Tokyo’s popularity with international visitors keeps growing, and for good reason! If you’re planning a trip to the Land of the Rising Sun soon, this guide will turn you into a Tokyo subway whiz.
For travellers in Japanese cities like Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, trains are an inevitable part of your transportation. They are among the cheapest and most efficient ways to explore the city. But here’s the catch: if you’re a first-time visitor, one good look at the Japan train network can give you a headache for the day. Don’t worry, because, in this step-by-step guide, I will teach you how the Japan train network is laid out, reveal tips and tricks to help you locate your platform despite language barriers, and list the passes and apps that you’ll require to find your way across subway stations. So, read along.
Also make sure to check out my YouTube video below, where I give you a visual demonstration of the tricks that can help you travel in Japan subways as a first-timer.
Japan Train Systems 101
First, let us understand the Japan train network in order to wind our way through it, taking the example of the Tokyo subway system.
The Tokyo Subway System consists of 13 lines and 285 stations operated by the Tokyo Metro and Toei line. You can check out the subway system map here.
Each station has an alphanumeric code that helps you identify it easily. Let’s go further.
The Alphabet-Number Coding System
Suppose you want to go to Akasaka-mitsuke, which is the 5th station on the Ginza (G) line, then the code of the station would be G-05. These assigned station codes simplify your travel, especially if you don’t have the vocabulary or the confidence to strike up a conversation with the locals to seek directions.
This coding system will also come to your aid when trying to figure out whether you’re on the right platform. For example, let’s say you are going from M-07 to M-15. If the sign on your platform shows M-07 > M-25 then you will understand you’re on the right side, as M-15 falls between M-07 and M-25. Neat, right?
Finding the Correct Entry Point
If you’re travelling from the bigger stations, such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Tokyo, relying solely on the codes will not help you. Why, you ask? For one, these stations have multiple entry points, each providing convenient access to a particular platform. As a first-time traveller, you might not know this. So, if you enter through the wrong point, you might end up spending hours in the maze before ending up where you need to be.
Here’s a tip: Google Maps is your best friend. Keep it close to you at all times while working your way through the Tokyo subway system, or Japan in general. In the subway, if you search for your destination station, Google Maps will fetch you all the details on which line to take, the platform number, and most importantly, the correct entry point.
While it sounds simple enough, it could take a bit of getting used to if you’re new to the network, which is why I’d recommend you allocate an extra 10–15 minutes to whatever Google Maps recommends in terms of travel time, so that you can move at an unrushed pace.
Head over to my YouTube video to get a feel of how Google Maps prevents you from becoming a missing person at the Tokyo subway system.
Travel Passes — Which Passes Do I Need for Japan Train Systems?
Next, let’s move on to what travel passes you’ll need for smooth train travel across Japan.
Japan Rail (JR) Pass
If you’ve been researching your next trip to Japan, I’m sure you must have come across the JR Pass. Whether or not you need it for trains and subways, it is undoubtedly one of the most well-known travel passes around the world.
So, the question remains: Do we need a JR Pass to travel in trains across Japan? To cut the long story short, you only need a JR Pass if you’re planning to travel intercity i.e., from Tokyo to Osaka, or Tokyo to Kyoto, etc. on a regular basis.
If you have an intercity itinerary, you should check out my blog where I explain the types of JR Passes, how to save on your JR Pass expenses, and how to determine whether you really need a JR Pass. Check it out here.
IC Card
However, if your trip is confined only to one city, or one intercity travel at max, then take note, IC cards are your go-to.
But first, what are IC cards? Basically, they are rechargeable e-money cards that operate on a pay-as-you-go basis. They can be used
- in all JR East lines in the Greater Tokyo Area, private railway lines, subways, and buses.
- for purchases at convenience stores and vending machines that accept IC Cards for transactions.
To sum up, if you’re only using transportation within a particular city, you will need IC cards regularly.
Suica and Pasmo are the two most popular IC cards used in Tokyo, Japan. Other regions also have their own IC cards, which all operate similarly:
- Icoca and Pitapa for Greater Osaka.
