A Tourist's Guide To Tokyo's Subway Train Network

Before going to Japan, I heard people say the subway train systems in Tokyo are complex and complicated. Now that I am back, I’d like to rephrase that to neat, well-organized, cost efficient and quite user-friendly. It’s the lifeline of the city and is intensively used as a chief mode of commute by the locals for getting around. When coupled with a 2 to 3 min. walking, these systems can give you an easy access to almost every point in the city!

 

Tokyo Trains

I got a bitter taste of it on the first day. A novice, I had the least idea of how the entire system interspersed with the multiple lines and stations, worked and was completely lost. But once I got my basics right and a fair share of my homework done, it didn't take much time for all my confusions to transform into admiration's and complexities to change into conveniences. I enjoyed moving around like the locals, with the locals. Based on my experiences, here are a few things that I’d like to highlight so as to help you, should you be travelling to Tokyo anytime in the future -

Maps: A must-have

Within the Tokyo vicinity, more than 10 different train operators span across above-ground train, subway and monorails and each have their own set of lines sometimes connecting to the other operator’s line. This fact is very well reflected in the multicolored map with each color representing one of the train lines.

My Tokyo subway train map

It all looks highly tangled and complex at first glance but believe me it is not. All you need to do is get out there and get into the system. Take a ride or two and warm yourself up and then see the magic. Tell me if you don’t start to enjoy.

Remember: A Tokyo train network map is a must have and you must keep it with you wherever you go.

Signs and Directions: You are never lost

Each subway station is spread in a huge area with different lines, gate numbers and trains moving in and out of it. If you get a feeling of getting lost, do not panic. Simply because you are not! There are lots of signs and signages at every step to guide you around. You just need to follow them.

A lane of the Tokyo subway station

A pillar at the platform shows the way

A map in view soon after alighting from the train

Someone told me these slightly elevated yellow lines are for the
visually impaired to find their way

Signs to guide you at each step of yours

The Tokyo subway station platform

Remember to: Keep your eyes open and be alert.

Interact with the locals: It’s good to be confused!

The efficiency of the entire subway system can easily be the highlight of the subway metro especially for a traveler, but for us nothing could beat the crowd that makes the system what it is. Our many confusions led to many interactions which were then followed by lots of care and concerns by the people and this was what truly made these rides memorable for us. We enjoyed taking their help because they loved giving them,

Always happy to help

All with cheerful smiles and heartfelt tête-à-têtes that made for wonderful memories to be treasured forever in our memoir of Tokyo.

Remember to: Approach them with a smile and a plea for help. And if you are English speaking, do remember to speak slowly.

Train Lines: Intimidating? Not really!

This is the trickiest of all. The train lines interconnections can look quite intimidating at first but once you have taken a few rides and with the map in your hand, you do start to understand a few things and gradually you can’t help but admire its intricate design and well ordered layout. These lines are laid out in such a manner so as to give you an easy access to virtually reach anywhere, anytime! The only hassle multiplicity of lines causes is the need to change trains which means wastage of your precious time and buying of appropriate tickets for your complete journey but punctuality and excellent frequency of trains and Japanese helpfulness easily takes care of these factors.

A station lady officer helps us buy our tickets from a ticket vending machine

Remember to: Mark on your map the departing and alighting stations and the respective train lines for your destination.

THE KEY: Enjoy!

Ask the locals. Talk to the locals. Note what the locals say. Take their help and enjoy.

Enjoying moving with the locals

Remember: This may not be the only way to move around but it’s certainly the best and I assure you once you do that, train rides will not just remain rides but transform into joy rides for you.