Tokyo's Train System, EXPLAINED

Get the FULL TRAVEL COURSE to Tokyo 🗼🍣🌸👇HERE👇🌸🍣🗼

#tokyo #travel #transportation

TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Introduction
01:33 The Map
04:43 The Stations
05:20 Kiosks and Cards
07:14 Using Pasmo and Suica
09:03 Tips and Etiquette
10:29 Example Trip

[BrightTripTravel]

🚋UPDATE🚋 Some of you have pointed out in the comments that Suica and Passmo cards are no longer available for purchase due to the global chip shortage. Purchase of registered and unregistered Suica and Passmo cards have been suspended indefinitely or "for the time being", according to JR East. We apologize for the video not reflecting this. This video is part of a larger guide on Tokyo and was produced before this was true.

Here are some workarounds for current situation:


You can get mobile versions of either card for NFC enabled Iphones or Japanese “Osaifu-Keitai” enabled Andriod phones. Please note that reports say these only work with Mastercard or American Express. Once it's set up, it works exactly the same as a physical card, including recharging at ticket machines and using it to tap in and out.

Once again, sorry for the confusion. Stay curious ❤

[Triring]

Once you get off at Tokyo station, good luck in Navigating within the station!!
Both Tokyo and Shinjuku station are massive with so many exits it makes you head spin!!

[lucakasai]

I’m a local, and this video has been pretty entertaining.
So I’d like to say what’s kind of wrong and mostly correct, as well as what I’d just like to add.
-The thinking of trains as a colour is kind of interesting, but it can get confusing. For example, there are a bunch of green lines: JR Yamanote Line, TM Chiyoda Line, Tokyu Dententoshi Line, the TCM Shinjuku Line, and, if you go a bit further, the Sagami Line from Yokohama to Ebina. So I suggest you instead remember them by their code name ie: JY for Yamanote Line, JC for Chuo Rapid Line, DT for Denentoshi Line, etc.
-The platform numbers are your best bet at getting to your platform. Trying to figure it out based on numbers or the destination is definitely much more difficult because they are usually in a much smaller font, or not mentioned at all.
-Try to avoid changing at big stations. For example, If you want to get from Ochanomizu Station to Hamamatsucho Station, the train sequence will be Chuo Rapid Line to the Keihin Tohoku Line. While it may be better to change at Tokyo if you want to get some souvenirs, if you just want to get there quickly you’d better opt for Kanda Station, which still offers the same change but a station before. A typical change from these lines at Tokyo takes around 10 minutes, probably more if your a foreigner/not used to the area. However, at Kanda, you can change in maybe two or three minutes. Also, there should be substantially less people, making it easier to move around.
-I would suggest buying a Suica at Haneda/Narita Airport before starting your travels, and fill it up with quite a lot of money. In Tokyo, at least, you can buy most things at most shops with a Suica, especially convenience stores. Just show your card to the cashier and you tap. As simple as that. However, the chance to use IC cards (Suica/Pasmo/Toica/etc.) will decrease when you leave the urban areas. Also, restaurants like Ichiran offer Suica payment, I belive.
-Do NOT be tempted to get a taxi, it is NOT as cheap as a Uber. It is extremely expensive, especially considered to the cheap prices you can go from the trains that usually come at least once every 5-10 minutes.
-The video addresses both the Tokyo Metro 東京メトロ (TM), Tokyo City Metro 東京市営地下鉄 (TMC), JR, and Tokyu 東急 as “Tokyo Metro” Please do not confuse the station staff like this. They are run by different companies, so they will charge you more or less, and most importantly are called differently. By the way, they will also be bit confused by ‘Green line” or Blue line.” There are actual train lines called that, both being part of the Yokohama City Metro, which may confuse the staff.
-The video mentions putting your bag on the floor. However, you can also just put it in front of you. Most people do that, and it will be extremely difficult to put your luggage down in one of the transit lines. I do this, so don’t be worried.
-Shinkansen and Limited Express trains will require additional tickets. If you go to any JR station in Tokyo, you can go to the kiosks, right next to the Suica issue and charge kiosks, and find a 指定席券売機, which you can basically use to book these trains.
-If you have accidentally travelled too far and the price is higher than the amount of money you have in your Suica, there are also charging kiosks inside the platform area.
-Most stations have reliably open and clean toilets, so if you ever want to go to the loo a station is also a pretty good idea.
-Not all of the trains, even if they stop at the same place, are connected physically.For example, if you need to go on the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku, you have to exit the station and walk a bit to get there. The same goes with places like the JR Chiba and Keisei-Chiba stations. This is also occasional the case even if you are changing from and to the same company’s trains. For example, if you want to change from the Tokyu Setagaya Line, a rare tram-like train, to the Tokyu Denentoshi Line at Sangenjaya, you will still have to exit the Setagaya Line station, walk for around 5 minutes, and then enter the Denentoshi Line station .
-The colours for the lines on the Maps app on iPhones are usually different to the actual colour scheme. Make use you use Google Maps! (Many locals either use Google Maps or Yahoo Transit, I use the latter, but unfortunately it is not available in English)
I hope you find this helps, an have a great visit to Japan!
ご来国お待ちしています!

