Guide to take trains in Tokyo. How to choose the best deal and the best route by the train.

Tokyo
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You found this post. Because you are overwhelmed by the train system in Tokyo, right? I understand it is very complicated because there are many train lines and many different railway companies. Actually it is very very hard to find the route for even the local tourist.

And also there are lots of deals available but you may not be able to find the coverage of the pass.

In this post, I will show you all subway lines and JR lines in downtown core of Tokyo. And I will also tell you about the train system surrounding in Tokyo too. Because some of trains that come from outside Tokyo go to downtown Tokyo via subway line. This is actually one of the reason why it is so difficult to understand train system in Tokyo.

Overview of train system in Tokyo

Please see the map below:

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

I show you all subway lines, all JR lines and most of major private railway’s lines in downtown Tokyo on this map. But there are too many stations to show in this map. Only major stations, junctions and the nearest station to major tourist spots are shown in this map.

When you visit the tourist spots in Tokyo, such as Shinjuku, Ueno, Harajuku, Ginza, Asakusa, Skytree, Odaiba, Tsukiji Market, you have to find the locations, the nearest station and route. And you can choose your deal to visit these places. If you will use JR Pass, JR East Pass, Tokyo Wide Pass or other regional pass, you have to make sure the coverage of your pass. And you will find the additional fare on top of these pass if you visit the place where is not covered by your pass.

For the travellers who use Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA or other IC cards

You can take all railway’s trains in the map above. IC card makes your trip be very easy. You can tap your card when you enter and exit the ticket gate. But it does not give you any discount. If you intend to make many train trips, unlimited ride pass, such as subway pass is cheaper.

I would like to show you the coverage of major deals one by one from next chapter.

JR train network and coverage of JR deals

JR train network in Tokyo is much more simple than subway network. There are only three major lines that you need to know. Those are Yamanote line (loop line), Chuo line (Tokyo-Shinjuku-Mitaka), and Keiyo line (Tokyo-Maihama). you can access to many places in Tokyo by JR train only, such as Akihabara, Ueno, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Mitaka and Maihama. But there are many more JR lines in downtown Tokyo. If you want to know the detailed information about JR pass and JR deals coverage in Tokyo, please see the post or the movie below:

Some of you are thinking about using JR Pass, JR East Pass or Tokyo Wide Pass. These deals are national or regional deals and those cover Tokyo and many more areas. You can use these passes to take JR trains in downtown Tokyo. But using these deals while staying in Tokyo, please understand that the base fare to travel within downtown Tokyo is quite small. For example, the base fare for Tokyo to Shinjuku by JR local train is only 200 yen. Mostly base fare is around 200 yen. Traveling by these passes do not help to get worth very much. If you have any other trips to be covered by these passes, you should use the pass for other trip.

Japan Rail Pass (a.k.a. JR Pass), JR East Pass Nagano Niigata, JR East Pass Tohoku, JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass

The coverage of these passes in downtown Tokyo is shown in the map below:

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

These cover JR trains and Tokyo Monorail (Hamamatsucho-Haneda) only. Subway and other private railway lines are not covered.

Tokyo Wide Pass

Tokyo Wide Pass covers Tokyo and surrounding area for 3 days. Please see the map below to find the coverage of this pass.

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

This pass covers JR trains, Tokyo Monorail (Hamamatsucho-Haneda) and Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line. Rinkai line can take you Odaiba. This is a big benefit for sightseeing in Tokyo. Subway and other private railway lines are not covered.

Hokuriku Arch Pass

This pass cover the route between Tokyo and Osaka via Kanazawa. In downtown Tokyo, this pass covers JR local train network in downtown Tokyo. Please see the coverage of this deal in the map below:

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

This map shows you the coverage of Hokuriku Arch Pass in downtown Tokyo only. The pass also covers Tokyo to/from Narita airport and Tokyo to/from Haneda airport. Please see the link below to find the post of Hokuriku Arch Pass:

Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass)

This is one of JR local deals. It covers JR lines only in Tokyo 23 wards. If you do not use any other JR deals but you want to have unlimited ride of JR trains, this suits your plan. The price is 750 yen for one day. Please see the coverage of this deal in the map below:

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

It covers downtown Tokyo but you cannot visit the places where are outside coverage area, such as Tokyo Disney Resort, Ghibli Museum. Please find some more information about this deal at the link below:

Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokyo Tokunai Pass), good choice for sightseeing in Tokyo.

