If you plan to visit Tokyo, will you use the subway? If so, you must familiarize yourself with the system well before you arrive. After all, Tokyo is the world’s largest city by population, and about 14 million people ride the subway daily. What’s more, Tokyo operates not one but two subway systems, as well as a vast network of passenger train lines. Therefore, please read through this condensed travel guide to better understand your transit options in Japan’s capital city.
The Tokyo Subway System
Tokyo Metro
In operation since 1927, the Tokyo Metro is the city’s largest and oldest subway system. Tokyo Metro operates on nine color and number-coded lines and serves 180 stations. While trains do not run 24 hours a day, there is enough service to meet your travel needs. For example, train lines start at about 5 a.m. and run until midnight, or on some lines until 1 a.m. Moreover, each line offers departures every three minutes during peak hours and every 10 minutes during off-peak hours. However, you may occasionally experience a delay, although the Metro is known for its efficient service.
Toei Subway
You may use the Tokyo Metro and the Toei when traveling by subway in Tokyo. Looking at the system map makes it hard to distinguish between the two upon first impression. It depends on where you will stay and what attractions you wish to see. Like the Metro, Toei operates number and color-coded lines yet only on four separate train lines. Because the Metro and Toei operate as separate transit systems, you can purchase tickets for each or a combined ticket.
Tickets and Passes
The type of ticket or pass you’ll need depends upon several factors. Do you plan to ride only the Tokyo Metro and Metro and the Toei? Yet other considerations are your length of stay and how often you plan to use the subway. In most cases, you should purchase a Common Day Ticket for 900 yen ($6.03), a PASMO Passport, or a Greater Tokyo Pass. You can buy most tickets from a multilingual machine at transit stations and selected retail vendors.
PASMO Passport
The PASMO Passport has an initial stored fare of 1500 yen ($10.05), and the 500 yen ($3.35) is currently being waived. However, the PASMO payment is only cash if you use a physical card. Once obtained, this now cashless fare pass allows you to ride on any train or bus and be used for retail shopping. However, it would be best to top off your pass when your balance runs out. The PASMO Passport can be purchased at Narita and Haneda airports and significant transit stations like Ueno, Shibuya, and Shinjuku. This pass is valid for 28 days, and you cannot receive a refund on any unused balance. You can also obtain a PASMO pass via Google Pay/Google Wallet and Apple Wallet. Tap the + sign, then Transit Card, then PASMO.
Related: How to Take the Subway in Nanjing
Greater Tokyo Pass
Of your many ticket options, the Greater Tokyo Pass for 7,200 yen ($48.23) may be your best, depending on your travel preferences. This pass allows unlimited travel across five days on Tokyo Metro, Toei, buses, and private railways. However, this pass is not valid on the JR Yamanote route, also known as the circle line.
Related: Top Tokyo Attractions for 2024
Suica Pass
Like PASMO, a Suica card is a refillable card that can be used for the subway, rail, and shopping. The most significant difference is that a Suica card in Tokyo is available through JR East. To explain this further, you might like a Suica card to use both JR trains in Tokyo and subway systems. Purchase of a Suica card requires a 500 yen ($3.35) refundable deposit and a 1500 yen ($10.04) initial minimum charge. In addition, there is a return fee of 220 yen ($1.47). Like PASMO, you can obtain a Suica pass from Google Pay/Google Wallet or your Apple Wallet.
JR Yamanote Line
One of Tokyo’s busiest, the JR Yamanote Line is a train rail connecting most major transit stations. This circle line has even been described as the most important rail line in the capital city. Moreover, it’s accessible if you can’t speak Japanese and need assistance. If you have a Japan Rail Pass or Suica, you can ride on Tokyo’s Yamanote Line and other JR lines. If that’s not enough, a JR East pass includes Osaka or Hokkaido options.
Related: How to Take a Public Bus in London
(credit: Quick and Easy)
Mobile Apps
Tokyo Metro and Toei offer a specific app to use as a fare for subway travel. However, if you use Apple Wallet or Google Pay, you can use these as fare payments. In addition, you can add PASMO and Suica cards to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay app. You can also use your Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch. Please check if your version of Apple Watch or Google Pixel Watch OS supports use for Suica or PASMO.
Transit Planning Apps
While there isn’t a subway app for fare, there are transit apps that can help you navigate the subway and train systems. Navitime, Mapway’s Tokyo Metro Subway Map, and Japan Transit Planner (Jorudan) are the most commonly used apps. Of course, if you already use Google Maps or Moovit, these apps can further help you with your travel needs. If you want other options, such as cashless payment at stores, WAON and Revolut are both widely used.
Entering and Exiting Turnstiles
Your ticket or pass should be ready as you approach the turnstiles leading to your subway platform. At the turnstile, you can insert a ticket in a slot, scan your pass, or use your mobile device on a reader to open the barriers. You can walk through quickly, as other passengers will likely be behind you. You can head to the exit after you reach your subway train destination. In most cases, you must scan or insert your ticket again to exit the turnstiles. If you’re having trouble with your ticket, you can ask a friendly station employee for assistance.
Reading the Tokyo Subway Map
It can be daunting when you first look at the Tokyo subway map. Yet, it’s not too tricky if you’ve ridden major subway systems in the past, like Paris, London, or New York. However, if you haven’t had much experience with a subway system, this section will help you understand it. Before you arrive in Tokyo, download a PDF file of the system map. Of course, you can also have a copy of the map on your smartphone.
