If you ever come to Tokyo you will probably use trains and subway (Metro) on a regular basis as they are the main means of transportation here. You could also use taxis, but they are much more expensive (about 4 times). If you decide to use trains (and buses), you may want to know a few things.
Tickets
The price of your ride is calculated based on the number of stations you travel. To buy a ticket from point A to B you have to know the names of the stations and check how much the ticket costs. Then, you buy your ticket in a vending machine. You repeat that each time you want to hop on a train.
When you put your ticket in a hole when you enter through a ticket gate, please remember to take is with you as it emerges on the other end of the gate. You will still need this ticket to put it into a gate at the destination station. If you forget your ticket, you will have to explain yourself to a station clerk. He/she may let you go or ask you to pay for the ticket again.
When you need to transfer to another line to get to the destination, you can still use the same ticket. Just make sure you use an appropriate transfer gate (orange coloured gates for Metro), as the normal ones will “consume” the ticket.
You don’t need to worry about the transfer gates at all when using the IC cards, as you can use any gate available.
Prepaid IC cards
To avoid the whole hustle with tickets, you can just buy a prepaid IC card. Metro network has one (PASMO), JR East network has one (Suica) as have other operators across Japan. It does not really matter which one you buy, if you just want to use it to go into different places while on holiday. They will all work the same on all the lines. Also, you will be charged slightly less (around ¥5) when using a card than for a ticket.
You can purchase your card in a special machine by the gates of the bigger stations or in the ticketing centers located also on bigger stations. Also you can get your card at the airport as soon as you arrive. You pay ¥500 deposit for the card (refundable when you give it back). The rest of the money you decide to place on your card, is for you to use. You can top up your card at every station (even the smallest ones).
There are special IC cards for children under 12 years old. These have 小 kanji on them and when used they will be charged the child fare, which is 50% less than the adult fare. Children aged 6 or below can travel for free if accompanied by an adult or a child that is at least 7 years old. You can check all tickets and fare types on the official Metro and JR East webpages.
Interestingly, both Suica and PASMO bought in Tokyo will work in other parts of Japan too. Suica, for example, will work in the areas of Sendai Niigata, Hokkaido, Tokai, West Japan and Kyushu. We have used Suica and PASMO in Sapporo for example. Genially convenient!
Additional bonus: you can pay with your IC card in convenience stores and many vending machines. You can use it to pay for lockers on some stations too (e.g., Shinjuku station).
Monthly discounts with the Commuter Pass
If you stay in Japan longer for example for work or school, you will be using a certain route often, or even daily. In this case, it may be beneficial to get the Commuter Pass. This way you do not pay each time you take the specified route (or its part). Instead, you pay a certain fixed price upfront, which gives you an unlimited number of travels on the selected route between the two stations. You can top it up for 1 month, 3 or 6 months, depending on your circumstances. This may be cheaper option than paying the full price each time you travel. You can work out the prices using the fare calculator.
It’s possible to buy the Commuter Pass as a new IC card, but you can also load the Commuter Pass into your Suica or PASMO IC card using a vending machine (tutorial for the PASMO Commuter Pass) or in a ticketing centre. Either way, you can still use the Commuter Pass loaded IC card on all the other routes, you will just be charged a standard fare.
Navigating at the station
Each line in Tokyo has a name (e.g., Chuo line) and a colour (e.g., orange). This colour will be displayed on the signs around the stations, on the platforms, and on the train itself.
Each station on this line will have a name (e.g. Shinjuku), a number with a letter/s for this line (e.g., JC 5), and also a unique train departure melody. For example, you can check the melodies for each station on Yamanote line.
Wheelchair and pram access
Most platforms have an elevator. Many platforms also have escalators, but they may be located only on one end of a platform. I have seen prams being transported on the escalators in Tokyo. I think it is against the rules though.
Also, for passengers on wheelchairs, a station clerk will put a special rump between the platform and a train. The station clerk will also ask you where you go, so at your destination or transit station another clerk will wait to help you get off.
Transferring between train and subway lines
If your route requires you to change the lines, as long as they are operated by the same company (Metro, JR East etc), you will only pay the fare price from the beginning to the destination station. It does not matter how many times you have transferred along the way.
However, if you need to change between the lines that are operated by different companies, for example between a Metro line and a JR line, you will have to pay the full fare, much like if you would make two separate trips.
Which car to take
To plan your trip efficiently for transits, elevators, escalators or exits, you may want to choose an optimal car to board on. Usually, as you enter the platform look for a special poster.
On the poster the stations are listed along with exact locations of the above mentioned facilities in relation to the car order. If your schedule is tight, or you need to reduce walking on a crowded platform, you may optimise by choosing the right car to board on.
This information is also displayed on a monitor in the train, just before you arrive at each station (if the train has these monitors). This is too late to be in an optimal car, but may help you to go in the right direction after you leave the train. Useful, if the platform is crowded, as you don’t want to be forced to reverse after you crowd through to one side of the platform.
Some train and subway lines are confusing
Some lines have more than one destination. It may not affect you that much if you only move around central Tokyo, but as soon as you go a bit outside the main area, it is likely. The lines can diverge at some point into two different destinations, so make sure that you board the right train or that you transfer at the last possible station. If you go too far, you will have to go through the hustle of coming back and boarding the right train. Luckly, there is no cost involved (unless you leave a station and come back).
Do not get surprised when the train is named as one line first, but then changes the name after passing a specific station. Trains can also change how fast they go (whether they stop on all the stations or just some).
Certain lines like Odakyu line might have trains going at different “speeds”. Some trains on such line may be for example local (stop at all stations), rapid (stop on some stations), or express (stop on the least number of stations). If you go far, it may be better to board the express train, as they will get you there faster. For short routes it does not matter which train you board, as long as it stops at the station you want to exit at.
Take the right exit
Some stations are actually quite big. Therefore, it is important to take the right exit. Otherwise you may end up walking for a looooong time. On the other hand, you may save yourself a few kilometers (not joking) of walking if you choose the optimal exit. For example, the Shinjuku station has over 200 different exits.
The most popular way to name exits is by the geographical directions, so north, south, east, west. Sometimes the exits are named by the main tourists attractions too. You may be lucky and find your way out, by simply using your destination name.
Exits are also numbered, sometimes with letters (e.g., 10C). These numbers and letters are often on the maps too (e.g., Google Maps), so you should be able to exactly find what you need. If not, you can always ask the station clerk or look at the map by the ticketing gates.
If you love trains like us, you may want to visit Train cafe in Tokyo.
Good luck with your adventures. Let me know if you have any specific questions?