How NOT to get Lost on the Tokyo Trains!
Updated: Feb 17, 2020
I spent 3 HOURS taking a trip that SHOULD have taken 15minutes! Because of this FAIL I became a pro and created a break down so you don't have to make the same mistakes I did. Here are my 5 STEPS to make Japanese Public Transport a Breeze.
1)TICKETS
The train system is owned by three different companies Suica cards are prepaid cards that cover ALL the trains. You can buy a card at a machine inside the airport for 500yen and return the card for a full refund at the same machine before you fly back home. Suica cards are GREAT because it is just ONE LESS thing you have to stress about while running around the stations. Just scan when you go in and scan when you go out. (I was confused about the scan when you go out portion so don’t feel like your locked in. Just scan.) There are kiosks EVERYWHERE to recharge the card. Also you can use it to buy things at shops like 7-11.
2)WHICH TRAIN
There is an app for the trains but google maps works fine too to find out which train you need to catch.
3) NAVIGATING THE STATION
Google maps will give you Train name Stop Number Platform Number Stations ARE FULL OF INFORMATION written in English and Japanese everywhere so if you know your info you will be fine. Double check the stop number because each Train has a sister with the same name that goes the opposite direction. The way you tell these two apart is the stop number next to the name.
4) GETTING OFF AT THE RIGHT STOP
Remember that you are underground so google maps doesn’t know where you are so DON’T follow the lil traveling dot on your screen.
A MUCH easier way is to just know the stop number you are getting off at so you can either count the stops or watch the screens available on some trains to know when to stop.
FOR EXAMPLE: if I’m going to Ueno Station to Asakusa Station I’m gonna catch the Ginza Line Stop number 16
Then I’m going to get off 3 stops later at stop number 9
Don’t always count on the station name announcement because If you don’t speak Japanese you might miss your stop because your pronunciation SUCKS!
5) EXITING
Hardest part of the whole thing is finding the exit. You can make fun of me WHATEVER! The stations are large and It was my first time so I got REALLY flustered trying to leave.
So this is just for anyone who is ignorant like me.
Simply Follow the Little Green Guys.
ALSO you have to scan your card leaving the station as well.
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