Tokyo Train Guide: How to Use Tokyo's Train Systems

The most common way to get around Tokyo is by using their extremely efficient metro train systems! They have routes throughout the entire city with stops at all of Tokyo’s popular districts. At first, using the train system may need some getting used to, but once you get the hang of it, it’s incredibly convenient and easy to use! This Tokyo Train Guide is here to help simplify the different ticket options and clarify how and when to use them.

This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more.

Table of Contents

Need a Plan?

Check Out

Tokyo 3-Day Itinerary

Train Options

There are several train companies and options you can take in Tokyo. There are aboveground trains, subway trains, monorails, and buses. Each of these are owned by different companies and therefore may not be accessed the same way.

In Tokyo, you will likely use Japan Railways (JR) Lines, Tokyo Metro Lines, Toei Subway Lines, airport Monorail Lines, and privately-owned railways.

The IC Card

***UPDATE: IC Cards are no longer available for purchase due to a shortage of IC chips. However, tourists are able to purchase the Welcome Suica or Pasmo Passport cards. These work the same as the legacy IC cards but are for overseas travelers visiting Japan as it is only valid for 28 days after purchase. These do not require the 500 yen deposit, however you are not able to refund the remaining balance at the end of your visit. ***

The IC (integrated-circuit) card is a reloadable card you can use to pay ticket fares for public transportation. In Tokyo, you’ll either receive a card that says Pasmo or Suica. These are just two different card companies, but they have the same exact function. Both will work for paying for JR train* and non-JR train fares, like Tokyo subways and metro lines.

*Note that the major JR lines in Tokyo are listed below. The most useful being the green JR Yamanote Line that circles around Tokyo.

Yamanote Line: loop line
Keihin-Tohoku Line: Tokyo North-South
Chuo Line (Rapid): Tokyo East-West
Chuo/Sobu Line
Saikyo Line

The above are not bullet trains, or Shinkansen, that transports you great distances at high speeds. To avoid confusion in this post, when referring to “JR line”, it is primarily referring to the above JR lines that services within Tokyo, and not the Shinkansen that are also owned by JR.

How to Purchase an IC Card

To purchase an IC card, go to any ticket machine located near the entrance of any train or subway station. On the screen you can change the language to English if you’re unable to read Japanese. If you’re purchasing the IC card for the first time, you will have to pay a 500 yen refundable deposit. The deposit amount also loads onto the card for use and is refundable if you wish to unload the card. After that, you specify the amount you want to load, primarily in 1000 yen denominations onto the card. You are only able to load it with cash.

Reload IC Card

If you need to reload the card, you will need to return to a ticket machine. On the screen, select the option to reload your IC card and pay with cash.

How to Use IC Card

To use the IC card, simply tap the card onto a circular pad on the fare gate. You will have to tap the IC card to both enter and exit a train area. When entering a train station, tapping will track the start of your journey. When you tap again to exit a train station, the ticket fare amount will be withdrawn from the card. A small screen near the pad will show your remaining card balance. If your IC card does not have enough money to pay for a fare to enter a train station, the gate will briefly alarm indicating that you need to go to a ticket machine to reload your card. It is also possible that the card errored, where you can try again or try a different fare gate.

Refund IC Card Balance

At the end of your Tokyo trip, you can unload or cash out the remaining balance of your IC card. At certain train stations, especially at the airport stations, there will be a ticket machine that’s specifically for refunding the amount on the IC card in cash.

Can you use IC Card outside of Tokyo?

Yes! The IC Card can be used all throughout Japan. If you are planning to visit other cities after Tokyo, such as Kyoto and Osaka, be sure to keep your IC Card to use on local trains and buses in those areas too. However, both Osaka and Kyoto have their own version of a Tokyo Subway Ticket that you may be interested in purchasing if visiting each city for a short time. More on the Tokyo Subway Ticket below.