- Toica and Manaca for Greater Nagoya area.
- Kitaca for Greater Sapporo.
- Sugoca, Nimoca, and Hayakaken for Greater Fukuoka.
For the sake of brevity, I will discuss the Suica and Pasmo cards in detail in this guide.
Suica and Pasmo — Types, Cost, Validity
In all respects, Suica and Pasmo are the same at performing all the functions mentioned above. So, you may go for one or the other without a full brain workout. Here are the details you need for both IC cards.
The Suica Card is available in two types: the Welcome Suica and the Normal Suica. Similarly, the Pasmo Card is of two types: the Pasmo Passport and the Normal Pasmo. The types, costs, and validity have been laid out below:
Suica IC Cards | Cost | Validity | Additional |
Welcome Suica | 1000 Yen | 28 days from date of activation | For one-time visitors. No deposit fee is deducted. However, unused balance will be lost after validity expires. |
Normal Suica | 1000 Yen | 10 years from date of last use | For frequent visitors. 500 Yen is kept as deposit money, and the difference is the usable balance. |
Pasmo IC Cards | Cost | Validity | Additional |
Pasmo Passport | 1500 Yen | 28 days from date of activation | For one-time visitors. No deposit fee is deducted. However, unused balances will be lost after validity expires. |
Normal Suica | 2000 Yen | 10 years from date of last use | For frequent visitors. 500 Yen is kept as deposit money, and the difference is usable balance. |
How to Buy an IC Card?
Suica and Pasmo IC cards are available in both Narita and Haneda airports, as well as in shops and convenience stores. You can recharge them at portable vending machines across the city.
However, due to the recent chip shortages in Japan, you may find that IC cards are unavailable when you arrive. Don’t fret! I give you the perfect solution in the next section.
Apps You Need for Japan Train Travel
Your routes are set, and so are the passes. Now, let’s shift our focus to some apps that you must have when travelling in trains in Japan.
Google Maps
We’ve already talked about this one. But just to recap, Google Maps comes in pretty handy when making your way into, across, or out of the Tokyo subway system. It follows the alphabet-number code described earlier [link to The Alphabet-Number Coding System section above], and shows you the correct platform number, line colour, and entry point. The entry point is important in large stations, because you might get lost if you choose your gate at random.
Japan Travel
When travelling in subway systems of other cities like Osaka or Kyoto, Google Maps may not be as helpful, as the impressive navigational features and facilities are confined to the Tokyo subway. You can check out the Japan Travel app in such cases, as it provides all the features that Google Maps does. Additionally, it also gives some exclusive promotions to people who are travelling to Japan for the first time. How cool is that?
Japan Train Card Balance Check
Finding a vending machine every time you want to check your Suica/Pasmo balance is a hassle, right? You might even miss your train if your card isn’t topped up. To avoid such stressful situations, download the Japan Train Card Balance Check app, available for both iOS and Android systems.
Once installed, hold your Suica/Pasmo card below the phone, and you can check your IC card balance on the go.
Suica/Pasmo on Apple Pay
Over the past years, Japan has frequently experienced IC card shortages. As a result, you might not be able to get a physical Suica/Pasmo card upon arrival. But don’t worry. Apple Pay offers Digital IC card services. Simply search for Suica or Pasmo on Apple Pay, and you’re good to go! You can even top up your card using Apple Wallet.
Conclusion
If you’ve reached this far, know that you have mastered the Japanese train system, and can now hop aboard your trains like a seasoned local. Make sure you have everything you need with you, whether physical or digital, as you pack for the next adventure. For anything else, including the Japan train map, travel passes, rail pass calculator, and must-have apps, feel free to return to this guide.
Check out my other blogs to learn about all the travel passes you need for Tokyo, Japan and the 8 most essential apps you need in Japan if the country is your next destination.
Lastly, if you’re planning to shop for some essentials before hitting the road, I can get you a sweet 10% discount on wireless dongles, tickets, and more. Check out the Klook website and use the code PHATLIFEPROJECTKLOOK for all your Japan-related purchases! You can thank me later.
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