How to Ride Subway & Trains in Tokyo - 35 Tips!

35 tips to help you ride the trains, subway, and Shinkansen in Tokyo Japan. I cover everything you need to know to successfully navigate Tokyo's public transportation system including how to buy tickets, how to plan your trip, and how to ride the train itself.
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Click here to watch some of my other videos from Tokyo: • Tokyo DisneySea Travel...
Just some of the tips in the video:
- Rail in Tokyo is run by multiple companies
- No single ticket covers all trains in Tokyo
- Above ground trains and bullet train primarily run by JR
- Subways run by private companies
- Station maps don't show all lines
- Use route planning applications like Hyperdia
- Plan out your trip beforehand
- JR Pass comes in many different varieties
- JR Pass good for long distances but not very good for transport in Tokyo
- JR Pass doesn't work on Subway
- You can use JR Pass to reserve seats on the Bullet train
- Tickets are distance based are price based on distance
- Prices are shown on station map
You might enjoy watching some of these other videos:
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[@YellowProductions]

Want to know whether you should buy a Japan Railways JR Pass? Watch my video all about the JR Pass: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hX_KdY2Vi82KjsU

[@piddlespankreata5485]

Hands down no app beats google maps for navigating and finding your metro in Tokyo. I used it exclusively while there and was amazed at how in sync it was with the metro schedule (to the second), even telling you what platform to go to.

[@riffgroove]

Agreed. Without Google Maps, Google Translate, and a currency translator app, I would have been hopelessly lost in a day.

[@kagonaka]

I am a Tokyo native and think your explanation is very easy to understand and helpful for visitors from overseas. Thank you very much.

[@YellowProductions]

+kagonaka Thanks Kagonaka! I appreciate the kind words!

[@williamjames4031]

Can I visit your house?

[@WyPerformarts]

@@williamjames4031 hahaha

[@WyPerformarts]

so what time does stations and trains and transport start operating? as I would like to wake really early so dont catch up the rush time may be 6am but I dont know what time do they open, thank you!!

[@juliahamilton9500]

WYP MUSIC has

[@Honest300Al]

Just go back from two weeks in Japan. Rode the Shinkasen, the Yamonite line and many others. Thank you for the detailed explanations on how to buy tickets and ride the trains. Also, thank you for your guides to Osaka and Kyoto. It was not as intimidating as I thought it might be. Signs are in English and people are friendly and helpful.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Al!

[@Honest300Al]

Really appreciate your videos on Japan. Leaving for Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto in three weeks. I have traveled a lot in Europe and ridden the rails there but Japan is a whole different animal. This one in particular really explained the basics. Can't wait to try it out. Thanks.

[@spiderliliez]

OMG, I love how you explained the transfer process! I have been asking this for the past months because I'm going to Tokyo alone this Wednesday. THANK YOU SOOOOO MUCH FOR THAT EXPLANATION. ❤

[@YellowProductions]

+SPIDER LILIEZ Thanks Spider! I hope you have a great trip!

[@saki14duh]

How was your trip? I went last March with a group I want to go next year by myself. Im a woman... how safe was it?

[@durgaparsad6445]

When from at there

[@middleofsomewhere444]

This is the best, most thorough explanation! Thank you!

[@willwong1234]

Will be going to Tokyo on a self-help trip next month for the first time (second time actually but the first time was many decades ago with a tour group) so this is my first lesson to prep for my trip to the Land of the Rising Sun :) THANKS for the detailed rundown of repertoire I need!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Will! I hope you enjoy Tokyo!

[@lngillespie]

Great video. Thank you. Very helpful!

[@aninditas3160]

Thank you for the tips. Just wanna let you know that your channel is awesome. Keep it up!

[@moofiekins4307]

Love this Video- thanks for putting this together- so informative and helpful.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Bron!

[@U-Tube-R-Us]

Man thank you so much for the Info that you provide for people.

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Bob!

[@SubjectDelta9]

Great Video. Thank you so very much for being so clear and direct, the best Tokyo trains/subway information I got.

[@chuckleberryquinn]

This video Was incredibly helpful, thank you so very much for making it!

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Ash Catchem!

