metro subway lines and JR trains. The pass is available at ticket machines at Toei stations.
  
• Tokunai Pass (750 yen): Allows unlimited use of JR trains in the central Tokyo area on one calendar day. The pass is available at vending machines at JR stations.

Another option is to buy a Prepaid IC Card, like the Suica Card, which doesn’t offer discounts over single tickets but provides convenience, as you can ride any train or bus in Greater Tokyo with just a simple swipe over a card reader.

5. Final tips

The Japanese are known for their exceptional queuing skills, forming orderly lines at train platforms. However, once you’re on the train, it’s important to move swiftly if you want to find a seat. Eating, speaking loudly, or using your phone inconsiderately will attract disapproving glances.

It’s essential to have a navigation app on your mobile device. There are many apps available to help you find the best route based on your preferences, whether that’s the fastest or the most affordable option. The official Tokyo Metro app is free and can be used offline.

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