The GENIUS Ideas Behind Tokyo's Train System | Subway Interlining & the Yamanote Line

[@R4baDader]

a brain melting level of connections and systems. And I thought that the New York subway was hard to learn lmao

[@Thom-TRA]

Correction: The map of London at 2:45 is not entirely accurate. There are no trains from Waterloo East to Waterloo. Apologies.

[@Thom-TRA]

@@qjtvaddict occasionally on a few segments. Not all across the board.

[@dennisforner6090]

As always Thom, another comprehensive overview of a major transit system, this time on one of the largest - Tokyo. I suppose the local commuters quickly learn the best means to travel on the various networks but for an 'out of towner' not speaking the language it could be quite daunting. I have never seen a more detailed train network map for a city - just goes to show how large the city is. My son went there a few years ago with a mate - they both loved Japan & especially Tokyo - the bright lights, the street vending machines (you can buy beer or even coffee in a can) the crowded streets, the vibe - a very unique experience. They found the train system a great way to get about but soon learned the difference between express & all station trains & the need to study the network map carefully & also to avoid 'rush hour". He especially enjoyed catching the SkinKansen Train from Tokyo to Kyoto. So much so that he bought me a model of the train (I hope to be able to catch it soon). He stated what a contrast between the 2 cities - ultra-modern Tokyo & the past preserved in Kyoto. It was the first time he had traveled at over 250 km on a train. Thank you for sharing your knowledge of the Tokyo Train System.

[@OgaugeTrainsplusslotCars]

Thanks for showing the different Train lines in Japan.Cheers from overseas THE UNITED STATES 🇺🇸 👍♐

[@Thom-TRA]

Thanks! Check out my channel, I primarily do trip reports on US railways these days!

[@bart5568]

Great content! Looking forward to the Tokyu Sotetsu through service this March.

[@Thom-TRA]

I am so excited about that

[@Atm-nv9lz]

Amazing video! My recent train obsession has been with Japan, specifically Tokyo and its through running services. This video does such a great job of explaining the complex network which took me a long time to fully understand on my own through lots of Wikipedia and google maps browsing!

[@Thom-TRA]

Glad it was helpful and understandable!

[@alexanderforrest3209]

Excellent review! I used to live on the Odakyu Line, to which I owe my current love of transit

[@Thom-TRA]

Cool! Mine started on the Seibu Line haha

[@alexanderforrest3209]

@@Thom-TRA excellent! i kinda guessed from your narration, used to visit family friends on the seibu ikebukuro line, near nerima & sakuradai

[@Thom-TRA]

@@alexanderforrest3209 nerima was my transfer station. Up 6 flights of stairs in the morning, down 6 flights in the afternoon.

[@enriquedominguez3963]

Love your videos, very informative. I visited Japan recently and I was impressed with the transit system. Clean, punctual, reliable, modern and safe. Make more videos. Peace.

[@winkiipinkii]

On many occasions, I've used the Keisei/Asakusa Line/Keikyu through running to get from Narita Airport to my family who lives on the Keikyu line. Although not as fast as taking the N'EX to Shinagawa and changing there, it definitely is less of a hassle, especially when you've just come off of a 12 hour flight with 2+ suitcases.

[@HaapsaluYT]

Great video! Love the Tokyo Rail system

[@Thom-TRA]

Me too, I miss it a lot

[@aproy5256]

Awesome, awesome explanation! Every explanation is new and accurate. I’m from Tokyo, as a railway fan. It’s first time people from other country knows about Tozai line is bypass of Chuo and Sobu line.

[@Thom-TRA]

I lived in Tokyo for 10 years

[@ciello___8307]

it may seem confusing, but actually riding it, you only need to worry about the destination rather than the specific line. makes for more frequent service

[@brayand8022]

oh btw, there is one, yes *one* Toei Shinjuku line train that ran to Hachioji station, and some not just one, run to Tama Animal Park.

[@parkkeven2979]

The Chongqing Metro also have through sevices(current the 4, 5 and the loop line).

