Japan is a country with very modern transportation system, especially the train system in Tokyo. However, for those who first experience the train, it will be quite complicated. The following article will share the experience of traveling by train in Tokyo for your reference and less strange when "alone missing in Tokyo".
Basic introduction to the types of trains in Tokyo
Before talking about buying a train ticket as well as a guide to traveling by train in Japan, travelers need to get a grasp of the current train system in Tokyo today.
There are many types of trains in Tokyo, trains and trains are basically the operating company, the route, the speed ... To easily imagine, please divide the trains in Tokyo as follows. :
- Local trains have fast trains, slow trains. The local train in Tokyo called the MRT is a train that stops at all stages so that passengers can get off at any station.
- Rapid train (kaisoku): This train only runs to major terminals in the city, or connects the city with the suburbs. Price does not differ with MRT too much.
- Express train (kyuko): also stops at some major terminals, but the speed is faster than Rapid. Note that on some Rapid routes you also find Express train - the same route, the same schedule. However, this ship will cost more. The faster the train, the higher the fare.
- Limited Express trains (tokkyu): only stop at the main terminals. This train is similar to Express train but the ticket price is higher.
- High-speed train for long distances, connecting areas and distant provinces. Specifically here is shinkansen . Super Express Train (shinkansen): Connecting cities and large residential areas needing to go far. Usually it takes about 2-3 hours per trip. There will be separate stations for Shinkansen trains. Because the train speed is super fast, the fare is extremely expensive.
Japanese Shinkansen bullet train
Experience finding train routes, buying train tickets in Tokyo
The first thing before you buy a ticket is that travelers need to determine which train to take to avoid buying the wrong ticket. In this article, you will learn how to buy tickets and use the train to go to the inner city (moving around Tokyo).
To buy a train ticket in Tokyo, you determine which train you will take, which route, then check that route at the train station closest to you to go there and buy.
Guide to find train routes
As mentioned above, the first thing you need to do is determine which train route to take. In Japan, the train systems are quite complex, so you need to have a map or application to find the route for convenience, to reach the station you need.
Use the application
To find the train route, visitors can search using dedicated applications. Jorudan, NAVITIME, Yahoo ... are popular applications. Most applications have the same usage. You can also use the Google Map application to find train routes.
How to use Google Map
Open the Google Map app , enter your starting point and destination (departure point), select the vehicle as the train. At this time, the map will suggest for me the closest tram station to my hotel.
Entering the departure and arrival points, Google Map will suggest suitable tram lines
- For example, I am at the Hotel Il Fiore Kasai Hotel at: 134-0086 Tokyo Prefecture, Edogawa-ku Higashikasai 6-5, Japan. If you want to go to Tokyo Station, after filling out the address and the arrival station, the map will now show the tram route to go with many different route suggestions.
- Next I click on the first suggestion. The map will appear.
- Specifically, I need to walk from the hotel to the nearest train station, Kasai Station. Here I buy a train ticket to the Tozai line (blue line) -> get off at Otemachi station. Tozai Line is a train that will go directly from Kasai Station to Otemachi Station. This journey passes through 8 stops. Travel time takes 16 minutes.
- At Otemachi Station, I walk to find another line to buy a ticket to Tokyo Station (and transfer to the Marunouchi Line - on the red symbol map). This journey will pass through a stop. Travel time takes only 1 minute.
Choose a suggestion and see detailed instructions
Map at the station, paper map
Another way to find the train route you can look for at stations. Train stations and train stations all have a map on the wall and signs showing the train routes. You can watch directly at the train station for reference.
In case you need a paper map, you can find / request at the support information counter usually available at the stations.
Table of tram system at the stations
How to buy a ticket to travel by train in Tokyo
Buy tickets with cash
To buy train tickets in Tokyo you can use both paper money and coins to buy tickets, but in my experience, coins will be more convenient than paper money because coins are small change, machines often do not need to change again. It's easier to put money in the slot of a vending machine. There are also cases where there are some machines that only accept coins.
There are ticket booths at every train station - a row of vending machines. Just above the machines will be a train map showing the stations. You will see these maps to choose the right route to go.
Buy ticket
Go to the ticket vending machine, click on the screen -> select to switch the language into English -> Click to select the number of tickets (go to how many people to buy as many tickets) -> Click on the corresponding ticket price -> Cancel money in the money slot (coin or paper) -> Wait for tickets to run out, get tickets, get back the extra money.
Buy Japan Rail Pass
Japan travel pass cards provided by the JR company
If you intend to travel to Japan on your own, visitors should buy yourself a Japan Rail Pass. With this ticket, visitors can get on and off trains and buses across the country comfortably (limited to the facilities provided by the JR company).
This ticket is especially convenient for those who want to move through different cities / regions.
This ticket is special for tourists as well as some other subjects that Japanese people living in Japan do not enjoy. So you should take advantage of it.
Note: this ticket cannot be purchased in Japan. Travelers from Vietnam should buy this ticket before the trip from the travel agent.