Subway network in Tokyo

Subway lines network in Tokyo is very complicated but it is most convenient train system in Tokyo. It covers whole part of Tokyo and you can go almost anywhere in downtown Tokyo. Therefore understanding subway system is a key to travel in downtown Tokyo smoothly. First of all, please see the all subway lines in the map below.

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

As you see, there are so many lines. As long as you know which station you need to go, you will be okay. I think some of you worry about language and it is very hard to remember station name. But in Tokyo subway system, all station is shown by code. Please see the full subway map at the link below:

Tokyo Subway Map

As you see the map, all stations have code, like “M17” for Tokyo station. This is shown at the station too. I wrote about these signage at the other post. If you worry about Japanese, please refer the post below:

Signage and announcement in the station and train

You may have already noticed that different name stations are located at same place. For example, Yurakucho and Hibiya are same location and you can transfer these subway lines very easily. We can find same thing in JR and subway stations, like Hamamatsucho and Daimon, Mita and Tamachi.

Two subway operation companies

Actually there are two different subway companies, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. There are many kinds of subway passes available. Before choosing the deal, you have to know these subway companies.

First, Tokyo Metro operates nine subway lines. Please see the map below.

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

Toei Subway is operated by Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Bureau of Transportation. It has four lines and the network is much smaller than Tokyo Metro. Please see the map below:

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

Toei Subway operates only four lines but Oedo line gives you direct access to Tsukiji Market. Tsukijishijo station is the nearest station to get there. And Asakusa line is very useful because this subway line gives you inter-connected through service with Keisei line from Narita and Keikyu line from Haneda. I will tell you this shared track service later.

Now I would like to show you subway deals.

Tokyo Subway Ticket

This covers both subway lines, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. This is the best deal for subway in Tokyo. Please see the link below to find more information:

Tokyo Subway Ticket (unlimited subway ride pass)

Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro Lines Common One-Day Economy Pass

This covers both Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. The coverage is exactly same as Tokyo Subway Ticket above. But the price is a bit higher. It is 1000 yen for one day. Only one day pass is available. This pass can be purchased at any subway subway stations. You can purchase it at even vending machine.

Average subway fare is around 200 yen. If you make 5 or more trips by subway, this pass is cheaper than single fare or using IC card, like Pasmo, Suica.

Toei One-Day Economy Pass

This deal covers Toei subway lines and other public transportation by Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The price is 700 yen for one day. If you make 4 or more subway rides, it is paid off. But you can take only 4 subway lines.

Tokyo Metro 1-Day Open Ticket

This deal covers all lines of Tokyo Metro 9 lines. The price is 600 yen for 24 hours. This deal has bigger coverage area than Toei subway deal above but the price is cheaper. You may be able to get the worth by 3 subway rides.

Other deals

There are some combined deals, like JR and subway, airport access train and subway.

Tokyo One-Day Free Ticket, Tokyo Tour Ticket, Tokyo Free Kippu, Tokyo Combination Ticket

This deal is called by several different names but it is same. This covers all subway lines and JR lines in Tokyo 23 wards. So it is combined of Toei Subway and Tokyo Metro Lines Common One-Day Economy Pass (1000 yen) and Tokyo Tokunai Pass (750 yen). But the price of this deal is 1590 yen. Actually this is not easy to get the worth of this pass. You have to make train trip at least 8 times. If you visit many places in one day and need to take both subway and JR trains, this pass will work. Otherwise this is not recommended. You may find the detailed information and conditions at JR East official site.

Airport access ticket and subway pass combination deal

There are many types of deals for travelers who arrive at Haneda and Narita airport. Keisei railway (Narita), Keihin Kyuko Railway (Haneda) and Limousine bus (Narita/Haneda) offers transportation to downtown Tokyo and subway pass combination deal. Please find more information at Tokyo Metro official site.

Inter-connected through service (shared track)

There are many many train lines in Greater Tokyo. And also many train companies share the track for the commuter’s convenience. Since trains come from outside city go through subway into the center of Tokyo, commuters can get the work place by minimum transfer. This is “Inter-connected through service”. This makes you be confused. For example, JR train goes through subway line and JR train run on subway track as subway train. Do you understand what I mean? If you cannot understand it at this point. it is okay. I would like to show you some inter-connected services in this chapter. If you understand these services, you can get the place where you want quickly and less transfers.

