Tokyo Urban Railways

The urban rails in Tokyo is a massive rail transit system of various trains running around the city. Japanese call these city trains with tracks as “電車” (densha), which is the major part of the public transportation in Tokyo. Overall, it is composed of JR rails in the city, private rails extending to suburbs or surrounding areas, and the metro belowground.

As there are many lines and extremely dense stations, you can often find several transfer plans to reach your destinations. For too many stations of a dozen of operators, the lines and stations are numbered for the management and identification.

Easy Ways to Find the Optimal Routes

Google Maps or other useful apps can help you to find the best route to your destination in real time. You could choose the first choice directly, or compare the time needed, fare, the number of transfers, traffic situation, etc., and select a route you prefer to. Navitime, Japan Transit Planner (Jorudan), and more app else are also nice choice.

Don’t worry and confused about the tanglesome rail system. Just search for the routes and choose the best one for you, then follow the route to reach your destination.

Tips for Finding the Stations & Transfers

As the lines and stations are distributed very densely, you could find the right station through the sign of the operator, station name, identification color, and the number of the line & station.

As for the search result you select, you need to confirm the train number, departure time, platform, etc. After getting into the station, watch the sign boards above your head to find the passageway and escalator to the right platform.

You’d better check the exits and way out on the map beforehand, so as to find the right place quickly and not to waste time, particular in some large stations such as Shinjuku.

If you really have a difficulty to find the way to your platform or getting out in the maze-like stations, don’t hesitate and ask the staff in uniform. They are usually on duty as staying in the booth, and many of them are pretty good at speaking English. Even they can’t speak English, they are well prepared with maps and electronic interpreter.

You should be prepared to walk a long way for transfers, as there are often a number of passages in a station or between two transfer stations, especially in a large station. At least, 5-8 minutes are needed to cover the passageways every time.

For the transfer after checking out, you’d better get to the station for check-in within 30 minutes. If the time interval is over 30 minutes, the system will settle up the cost and then recount the fare for your new ride.

Convenient Transportation Cards: Suica & PASMO

Suica card and PASMO card are the most widely used transportation cards in Tokyo region. The former is issued by JR East Company, while the latter is launched by Toei. After topping up the card, you can swipe the card directly when passing the gate machine. It can also be utilized for payments in convenience stores, lockers, and more places with the logo.

The issuance of practical cards have been limited recently, but you can get an online card on your smart phone. If you use iPhone, it’s easy to apply for an online Suica card via Apple Wallet.

If you have purchased a transportation card issued in other parts of Japan, such as ICOCA and Kitaca card, you can use the card around Tokyo for these cards can be used nationwide nowadays. 

Other Tips for Taking City Trains in Tokyo

Japanese would queue for getting on the trains. Please observe the local traditions.

Subway in Tokyo

If an excess fare should be charged due to you missing the stop or other reasons, the fare adjustment machine in the station can be utilized. Insert you ticket into the machine, the amount of money of the supplementary payment will be shown. After the payment, you will get a new ticket to check out. Of course, transportation card holders needn’t concern about it.

You should avoid close physical contact with other passengers whenever possible, as Japanese are averse to physical contact on the trains, particularly in a crowded carriage. In particular, it’s fine to keep handing something in your hands, such as the armrest, your cell phone, and backpack strap.

Women-only carriages are often used in rush hours. Only women, together with their baby or little kids in primary schools and below, are allowed to use such a carriage. The specific opening hours of women-only carriages might be varied in accordance with the lines, passenger flow volume, and operators. You could consult the corresponding operator for details. If you’re a man, please watch and don’t go into the wrong carriage in a hurry.

JR Rails in Downtown Tokyo

JR plays a crucial role in Tokyo urban rails with the loop Yamanote Line (JY) – the big artery of traffic linking the major hubs around the city, such as Shinjuku, Shinagawa, Tokyo Station, and Ueno. In Tokyo, you can hardly neglect this line for a fast travel.

Besides, Chuo Line (JC) and Sobu Line (JO) go through the middle of the city in the east-west direction are also the major routes for the urban traffic. It is a shortcut that connects Akihabara and Shinjuku, as well as the first choice for quick travel between the east and west of Tokyo.

Chikatetsu – Metro: Rails Underground

In addition to the JR rails, metro is also a nice travel mode to get around Tokyo. There are 13 metro lines in Tokyo, served by two different operators: Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. 9 lines of them are operated by Tokyo Metro, while the other 4 lines are served by Toei Subway. There are nearly 300 stations covering the whole urban area, making it one of the most convenient transport mode in Tokyo.

Sitetu – Private Rails

As the name suggests, private rails are operated by private companies. These private lines connect the transportation hubs in Tokyo downtown with the neighboring areas and outskirts. If you plan to go to the suburbs of Tokyo, the airports or farther areas in the surroundings, private rails is absolutely a perfect choice. Tokyu, Keio, Seibu Railway, Tobu Railway, Odakyu, Keikyu, Keisei, etc. are the major operators of these rails.

Keio trains are running some railways in the southwest of Tokyo and northern Kanagawa, while Keisei lines stretch to Chiba, east of Tokyo. In addition, Tokyo monorail extend to the terminals of Haneda Airport from Hamamatsucho.