The Tokyo Subway Ticket

The Tokyo Subway Ticket allows you to take both the Tokyo Metro Lines and the Toei Subway Lines as many times as you’d like (a.k.a unlimited rides) for the duration your ticket allows you. You can purchase either a 24-hr, 48-hr, or 72-hr Tokyo Subway ticket for cheap. If you plan to be in Tokyo for a short period of time, I recommend using a Tokyo Subway Ticket since it is a budget-friendly option rather than filling up an IC card to use on all the train, metro, and subway rides.

Note that you cannot use the Tokyo Subway Ticket for JR Lines, airport Monorail Lines, and privately-owned railways. While in Tokyo, you are likely to use both the Tokyo Subway Ticket and the IC Card. Jump down to Using Both IC Card and Tokyo Subway Ticket to see how and when to use both.

How to Purchase the Tokyo Subway Ticket

You can purchase a 24-hr, 48-hr, or 72-hr Tokyo Subway ticket online here. Once you purchase your preferred ticket, you will be provided a QR code. When in Tokyo, you will have to find a Metro ticket machine that is specifically for Metro and Subway tickets. On the machine, you will see a symbol of a cell phone with a QR code on its screen. This image indicates that the machine is able to scan QR codes. Provide the ticket machine the QR code you received upon purchasing your ticket, and it will print your Tokyo Subway Ticket.

How to Use the Tokyo Subway Ticket

To use the Tokyo Subway Ticket, you simply insert the card into a card insert slot on the fare gate. The card will come out at a card slot not too far down from the insertion point where you can grab it and pass through the gate. You will have to insert the card to both enter and exit a train area.

Since you have unlimited rides with the Tokyo Subway Ticket for the duration it was purchased for, you do not need to worry about your card running out of money to pay for fares. Just take note of the first time you use the card as its first insert starts the hours countdown clock for your specific ticket duration. For example, if you insert a 48-hr ticket on Friday at 11:00 AM, you will activate the ticket and can take unlimited rides starting then, up until it gets de-activated 48 hours later on Sunday at 11:00 AM.

Using Both the IC Card and Tokyo Subway Ticket

If you want to use both the IC card and Tokyo Subway in conjunction with each other than you will have to determine when to use one versus the other. JR trains will have separate entry fare gates than the Tokyo Metro and Subway lines.

The bottom right of the Tokyo Subway Route Map has a map legend showing train and subway lines and colors. This Train Routes Map Legend (enlarged below) can help you differentiate between JR Rail and privately-owned lines vs Metro and Subway lines.

Devote using the Tokyo Subway Ticket for all the below Lines shown on the map legend:

Top half of the left column shows the Toei Subway Lines and their line colors
Entire right column shows the Tokyo Metro Lines and their line colors

Use your IC card to pay fares for the below non-metro/subway lines shown on the map legend:

Bottom half of the left column are either JR lines (like the green Yamanote line that loops around central Tokyo) or privately-owned railways

If you opt out of purchasing the Tokyo Subway Ticket, then you can use the IC Card for all abovementioned lines.

There will also be times where you will switch between using both cards in a single station to transfer trains. So if you need to transfer between using a JR train to a Metro or Subway train, you will have to exit the JR train area using your IC card then enter the Metro and Subway train area using the Tokyo Subway Ticket.

Train Routes Map

Below is a train map differentiating the Tokyo Metro Line and Toei Subway Line routes, from the JR Lines and private railway routes.

Navigating Tokyo Train Systems

There are several metro lines, train options, and gate exits/entrances where it can be very tricky, confusing, and overwhelming. However, using Google Maps is very helpful to map out train routes and guide you through complex train stations. It provides the train station to go to, the train platform to look for and wait at, the specific train line to get on (along with its line color – which was very helpful!), and provides which station entrances and exits to use.

However, once inside a train station, Google Maps will not provide detailed directions on where a fare gate or platform is. You will have to read station signs to enter the correct train area, and to make sure you’re on the correct platform heading the correct way.

Another neat feature of Google Maps is that it also provides which train car you should go in for easy transfer, fastest exit, or for the less crowded train car.