[@FrenchMonkeyBD]

This was so helpful! I am planning my first trip to Japan. I consider the planning a part of the journey, a part that I thoroughly enjoy. But for subway systems which are my own personal kryptonite, as it were. Not planes, buses nor automobiles. Just subway systems. It stresses me out greatly. This video really set my mind at ease. I can do this!

[@zelleonthego631]

I must say, out of all the videos I've watched on youtube your vid was the most helpful. I've been planning a trip and the transportation was definitely my biggest concern. Thanks for sharing!

[@YellowProductions]

+Zelle OnTheGO Awwww... Thanks Zelle!

[@prateekbasu5937]

Very helpful. The detail is much appreciated! Thanks

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Prateek!

[@jeplanright8388]

Thank you for making this video, very informative and well explained.

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure jeplan! Thanks for the note!

[@davidtanphilosophy]

Thank you so much for going through all these details!

[@yoshico10]

Loved your explanation. You made it seem a little less confusing. Thank you very much 😃

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Catharina!

[@pauldennett1341]

That was so, so helpful. Thank you!

[@claytonb]

Wow!! Such an awesome video. Thank you so much. You have a great easy to follow style. I am only two weeks away from my first visit to Japan. Subscribed.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Clayton! I hope you have a great trip to Japan!

[@yenlin9]

Wow.. Great sharing on the rail pass. I had quite hard time trying to understand but after watching t Your video definitely help me a lot.

[@TyHardNeNe]

Thanks so much! I just booked a trip to Tokyo so I’m excited and this video and many others is very helpful

[@ireneesperante8137]

Excellent video!! Thanks for all the advice.

[@mr1dreamy]

Great tips, thank you. Can’t wait to start my trip in Tokyo!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks! Enjoy your trip!

[@recon441]

Very thorough, thank you!

[@rays14ful]

This was the best explanation I have seen. Thank you.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks MB!

[@KM-nr2ib]

The best and most useful video we’ve seen. Thank you!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks KM!

[@jenwang7187]

You make a very clear explanation and great demonstration. I wish i had found your video b4 I headed to Tokyo last time. It was like a mazed and I got lost in these underground stations!

[@jergooeyman5517]

Thanks for the helpful tips!

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Jer!

[@drinkydrinky9236]

Extremely helpful, thank you

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Drinky!

[@angbondat5007]

Very informative, thank you 😊

[@nitaa6748]

Very helpful, thank you for the tips...

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure! Thanks Nita!

[@arivanilla]

So many railway companies and metro companies and so many passes...I always got anxiety when I'm searching for transport info this video is really a savior thanks!!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Lola!

[@edhern5828]

You are the man! Very well done and thank you for the valuable video.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Ed!

[@luciegagnon1238]

Very good video. I am still nervous about my upcoming first trip to Japan, but your video helped alleviate some stress!!!

[@robrob2442]

A very informative video. Thank you. Just what I was looking for.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Rob!

[@spjew]

Great video, very informative. Great job!!!!!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Yohanan!

[@LR_memories]

The Japan subway system seems so intimidating compared to when I used the subway system in Korea. Got to keep looking up videos to make sure I'm ready. Thank you for the helpful information 🤗

[@YellowProductions]

Now that you've seen this video I'm sure you'll be ready! :)

[@KKaitoJeanne]

Thank you for the video! i will be in tokyo from march to may and have to transfer in shinjuku everyday to get to university. your video helped alot and answered many questions!

[@YellowProductions]

+KKaitoJeanne Awesome. Thanks!

[@awakening80]

Great stuff! Thanks.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Peter

[@ukgladiatorsfan]

I have my first trip to Tokyo coming up in April so this video and a lot of your other ones have been very helpful! Have subscribed x

[@YellowProductions]

+Cliffy D Awesome! Thanks Cliffy! I hope you have a great time in Tokyo!

[@ZachEsparza1]

Same here! Leaving the 30th of April. I have an itinerary set up. Only thing I'm concerned about is using the trains. Good Luck on your trip.

[@XBloodfighterX]

ill be there as well for two weeks at the end of april, this helped me alot!

[@mohm2024]

Awesome!! I am going on a holiday in Tokyo next month. This was the information that I needed.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Rob! I hope you have a great trip to Tokyo!

