Tokyo Transport System Explained | Maps, Tickets, Passes, IC Cards

Here’s a quick guide to all things transport for Tokyo. Getting around can be confusing but there’s a lot you can do before you come to get ready. If you’ve been here before - you know! Once you learn the transport system, it feels like you know the city.
Tokyo Subway (Metro + TOEI) Map: www.tokyometro...
JR EAST Transportation map:
www.jreast.co....
#tokyosubway #onlyinjapan #japanrailway

[@DDB168]

I used the Greater Tokyo Pass recently. You need to purchase a Pasmo Passport card first. Costs 2000Y (you lose 500Y handling fee). That 1500Y balance can then be used to offset the purchase of the 3 day or 5 day pass. The Pasmo Passport is only valid for 30 days (very odd) and you cant get a refund of any balance you leave on it. Not sure if it's a good idea or not. I think I got my moneys worth with it, but barely.

[@uqyuki2407]

Can you use greater Tokyo pass from & to Narita?

[@DDB168]

@@uqyuki2407 Yes, but not on the NEX I dont think. Only the Keisei lines.

[@xyztran]

Just FYI, last week I used the 24-hour pass and took the Asakusa Line from Daimon (A09) and was forced to transfer on to the Keisei Line to Narita Airport Terminal 1. Had to pay extra 900Y.

[@clydekawanishi7998]

The Letter number for station helped me get around Tokyo. That way I didn’t have to remember the station name which starts running together after a long day of sight seeing. I loved IC card on my trip to Japan 2019. Now in fall 2023 I’m going again.

[@MattHayashi]

I always equate the train map like I am looking at the Matrix. Confusing at first but a work of art after you stare at it.

[@malcolmdeare9338]

Great stream John. Thank you! Heading back to Japan in five weeks. Good to have a refresher!

[@illum1nds]

I was recently in Tokyo, which was the first time for me in Japan. And I must say, it was confusing at first but I felt pretty confident after a few days. Not gonna lie, I think google maps helps you a lot, but I really had fun just to explore the city by the metro and yeah, I also often just walked a couple of minutes, since it was faster than going to the next metro station and also you can see places you wouldn't probably see and experience. Btw, Those Alphabets with the Numbers helped me a lot, it was easier for me to remember them and to know where i have to go off the trains.

[@jarihult]

Nice stream and surely good tips for travellers , could be complicated at first to get to hang on that but within in time it’ll be good i guess so😎Thank you for sharing these informational and good advices with us John🙂👍!!!

[@sarahfranks3478]

Very helpful video! We have been in Japan for the past 10 days traversing the metro system throughout Tokyo, Nagoya and Kyoto to get to all of our tourist destinations. Everything is so accessible via the trains and buses. We got the welcome suica card. Google maps has been extremely helpful in taking the right metro lines.

[@michaelsasano8622]

Hi John. So sad that I missed this one. I really appreciate when you talk about the Japan train lines and share travel tips like this. I still have my Suica Card (green one) from 2019. I also have a blue one with a picture of a cute train on it. Hoping both will still be usable when I plan to return at the end of this year. Thank you for this info John.

[@oddlyamusing7974]

This came out at the perfect time, heading to Japan next week and needed to review some details again. Thanks for the tips

[@ferdinand2506]

My first time in Japan April 2024. I found no need for IC card!!! Cash is KING!!! NO CONFUSION.

[@tedlasalvia9668]

This is a very helpful video. I have a number of maps, but that walking map is a lifesaver. In addition, the main line subway map also gives me a visual reference for the details of the main lines. I didn't realize that the Toei line (Red) was circular in nature. Well, armed with these maps and a number of apps, we leave for Tokyo tomorrow morning! We plan to visit a lot of locations in your videos!

[@astroboy3507]

Looks very familiar there John!!! 😎

[@reyrey1a]

I needed this video. First Japan vacation to check it off bucket list. I'm sure this will be the first of many. I was so confused and lost on what to get for transit. Perfect timing. Definitely will help me succeed in my travels. Love your videos! Thanks a bunch from Orlando!

[@whitewave16]

Thank you for this very informative video.

[@jishingaaru]

GoogleMaps saved my life in Tokyo, but I noticed that suggested routes are not always the same. Sometimes the cheapest route is not always populated.

[@xyztran]

Google Maps rocks! Note that the Tokyo Subway 24/48/72-hour tickets don't cover all the lines, e.g. yamanote.

