While travelling in Japan, you will need to use the public transports. Even if you like walking, at some point, it's impossible to visit many places without taking the train or metro.
There are other transports, but these 2 are the main ones.
Let's keep the bus, ferry, street car, monorail, cable car and ropeway for the next blogs.
On the first days, my Japanese friends where all the time with me, so I just had to follow them, passing from one visit to another, no idea where I was in Tokyo, taking metro here and there, or was it the train?
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| Train station of Takamatsu in Shikoku - JR Line |
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| Kintetsu Line - Osaka |
At the begining, you might feel lost, some stations are so huge that you have no clue where to go to get a train or metro and finding an exit will require you lot of patience. This is what happened to me during my first trip.
On the first days, my Japanese friends where all the time with me, so I just had to follow them, passing from one visit to another, no idea where I was in Tokyo, taking metro here and there, or was it the train?
Ha, yes... maybe it was a train, or wait, no hm... they all looked the same! I don't know...
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| Train station Yokohama |
Indeed, I got confused because I didn't know which one was the metro or the train. The vehicles are similar.
After the first weekend, I was completely alone for 1 or 2 days. Some friends proposed me to join them at the Shinjuku station, South-East exit. No idea where to go, just got a metro to reach Shinjuku station.
And then I got completely lost. I was in fact used to take the subway, so, of course, I wasn't at the right station. They told me to search the Yamanote line... omg, I couldn't find it, it was a nightmare especially with the horrible summer weather and after 1 hour searching I gave up and went back to my hotel.
After the first weekend, I was completely alone for 1 or 2 days. Some friends proposed me to join them at the Shinjuku station, South-East exit. No idea where to go, just got a metro to reach Shinjuku station.
And then I got completely lost. I was in fact used to take the subway, so, of course, I wasn't at the right station. They told me to search the Yamanote line... omg, I couldn't find it, it was a nightmare especially with the horrible summer weather and after 1 hour searching I gave up and went back to my hotel.
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| Kotoden - Shikoku |
So yes, the Yamanote line is a JR line... that means the train and not the metro.
Now, when I travel in Japan, I'm used to the lines and stations, it's easy. If someone has explained me the difference between both transports since the begining, it would have saved me so much time and avoided lot of stress. Plus the fact that I didn't have internet on my phone was not helping.
Logically, the Metros are underground and the trains are not. Most of time it's like that, but don't forget that Japanese cities are built in height and depth. Sometimes you have to go downstairs to reach the train platforms too.
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| Kintetsu Line - Osaka |
The JR line is probably the most popular one, espcially for the tourists owning a a JRPass (for another article). The JR company runs the local lines, some super express trains and also the Shinkansen , the high speed trains to reach many cities. You can recognise these stations easily, they have the logo JR beside the station's name.
Of course, there are lot other train companies, such as Nankai Line in Osaka, Keio Line in Tokyo etc impossible to name them all ^^;
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| Subway entrance |
Some stations can be real mazes, so always look up to read the info boards. You miss one board and you can turn around to find your way ;)
So, the metro/subway...
On my 1st trip, I used only the metro when I was alone. If felt more comfortable to use them. The station entrance was right beside my hotel. And, personnaly, I think that it's more easy than the train station to find the right exit.
The station's exits have a number, that you can even find on google map.
For the train, you need to know the name of the exit, and on the map, it's often written in Japanese. Bit complicated if you don't speak the language.
In Tokyo, there are also different companies for the Metro, so the logo at the entrance of the station will be different. Check the main logos of the train/metro below.
In Tokyo, there are also different companies for the Metro, so the logo at the entrance of the station will be different. Check the main logos of the train/metro below.
Worry not, once you've understood how it works, it will be really easy. The public transports in Japan are really well organised, you can ask info to the staff, they will help you even if they don't speak English.
Something really important to know: be quiet in the public transports. Don't talk loud, don't do phone calls, switch the sound of your phone off, don't blow your nose,... well, you got it, no noise. If you are noisy, you'll instantly get all Japanese people staring at you.
You'll notice that many people are sleeping (a special skill Japanese have lol), they try to catch all moments possible to rest after/before their long days.
Another info:
Respect the side in the escalators. Don't block the way, people are often in a hurry. You'll notice that it's organised, you stand on the left, you walk on the right. Osaka is the opposite ;)
Something really important to know: be quiet in the public transports. Don't talk loud, don't do phone calls, switch the sound of your phone off, don't blow your nose,... well, you got it, no noise. If you are noisy, you'll instantly get all Japanese people staring at you.
You'll notice that many people are sleeping (a special skill Japanese have lol), they try to catch all moments possible to rest after/before their long days.
Another info:
Respect the side in the escalators. Don't block the way, people are often in a hurry. You'll notice that it's organised, you stand on the left, you walk on the right. Osaka is the opposite ;)
Some tips to make your travel easier:
- Get a map from the lines, they can be found in Japanese & English. They give them in the stations, tourist info, on the net.
- Download the app Hyperdia (mostly for the trains), MetrO (only for iPhone),... easy to find your route and stations to get the transport.
- Before you get out of the station, check the exit's name or number. If you have to go back there, you will find your way more quickly.
- Get a pre-paid card: Suica or Passmo for Tokyo (Kanto), Icoca for the Kansai (Osaka, Kyoto...), etc.
You can purchase them at the automatic ticket machine. The caution is 500yen, that you can get back if you return the card --- if you are sure that you will never return in Japan... lol.
This will save you precious time, and avoid lot of mistakes with the tickets. The boards with rates are a bit complicated, even for Japanese.
Beside the train/metro/bus, this card is also used as an electronic purse. It can be used to pay in some taxi, combini, vending machines, etc.
While you are in the train/metro, have a look around you. Advertising is everywhere, for everything (manga, cosmetics, shows,...). Some vehicles even have a screen where they broadcast info, adverts, movie trailers and much more stuffs.
If you have questions about this article, feel free to post a comment and I will answer you asap ;)
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| Metro - Naruto advert |
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