(How to) Buy Tokyo subway / metro Train Tickets & Passes

How do you get Tokyo subway tickets? From a vending machine, of course! But there are more than one subway company, different tickets, different prices. Let’s try buying tickets from both TOEI and METRO machines and learn what the difference is.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

We’ll explore Tokyo’s TOEI and METRO subway ticket system and day passes. Leave a comment below and we’ll find answers for you :) thanks for watching and supporting the channel -John

[@Ash2theB]

Can you do a video on the Yokohama Minatomirai Pass. I'm really confused on how to purchase it.

[@DanzoSrife]

Thanks for the long explanation! SO question. Is there a type of card that you can use anywhere and swipe it? Like i put 5000 yen and use only that one card in all Tokyo for the MONTH? (this is the only way I knew how to do it in Seoul). It seems rather cumbersome to buy day passes and have so many cards! Do people not swipe their phones there? Thank you

[@brandyysupandillacolitas]

John in some channel name Mr. Fast 2018 there is a chapter with the name Only in Japan part # 1, i tougth It was about you and your channels but no, is something diferent please checkout cuz the logo is like yours, the y are copycats checkout please

[@zam023]

"Is there a type of card that you can use anywhere and swipe it? " That is what the IC card are for. "Do people not swipe their phones there?" Yes you can use your phone to swipe. I have only seen the IC app used on iphone. Haven't seen an android version.

[@vip3r729]

I saw that also, the guy stole the "Only in Japan" title and also a nearly identical logo. Tricking people for views, John should report it and get it taken down.

[@GreenAppelPie]

I feel like I’m an expert at buying train and subway tickets, and recharging my IC card I don’t even have.

[@Paperfragment]

This is the most detailed explanation of Japan's public transit I have seen thus far on KZbin. Thank you so much! This makes me feel a lot less nervous about getting around when I visit Japan for first time in April. I'm now actually excited to take the train, it looks so much better than the transit here in Chicago.

[@etherdog]

Thanks for your live streams, John. They are helpful and informative and the time flies by.

[@mohamedhabib8460]

Very friendly tone, nice presentation, Man.... I loved it till the last second...Every second was useful.....When you said "It took nearly a YEAR to understand everything about this Subway System" I can imagine how extensive is Tokyo with so many Lines etc.... Job well done, Man..... Love you!

[@jg2923]

Found it really useful to see what the ticket machines look like, the value cards, the cool number of people button, and how you explained the subway map fares and where to look for which car is most convenient. Thank you so much!

[@MrDry2009]

you did such a great job explaining this all. thank you, i found this more helpful than any other video i watched about this.

[@japankofun]

Thanks John, that was very useful as I've always been lost and confused as a tourist there, especially with switching between the various lines & stops (much to the amusement of my Japanese wife who thinks the Tokyo train/subway systems are easy to navigate). Although admittedly I think it will still take me a few months if not longer to get comfortable with it all once I move there as a resident.

[@ashutosh821991]

love ur demonstrations......complete all trains and metro then buses .......its really helpful...thnx

[@Nesterou]

Very useful, especially the part from 19:30. I will use this part of your video to explain to my students how metro works in Japan ! Thanks a lot.

[@andrewgamez7973]

Awesome video john. Always great videos. I'm in akihabara right now enjoying vacation. Love the country.

[@Chumburro]

I love this channel. Thank you John!

[@KevinWhalen]

Please keep these guide coming super helpful. If it wasn't for my wife I'd be lost.

[@michaelsanchez9983]

The last machine you showed is very useful..thank you:)

[@projecteljo]

Thank you for this John! I'll sure save a lot of cash in my return to Tokyo.

[@jshilohshea381]

ok at the first map I was confused !! good thing those vending machines has multiple languages...the States are s l o w l y catching up...I do enjoy your videos keep them coming !!

[@jimmyf.x.9526]

Thanks! The last tip for bathroom is so so valuable!

[@RachelMathewordella]

This is so useful! Thank you!

[@xenaye]

easy to understand explanation, thank you so much it was very helpful

[@Fairytalesandflorida]

Thank you so much. Very helpful for our trip coming up this month.

[@Stache987]

John; this video was found on a search tangent looking for subway fare machines, it caused me many hours in many months viewing Japan's culture and scenery, many of which were videos you had produced, I thank you for great entertainment, I wish I could find travel affordable, but budget and CV-19 have restricted that.

