電車 · Tokyo Transit

Tokyo Train & Subway Guide: IC Cards, JR Pass & Getting Around Like a Local

IC cards, JR Pass, Yamanote Line, and how to read a Japanese subway map

JRSubwayIC cardPractical

Tokyo's trains carry over 40 million passengers every day. The network is punctual, clean, affordable — and with the right setup, genuinely simple to navigate. This guide covers everything: IC cards, the JR Pass, the key lines, airport transfers, apps, and how to survive rush hour.

Network Size290+ stationsTokyo Metro alone; hundreds more on other lines

Average Fare¥170–380Most journeys within central Tokyo

Punctuality99.9%Average delay under 1 minute

Best AppGoogle MapsWorks perfectly for Tokyo transit

Step One: Get a Suica or Pasmo IC Card

An IC card is the most important thing to set up before you start exploring. It's a rechargeable smart card that works on virtually every train, subway, bus, and monorail in the Tokyo area — and at convenience stores, vending machines, and many restaurants too.

Suica vs. Pasmo

Functionally identical. Suica is issued by JR East; Pasmo by Tokyo Metro and private railways. Both work on all lines. Most visitors choose Suica — it's accepted at more shops and is available as a virtual card in Apple Wallet and Google Pay.

How to Get an IC Card

• At the airport — IC card machines at Narita and Haneda airport stations. Look for green Suica or pink Pasmo machines
• At any major station — Ticket machines have English menus; select "IC Card / Suica"
• On your smartphone — Add Suica to Apple Wallet or Google Pay before your trip; no physical card needed

How Much to LoadStart with ¥2,000–3,000. Top up at any ticket machine, 7-Eleven, FamilyMart, or Lawson. The ¥500 physical card deposit is refunded when you return the card on departure.

Using Your IC Card

Tap on the yellow reader at the ticket gate — it beeps and shows your balance. Tap again on exit. Fares are calculated automatically by distance. No need to buy tickets or check fares in advance.

Should You Get a JR Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass covers unlimited JR train travel nationwide. But for most visitors staying only in Tokyo, it's not worth the cost.

When the JR Pass IS Worth It

• You're taking the Shinkansen to Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, or other cities
• You plan multiple long-distance journeys within Japan
• You're doing a 2–3 week trip covering multiple regions

When the JR Pass is NOT Worth It

• You're staying only in Tokyo for the whole trip
• Your only JR journeys are the airport connection and Yamanote Line
• You have fewer than 10 days and are visiting 1–2 cities

Do the MathsA 7-day JR Pass costs ~¥50,000. A Tokyo–Kyoto–Tokyo Shinkansen round trip costs ~¥28,000. Add more journeys and it pays off. For Tokyo only: an IC card is far cheaper.

The Key Lines to Know

JR Yamanote Line (山手線)

The most important line for tourists — a loop connecting all major hubs: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Harajuku, Ebisu, Tokyo, Akihabara, Ueno, and Ikebukuro. Green trains, every 2–3 minutes. If you learn one line, make it this one.

Tokyo Metro (東京メトロ)

Nine colour-coded subway lines reaching every corner of the city. Key lines for visitors:

• Ginza Line (orange) — Shibuya ↔ Ginza ↔ Asakusa
• Hibiya Line (grey) — Nakameguro ↔ Roppongi ↔ Ginza ↔ Ueno
• Marunouchi Line (red) — Shinjuku ↔ Tokyo ↔ Ginza
• Chiyoda Line (green) — Harajuku ↔ Omotesando ↔ Otemachi

Key Private Railways

• Tokyu Toyoko Line — Shibuya → Nakameguro → Yokohama
• Keio/Odakyu Lines — Shinjuku → Shimokitazawa → Hakone

Airport to Tokyo

From Narita Airport

• Narita Express (N'EX) — 60 min to Shinjuku/Shibuya; ¥3,070; JR Pass covered
• Keisei Skyliner — 40 min to Ueno/Nippori; ¥2,570; fastest option
• Limousine Bus — Door-to-door to major hotels; 90–120 min; ¥3,200

From Haneda Airport

• Tokyo Monorail — 20 min to Hamamatsucho; ¥500; works with IC card
• Keikyu Line — 20–30 min to Shinagawa or Asakusa; ¥300–600

Navigation Apps

• Google Maps — Most reliable; shows times, fares, and platform numbers
• Japan Official Travel App — Offline maps and transit data
• Hyperdia — Detailed timetables for complex multi-leg journeys
• Mobile Suica app — Manage balance, top up, view history

Rush Hour Tips

1. Avoid inbound Yamanote Line 7:30–9:30am — Take a later train or alternative route
2. Stand near the doors — Makes exiting at your stop much easier
3. Use less popular exits — Shinjuku has 50+ exits; the crowd clusters at just a few
4. Stay quiet — Phone calls on trains are considered rude; keep voice low
5. Priority seating — Seats near doors are reserved for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers

Essential Practicalities

• Last trains — Services stop around midnight; times vary by line and station; check in advance
• Know your exit number — Large stations have 20–50 exits; Google Maps shows the right one
• Hold the IC card — Don't leave it in a bag; tapping a bag over the reader causes errors
• No food on local trains — Eating on commuter trains is considered impolite

You've Got This

Tokyo's train network looks complex on a map but feels effortless in practice. Set up your IC card first, save Google Maps offline, and don't panic — every line has English signage and announcements. Within a day, you'll be navigating like a local.

Pair Trains with Your First Day

Once you have the train system down, the city opens up. See our Tokyo 3-Day Itinerary for a tested route, and our Best Areas to Stay guide to pick a base near the lines you will use most.