[@hijackjoe]

I really should have watched these videos before I travelled to Tokyo. We can just use credit cards to tap through gates where I live. I found it hard to figure out and just ended up using the bike sharing services, which were great. Maybe next time I'll have it easier!

[@keec7]

I love the Nimoca ferret!

[@Hello_katsu]

There was a lot of great advice 👍

[@alicem6805]

When I went to Japan in 2016, I got a Suica Card and used it quite a lot. When I went back to Japan in 2018, I found out my card was invalid, hence my money in it was gone. I had to go to a station booth where an agent told me the card hasn't been used in 2 years and he had to validate the card for me. After that I could load more money on the card and use it normally. At the airport on my way back home, I tried to use all the money left on the Suica card cuz otherwise I was gonna loose it again.

[@OverSoft]

You can also just get the money off the card at just about any JR station. You can also give the card back and receive the deposit back.

[@Kelvin_Foo]

Fortunately the Suica and Pasmo cards are now valid for 10 years after the last use, so if you plan on travelling to Japan every other year or so, you can keep using the same card. There's a handling fee of about 200JPY IIRC if you want to a refund on the IC card.

[@Aiken47]

Great tip, we have cards from 2017, we will need to do the same

[@keec7]

I bought my Suica in 2009 and used it again in 2015 and 2018 without any need to re-set it. It expired in 2019 and I keep as a souvenir.

[@REVIEWSONTHERUN]

Cool! Thanks for sharing it. ✌️

[@gosikh]

There are used clothing shops, similar to goodwill. I usually can find 3-4 dollar tshirts. You can buy a few pieces of clothes and just before leaving, you can donate it back to the same shop.

[@luissantiago8996]

After using the NY Chicago subways London Tube Paris Metro Japan and Korean trains...the Japanese transit system is pretty easy to use.

[@ausferret]

The 24/48/72 hour passes for the Tokyo Metro lines were available in 2015.

[@Snoopylvr88]

I'm glad i watched this now. I'll be in osaka kyoto in sept ( 10 days)and tokyo (4days), so it sounds like i have to get 2 different cars ( Icoca and Suica)

[@luvpinkhellokitty]

Thank you for doing this

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

It also helps a lot that we have Google maps nowadays lol

[@Boomdizzle99]

Excellent video john! Ill be in Japan in about 12 days! My 2nd time to Japan. Ill be collecting a SUICA card this time. Last time I got a PASMO card and put my name on it. I want to collect all the Physical IC Cards

[@XYoukaiX]

oO I don't think Japanese Train system is complicated at all ... especially compared to my own country it was super easy in Japan to get around ... I sometimes have trouble with busses as they hardly ever have any list of stations they stop at in english, this is especially bad on Okinawa, at least due to the lack of trains I noticed it there a lot (in my country usually at each bus stop it showed every single stop the bus takes) I sometimes got confused on the Yamanote Line as I don't always understand which direction it goes but as it goes in cicles it doesn't matter much except if you have bad luck and take the wrong direction when you only wanted to go like 1-2 stations as this would be like almost an hour longer going the wrong way?!

[@j.decasas]

great video! I’m FINALLY going to Japan in May and watching your videos has been prepping me as I’ve been taking notes. I was wondering if you could do video on the luggage delivery service from hotel to hotel. I plan to visit about 5 different regions and forwarding my luggage would be immensely convenient! thanks for all the videos!

[@matthewdumlao5084]

Those 24 48 72 passes are at least been around for 8 years. For foreign tourists at least.

[@michaelweinstein9957]

I liked the comment on the vending machines. Yes they are on every corner but I'm interested to know where some more interesting or unique ones are.

[@checkoutmyyoutubepage]

3:12 haha, I love how the Japanese does exclusive brandings.

[@edward_ketiak88]

This had happened in 2013 when some IC cards can be used in other areas. Some people don't take out the card from the wallet, resulting commuters forgotten to take it out.

[@Che1seabluesdrogba11]

The Porsche 🔥😍

[@YuujiVermillion61]

It reminds me of grandcentral station in NY

[@jjermia]

I plan to go to Japan soon. Thankful that I found your videos and watched them. Do you have video explaining how to buy ticket from 1 place to another place and transfer trains are needed in between? And also a video about how we do train transfer (getting in and out the gates, need to put the tickets or tap IC card or not during transfer, etc..)?

[@axios101]

Thanks!