[@scorpioncoreuniverse8981]

I was wondering about that thank you for showing us I really do appreciate your good person for doing this.

[@thelovelyoneroadto902]

Thank you sir for ur lovely information im a new here in japan 🇯🇵😍

[@davidfaith8956]

Pretty informative video, thanks for making it.

[@suzzsuzz2878]

Quite impresive and informative. I am gona get a metro 24 hiur pass, it would be a great deal because I love to get down at each station 😝 Zurich had the same 24 hours pass and I did use it very extensively. I will be visiting for the first time to Tokyo Japan, I hope, I wont get lost.

[@sidpernicious30]

This has been like the Contra code for the subway. Thanks!

[@petrastier4278]

Thank you so much, it is sooooo helpful!!!!!

[@GeckoOnTheWall]

Lovely clear explanation John, I understand that better than the London Underground 😂

[@astroboy3507]

Great detail John!!!!

[@cv5420]

Another great video John! Informative and cut-n-dry tutorial on Tokyo subway system. Yes I have also kept my Suica card even though I don’t live there. I do go to Japan twice a year. Will there be a group meet-up for Halloween in Tokyo?

[@BloodtronsTopics]

Just watching this make me feel homesick for Japan. I really need to book my vacation again.

[@saki8276]

I saw your video at the Kansai airport now!!すごい！

[@Hello_katsu]

Very helpful!

[@danmer81]

Hi John. You should do a live stream about the fare adjustments machines for all the trains

[@rezarastad6483]

Hello from Stockholm. Very useful info. BIG IN JAPAN

[@annesels2028]

Hi John...excellent information - these sorts of videos made my recent trip to Japan go over so smoothly, so thanks again for the info and confidence - I plan to return again next year. One question...is there maybe a good transport app for Tokyo - I can look this up myself but maybe you know of one that people like? I use the transportation office metro/bus apps for London and Paris when there because if I have the time I prefer taking buses over subway as you get to see more, it's not always the fastest way to get around though.

[@travelrock7001]

I just came back from Tokyo and I bought a suica card. It was so convenient.

[@FlankerX]

What a ticket number, just 1 more to No.4444! Just got the Kitaca card because of the flying squirrel too!

[@denton1814]

Thanks awesome tutorial

[@GamePlayer-hx3wb]

On 12.10 I am in Tokyo for the first time. Then I see live the mega city. A dream👍🏼✌🏼🇯🇵

[@lalilulelo]

I have been to Tokyo last year for 8 days. Most of the time I took the JR Yamanote line. I was able to figure it out on day 3 of my trip.

[@batshats8243]

this was great thanks. I'm coming over this summer. Yaaaaszz. I do have a question tho. is there a card that's more than a day, let's say a week or so, and can use both lines ?

[@Zante_on_google]

Having lived in London for several years this is so familiar, with the oyster cards they have there.

[@kungpowgeek]

Great information!

[@richardyu5460]

I need more videos like this

[@jbup98]

This video is knowledgeable, thanks! Would you be able to show how to use one of those ramen ticket machine? They are all in Japanese characters and I think you have to use it fast every time...

[@drarifhidayat5153]

Terimakasih... sangat membantu.

[@wiliantosoedjarwo7103]

John, Please do an episode on travelling to/fro Narita from the city centre (including earliest&latest train times) as I believe it can be pretty challenging to plan for most people.

[@danielkeenan2508]

I got the suica card and used it in Tokyo and Osaka. Catching the subway lines is pretty easy. I also used my suica card in Matsuya to buy gyumeshi for breakfast a couple of times. Very tasty. It's only been a few days since I left Japan I miss it already. T_T I still have money on my suica card. I guess I will have to go back soon.

[@EE-ie9gm]

Is it better to pay for a 72 hour subway pass or get a suica card while in Tokyo?