Edit (Oct 24)
-Kannai->Kanda
-I apologise for my rude language in certain areas. They have been changed.
-Typos I found have been corrected
-The map link apparently isn't working so I replaced it with an alternative.
-Additional info (both from the questions I received and stuff I wanted to add)
1.When leaving the city (ex. Mt. Fuji, Nikko, Izu, etc.) there are usually a few options, some popular locations will have special limited express trains going to those places (Mt. Fuji/Fujikyu/Kawauguchiko area has the JR Chuo Line Limited Express Trains, Nikko has the Spacia, Izu has the Odoriko etc.), which are usually the best option for speed/comfort/reliability. There are also highway buses from all of the main stations in Tokyo (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Akihabara etc.) which are usually cheaper, and not too bad if it's like a two hour ride. The Shinkansen is more for people going to a different area entirely, so if you are staying in the Kanto area I wouldn't suggest you use it.
3.The Suica app is extremely convenient, and with the recent semiconductor shortage I would suggest using that, because nothing will be different compared to the card Suica.
4.There are multiple types of trains that skip different stations, which can also differ in name depending on the company and line, as well as the hour. You may see 通勤快速/通勤急行(Commuter express/rapid) trains during rush hour, 急行/快速(express/rapid) trains which skip the most stations at usual times, 準急(semi-express) which skip less stations, 区間快速/急行(also translated as semi-express) which stop where express trains also stop plus every stop in a certain area, and 各停/普通(local) trains which stop at every station. There are also 特快(limited/special express) trains on the Chuo Line, which stop at even fewer stations than the commuter express and express trains. Therefore, check what google maps recommends and make sure to not get on the wrong train (which could skip your stop).
5. (also in comments) Japan has a lot of trains that continue on to a different line (直通列車), but what it essentially means is that you don't need to change trains because the train will just go on to the next line. The important thing about this is to make sure you get on the right train, because depending on the line (ex. Tokyu Toyoko Line, etc) it will continue onto different lines, so make sure you check the destination.
6. (also in comments) The Tokyo 72 hrs ticket, the example you gave, only is valid in lines operated by the Tokyo Metro and the Toei (City-Operated) Subway, so you can't use it on JR or any other 私鉄(ie:Tokyu, Keio, Seibu, Tobu, etc.) 
7. (also in comments) The suggestion of using IC cards is mainly for convenience, for example you can put all of your travel money into one card, and you can use that card to buy stuff. Also, I'm just saying that if you end up having some money left over in your IC card, you can spend it at places such as convenience stores.
8. You can use your IC card in many places, especially in Tokyo, but you should also always have cash with you, as you not only will not be able to use your IC Cards as much outside of the urban areas, and many stores in Japan still do not accept IC cards and even credit cards.
9. On Ichiran, it is a slightly unique experience, but you can go to the many other ramen shops for the same quality without the lines. Ichiran ramen is pretty good, but not worth the wait (unless you go at midnight or in the morning, when it is less crowded). Ichiran is particularly crowded in the most touristy areas (Shibuya etc.) but I personally didn't wait as much when I went to Ichiran in Tennoji (though that may have been chance).
10. Some trains have designated areas for strollers, and the station staff will give additional assistance if asked. The same goes for any disabilities (like when boarding a train with a wheelchair, etc.)
11. The rush hour is generally from 7:00-9:00 in the mornings and 17:00-20:00 though it may be slightly different depending on the train and direction.
12. Children pay half price for train tickets in Japan.