Buy prepaid card
Suica prepaid card for daily travel, cost savings
If you are determined to travel several times, you should purchase a prepaid card. Prepaid cards have many types, maybe Pasmo card, Suica card (can pay for trains, buses ... public when traveling in Tokyo). You can also buy subway cards or other discount cards from before.
Using prepaid cards will be more beneficial as:
- If you travel regularly every day, buying monthly tickets saves 14%.
- Buy more tickets to get an extra bonus (eg buy 10 tickets get 1 more ticket);
- Buy special tickets: Seishun 18 Kippu Tickets (Youth tickets - fixed price in the spring - summer - autumn - winter season). With this ticket, if a user can buy a ticket once and can get on and off freely on the JR train throughout Japan for 5 consecutive days or 5 times a day ...
Among the above types of cards, I personally think that the Suica card seems to be the most popular. Suica cards have been issued since 2001 and are used almost exclusively across Japan. With this card, you will not have to wait in line to buy tickets (rush hour) and save a high cost for travel.
The reason is that in Japan, during rush hour, when people come home from work, you will see people rushing to the crowded train stations. Line up to buy tickets now will be a ... "challenge". Besides, in a country that spends everything as expensive as Japan, using a Suica card or a prepaid subway card saves about 14% (depending on type).
In addition to the Suica card, there are also the cards:
- Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket;
- Toei and Tokyo Metro One-Day Economy Pass;
- Tokunai Pass (750 Yen);
- Tokyo "Free Kippu" (Price 1,590 yen, allowing you to use the Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, Toei trams, most Toei buses, Nippori-Toneri Liner lines of Tokyo Metropolitan JR lines );
- Toei Bus One-Day Pass (One-day Toei Bus ticket); One-day discount on the Kenkei Skyliner and Tokyo Subway from Narita Airport to central Tokyo for 2,800 yen.
- Etc.
The procedure to buy Suica card, top up or check the money in the card is very easy, similar to buying a single ticket. If you're a bit confused, you can ask a train station staff for assistance.
Guide train
Getting on a train in Japan is also very simple, not as complicated as you think. If you have experience using the train in Korea, Bangkok ... then it will be less surprised.
Step 1: Scan the card
- You determine which train line will go and proceed to the gate to scan the card. If you have a Suica card, scan the card. If you use a ticket, there will be slots for tickets to enter. The gate is open for you to pass through and you receive the card that is released on the other side.
- During the train, please note to keep the ticket / card until the end of the journey (because this ticket still needs to get out of the train line when getting off the train).
Go through the card scanning port. Photo: Duy Nguyen
Step 2: Get aboard
- Wait for the train to come to a complete stop and get on. No hustle and shove. In addition, you should give the person on the train first before I enter.
- Note that the direction of travel for the train is the same as your bus. One side is the arrival train, the other side is the departure train. Should ask the local people to see if their side to board the route is correct.
Step 3: Get off the train
- The train will have a sound to notify the next stops and stations. You should track to the right station. In addition, above the train at the entrance, there is also an electronic notice board for you to monitor.
- When you exit the train station, you go to the train line (the same as when you get on the train). If you use the card, check the card in the square to scan the card until the light flashes green, the train line will open the gate. At this moment you step over.
- If you use an odd ticket, place the ticket in the slot at the same time as you board. The gate opens and you step through. This time the machine will swallow the ticket as well. (So if you are waiting for your friends or are not ready to go out, drill the ticket into the train line, you will not be able to return.)
- Each station will have many exit ports, so you should check (ask) which exit is closest to your train line to find the way out, to avoid the hassle of going around.
Experience when taking the train in Tokyo:
- Should calculate in advance for travel, you can buy Suica card if traveling many times. Besides Suica it has quite a lot of cards as mentioned in the article.
- Care should be taken when purchasing these cards, as having a travel pass only applies to each region / region
- Have a subway map with you to get a clear understanding of the commuter routes
- If you buy an odd ticket, after boarding, you must keep the ticket until you get off and get out of the train station.
- If you want to keep an odd ticket as a souvenir, you can go to the support information counter at the train station and tell the staff. The staff will put a stamp on your ticket and you are allowed to go through the train line but still retain the ticket.
- Should use the Google Map application to find convenient routes
- Should use the wifi transmitter when traveling to Japan because in Japan, you can not use free wifi (buzzing in public places, subway stations have wifi but cannot use). In addition, if traveling alone, you can also buy Japanese 3G / 4G Sim for convenient use.
- While using your phone to search for routes, your phone may be out of battery. Therefore note that you should always prepare a spare charger to charge the battery because at the train station or on the train there is no public charging socket.
- Trains in Japan are always accurate in terms of time, so you just need to be on time to have a train. Very convenient for you in building travel schedules.
- You should check and choose the train station that suits the route that is closest to your location so you do not have to walk too much.
- It is recommended to install Google Translate in the phone to facilitate asking for directions for the Japanese, even the train station staff speak very little English.
- No eating and drinking on board
- Do not talk on the phone on the train
- If a pregnant person, an elderly person, a person with a disability are on board and the seats are full, you should give seats to them.
- Pregnant women in Japan are given a key (a "maternity sign") that they hang on their pockets to let people know they need a seat.