[@ponyboy9958]

Great video and advice

[@TheOriginalMarimoChan]

Extremely helpful video since we will be going to Japan in three weeks and your video answered EXACTLY all the questions that I had about JR, Suica etc. I also didn't know you could just show your pass to a human with the JR pass. I would have looked pretty stupid trying to shove the pass into the turnstile!!

[@G1NZOU]

This is a really informative video, and also gives me a newfound appreciation for how simple the London Underground fare system is.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Harry!

[@patrickquinn5596]

Very useful. Thanks for making this

[@YellowProductions]

+Patrick & Sebastian Thanks Patrick!

[@n20games52]

Thanks for a great video and resource! I'm going to Japan in 2019!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Badado! Enjoy your trip to Tokyo!

[@makibremauntz1281]

Very useful video, thanks a Lot for taking your time doing it :)

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Laura!

[@JoJo-vj4zr]

Hi Chris, thank you so much for this amazing tip ! It makes more sense to ride the subway in Tokyo now, and hopefully it will be lot easier in the future.. 😊

[@YellowProductions]

+Jo Jo Awesome! Glad I could help :)

[@keithwhitlock7021]

Very informative. Thank you.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Keith!

[@ozoz-dh8ts]

Thank you for the video, going to Japan in November ❤

[@ginapino2857]

This is very very helpful and thorough! Thank you!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Gina!

[@kevinwest3821]

Traveled there with my family at the start of the year! And I have to agree the maps can be intimidating at the start, but it starts to grow on you after a couple of train rides. Anyways great video keep it up!

[@YellowProductions]

+Kevin West Thanks Kevin!

[@QWERTYOP80]

It does look intimidating, but I couldn't believe how easy it was in reality! Downloading the English language app for the underground is absolutely essential IMO. Makes everything so simple.

[@YellowProductions]

Good tip on the mobile app!

[@jamescronin4867]

Hey dude what is the name of that app

[@tsskiller08]

The one for the Tokyo Metro is called "tokyosubway" (it's an official app by Tokyo metro). It's pretty good...you can also use Google Maps to plan out trip itineraries too, that's what I did when I went last year.

[@Chickengunny45]

Perfect video to watch before going to tokyo.

[@hacerclic1020]

Very helpful, thanks!

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure!

[@22awesomegamer]

Such a great video! Thank you!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Joseph!

[@rickyvillegas3456]

Can't wait I be there in October

[@bettyliu97]

this was very comprehensive and easy to understand. the etiquette part is very good to share!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Betty!

[@ahagen852]

This is an extremely well done. Thank you!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Andrew!

[@steverayner500]

Very informative thank you.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Steve!

[@sharondaprewitt6241]

Thank you..this was very helpful...I'm going to Tokyo this year by myself & I'm a little nervous but this video helped a lot😊

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Sharonda! Enjoy Tokyo!

[@3DJapan]

Another tip for riding. As a tourist you're likely to have a backpack. If you take it off and hold it by your feet while riding it will take up less room and your less likely to hit someone with it. Also with the IC cards don't forget they cost 500 yen but when you leave you can give the card back and get that 500 yen back.

[@YellowProductions]

+Phil Nolan Great tip on the backpack and getting your money back.. thanks!

[@redfish337]

If you're a backpacker, it can't be helped really... but I do definitely recommend a messenger bag rather than backpack. Besides it being what the people there actually use, it's a lot more maneuverable- you can quickly pull it from behind you to in front of you. And people are generally using their bags, purses and briefcases as personal space buffers anyway. Backpacks take too much space though, and if on both shoulders, won't easily yield when you come into contact with someone, giving you that leverage that risks whacking someone quite hard. If you twist into someone with a messenger bag, the bag just moves.

[@YellowProductions]

+redfish337 That's a great tip too!

[@mr1dreamy]

Phil Nolan would say IC card is better than Suica card?

[@kamyaputraiswarapranidhana6568]

Suica Card is an IC card. Suica is the company or brand. IC is a type of card. IC Card in japan consist of Suica, Pasmo, Icaco, etc. All work the same so it doesnt matter which one u get.