Narita – Asakusa – Ginza – Shinagawa – Haneda route

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

This route is probably most useful route for overseas travelers. Keisei Railway, Toei Subway Asakusa line and Keihin Kyuko Railway share the track. Some train connect Natita airport and Haneda airport directly via Oshiage (Tokyo Skytree), Asakusa, Higashi-Ginza, Sengakuji and Shinagawa. If you stay the place along subway Asakusa line, such as Asakusa, Ginza, this route takes you the place to stay directly.

Ikebukuro – Shinjuku – Shibuya – Osaki – Tokyo Teleport (Odaiba) – Shin Kiba route

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

This is the easiest way to get Odaiba from Ikebukuro, Shinjuku and Shibuya. JR Saikyo line train runs on same route as Yamanote line to Osaki. (But Saikyo line train skips several station on Yamanote line.) JR Saikyo line train goes through Rinkai line to Shin-Kiba via Tokyo Teleport (Odaiba). Rinkai line is not JR line but it is operated as a part of Saikyo line. All JR Saikyo line train run on Rinkai line.

But Rinkai line is covered by only Tokyo Wide Pass. Other JR deals do not cover Rinkai line.

Toride – Kitasenju – Otemachi – Meiji Jingu – Yoyogi Uehara – Hon Atsugi – Hakone Yumoto route

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

JR train, Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line and Odakyu Railway share the track. When you go to Hakone, Odakyu Railway is very convenient. Odakyu Railway has limited express train “Romancecar” that depart from Shinjuku. But a few Romancecar depart from Kitasenju and goes through Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line until Yoyogi-Uehara. You may find the timetable at the link below:

Odakyu Railway Romancecar timetable between Kitasenju and Hakone-Yumoto

But if you intend to use Hakone Free Pass, you have to purchase the pass in advance because this pass is sold at Odakyu Railway station. You cannot purchase it at any subway stations. In this case, you have to purchase Hakone Free Pass from Yoyogi-Uehara. 2 days pass is 5140 yen and 3 day pass is 5640 yen. This does not include subway fare. You can purchase subway ticket to Yoyogi-Uehara. On the way back, you can pay extra charge for subway when you exit subway station. You can show Hakone Free Pass and subway station staff can understand you need to pay the fare from Yoyogi-Uehara.

How to access to major spots in Tokyo by train

I would like to show you the nearest station to major sightseeing spots in downtown Tokyo. All places below are shown on the map below:

Click map to view larger.
Click map to view larger.

Akihabara

Akihabara is sometimes called “Akiba”. It is very well-known as the center of Otaku (crazy fun) culture, electronics and anime.

Nearest station

  • JR Akihabara
  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya line Akihabara
  • Toei Subway Shinjuku line Iwamotocho

Iwamotocho station is not located in the center of Akihabara. But it is only 5 minutes away from JR and Hibiya line Akihabara station. You can access to Akihabara easily.

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Asakusa

Nearest station

  • Tokyo Metro Ginza line Asakusa
  • Toei Subway Askausa line Asakusa
  • Tobu Railway Asakusa

All stations are located in the center of Asakusa. Senso-ji temple is very closed from these stations.

Please see the post below to find more information about access to Asakusa:

Ghibli Museum

Nearest station

  • JR Mitaka

Please see the detail information at the link below:
Complete access guide to Ghibli Museum from Tokyo and Shinjuku.

Ginza

Nearest station

  • Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line Ginza
  • Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line Yurakucho
  • Tokyo Metro Ginza line Ginza
  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya line Ginza
  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya line Hibiya
  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya line Higashi-Ginza
  • Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line Yurakucho
  • Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line Ginza-Itchome
  • Toei Subway Asakusa line Higashi-Ginza
  • JR Yurakucho

There are many stations in Ginza area. Even if you have only JR deals, you can access to Ginza from Yurakucho station very easily.

Harajuku

Nearest station

  • JR Harajuku
  • Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line Meiji-Jingumae
  • Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin line Meiji-Jingumae

Tokyo Metro Meiji-Jingumae stations are located at same place as JR Harajuku.

Imperial Palace

Nearest station

  • JR Tokyo
  • Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line Otemachi
  • Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line Otemachi
  • Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line Otemachi
  • Tokyo Metro Tozai Otemachi
  • Toei Subway Mita line Otemachi
  • Tokyo Metro Chiyoda line Nijubashimae
  • Tokyo Metro Yurakucho line Sakuradamon
  • Toei Subway Mita line Otemachi

Imperial Palace is a huge place and you can access from many stations. You should check which part of Imperial Palace you will visit before you go.

