Tokyo's Train System, EXPLAINED

🚋UPDATE🚋 Some of you have pointed out in the comments that Suica and Passmo cards are no longer available for purchase due to the global chip shortage. Purchase of registered and unregistered Suica and Passmo cards have been suspended indefinitely or "for the time being", according to JR East. We apologize for the video not reflecting this. This video is part of a larger guide on Tokyo and was produced before this was true. Here are some workarounds for current situation: Tourists can still buy Welcome Suica and Passmo Passport cards at some locations - more info here: www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuic… www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/ You can get mobile versions of either card for NFC enabled Iphones or Japanese “Osaifu-Keitai” enabled Andriod phones. Please note that reports say these only work with Mastercard or American Express. Once it's set up, it works exactly the same as a physical card, including recharging at ticket machines and using it to tap in and out. Once again, sorry for the confusion. Stay curious

I’m a local, and this video has been pretty entertaining. So I’d like to say what’s kind of wrong and mostly correct, as well as what I’d just like to add. -The thinking of trains as a colour is kind of interesting, but it can get confusing. For example, there are a bunch of green lines: JR Yamanote Line, TM Chiyoda Line, Tokyu Dententoshi Line, the TCM Shinjuku Line, and, if you go a bit further, the Sagami Line from Yokohama to Ebina. So I suggest you instead remember them by their code name ie: JY for Yamanote Line, JC for Chuo Rapid Line, DT for Denentoshi Line, etc. -The platform numbers are your best bet at getting to your platform. Trying to figure it out based on numbers or the destination is kind of stupid, if you ask me, because they are usually in a much smaller font, or not mentioned at all. -Try to avoid changing at big stations. For example, If you want to get from Ochanomizu Station to Hamamatsucho Station, the train sequence will be Chuo Rapid Line to the Keihin Tohoku Line. While it may be better to change at Tokyo if you want to get some souvenirs, if you just want to get there quickly you’d better opt for Kannai Station, which still offers the same change but a station before. A typical change from these lines at Tokyo takes around 10 minutes, probably more if your a foreigner. However, at Kannai, you can change in maybe two or three minutes. Also, there should be substantially less people, making it easier to move around. -I would suggest buying a Suica at Haneda/Narita Airport before starting your travels, and fill it up with quite a lot of money. In Tokyo, at least, you can buy most things at most shops with a Suica. Just show your card to the cashier and you tap. As simple as that. Also, restaurants like Ichiran offer Suica payment, I belive. -Do NOT be tempted to get a taxi, it is NOT as cheap as a Uber. It is extremely expensive, especially considered to the cheap prices you can go from the trains that usually come at least once every 5-10 minutes. -The video addresses both the Tokyo Metro 東京メトロ (TM), Tokyo City Metro 東京市営地下鉄 (TMC), JR, and Tokyu 東急 as “Tokyo Metro” Please do not confuse the station staff like this. They are run by different companies, so they will charge you more or less, and most importantly are called differently. By the way, they will also be bit confused by ‘Green line” or Blue line.” There are actual trains called that, both being part of the Yokohama City Metro, so don’t be ignorant please. -The video mentions putting your bag on the floor. However, you can also just but it in front of you. Most people do that, and it will be extremely difficult to put your luggage down in one of the transit lines. I do this, so don’t be worried. -Shinkansen and Limited Express trains will require additional tickets. If you go to any JR station in Tokyo, you can go to the kiosks, right next to the Suica issue and charge kiosks, and find a 指定席券売機, which you can basically use to book these trains. -If you have accidentally travelled too far and the price is higher than the amount of money you have in your Suica, there are also charging kiosks inside the platform area. -Most stations have reliably open and clean toilets, so if you ever want to go to the loo a station is also a pretty good idea. -Not all of the trains, even if they stop at the same place, are connected physically.For example, if you need to go on the Seibu Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku, you have to exit the station and walk a bit to get there. The same goes with places like the JR Chiba and Keisei-Chiba stations. This is also occasional the case even if you are changing from and to the same company’s trains. For example, if you want to change from the Tokyu Setagaya Line, a rare tram-like train, to the Tokyu Denentoshi Line at Sangenjaya, you will still have to exit the Setagaya Line station, walk for around 5 minutes, and then enter the Denentoshi Line station . -The colours for the lines on the Maps app on iPhones are usually different to the actual colour scheme. Make sue you use Google Maps! (Many locals either use Google Maps or Yahoo Transit, I use the latter, but unfortunately it is not available in English) I hope you find this helps, an have a great visit to Japan! ご来国お待ちしています! (By the way, if you want to feel more confused check this rail map of all of Chiba, Saitama, Tokyo,and Kanagawa Prefectures (its in Japanese but it shows how overwhelming it could be😂: http://www.meik.jp/2rosenzu/down_zen/tkyo_yko_chba.pdf

Alternative video title "How to use public transport for Americans"

Once you get off at Tokyo station, good luck in Navigating within the station!! Both Tokyo and Shinjuku station are massive with so many exits it makes you head spin!!

