Tokyo metro

Since I've been using the Tokyo subway frequently, I thought it would be interesting to describe my experiences here. But where to start...

The subway might seem like a trivial topic. It's only natural for a large city to need an efficient transportation network, allowing thousands of residents to move around without clogging the main roads. It’s no surprise, then, that Tokyo's subway is so extensive, consisting of thirteen lines that intersect with railway lines, creating a complex web of connections. The obvious advantage is that you can reach almost any place in the city using just the subway (which is exactly what I've been doing), though this often requires a complicated route with several transfers. I admit when I first arrived at one of the stations, I was momentarily disoriented. Fortunately, the line markings are clear enough that as long as you know which line to take, finding the right platform is no issue. Plus, at most stations, even underground, LTE internet works seamlessly. And even without a signal, public WiFi is always an option.

A map of the Tokyo subway system, with individual lines marked. Source: https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_w_Tokio

Both regular trains and subway cars operate with impressive punctuality, so even when you have little time to transfer from one line to another, it's usually not a problem. And even if you didn't catch your ride, the frequent departures mean you don’t have to worry about being late. And perhaps you've heard the story about the Japanese train that was 5 minutes late, prompting staff to apologize and issue certificates acknowledging the delay? On the official subway website, there's a special section showing all delays for the past 35 days. You can even print a certificate for specific delays to show at work. Check it out for yourself, for example, the Ginza line: https://www.tokyometro.jp/lang_en/delay/history/ginza.html

Moving on, one reason transfers between stations are quick is the ticketing system. You can use either a paper ticket from a machine or an electronic option (which I mentioned in my blog post about Shinkansens). Electronic tickets, or rather prepaid cards, are especially efficient for the subway. This isn't a new concept - a similar system exists in some Polish cities - but I've only seen it on such a large scale here. I recommend visitors to Japan for extended periods get one. There are various types of cards - Suica, Pasmo, Icoca... They don’t differ much; it mostly depends on the city where you purchase the card. When getting a card, a deposit (500 yen + an initial deposit) is required, returned when you return the card. The card can be obtained at a counter or a machine, the simpler option for non-Japanese speakers. Each card use deducts the appropriate fare, so you don't have to worry about buying tickets in advance. This system is also used in vending machines and some stores.

And if you don't know the Japanese language, there’s no problem - most information in the metro is in both Japanese and English. Even if you don't speak either language, each line is marked with a symbol. For example, the Marunouchi line is marked with a red circle and the letter M, and Shinjuku station for that line has a red circle with the letter M and the number 08. It's a system easy to explain to anyone.

What about the legendary crowds? Well, it depends on the time. If you travel midday or during other less busy times, you might find that metro is spacious and empty. However, traveling during morning or evening rush hours, when everyone commutes to and from work, is less than ideal. Sometimes, subway staff do have to push people so the fit in the overcrouded cars. This is still rare - due to the pandemic, working from home has become more common, even in Japan's strict work culture.

Lastly, it's worth mentioning the rules of traveling by subway. It might seem obvious, you get on and go. However, in Japan, nearly everything has its unwritten (and sometimes written) rules. A few notable ones: avoid loud conversations - though I've often encountered groups of Japanese people chatting; phones should be silenced, as stickers inside metro cars indicate; and you shouldn’t talk on the phone to avoid disturbing others. Eating and drinking is generally not advisable. In general, avoid any behavior that might disturb other travelers.

I think Tokyo’s subway system is a well-designed, efficient network worth getting to know while visiting the city. While I can’t comment on the subway in other Japanese cities at the moment, I expect they’re quite similar. If so, it’ll surely be an opportunity for another blog post!