[@ederrm7999]

Great guide

[@Zattk94]

I remember when I was there 3 years ago, on some of the ticket machines to charge my card, if I hit the English button, the machine would blast "MENU NOW DISPLAYED IN ENGLISH" really loud almost to like shame you haha.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Zach I know! It’s so loud - kind of makes everyone around you stop an stare at the foreigner 😂 I KNOW IT’S IN ENGLISH because I can read it. But it now makes me laugh :)

[@GamePlayer-hx3wb]

Heyyyyy good information. There is still the possibility for tourists a Metro Pass for 24,48 or 72h (Day Ticket) to buy. But that is only for the subway network (Toei and Metro)

[@tadie1235]

Excellent info

[@JesseEtzler0]

Is there a way to buy week / month passes for the Tokyo metro? Or can you only buy a new ticket each day for the pass? Looking for the cheapest option for traveling around the Tokyo Metro area

[@AnupongT]

thanks for the video. just wondering if you have any video showing how to buy Limited Express ticket from a vending machine? (in case that you have a train pass that does' t cover limited express but you have to ride the ltd. exp

[@Wedrowanie]

Thank you for a great video. So when I will be in Tokyo for 3 days and buy/load SUICA card, I can use it for any transportation (JR line, Metro, Subway, busses) no matter the company? Also, are 1, 2, or 3 day passes company specific? Thank you kindly!

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

Choosing between PASMO (non-JR East) and Suica (JR East) really just depends on which lines are you using. For most short time visitors, it doesn't matter either way. For longer visitors like over a Month of stay, getting a Monthly Commuter Pass is an option; but you can't get a JR Monthly Commuter Pass with PASMO and you can't get a Tokyo Metro Monthly Commuter Pass with a Suica.

[@danitraveltv8871]

In Osaka i have buy a Icoca ic card and it was very awesome for using it. I would like suggest for using google maps for trains and metro because google maps show you the start station name, on which train, time when it depart, how many stops will be, the final station name and how much it will cost you. I had also buy a sim card for mobile data. It cost me about 3000 yen for 3GB and can be used for 30 days. You can show in a live stream how to use google maps in Tokyo.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Dani Travel TV good idea!

[@don.elias.]

Im heading to tokyo in a few weeks, just to be safe and travel around fun ill get the tokyo combination ticket😀

[@Cham-pp3oc]

good job bro thanks

[@GeographySingapore]

Oh my, spotted a Singapore MRT ticket at 12:20 mark!

[@chocopancake4895]

just buy a ezlink card

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

A PASMO bought in Tokyo can be used in Osaka without any change. But you might need to recharge it at Sapporo if if you want to use it there. Also some places shun the use of IC Cards even if they're officially supposed to support it. In places like Echigo Yuzawa, you can see separate chargers for IC Cards, and the Ticket Gate Machines for IC Cards are available only for the Shinkansen lines.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Smartfren Andromax All ic cards can be charged anywhere in Japan except one, the KUMAMON IC CARD which is only Kumamoto :( I learned the hard way.

[@buddaah8322]

Very useful Information John, I prefer the suica Card instead of the day Passes. It’s a Little more expensive But much more convinient. Thumps up👍🏻

[@onlyinjapanGO]

budd Aah you can put the pass ON your Suica card. I’ll introduce this next time :) I haven’t actually done it yet.

[@wxlurker]

ONLY in JAPAN * GO please do! I get intimidated by passes so I only used suica or pasmo cards.

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

budd Aah | Day Passes can be quite beneficial, if you use then properly. Even the Locals sometimes used Day Passes instead of Monthly Commuter Passes. The reason? A Monthly Commuter Pass usually only allowed a Linear Area of Service, while a Day Pass allowed a 2D Area of Service.

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

ONLY in JAPAN * GO | The Machine you showed show the Option to Tag the Day Pass into the PASMO Card. But, I think the Poster is talking about on how using IC Cards for regular travels is less expensive than using Day Passes.

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

wx | Like it was once said before, use a Day Pass if you're travelling 3~4 times using the Same Network(s) in the Day Pass Area.

[@zam023]

It took you 1 year to figure out Tokyo's metro line? O_o It took me 1 day. It is pretty straightforward. The color coded lines make it really simple. 15:37 - OMG that function is so useful!!! Why our machines here don't have it? Japanese train ticket machines are so much more useful. FYI, IC cards have a lifespan of 10 years. That means you can use that card for 10 years. So if you bought one you can keep it and use it again when you come back (if it is within 10 years)

[@lainiesmajovits3754]

Hi John we are taking a cruise from the Yokohama port. Will we be able to return our Suica card there before boarding the ship?