Just a note that locals are not familiar with the numbering system of the stations. If you'd ask a local "is this station 6?" 99% won't be able to answer. I'd definitely recommend to memorize the names of the key stations and destination stops.

Despite the comment nitpicking, I found this video extremely helpful as I'm not familiar with train or subway use at all. I had no clue about individual lines or the numbering pattern until I watched this. Thank you.

the reason the yamanote line said for shinjuku/shibuya on google maps is because the yamanote line is a loop, if the train line is a loop line its going to say "for", if it isnt its just gonna say the terminus station

As a Japanese who lived in Asakusa for a few years, I can tell you that some of the metro transfers require a long walk. Sometimes the line is deep down or other times the navigation wants to you use a neighboring station that is connected underground. If you have a big bag to carry, chose the options with shorter transfer/walking time.

I just came back from my trip from Tokyo and I was so impressed by their train system. They're clean, quick, punctual, well-maintained, extensive and efficient! If Canada had transit system like this, I'd have ditched my car! Riding on these trains are such a joy!

I think there are some extra rules that were important to discuss when talking about train etiquette that didn't make it into this video. The way Japanese people queue up to the train is very organized - they form lines sort of adjacent to the door on both sides to allow room for people to get off. Once everyone who needs to gets off, that's when the people on the platform begin boarding. Additionally, there is an order in which the train seats are filled. They start with the corners, then fill every other spot until all vacancies are filled. If someone creates a vacant space that leaves two spots open, the person sitting next to the vacancies will slide over to give the person next to them more room. Particularly if it's a corner seat! (though, on very popular lines like the Yamanote where there's always someone to fill vacant seats, people tend not to shuffle around because they know it will be filled immediately) Some foreigners misinterpret this seating system as people intentionally avoiding them, but in fact, they're trying to respect personal space. It sounds complicated, but in practice, it's easy to follow. Also, at 15:37 we can see Johnny Harris resting his backpack in a way that intrudes on the space in the seat to the left of him. Given he mentioned that it's important to be mindful of your bags, I think that's also a thing the Japanese public will care about.

I also recommend walking. Tokyo is such a compact city! You can walk from Ueno to Asakusa, or from Tokyo station to Akihabara in just 30 mins.

15:56 Just a small big detail is that the Yamanote and Chuo lines are not part of the metro, they are JR lines that run on the surface. But for navigational purposes it is ok

My whole life Japan has been a dream destination of mine and next month I’ll be making that dream a reality. And the whole train system has been causing my anxiety! Thank you for this video!

I never knew how much I hated driving until I visited Tokyo. We need more trains everywhere.

Suica and Pasmo cards have been discontinued due to a chip shortage. Apple wallet option exists for Mastercard. 28 day tourist cards also still available. Take backpack off on the train and put on floor (video shows still wearing), no loud talking (in person or on phone). Just look around and behave like the locals. So simple to do.......

You forgot to mention that the service type (listed below the platform number on Google Maps) is also pretty important. Getting on a rapid train when your final destination is a local stop would mean you'd miss your stop.

As a Londoner, this seems pretty easy to navigate. The tube map and Oyster card are extremely similar. I understand this is mainly targeted at Americans who have never even been on a train.

It should be noted that the Tokyo commuter rail system has one feature that makes navigating central Tokyo a LOT easier: the JR East Yamanote Line. If you know how to navigate around this line (which stops at just about all the major transfer stations in Tokyo), it's highly unlikely you'll get lost.

Useful video, thanks. Just got back from Tokyo and here's a pro tip I learned too late: take time (but get out of the way) to look at the signs usually painted on pillars that tell which carriage will end up near the exit you need for the line you want in the transfer station. Your aching legs and feet will thank you. 😊

I think it is also important to know about the different type like "Local", "Express", etc. because sometimes the train on the exact same platform that departs at a different time from the one mentioned on Google Map will bypass certain station in the case if the train is "Express" or "Semi-Express". This means that if you happen to miss a train mentioned in Google Map, you need to ensure that the next train if it is going to your destination