[@adibmajid9886]

I don't know but Beijing also has a complicated metro lines but too for a freaking 27 lines. To compare, riding Beijing is much easier than Tokyo because you only need Alipay or Wechat to tap in and out all over the capital (foreigners nowdays can use Alipay link to their bank cards). If only Japan starts digital payment sooner it will become much convenient without needing so much varities of cards/passes 😅

[@clydekawanishi7998]

Use luggage delivery systems. I’m planning to use it on my trip this fall.

[@TrainFreakCow12]

john ,issed youe live video. keep up the good work__Adrian

[@xheyderek3356]

FYI Suica cards expire in 10 years.

[@sumie4787]

Could you provide an update on why your pasmo didn't work please

[@WTN808]

John, Thanks for sharing. Quite a bit of information to digest, however like anything else you need to really have to go thru the process to understand and appreciate how the system works. I used to use this process as a coaching (self help) guide; watch it 3 times, do it 3 times and teach it 3 times that should do it. If not do another set. It's all a learning experience /adventure. By the way, my first annual trip is confirmed for 3rd week in May (10 days). Since I really want to re-acquaint my self to Tokyo (been ~ 20 years) I been mapping out my trek thru Tokyo. As you pointed out walking versus passing thru with on a train the distance and the elapse time is not that much of an inconvenience and you miss out on a lot by riding a train. For example, I plan to start at Shibuya and then walk to and thru Harujuku. It should make for and interesting walk. By the way the link to the PDF's are not showing and would appreciate same. Thanks again! Wayne

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I think this is more encouragement for people - take a step to learn it and you'll be rewarded quickly to learn more with its use. Same with any city. I love the maze, trying to decipher it.

[@wbwright79]

we didn't see any Wireless IC chargers when we were there. and this probably won't work. but i wonder what would happen if you put a small stack of IC cards in the wireless charger. could it charge more than 1? or maybe they thought of that already.

[@feliciasuharja4466]

Can we still have Welcome Suica? My flight is in 5 days! I'm so excited!

[@IkukoKing-le2ix]

I have Paso card from 2018 trip. Can I still use it

[@mtl5827]

Hi, love all your videos! It is so much fun watching it and love your great smile! BTW, we are going to visit Tokyo and Osaka for 8 days from Canada. We only stay 2 days in Osaka, the rest of the days will be in Tokyo. I am a bit confused which pass I should buy. I like to take bullet train to Osaka. Do I need to buy JR rail pass for whole Japan for 7 days? (which is expensive) Or I just buy a JR west or East etc? Dies it include bullet train? Or do I need to buy another extra local pass for Tokyo? It will help so much if you can give me some guidelines!

[@MsDarouny]

If we use the Tokyo Metro Pass, but exit in a different city, can we exit? Or do we need to pay the difference with a physical person. For example: if we use Tokyo Metro Pass from Asakusa to Kamakura. Should we use Suica Tourist cherry Blossom card? From Kamakura, we plan to go to Hakone. Is this when we need to use the suica card? We are planning to purchase the Hakone 2 day pass. Not sure if this would cover the visit to Kotoku-in to Hakone. Any suggestions?

[@bz10000]

What about regional pass ? JR Hokuriku Arch Pass ? Is a price worth it ?

[@Cliffdog01]

If you were going from Akihabara to Tokyo Station, would you rather Walk it or take the Train? In general, I'd rather travel as much as possible above ground than below, so I can take in as much sights as possible.

[@oshi_86]

I’m curious since someone mentioned that the cards may probably expire in 3-5years. That wouldn’t be the same case of you had the suica in your iPhone. I just noticed that option after my Japan trip.

[@onlyinjapanGO]

This is true, it can be recharged remotely outside Japan through the smart phone. I’m sure to do another episode on this. The tech is sure to evolve too as it’s not widely excepted for almost everything. The cards themselves haven’t changed that I know of and have been around for about 20 years.

[@kentokae]

Didn't make the stream, I was on a plane flying to Haneda. Now I'm in Yokosuka, I finally made it to Japan.

[@Drifterrlx]

At 14:55 it says that it is only for pasmo passports IC cards but can someone tell me if i can use the Welcome Suica too for this ticket?

[@ClashingwithTofu]

I’m in the US, and i can add both Pasmo and Suica cards onto my apple wallet…not sure which one is better to use

[@malinnara]

Can you just tap your credit card on public transportation?

[@carlvincent12]

My route will be Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka. Along with the Jrail pass which IC card would you recommend for using within these cities?

[@bk10200]

Japan National Railways was a predecessor of JR (privatized in the late 80's), and it had its own transit police force.