[@bozothenut4750]

Have you ever been to Toho Studios? We would love to see an episode for the main channel and learn the history of Godzilla.

[@jshilohshea381]

Bozo The Nut awesome idea !! I'll even wear my Zilly ( Godzilla) shirt for the occasion !!

[@Cahyo7next]

Hello John, next week i will going to Japan, and already bought JR pass, can JR Pass be used with other Line? or i must buy the ticket according to the line provide? or there have a All in One Card that can be used in all line and bus? Thanks alot John..

[@dwitigna]

Hi john, great video. Can you top up the Pasmo with whatever value you want (like 500 yen)? Or has to be in increments of 1000? Thx

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Diaz Witigna almost always increments of ¥1000. If you don’t have enough money and cent get out of a station with your IC card, there are fare adjustments you can pay for an exact amount. ¥500 - just get a ticket instead :) but some machines allow it.

[@lojosol]

I prefer the JR Lines because they are above ground so I can see things as I travel on the train vs being underground and not seeing much

[@mauisazonkingston3050]

Please also feature japan airport... I want to travel in japan as soon as the pandemic gone...

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

Travelling around the Tokyo Metropolitan Area using an IC Card gives you a few Yen discount for each trip. I don't know if they also gave discounts toward non PASMO and Suica users though. One thing for sure, JR West at Osaka don't give discount to PASMO users. While you have to actually 'reboot' your PASMO if you want to use it at Hokkaido, aka you need to charge it there first before you can use it.

[@dimitrisambient6237]

Nice video Is there a card for 24 h for all the metro lines???

[@lalilulelo]

1 of the many reasons why I love Japan is the fact that it is still a cash based society. I prefer paying in cash over credit card unless the amount is huge.

[@Zoe-zj6jq]

John-san do you have the option to also make metro train or subway cards with a picture on it or only your name and phone number. Thank you and love your channel

[@alexcarrillo4143]

John when you say 24 hour usage, does that mean the subway is 24 hour running, I'm planning to arrive in Tokyo for New Year's celebration as we will be near Tokyo Tower then back to Ikebukuro station.

[@mics1377]

Hey John, I think you should show how to get limited express tickets next. I encountered a problem with getting tickets to Narita Express because its not clear you have to buy an additional limited express fare as well

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Mics Villarica good idea! Special tickets are confusing.

[@RotemChan]

I hope you will see my question... In 22:52 you showed the 'metro' symbol and the symbol appeared throughout the whole Yurakucho line... How do I know the ticket price for all these stations?

[@franziskaklaiber5768]

Ah great.i kind of always wondered how you will buy tix if you switch between companies. Weather you get out, buy another or weather you can do it all at the start. Cool..

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

It's better to have Two or more IC Cards with a suefficiently amount of money than a Single IC Card with a LOT of money. Nice to have a back-up incase one got lost. Also they made such nice souvenirs.

[@xiongba]

Possible to one day show how to buy Wrestle Kingdom tickets using those loppi ticketing machines or something like that?

[@erickmiclat]

I could’ve saved alot of money if I’ve had watched this before my travel last year :( Perhaps I enjoyed paying with my phone (suica-apple pay) so much, cost didn’t bother me then, just accepted the fact that it’s expensive in tokyo >.

[@hotsuju18]

I have a plan to Japan especially to Osaka and Fuji, which card i need to buy? And i want to ask which route/train the cheapest if i just landed from Kansai to their city. This is so confusing bcoz i only travel to Korea (sometimes i lost train in there LOL) and im from Indonesia.

[@callthis1sickness]

i have heard of different ways of getting from ICU to tokyo city center and it confuses me. maybe you could do a how to for all the students that study abroad at ICU cause im curious

[@mrsnwt]

Sorry i might of missed it but the pasmo card works for both subway lines in tokyo

[@ronaldperez9606]

Get the 3 day pass Metro in Tokyo. You can use it for Toei and Metro lines. If you are arriving to Narita, get it in Keisei booth with the Ticket for Skyliner and you will get a discount. You can get to Ueno Station in 25 minutes and then take the Metro to whatever town in Tokyo with your pass. Enjoy Tokyo, so much to see, so little time.