How to Use Google Maps for Train Navigation – Example

Station Entrance & Train Line

Above is an example of Google Maps mapping a train route from a location near Tokyo’s Shinjuku Station to another location near Ginza Station. It specifies entering Shinjuku Station by B13 which is accessed at the street level and can be found by following the Walking directions in Google Maps. Then notice that it specifies getting on the [Red] Marunouchi Line. Once inside the train station, you will need to look for signs saying Marunouchi (with Red) and enter the fare gate with your IC card or ticket.

Platform Number & Direction

Then once inside, look for signs to get to Platform 2 (or just look for the number “2”) and get on the platform side heading towards “Ikebukuro”. If you’re still unsure if you’re on the right platform, you can click the “Also at 10:15 AM …” dropdown and match future stops to times showing on the platform’s marquee signage.

Once on a train, another way to ensure you’re on the right train heading the right way is to immediately look for the train map above the train doors, and check what the next stop(s) will be. Then click the Google Maps “Ride 8 Stops” dropdown and ensure the next few stops match up with the train you’re on.

If you accidentally get on the wrong train, then you can get off at the next stop, re-map your directions and try again and wait for a different train to arrive. You will not be charged extra for getting off a train as long as you don’t exit the fare gates.

Useful Train Information

For the above route, Google Maps also provides how many train cars there are and which train car is best to get on for a fast exit. The slightly rounded end on the right of the figure signifies the front of the train to help you coordinate the train car positioning accordingly.

Note that Google Maps also provides how long the ride will take (16min) as well as how much the fare will cost (¥209). I found this very useful in calculating if a Tokyo Subway Ticket was worth getting or if just loading the IC card was more cost efficient.

Station Exit

Lastly, once you get off the train at the final train station, you can follow signs that point towards “Exit C3”, which will bring you to the street level closest to your final destination. If you can’t find the specified train station exit, then you can exit anywhere and try to re-map your route and hope you aren’t too far from getting back on track.

Train Etiquette

While on trains in Japan, it is important to respect local customs and adhere to expected etiquette and behavior. As best you can, follow the below train etiquette to avoid sticking out too much.

Escalator and Stairs

In Japan, you will notice that people tend to stay on one side when taking stairs or escalators. The typical side you should stay on differs by region. In Tokyo, if you’re taking an escalator, stand on the lefthand side of the escalator. If you want to walk the escalator, then walk on the righthand side. If you’re unsure what side to be on, the simplest way to know you’re on the correct side is to observe the locals and copy them.

Platform Waiting Lines

When on a train platform waiting for a subway train, you will notice line marker paintings on the ground. While waiting, you should stand in a single file line behind these line markers rather than randomly grouping at the door entryway. They are usually on the left and right of the main train door to leave the main entryway clear. Standing in these lines allow for the people on the train to disembark easily without having to maneuver through a crowd of people on the platform. And once those on the train get off, then the people on the platform can enter the train with ease.

You may also notice that some waiting lines will have a pink “Womens-only” sign on the ground. If possible, try to not board these train cars as a male as it is meant to be a safe space for females aboard these train cars. If you get on one without noticing, you can simply walk to the next train car through the end doors, or be polite and respectful to the women and simply don’t be creepy.

Onboard the Train

When in a Tokyo train car, you will notice it is eerily quiet. This is because it is considered rude to talk on trains. If you can help it, neglect from talking loudly, being rowdy, and from playing loud sounds from your phone. If you must talk, speak in low whispering volumes so to not bother nearby people.

Additionally, there are “priority seats” that are usually colored different from the other seats on the train. These seats are meant to be for the handicap, elderly, and pregnant women. If you’re able to sit in a non-priority seat, do it. If those are all taken and only priority seats are available, you can sit in them. However, if a person seems more deserving of the seat, then you can kindly give up your seat for them. People do exit and enter the train each train stop though, so you will naturally find yourself not standing for too long if you don’t want to.