The three systems you need to know
Tokyo's rail network is actually operated by three separate companies that together cover the entire city. As a tourist you mostly don't need to think about who runs what — an IC card like Suica works across all of them — but knowing the difference helps you make sense of the maps.
| Operator | Lines | Colour on maps | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Metro | 9 lines | Individual colours per line | The main subway — covers most tourist areas |
| Toei Subway | 4 lines | Individual colours per line | Operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Govt |
| JR East | Multiple lines | Usually orange (Yamanote) | Surface/elevated trains — critical for tourists |
The practical implication: a Tokyo Metro day pass doesn't cover Toei lines or JR trains. If you're buying a day pass (more on this below), the combined Tokyo Metro + Toei pass is the better option unless you're staying strictly in the metro network.
The lines that matter most
Tokyo Metro operates nine lines, Toei runs four more, and JR East adds several surface railways. You don't need to memorise all of them. These are the ones that will carry you through 90% of your sightseeing.
💡 Don't memorise lines — use Google Maps. Enter your destination and it will give you the optimal route including line names, platform numbers and exact transfer instructions. Tokyo's metro is one of the best-mapped cities in the world on Google Maps. Just follow it step by step.
IC cards — Suica and Pasmo
An IC (Integrated Circuit) card is a rechargeable contactless smart card that replaces paper tickets entirely. Suica (issued by JR East) and Pasmo (issued by the private railways) are functionally identical for tourists — both work on all trains, buses, and even at convenience stores and many vending machines across Tokyo.
You tap the card on the reader when entering and exiting a station gate. The correct fare is deducted automatically — you don't need to know the price in advance. This is by far the most convenient way to travel.
Mobile Suica — the best option
Since 2021, foreign-issued credit cards can be used to load Suica directly onto an iPhone (Wallet app) or Android (Google Pay). This means you can set up Suica before you even land in Japan — no machine queues, no plastic card deposit. It's strongly recommended. See the full Suica guide for setup instructions.
Physical IC card
If you prefer a physical card, buy Suica or Pasmo at any JR ticket machine or staffed counter. It costs ¥500 for the refundable deposit. Top it up at any green ticket machine in any JR station or the blue machines in metro stations. Cards can be returned for a refund at the end of your trip.
Ticket prices — how much does it cost?
Tokyo Metro fares start at ¥180 / €1.10 for short journeys and go up based on distance, capping out around ¥330 for longer cross-city trips. A typical tourist journey — say, Shinjuku to Asakusa — costs around ¥220–260. JR Yamanote Line fares start at ¥150.
If you're making 4 or more metro journeys per day, a day pass will save you money and the mental arithmetic.
Day passes — when they're worth it
Metro day passes cover the nine Tokyo Metro lines only. They do not cover JR trains (Yamanote, Chuo etc.) or Toei subway lines. For most itineraries the standard Tokyo Metro 24/48/72h pass is sufficient — the Yamanote Loop is cheap enough per ride that a separate JR pass isn't usually worthwhile for just city travel.
💡 Where to buy day passes: Any Tokyo Metro station ticket machine (look for the "One-day pass" or "Tourist Pass" button) or at the staffed window. Some are also available through Klook at a small discount. The 72h pass in particular is excellent value — at ¥1,500 you're paying what you'd spend in just 6–7 single journeys.
Shinjuku Station — the world's busiest station by passenger numbers, served by multiple metro and JR lines.
Key stations to know
Rush hour — how bad is it really?
Tokyo's rush hour is genuinely intense. The peak is 7:30–9:30am inbound and 5:30–7:30pm outbound on weekdays. Trains on major lines (Yamanote, Marunouchi, Chuo, Tozai) will be packed to well over capacity — station staff in white gloves physically push passengers in.
As a tourist with luggage or a day bag, rush hour is deeply uncomfortable and occasionally impossible. The practical advice is simple: don't need to go anywhere between 8 and 9am on a weekday. Most tourist sights open at 9 or 10am anyway. Sleep slightly later, have a slow breakfast, and catch the train after 9:30am when things ease off significantly.
⚠️ Women-only carriages: During rush hours (and some all-day), certain carriages are designated for women only. They are marked with a pink sign on the platform and on the train door. As a man, don't enter these — even if they look less crowded. The carriage number varies by line, but it's always the end carriage.
Metro etiquette — what matters
Hours and frequency
Tokyo's trains are famously punctual — delays of more than one minute are rare enough to be announced as an apology. First trains run from around 5:00–5:30am. Last trains depart around midnight to 12:30am, depending on the line. There is no overnight service.
Frequency during the day is typically every 3–5 minutes on major lines, increasing to every 2 minutes during rush hour. On quieter lines or outer stations, you may wait 8–10 minutes — check the timetable board on the platform.
If you miss the last train, taxis are available 24 hours but expensive. Some areas have all-night buses on weekends. Planning your last journey of the night to depart by 11:30pm gives you a comfortable buffer.
Navigation apps
Google Maps is the simplest option for most travellers — it shows routes, transfer details, exact platform numbers and live departure times. Set it to Transit mode and it will consistently give you the best route.
Navitime for Japan Travel is a Japan-specific app that gives slightly more detail on platform positions and carriage spots — useful for large stations like Shinjuku. Hyperdia is another option popular with rail enthusiasts for planning day trips.
Offline maps are worth downloading before your trip in case of poor signal in underground stations. Google Maps allows offline map saving — download the Tokyo region while on WiFi.
Get a Suica or IC card before you land
Klook sells Suica and Welcome Suica cards that can be collected at the airport. Skips the machine queue and gets you tapping straight away.
Get Suica on Klook