Identifying Subway Routes and Stations
First, you should look at the bottom right corner of the Tokyo subway map. There, you will see each of the subway lines for Toei and the Tokyo Metro. For example, in the first column, the Tohei lines are listed as Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, and Oedo. Conversely, in the second column, the Tokyo Metro lines are listed as Ginza, Marunochi, Hibiya, etc.
Above these two colors is a graphic detailing a line symbol and station number. If you look at the entire map, you’ll see color-coded lines and stations marked with a number.
Accessibility
In Tokyo, most subway stations offer accessible features. These include wheelchair-accessible toilets, elevators to and from the platform, and accessible seats or spaces. Transit employees can help you through the station or get on board if you or a fellow traveler needs assistance.
Sample Itineraries
Shinjuku Station to Shibuya Station
Starting with a simple itinerary, try beginning at Shinjuku station and traveling to Shibuya station. On the left-hand side of the subway map, you can see that Shinjuku and Shibuya are not far apart. But to reach Shibuya from Shinjuku by subway, your only subway line is at F13. However, you must walk 400 meters to the Shinjuku-Sancho Station to find the F line. Once on the F line, you would stay onboard until you reach Shibuya at station F16. Once you reach Shibuya, head out to see Shibuya Crossing, the world’s busiest pedestrian crossing.
Tokyo Station to Ikebukuro Station
A more leisurely itinerary for you to understand is a subway ride between Tokyo Station and Ikebukuro Station. That’s because you can find the platform for the red M (Marunouchi) line. While finding your way through the station can be confusing, follow the subway signs marked with a red M. Thankfully, these are in Japanese and English, so it shouldn’t be too difficult. However, as you get closer, you must know which direction your M line travels. Fortunately, you should see the red M17 at Tokyo Station and the M25 at Ikebukuro, the last stop on the M line.
Roppongi to Tokyo Dome
While Taylor Swift has left Tokyo for her next tour stop, are you wondering where she performed? The answer is the Tokyo Dome, near the Idabashi subway station. If, for example, you were starting from the hip Roppongi district, take the magenta E Oeda line. Yet, realizing that you would be taking a Tohei subway route rather than the Tokyo Metro is essential. Next, could you look again at the system map for Roppongi at E23? Please find Idabashi at station E06 to see your route direction. Therefore, you would take the E line counterclockwise to Idabashi.
Using Other Transportation Services
From Narita International Airport
Because the subway doesn’t serve Narita International Airport, you must take a rail into Tokyo. For instance, if you arrive on a United Airlines flight from the U.S., your gate is in Terminal 1. You can take the JR, Keisei, or Narita Sky Access lines at this terminal. Select one closest to your hotel or other accommodation when choosing which rail line to use. For example, the JR Narita Express goes to Tokyo Station, whereas the Keiser Skyliner goes to Keisei Ueno Station. As for the Narita Sky Access, it goes as far as Keisei Takasago Station. For additional information, visit Narita Airport’s To & From the Airport link.
From Haneda International Airport
While most international visitors arrive at Narita, there are flights into Haneda. If you land at Haneda, you can take the Keikyu line to Shinagawa Station or the Tokyo Monorail to Hamatsucho. Locating these Tokyo stations is more difficult as neither are significant hubs. However, you’ll see the two connecting lines on the bottom left of the subway system map. Once at either station, you can then connect to a subway line.
To and From Tokyo Disneyland
If you plan to visit Tokyo Disneyland, you must take a rail line and possibly a subway line. Yet to simplify your trip, you can take the JR Keiyo line to the closest station to the world-famous resort. This is your best option if you need help connecting from one transit line to another. What’s more, it’s just 460 yen ($3.08) for the roundtrip from Tokyo Station. Your final stop is at Maihama Station, where you must travel 600 meters to reach the entrance to Tokyo Disneyland. Don’t forget that you can ride free with a valid Japan Rail Pass.
Safety Tips at Tokyo Subway Stations
Since you’ll be in one of the world’s safest cities, it’s unlikely that you will encounter trouble. Despite this fact, there are some pickpockets, so you must be aware of your surroundings and personal belongings. And it goes without explaining that there are times when subway stations are very crowded. Thus, as a good rule of thumb, you should ride a subway during the morning and evening commutes. Of course, you might have to ride a train during peak hours, and if so, you should prepare for a crowded trip. Generally speaking, the peak hours are from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Additional Subway Tips
Like any other central subway system, each train car has priority seating. In other words, if you’re not an older passenger, you should get up and give your seat to an older rider. In addition, you must mind the doors when entering and exiting and make room for others. Above all, you must be respectful of others onboard; don’t eat or drink, talk on your phone, or play loud music.
Final Tips
If you’re having trouble finding your train or platform, many employees can speak some English. Moreover, you might find a fellow passenger who speaks English and can help you find your way. Incidentally, unlike American escalators, you should stand on the left while leaving the right side to allow passengers in a hurry. Of course, you can find other safety rules on any transit system website, including what to do in an emergency.
Related: Asia’s Most Instagrammable Cities
About the Author
Randy Yagi is an award-winning freelance writer who served as the National Travel Writer for CBS from 2012 to 2019. More than 900 of his stories still appear in syndication across 23 CBS websites, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. During his peak years with CBS, Randy had a reported digital audience reach of 489 million and 5.5 million monthly visitors. Additionally, his stories have appeared in the Daily Meal, CBS News, CBS Radio, Engadget, NBC.com, NJ.com, and Radio.com. He earned a Media Fellowship from Stanford University and has nearly 25 years of experience in the transportation industry.