Odaiba

Nearest station

  • Yurikamome Odaiba-Kaihinkoen
  • Yurikamome Daiba
  • TWR Rinkai line Tokyo-Teleport

There is no subway and JR stations in this area. Any subway and JR deals do not cover Odaiba area. Only Tokyo Wide Pass by JR covers Rinkai line to get Odaiba. Yurikamome has one day pass but it is too expensive to have only round trip to Odaiba from Shinbashi.

If you have Suica, Pasmo, ICOCA or other major IC card, you can use it to take both Rinkai line and Yurikamome.

Roppongi

Nearest station

  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya line Roppongi
  • Toei Subway Oedo line Roppongi

Shibuya

Nearest station

  • JR Shibuya
  • Tokyu Railway Shibuya
  • Tokyo Metro Ginza line Shibuya
  • Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line Shibuya
  • Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin line Shibuya

Shibuya is one of the hub stations in Tokyo. There are five stations but actually four station because Tokyu Railway (not Tokyo Railway) share the track with subway.

Tokyu Railway Denentoshi line – Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line
Tokyu Railway Toyoko like – Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin line

Shinjuku

Nearest station

  • JR Shinjuku
  • Odakyu Railway Shinjuku
  • Keio Railway Shinjuku
  • Toei Subway Oedo line Shinjuku
  • Toei Subway Oedo line Shinjuku-Nishiguchi
  • Toei Subway Shinjuku line Shinjuku
  • Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line Shinjuku-Nishiguchi
  • Seibu Railway Seibu-Shinjuku

Shinjuku is the busiest station in the world.

Seibu Railway and Keio Railways are not shown in the map. These are major private railway lines in Tokyo.

Suibu-Shinjuku station is a bit away from other Shinjuku stations.

Keio Railway has two stations in Shinjuku. This railway shares the track with Toei Subway Shinjuku line at one of these Shinjuku stations.

Recommended walking tour [AD]

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All-in-one bar hopping tour. Drinks & Foods are included. so, you can come to the tour empty-handed.
Check the details.

Shiodome

Nearest station

  • Yurikamome Shiodome
  • Yurikakome Shinbashi
  • JR Shinbashi
  • Toei Subway Asakusa line Shinbashi
  • Tokyo Metro Ginza line Shinbashi

Shiodome area is connected with Shinbashi station by shopping arcade. It is 10 minutes away from Shinbashi by walk.

Tokyo Disney Resort (Disneyland and DisneySea)

Nearest station

  • JR Maihama

The entrance of Disneyland is very close from Maihama station. You can also access to the gate of DisneySea by walk. But it is about 15 minutes walk away. You may take Tokyo Disney Resort Line (Monorail) to get these entrance.

Tokyo Disney Resort Line (official site)

You also can find some more information about Disneyland at the link below:

Trip to Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea in 2015 spring, Part 1. Preparation and access from Narita.

Tokyo Dome City

Nearest station

  • JR Suidobashi
  • Toei Subway Mita line Suidobashi
  • Toei Subway Mita line Kasuga
  • Toei Subway Oedo line Kasuga
  • Tokyo Metro Marunouchi line Korakuen
  • Tokyo Metro Namboku line Korakuen

You can also find the access information at Tokyo Dome City official site.

Tokyo Skytree

Nearest station

  • Tobu Railway Skytree
  • Tobu Railway Oshiage
  • Keisei Railway Oshiage
  • Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line Oshiage
  • Toei Subway Asakusa line Oshiage

There are actually three stations because of shared track.

Tobu Railway – Tokyo Metro Hanzomon line
Keisei Railway – Toei Subway Asakusa line

There are only two “Oshiage” station. If you go to Tobu Railway Oshiage station, that is also Tokyo Metro Hazomon line Oshiage station. If you go to Keisei Railway Oshiage station, it is Toei Subway Asakusa line Oshiage station.

Tobu Railway has two stations near Tokyo Skytree. You can access from these two stations.

Tsukiji Market

Nearest station

  • Toei Subway Oedo line Tsukiji-Shijo
  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya line Tsukiji

You can access from both stations. But if you want to go to the inside of market, Tsukiji-Shijo station is located just next to the market and much closer than Tsukiji station. If you go to Tsukiji to eat fresh seafood, you can access from both stations easily.