[@leepingyong7895]

can i use iccoca card in osaka

[@nataliepoon3182]

Hi John, so which IC card should we get to be able to use in Tokyo and Osaka please? Thank you

[@merrynpreston9446]

My issue is I’m coming to do karate so I have bring 2 gis hence a large case

[@onlyinjapanGO]

baking in taxi use and special luggage reservation in trains is the norm.

[@Aiken47]

Is 1 medium suitcase and 1 backpack each a lot of luggage John?

[@808ronin1]

What about kids, at what age do we have to pay for our keiki ???

[@korej-dv5fd]

Hi John. I want to know does Japan offer half fare for Senior taking the subway. Also, I want to know could we use Credit Card to recharge my Suica. Should Suica card expire in 10yrs. I got mine back in 2019

[@xic7237]

All good just can be more efficient

[@jsurfin1]

17:23 Which tourist visits Japan and not take public transport just because it is complicated?! You can't walk to all the attractions and taxis are way too expensive!

[@onlyinjapanGO]

I think it’s all economics - of time and money. If you don’t have time, you take a taxi because that is the one thing you cannot buy. Time. Taxi are not so expensive. Remember there is no tipping in Japan. It’s ¥1000 for me to go 8 minutes to Tokyo Station to catch a Shinkansen and with my bags, avoiding the hassle of a crowded bus is worth it and also the feeling of being extremely rude to burden people with excessive bags when the cost of the taxi should be baked into the trip if you have luggage.

[@pinoi78]

How come the JR Rail Pass doesn’t work on Metro? I had to buy a separate PASMO for that.

[@ElwynL]

Tokyo Metro and TOEI subways are not part of the JR network, so JR Pass does not work on them. JR Pass = all JR Group limited express trains, express trains, rapid and local ones. Shinkansen bullet trains are also covered, except of NOZOMI and MIZUHO.

[@parttimeseagull5186]

I'm a 2xl american, what's the size for me in japan

[@Gumlung]

I like the idea of buying cloths locally to save luggage space. However, unless you plan to toss all those new cloths away when you leave Japan, you'll need additional luggage to take them all back with you. So here I am back at square one. Am I missing something here?

[@MrJcTTK]

buying luggage in japan is dirt cheap and most planes let you bring 2 checked in. very easy

[@Gumlung]

@@MrJcTTK Thanks for the suggestion. Currently, I will pack a smaller piece of luggage into a larger one for the trip over to my destination. Then fill the larger one with the purchases/gifts for the return trip. The advantage to your idea would be less/no check-in baggage on the way over and being able to acquire a piece of luggage that would best fit all of my spontaneous purchases. The downside would be all the luggage I'll eventually accumulate. 🤣

[@MrJcTTK]

@@Gumlung u can also do stuff like have a duffle bag for your clothes. Then buy luggage in japan or even a second one. Then, when you are leaving, fold up the duffle bag and shove it in the luggage. I've done that before.

[@Gumlung]

@@MrJcTTK I like that! Haven't lugged a duffle bag in years but I can see the merits in that suggestion. I think I'll try that on the next (shopping) trip. Thanks for the idea.

[@12wonder47]

How do you know which way the subway/train is heading? (I'm only familiar with uptown and downtown in NYC). Do you have to look for the destination kanji somewhere on the car?

[@WANDERER0070]

Theres sign on the platform telin also time when train arives. Dont forget they drive on left. I took wrong train couple times no problem in city just exit next station and go back. For long distance such as shink I asked travelers waitin bc conductors are hard to find sometimes

[@Thebunbuns]

Hello! May i ask if anyone knows if i can use my icoca card in tokyo? Anticipating no suicas for sale…thank you for your reply

[@onlyinjapanGO]

Yes, IC cards are regional but can be charged and used nationwide.

[@Thebunbuns]

Yey! Plane tickets check! Hotel check! Ic cards check…next hunt esim! …and places to go to in december. Thanks John!

[@rashinban5632]

Google is the best . Google helps you save money for transportation also.

[@guilhermemyskaro3740]

no time-stamps ....

[@leepingyong7895]

hi

[@cesarsaul]

I got lost twice

[@anthonyloke2846]

Should've changed the language in thetopup machine to English.

[@Toogoodxoxo]

He looks and sounds like he's cousins with Jeff Goldblum.

[@pres002]

You say they have t-shirts but dude Americans are bigger than the little Japanese people.... I'm 6'2 and wear 2xl shirts the Japanese shirts would never fit me.

[@tamtran467]

Been here in Tokyo now 11 days

[@athinaios1828]

john, is it possible to take a folding bike into the subway or isn't it allowed? thanks!!