[@faridaseyam9817]

fantastic explanation. thankk you so much

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Farida!

[@gaywatton1753]

Very good guide thank you so much. Will check out others.

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Gay!

[@quynhn.7320]

Well detailed!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Qunyh!

[@paolotorres4581]

Just love your videos men ..this will help me on my upcoming trip

[@YellowProductions]

Awesome Paolo!

[@user-cx2xt9fj2s]

great video super informative

[@YellowProductions]

Glad it was helpful!

[@JulesRocks]

amazing video, thanks so much!!!!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Jules!

[@culaij1854]

wow, this is really helpful. Thanks a bunch!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Culaij!

[@apple_cider1207]

very exciting stuff

[@1chocochip3]

Truly helpful..thank you ☺️

[@YellowProductions]

+1chocochip3 Thanks! My pleasure!

[@marcofigueroa7131]

Great video, nice info, going to Japan on February 2019

[@Sammeeee]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@elelyon555]

Great video!! Thank you!

[@YellowProductions]

+jnlvsk Thanks!

[@iamprettysugar]

very well explained luv it

[@YellowProductions]

+cherry sato Thanks Cherry!

[@a.m.6973]

Thank you so much I did a lot of research for this but I was still confused before I saw your video!

[@YellowProductions]

Hopefully my video helped! :)

[@AnonyMUM81]

Going to Tokyo next week. Thank you for this! 💜

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure nochaser!

[@JohnRendNYC]

Me: I go through New York Penn Station every day, I think I can handle Tokyo, no problem *arrives at Tokyo* Me: I NEED AN ADULT!!!

[@qjtvaddict]

NYC rail/metro network looks like Boy Scouts compared to Tokyo

[@thesilentkitten]

Lol I'm from NY and going to Tokyo in two days. Good to know that our mta ain't shit lol

[@Peizxcv]

No kidding. From New York as well and almost get on the wrong train so many times in Japan. The station and network is just much bigger in Japan

[@thesilentkitten]

So I went and I'm back and it was absolutely easy!

[@annisaprawirakusuma754]

HAHA so true!

[@mallymoo915]

So very helpful

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Mally!

[@oldschoolvinylrips5644]

thank you!!!! be visiting Japan next month this is a big help!

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Olet!

[@griffin2263]

Wish we had seen this video before we went you explain things so well!!

[@YellowProductions]

+theuniplex Thanks theuniplex!

[@sallyhun3024]

Very informative

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Sally!

[@melissacheryl2310]

thank you! very good video. lucky that I am already used to Berlin S- and Sub- rails, The Tokyo rail map doesn't scare me too much anymore hahaha

[@danielj644]

pretty handy stuff to know, I've got a trip coming up in about two months and I feel more at ease about getting through train stations after watching this.

[@YellowProductions]

Enjoy Tokyo Daniel!

[@amyoneill6634]

Great advice! Thank you :)

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Amy!

[@filamphibian2980]

Great training aid for my upcoming trip!

[@YellowProductions]

+Aaron L. Thanks Aaron!

[@henander7664]

Thank you, good video!

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Hen!

[@victorhugo-id2np]

cool and clear.tks.

[@TheNintendoWizrad]

This was very helpful. Grabbing a Suica card asap. Its essentially the Presto card that i use on the subways in Toronto. Thank you sir!

[@febreedee4338]

hi, this is very helpfull..thanks a lot👍

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks febree!

[@dumper2dust]

thank you so much, we are visiting japan for the first time and we're very nervous for riding public transportations in japan and you're very helpful! thank you so much!

[@YellowProductions]

No worries!

[@TheTravelingBreeze]

Great video it's amazing how easy they are to travel around the city

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Traveling Breeze! Tokyo is an amazing city to travel around!

[@mechevial6946]

Very helpful, thank you very much

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks Meche!

[@dos-punks]

Ah this was so useful! I had no idea how complicated it was until now lol

[@goodoc8]

Very helpful - thankyou

[@YellowProductions]

Thanks James!

[@YellowProductions]

Got a tip about riding the trains and subway in Tokyo that I missed? Leave a comment and let your fellow travelers know!

[@opihismommy]

Thank you!!

[@YellowProductions]

My pleasure Ellen!