C O N V E N I E N T , C L E A N . . . & C R O W D E D
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Tokyo runs on trains! Touted as one of the most efficient, timely and clean subway and train systems in the world, Tokyo's railway system is truly a marvel. The Shinjuku train station sees more than 2 million passengers pass through it's gates each day, making it not only Tokyo's most heavily trafficked station, but also the world's! However, with more than 12 million residents in the greater Tokyo area [23 Wards], crowding during the business commute hours can be quite unbearable.
Nonetheless, despite its morning and late evening crowding, the train system will become a dependable, fast and affordable method of getting around Tokyo that will make you soon forget where you put your car keys. Below are the essentials to understanding the train routes, usage and passes available to make commuting less of a mystery.
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# The JR Train Lines & Stations - The JR, above ground trains comprise half of the railway system throughout Tokyo. The JR lines are sufficient in number to get you where you need to go in both local and express routes. Be sure to check the Subway Lines map below for common station names, where transfers between JR lines and the Subway can be accomplished.
Download the JR Train Lines pdf document (122Kb):
<< Download Here >>
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# The Subway Lines & Stations - The Subway, underground trains comprise the other half of the railway system throughout Tokyo. The Subway lines are also numerous and run, on average, every 2 minutes during the day. During off-peak times in the late evening or on weekends, it is still never more than 6 to 8 minutes between trains for most stations.
Download the Subway Lines pdf document (484Kb):
<< Download Here >>
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# Train Schedules, Routes & Costs [EXCELLENT!] - This English Ekisupato Web page (hyperdia.com) will become your "new best friend" for all your train and subway traveling. Just enter your origin station and a destination station to receive several possible routes to take, along with time, costs and train changes associated with each.
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If Hyperdia is ever down, here is a less detailed but suitable backup site.
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HYPERDIA |
# "But I can't read the Kanji ...!" - A common frustration for Westerners riding the trains when the route is unfamiliar is the inability to be able to read the "train faire board", since it will typically be only in Japanese Kanji. The simplist solution to never have to worry about train faire, neither costs nor purchasing the single ride ticket, is to purchase an SF Metro Card and an IO Card.
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The SF Metro Card is a "prepaid pass" for the Subway which can be purchased from either the same single ride ticket machines or a nearby machine for SF Metro cards only. You purchase it in prepaid amounts of 1000 to 5000 Yen. You use it the same as a regular ticket and simply replace it when the money runs out -- thus never having to "decipher" destinations and cost beforehand.
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The card works at any Subway/Train ticket gate showing this SF logo:
Follow the link and click on "SF Metro Card" to learn more.
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Metro Card
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The IO Card is a "prepaid pass" for the JR Train Lines which can be purchased from either the same single ride ticket machines or a nearby machine for IO cards only. You also purchase this card in prepaid amounts of 1000 to 5000 Yen and use it the same as a regular ticket. As with the SF Metro Card, keep an eye on the remaining balance [on the back] and simply replace it when the money runs out. Follow the link for a variety of good resources from JR's site regarding discount weekly rail passes, Shinkansen prices and schedule, etc..
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IO Card
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Coming Soon ...
Soon a section on Japan's Shinkansen [bullet train] will be added, covering ticket purchase, schedules and how to navigate the confusing passenger platform.
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