Ueno Park

Nearest station

  • JR Ueno
  • Keisei Railway Keisei-Ueno
  • Tokyo Metro Ginza line Ueno
  • Tokyo Metro Hibiya line Ueno

Ueno is also one of the hub stations in Tokyo. But it is much easier than other hub stations, like Tokyo and Shinjuku. All stations are located in same place. Ueno Park is located just next to the station.

Comments

  1. Mel says:

    Dear Takeshi san,

    We are going to Japan 22 Nov to 8 Dec – it will be our first time, so we would appreciate your recommendation on transportation and places to visit that are suitable for family. We are family of 4 with 2 kids (8 and 6 years old). We are planning the trip as follows:
    22 Nov – we will arrive at 7pm at night at Narita airport – need to travel to ikebukuro
    23-25 Nov: Tokyo area, staying at Ikebukuro – kindly suggest place to visit
    26-27 Nov: 2 days in Disneyland Tokyo – staying at the Resort
    28-29 Nov: Hakone (we will check out from Disney resort on 28 Nov morning)
    30Nov – 1Dec: Kyoto (leaving from Hakone)
    2-6 Dec: Osaka (with daytrip to Nara) – please suggest places to visit
    7-8 Dec: back to tokyo staying at Ueno – last 2 days will probably be for shopping. Flight back is from Narita around 8 pm.

    Please also suggest on transportation:
    – Airport to Ikebukuro (arriving) and Ueno to Airport (leaving) – is there a deal for this trip?
    – From 23-25 we will be exploring Tokyo – what would be the best pass to buy?
    – Travel to Disneyland Chiba – do we just buy single trip ticket?
    – Hakone – What is the best way to travel there from Disneyland?
    – Hakone to Kyoto – Osaka: I tried to cover these within 7 days as I thought of using the 7 day JR pass. Is it worthwhile to get the wholw Japan 7 day JR pass? Is there cheaper option?
    – If we follow this schedule, we will be leaving from Hakone to Kyoto on Saturday and Osaka to Tokyo on Friday which is weekend. Will it be difficult to get seats on the train due to peak time?

    Thank you very much for your help.

  2. Van says:

    Dear Takeshi san,
    It’s very true that I’m overwhelmed by the train system in Tokyo. Therefore, I’ll need your advice.
    Our family of 4 including me, my husband and the 2 sons (5 and 7 years old) will be in Tokyo for about 2.5 days and plan to do the following routes:
    – Haneda airport to Shimoakatsuka Station (our accommodation location)
    – Shimoakatsuka Station to Sensoji Temple
    – Shimoakatsuka Station to Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway
    – Shimoakatsuka Station to Tokyo Station (to depart for Osaka)
    In Osaka, we’ll stay near Osaka-Namba Station and intend to visit Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nara Park and Osaka Castle. But maybe it’s not relevant here when your article is about Tokyo only.
    Can you advise me the best passes for our family?
    Thank you very much!
    Van

  3. H Catrina says:

    Hi Takeshi san,
    Need your help whether i will need a tokyo subway pass or not for my below trip and is the sequence correct or not.
    1. Tsukiji Market
    2. Ginza
    3. Imperial Palace
    4. Ueno
    5. Shibuya
    6. Harajuku
    7. Akihabara
    8. Roppongi
    10. Tokyo Tower
    btw, this is for only one day sighseeing, hopefully we can cover it all 🙂
    Appreciate your input. Thanks.

  4. Irfan says:

    Hi Takeshi,
    I will go to these places,
    Shibuya
    Kabukicho
    Ameyoko
    Harajuku
    Tsukiji Market
    Akihabara
    Metropolitan Government Building
    Ueno Park
    Sky Tree East Tower
    Asakusa

    Can you suggest which pass is the best deal ?
    Thank you very much in advance.

  5. Andrew Heyward says:

    This is an excellent guide. Even though I have been in Tokyo numerous times over the last 30 I found this very useful, especially with the separate maps for JR East pass, private lines and subways.

    Thank you.

  6. Mint says:

    Thank you very much Takeshi-san!

  7. Mint says:

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    Happy 2019 and thank you for such an informative and wonderful website! I have been learning a lot. I will likely be making my 1st trip to Japan soon but I am still a little overwhelmed on the various passes. Below is my planned route. May I seek your advice whether my route is reasonable and whether a 7-day JR pass is ideal? Thank you!

    day 1 Tokyo
    day 2 Tokyo
    day 3 Tokyo
    day 4 Takayama
    day 5 Kyoto
    day 6 Kyoto
    day 7 Nara
    day 8 Osaka
    day 9 Osaka
    day 10 Tokyo

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