Japan Rail Pass Now - Japan Travel Guide

How to Navigate Tokyo’s
Train System
Tickets
Single tickets
You can purchase single-ride tickets from the vending machines found at all railway stations, paying in cash with either bills or coins. Fares
depend on the distance travelled, so ensure you correctly select your destination on the screen. Many machines have an English language option,
so using them shouldn’t be too problematic. If you accidentally buy the wrong ticket, you can use the fare adjustment machine once you
arrive at your destination station and settle the difference.
IC (rechargeable transport) cards
For the ultimate in convenience, save time by buying an IC card the first time you travel and top it up with enough funds to last your entire
Japanese trip. That way, you won’t even need to use the ticket vending machines or calculate your fare. As long as it has sufficient funds, you
only need to tap the IC card on the card scanners at the ticket gates each time you enter and exit.
You can purchase either a Suica (which you can buy from the Japan Railways’ ticket vending machines) or a Pasmo (which you can get from
the vending machines at Tokyo Metro stations) for use in and around Tokyo. You can also use them for other transactions, such as making
purchases from convenience stores, paying for storage lockers and travelling on city buses.
Unlimited day passes
If you plan to make extensive use of the train while in Tokyo, it might be more economical to utilise the one-day unlimited-ride passes that the
train companies offer, such as the:
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Common 1-day ticket – valid on both the Toei and Tokyo Metro Lines, costing 1,000 yen;
Tokyo Metro 1-day open ticket – valid for use on all Tokyo Metro Lines, costing 710 yen;
Tokyo Combination ticket – valid on all JR trains, subway lines, and Toei buses in Tokyo, costing 1,580 yen.
Stations
Train stations all over Tokyo have English signs to help you find the correct platforms to board your train. Each one has both automated ticket
gates (where you insert your single ticket or tap your IC cards) and manned gates (where you show either your JR Pass or other types of pass
to a station staff, who can also help with fare adjustment issues). The process is the same when exiting the platforms once you get to your
destination.
Reminders
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The Japanese queue while waiting for the train. They also let the people arriving disembark before trying to board the train themselves.
Some commuter trains have cars reserved for women only, and these are marked in pink on the platforms.
In the majority of cars, corner seats are for the elderly, pregnant women and handicapped passengers.
Refrain from talking on your phone when on board. If with a group, avoid laughing or talking out loud.
Train stations in Tokyo have lockers, so you can leave your luggage there while you go sightseeing.
57 - Japan Travel Guide