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

Tokyo Metro's Shibuya Station's Elevator is at the Shibuya 109 shopping mall. A notice from me who forgot about it when I visited there. Damn it, from Mount Fuji, I wasn't allowed by God to visit Odaiba Joypolis for the Second Time at that day. I wasn't able to split my group into two because I couldn't find that Tokyo Metro's Shibuya Station's Elevator: one going home using the Tokyo Metro Line, the other gone to JoyPolis using the Rinkai/Saikyo Line. Note for all: Japanese places actually seemed to have psychic jammers that intentionally confused your minds, forcing many people into conformity, routine, and guidance in the hope of not getting lost.

[@ccd1815]

If traveling in a group with kids, which is more cheaper, using suica/pasmo cards or buying the ticket passes?

[@suzzsuzz2878]

Also can you guide me if Tokyo has any beaches where I can swim?

[@abideee]

I plan to utilise the Tokyo metro pass but my hostel is outside of it's serviced areas which means I can get an IC card for it? Does that also mean I have to tap out using the IC card before re-entering with the Tokyo metro pass?

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yes, it’s an inconvenience but you save on the cheaper hotel, right? You kind of have to be FAR out to be outside the limits of the pass, you save more money on accommodations outside the city which means it costs more to travel in. Give and take. I moved downtown because I save $200 a month riding my bicycle or walking instead of trains like before but rent is high so it balances it. For me, it’s about saving a lot of time on long commutes.

[@bomrapaz07]

there are info booths where someone explains or you can buy the tickets? you could show in another video

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

A Pass is good. But remember, any travel BEYOND the designated area even if it's just ONE station, will cost you extra. In short, either it's a Daily Pass or a Monthly Pass or other Limited Time Pass, if you have plans to travel at a wide area, even if your regular travel area is much smaller; buy a Pass according to that wide area.

[@datagrowth]

Can you return an Osaka IC card in Tokyo and get your deposit & extra credit refunded? Or do you need to return the card in the same region that it was purchased?

[@suzzsuzz2878]

I want to ask you one thing? If I purchase a suica card from my credit card then can I able to purchase metro 24 hour pass from suica card? Or do I have to purchase it with credit or cash directly?

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yes you can do that! I’ve done it before. The paper ticket comes out so remember not to use your Suica for the pass for 24 hours or until the next day for TOEI.

[@AlohaGurl]

Hi John, can you keep adding cash to your card or should you get a new one once all monies have been used? Aloha🌺

[@onlyinjapanGO]

cuddle0000 you can recharge the card FOREVER :) I also add ¥5000 once a week or so.

[@Ralesk]

Yay MRT ticket :D

[@darleneguingona7884]

Im planning to buy the 72 hours unlimited tokyo metro and toei pass. What will happen if I enter a tokyo metro station using this pass and would like to exit at a JR station? Should I pay additional money? And do you have any recommended routes or places to visit if I have this 72hr pass?

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

A regular JR East Tokyo One Day Pass will not get you to Maihama Station (aka Disneyland / Tokyo Disney Resort). Please remember that. However a wider area pass such as the Tokyo Wide Pass will get you to places such as Maihama, Odaiba, Fuji, and even Gala Yuzawa. It cost 10000 Yen for an Adult though.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Smartfren Andromax good advice!! I didn’t know that. Technically, Maihama is Chiba (not Tokyo). Thanks for this note!

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Smartfren Andromax ticket from Shin-Kiba (METRO subway: Yurakucho Line) to JR Maihama is about ¥200 ($1.80) so ... it’s not really necessary to buy a special ticket.

[@CB-mw5cz]

Something for your visitors to know. Remember your pin by heart. Some old ATMs ( especially Japan Post)do not have 10-key lay out. If you only know your pin by touch... You're gonna hate life.

[@blueagle05]

if i buy the Y900 toei and metro 24 hour pass, can i use it on the yamanote line?

[@smartfrenandromax6651]

There's no discount saving of using a Child IC Card over using a Child One Way Ticket, due the current fare system. But a Child Card attached to something bigger is HARDER to lost than a small ordinary traditional Edmondson style ticket. Kids fare much better using an IC Card than a Magnetic Card. They like seeing the Ticket Gate Machine processing the Magnetic Card though, the same goes for me. There's a discount saving though of using a Child Card over using an Adult Card. The Ticket Gate Machine will chirp though everytime it's used, waking up the Station Staff.