Feel free to ask any questions and I will try my best to answer!

[MrDesertRocker]

Alternative video title "How to use public transport for Americans"

[TanjuraFM]

Despite the comment nitpicking, I found this video extremely helpful as I'm not familiar with train or subway use at all. I had no clue about individual lines or the numbering pattern until I watched this. Thank you.

[teitake]

As a Japanese who lived in Asakusa for a few years, I can tell you that some of the metro transfers require a long walk. Sometimes the line is deep down or other times the navigation wants to you use a neighboring station that is connected underground. If you have a big bag to carry, chose the options with shorter transfer/walking time.

[djsepsis]

My man, you have totally demystified this system, much appreciated

[solotrippin]

I just came back from my trip from Tokyo and I was so impressed by their train system. They're clean, quick, punctual, well-maintained, extensive and efficient! If Canada had transit system like this, I'd have ditched my car! Riding on these trains are such a joy!

[pikXpixelart]

I think there are some extra rules that were important to discuss when talking about train etiquette that didn't make it into this video. The way Japanese people queue up to the train is very organized - they form lines sort of adjacent to the door on both sides to allow room for people to get off. Once everyone who needs to gets off, that's when the people on the platform begin boarding.

Additionally, there is an order in which the train seats are filled. They start with the corners, then fill every other spot until all vacancies are filled. If someone creates a vacant space that leaves two spots open, the person sitting next to the vacancies will slide over to give the person next to them more room. Particularly if it's a corner seat! (though, on very popular lines like the Yamanote where there's always someone to fill vacant seats, people tend not to shuffle around because they know it will be filled immediately)
Some foreigners misinterpret this seating system as people intentionally avoiding them, but in fact, they're trying to respect personal space. It sounds complicated, but in practice, it's easy to follow.

Also, at 15:37 we can see Johnny Harris resting his backpack in a way that intrudes on the space in the seat to the left of him. Given he mentioned that it's important to be mindful of your bags, I think that's also a thing the Japanese public will care about.

[fotonapapa]

Just a note that locals are not familiar with the numbering system of the stations. If you'd ask a local "is this station 6?" 99% won't be able to answer. I'd definitely recommend to memorize the names of the key stations and destination stops.

[WotgAshiee]

Anyone who is still nervous after this, don't be. As a stupid 14 year old with pretty limited knowledge of Japanese, I was able to navigate through the city by myself looking for random anime shops I found listed on some random website in the early 2000's. This was before Suica/Passmo was a thing and before google maps. All I had was that subway map to go by, but it was pretty easy to figure out.

[rachelhauckMI]

This video is fantastic! It gets right down to the point and answers all of the questions. I feel a lot more confident using transit with this information.

[japhetmacato]

Very coherent, cohesive, effective, and helpful guide. Thank you! 😁

[mr.freeze]

Useful video, thanks. Just got back from Tokyo and here's a pro tip I learned too late: take time (but get out of the way) to look at the signs usually painted on pillars that tell which carriage will end up near the exit you need for the line you want in the transfer station. Your aching legs and feet will thank you. 😊

[gunturprayitna]

This is one of the most easy-to-digest educative videos about Tokyo trains. I've gone through tons of videos to learn how Japanese trains work and only found myself in confusion. But everything's clear now after watching yours!!! THANKS!

[shasisushi]

My whole life Japan has been a dream destination of mine and next month I’ll be making that dream a reality. And the whole train system has been causing my anxiety! Thank you for this video!

[ryyn_]

the reason the yamanote line said for shinjuku/shibuya on google maps is because the yamanote line is a loop, if the train line is a loop line its going to say "for", if it isnt its just gonna say the terminus station

[nxkworld]

Loved the simplicity of your production. Good job. Thanks for sharing.

[karaiwonder]

15:56

Just a small big detail is that the Yamanote and Chuo lines are not part of the metro, they are JR lines that run on the surface. But for navigational purposes it is ok

[GenAnxiety]

THANK YOU ! THANK YOU ! My wife and I will be traveling to Tokyo and Osaka for our anniversary in March 29-April 8 and the one thing that was really intimidating for me and has been in any major city is the public transporation system. I can't tell you how many times I got completely lost while traveling around S. Korea. Not that getting lost is always a bad thing but this time, I'd like to spend more time at my destination that on a train. Truly appreciate your video and walk through ! Extremely informative!