Public transport is the best way to get around Tokyo, as the city has one of the world’s largest rail networks. The city’s rail systems are highly reliable and efficient, making it one of the most-used systems in the world.
Like most Japanese cities, Tokyo’s rail system is made up of several separate rail companies. This can be confusing for new visitors, as getting to your destination may require leaving the station you’re currently in and walking across the road to another station operated by a different network to continue your journey.
Fortunately, 90% of the places most tourists want to visit are located near JR’s Yamanote Line. This loop line circles central Tokyo and has stations in many major city suburbs. The Yamanote Line is so important to the city that many of its stations have become more famous than the suburbs they serve.
It takes about one hour to complete a full loop on the Yamanote Line, so it’s best to group your day’s activities near stations that are close to each other. With a rail system as vast as Tokyo’s, there are plenty of shortcuts to get around. For example, from Shinjuku, you can take the Chuo Rapid to Tokyo or the Chuo Sobu Line to Akihabara to cut across the centre of the Yamanote loop.
There are also two extensive subway systems: the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. Both have vast networks inside and outside the Yamanote loop. If you can’t get to a destination on the Yamanote Line, it’s likely accessible on one of these subway networks.
Other rail networks exist in Tokyo as well. The most common ones you may encounter are the Yurikamome and TWR Rinkai Lines, which serve the island of Odaiba. The Keisei Electric Railway also operates lines in some outer suburbs of Tokyo. Their Keisei Main Line connects Ueno to Narita Airport in just over an hour on their Access Express or 36 minutes on their Skyliner express services.
It’s a good idea to plan your route ahead of time and carry a map of all the rail networks, as you may not find competitor lines shown on the map at your station. There are often many ways to get from point A to point B. For example, a Tokyo tourism guide shows four ways to get from Shinagawa to Disneyland. The options vary from 19 to 29 minutes and in price from 290 yen to 660 yen, with the cheapest option being the fastest.
If you’re in Tokyo for more than a few days, you may find a prepaid ticket or card more convenient. JR’s prepaid, reusable, contactless smart card called Suica is an increasingly popular option that can also be used in some shops and vending machines instead of cash. The Pasmo smart card is similar to Suica but is sold at non-JR stations. These two systems are interchangeable on most lines and are increasingly being made compatible with rail smart card systems in other parts of Japan. If you plan to use a lot of JR Lines exclusively for a day, an all-day Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass) for 730 yen offers a substantial saving. The Japan Rail Pass is popular with tourists, but be warned: it is only valid on JR’s rail lines.
Also on Happy Jappy
Keisei Electric Railway
Narita Express
JR Yamanote Line
JR Chuo Line
JR Keihin Tohoku Line
Ginza Metro Line
More local Train and Subway info
JR Shinkansen bullet train
Japan Rail Pass