[@Thom-TRA]

Really? That’s cool. What lines do they have through services with?

[@neubro1448]

More confusing needing to buy a transfer ticket and knowing how much fare you have to pay. Also via point transfer when having to exit a train to another operator's station and train only separated by a gate such as Shinagawa transferring from Keikyu to JR. Prepaid cards are a game changer not worrying about tickets anymore. Toei Mita and Metro Namboku are interesting. Two different subway operators integrated at the southern end.

[@rvfabrice]

Something i've always wondered aren't there scheduling conflicts and how do they manage delays when mainline trains share tracks with metros?

[@HaapsaluYT]

From what I’ve seen in Japan, trains delays are few and far in between. I once boarded a train that arrived 15 minutes late to my station (very uncommon). The train driver did everything in his power to make up the lost time by going faster between stations wherever possible. A few key parts of the Tokyo system that make it work are the frequent service and many ways to pass trains. Most stations in Tokyo have passing loops, which allow late trains to pass other trains and get back on track with their regular schedule. Also, even if services on subways are delayed, chances are you’ve got another train coming soon anyway

[@tommy806]

If a significant delay occurs, direct service may be canceled and the route may be turned around. One of the disadvantages is that large delays that occur on terminal routes can spread to unrelated routes.

[@agustingonzaloalzogaray79]

Ahh, they're years ahead of us 😂.

[@MarijnRoorda]

I'm dutch, i have no choice but to use a train to travel, for i despise cars, and bicycles only get you so far before the battery or the owner dies. So thanks for showing me i should stay very far away from Japan. I can get seriously confused in The Netherlands and its maze of railway connections. Clearly, you have to be a train geek to drive the Japanese variant.

[@Thom-TRA]

I hope you’re kidding, my intentions weren’t to scare people away from the amazing Tokyo train system. It really is super convenient. I was hoping to encourage people to ride the trains in Japan. In my opinion, despite the large number of lines, the wayfinding and signage, as well as color coding, makes it easier to navigate than the Netherlands. I have a Tokyo railway system explained video, perhaps it would be worth checking that out!

[@MarijnRoorda]

@@Thom-TRA Yeah sorry, i would love to go to Japan, but there are a few minor bumps. Like it costs a literal ton of money to fly there, and i don't like flying either. Add in that i'm gonna be looked at like a Gajin, with my blond hair and 7 feet somethin height, and then there are the costs of living that are extraordinarily high compared to the cost of living here, and then comes the public transport that is just madness. I think i'll stick to trains in the Netherlands. But thanks for sharing your thoughts on the Tokyo railway system.

[@ciello___8307]

its honestly not that hard. Google maps will tell you what trains to ride to your destination. its very easy and convenient in practice.

[@RyeT5]

In my opnion i dont think yamanote line requires a thru service because we have another line the chuo local line and rapid line for esay transfers its mostly at kanda

[@Thom-TRA]

A yamanote through service wouldn’t even work because it’s a loop

[@RyeT5]

@@Thom-TRA just wanted to clarify that for other people that think about it but anyways. Fun fact: some tokyo metro subway cars go to deintoshi line depot for maintenence and the tracks from the hibiya line to toyoko line in naka meguro its goes via the oimachi line and then switches to the deintoshi line at futago tamagawa and then goes to depot crazy right?

[@Thom-TRA]

@@RyeT5 yeah it’s crazy, the Saginuma depot is for the hanzomon and hibiya lines. I’m excited for the new Soteteu-Tokyu link line.

[@RyeT5]

@@Thom-TRA yes indeed anyways you should talk about the jr west and kintetsu connection might be a interesting thing to talk to because both company uses different gauge

[@Thom-TRA]

@@RyeT5 I don’t believe there’s going to be a JR and Kintetsu connection. Are you referring to the Naniwa-suiji line? That’s JR and Nankai.

[@Marie-c9j1p]

how did you make a whole video about japans subways and not include how they stop/start with fuzzy logic

[@Thom-TRA]

Because that’s not relevant to the topic being discussed?