TOKYO TRANSPORTATION TIPS

Blessed with an incredibly efficient transit system, not only do trains run like clockwork, they are also insanely clean and safe.

A dizzying array of train and subway lines, taxis and buses can take you literally anywhere you need to go but for most travellers, the train will be your best bet as the fastest and cheapest.

You have to get out of your head the idea of singular subway system as you would have in New York City or the S-Bahn and U-Bahn in Berlin.  

HOW TO GET AROUND TOKYO BY TRAIN

Think of Tokyo Metro as the precision form of transit that can take you to the very specific corners of the city while the JR line is meant to take you to the major destinations of the city.

If you're just focusing on the best way to get around Tokyo, it's unlikely you'll need to take these but if you're thinking about a day trip up to Tochigi or Kichijoji for street food you'll be looking at one of these.

 

What ultimately makes Tokyo transportation so complex is that you can't just pay for a ticket on say Tokyo Metro and be able to switch to the JR line after with that same ticket.

What makes taking the train so complicated in Tokyo?

For most visitors, picking up a Suica card at a JR station or a PASMO card at non-JR stations will make the most sense to nullify the complexities I mentioned above.

Best way to get around Tokyo with passes

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