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.
Also you forget to mention the subway 3 days/2 days/1 day pass(not usable for railway lines, aka, JR lines). For tourists these passes are extremely cheap compared to buy ticket every time using Suica/Pasmo card. And it's convenient, as 99% of tourist attractions can be covered by subway systems.
So, subway pass + one Transit card is the best option for tourist to navigate through Tokyo
Nice explanation of a very complex, efficient system. It is transit nerd heaven. There are a couple of nuances to add: there are at least 3 different transportation systems (Tokyo Metro, Toei subway, JR trains). With an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) you can generally move through these systems seamlessly. If you don't have an IC card, you'll need to buy separate tickets or have to add a small amount of money to exit the system (such as when going between the Tokyo and Toei systems). The staff in the stations can help you sort that out if your ticket won't let you pass. You can put your Suica card on your smartphone as an additional option. If you have a JR train pass, you can ride that system free as long as your JR pass is valid. The JR Yamanote line and other cross town JR lines are very helpful if you need to go long distances across the metropolis. Moving around Tokyo with luggage is a bit of a pain, and one of the few times you might consider taking a cab. There are a large number of stairs scattered about and you'll be often going up or down a few steps when transferring between lines. I find the JR system a bit more friendly if you have luggage (trains are larger, there may be fewer stairs or there are more escalators/elevators). In addition to taking your backpack off and not eating, you'll notice that the trains are very quiet, despite the crowds. Loud talking or talking on your cell phone are frowned upon. Since it is relatively quiet, start to listen to sounds of the system–the chirping birds to alert you to stairs, or the unique jingles along the Yamanote line that let you know what station you are at.
7:27 most US cities, Toronto and Montreal have Smartcards to pay for transit. But some cities in the US decided to implement not the card as "Mifare" but as EMV compliant, those are Philiadelphia and New York City. Chicago's Ventra Card used to be EMV, but it was converted to the MiFare model… I could pay with NYC's new OMNY card for some bread in Germany as much I could pay with a debit card.
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 of August 2, 2023, the sale of Pasmo/Suica cards have been suspended indefinitely due to an IC chip shortage. Tourists who don't already have a card have to buy paper tickets, get a Welcome Suica/Pasmo Passport (tourist) card (which expires after 28 days and cannot be reloaded or refunded) or add one of the 2 cards to Apple Pay in your iPhone and use it digitally. Android users do not have the phone option unless they bought their phone in Japan as these phones would have the Felica chip used to communicate with the payment system used by these IC cards.
Train companies are slowly starting to trial using credit cards at the fare gates. I believe the Den-en-Toshi line has already started trials on several stations.
When I was in Tokyo in December 2019, I got the Suica card on my iPhone. Now instead of having to fill up the balance at a specific place at the train station you just open up the wallet app and add funds. The great thing is when you tap in or out of a gate you don't need to unlock or fiddle with your phone.
Advice for those traveling in Tokyo: if you can’t be bothered to use the names of lines, at least use the letters. Do not use the colors. There are so many lines with the same colors, the letter code was created for this very reason. This video title really should be “how to ride the Tokyo subway,” since it leaves out the majority of the train system in its “explaining.”
25 Comments
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.
Alternative video title "How to use public transport for Americans"
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.
Good demonstration of how to navigate the Tokyo by train!
didnt sale of Suica/Pasmo card recently get suspended?
why don’t they bring this to my city? we already have these contactless cards
one thing that threw me off was the different types of railway companies and different trains. JR trains are a whole can of worms
Make sure you buy the 3-day subway ticket which is sold only to foreign tourists. Much cheaper than the one you can get on a ticket selling machine.
Come on johnny! Was expecting something more adventurous
What type of music playing in background?
this video looks pretty old, because Johnny looks much younger here than in recent videos in his main channel
Also you forget to mention the subway 3 days/2 days/1 day pass(not usable for railway lines, aka, JR lines). For tourists these passes are extremely cheap compared to buy ticket every time using Suica/Pasmo card. And it's convenient, as 99% of tourist attractions can be covered by subway systems.
So, subway pass + one Transit card is the best option for tourist to navigate through Tokyo
Nice explanation of a very complex, efficient system. It is transit nerd heaven. There are a couple of nuances to add: there are at least 3 different transportation systems (Tokyo Metro, Toei subway, JR trains). With an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) you can generally move through these systems seamlessly. If you don't have an IC card, you'll need to buy separate tickets or have to add a small amount of money to exit the system (such as when going between the Tokyo and Toei systems). The staff in the stations can help you sort that out if your ticket won't let you pass. You can put your Suica card on your smartphone as an additional option. If you have a JR train pass, you can ride that system free as long as your JR pass is valid. The JR Yamanote line and other cross town JR lines are very helpful if you need to go long distances across the metropolis. Moving around Tokyo with luggage is a bit of a pain, and one of the few times you might consider taking a cab. There are a large number of stairs scattered about and you'll be often going up or down a few steps when transferring between lines. I find the JR system a bit more friendly if you have luggage (trains are larger, there may be fewer stairs or there are more escalators/elevators). In addition to taking your backpack off and not eating, you'll notice that the trains are very quiet, despite the crowds. Loud talking or talking on your cell phone are frowned upon. Since it is relatively quiet, start to listen to sounds of the system–the chirping birds to alert you to stairs, or the unique jingles along the Yamanote line that let you know what station you are at.
9:00 but what if I want to experience the rush hour.
In moscow locals call metro lines by their respective colors too
7:27 most US cities, Toronto and Montreal have Smartcards to pay for transit. But some cities in the US decided to implement not the card as "Mifare" but as EMV compliant, those are Philiadelphia and New York City. Chicago's Ventra Card used to be EMV, but it was converted to the MiFare model… I could pay with NYC's new OMNY card for some bread in Germany as much I could pay with a debit card.
you can bring food on the train, just dont eat it on there
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
cebolla..? 13:41
What about new station? Renumbering the line?
❌The information at 5:30 is obsolete!
As of August 2, 2023, the sale of Pasmo/Suica cards have been suspended indefinitely due to an IC chip shortage. Tourists who don't already have a card have to buy paper tickets, get a Welcome Suica/Pasmo Passport (tourist) card (which expires after 28 days and cannot be reloaded or refunded) or add one of the 2 cards to Apple Pay in your iPhone and use it digitally. Android users do not have the phone option unless they bought their phone in Japan as these phones would have the Felica chip used to communicate with the payment system used by these IC cards.
Train companies are slowly starting to trial using credit cards at the fare gates. I believe the Den-en-Toshi line has already started trials on several stations.
13:59 – I thought it was rude to leave your backpack on?
Physical Suica and Pasmo cards have been unavailable since August unless you get the special “Welcome” Suica at the airport.
If you have an iPhone, you can add a Suica or Pasmo to Apple wallet. I think Android requires you to have a Japanese phone to do this.
When I was in Tokyo in December 2019, I got the Suica card on my iPhone. Now instead of having to fill up the balance at a specific place at the train station you just open up the wallet app and add funds. The great thing is when you tap in or out of a gate you don't need to unlock or fiddle with your phone.
Advice for those traveling in Tokyo: if you can’t be bothered to use the names of lines, at least use the letters. Do not use the colors. There are so many lines with the same colors, the letter code was created for this very reason.
This video title really should be “how to ride the Tokyo subway,” since it leaves out the majority of the train system in its “explaining.”