How to ride the Tokyo Metro like a Pro

 Tokyo is one of my favorite cities on earth. I lived there for a year and have visited several times since. The Metro system is beautiful, orderly (I'm not kidding they come exactly when they say they will---imagine that NYC MTA?), and can be very intimidating for tourists. Especially non English speaking tourist.

First things first, be sure to breathe. There are English names for every station (under the Japanese characters) on certain maps at EVERY station. If you're not seeing names you can read, move on to another map. There's an English option on all the vending machines as well. Again. Breathe. Each station also has an information booth. You can always show them where you want to go, on your phone, and they'll help you out, even if they can't speak English, although most do.

The maps are important, bc you have to read them to know how much money you need on your ticket. You read the name of the station you're heading to and there will be a monetary amount right next to it. You need to buy a ticket for that amount. In Japan you pay according to the distance. The further you're going the more you'll pay. If youre in a rush or just cant figure out the map, get the cheapest amount the ticket machine will allow for. Ride the train to your stop. When you go to exit it won't let you, your ticket wont have sufficient funds on it. There are fare adjustment machines before each exit. Put your ticket in and it will tell you how much more you need. On my recent trip, it denied me exit, because I had paid TOO MUCH! Imagine that?

You can get a paper ticket or you can get a Suica rechargeable card (Tokyo's equivalent to a metro card). I didn't get a suica card on my last visit, bc it was just a layover, but if you plan on staying for more than a couple of days it's worth it. A suica cost 500 Yen (about $5). With both the Suica and the card you have to tap/insert to get in and you have reinsert/tap out, so HOLD ON TO YOUR TICKETS.

Don't just jump on the train. In Japan, everyone waits in an orderly line to get on the train. Don't skip anyone. Everyone waits their turn and there's always space, dont you worry. It's very common to get pushed on or in the train during rush hour. Lateness is unacceptable in Japanese culture. Therefore everyone needs to get on their respective trains and if they have to push to make it they will. There are also professional crowd pushers designated to the busiest stations during rush hour. Don't get offended by it and DEFINITELY doing get angry. It's just the way things are done. The fun part is when you get to push them back. Have fun with it!

Trains in Japan are meant to be quiet. Most people don't talk AT ALL while on the train. They expect us foreigners to do as we do and make noise, but if you want to fit in, don't say a word. There's also no showtime, pan handling, eating, music playing, or anything crazy. They like their trains clean and quiet. Follow suit!

The red square indicates where you are and it legit shows you what the next stops are in ENGLISH and how many minutes between until you'll arrive at each stop. The train system is AMAZING!!! 

Each station as one of these as well. It tells you where you are and what the next and last stops are. Which we should totally do in NYC, but we don't. So you could totally be going in the wrong direction for several stops before you notice. 

Tips to ride the Tokyo Metro like a pro:

1.Maps and machines have an English options, don't freak out.

2.Get a Suica if you're going to be there longer than 3 days. You can purchase at the information booth at any station.

3. Purchase tickets for the amount you need to get to your stop. If you run out of your suica or got the wrong amount for your ticket you can readjust the price before you exit.

4.Hold on to your ticket, because you need it to exit the station.

5.Wait in line to get on the train.

6.Don't make noise on the train (no talking, eating, music playing, or show time).

7.Don't freak out or think Japanese people are rude if you're riding during rush hour and you get pushed.

8. Keep the trains and train station as clean as you found them.

9. The TRAIN IS NOT 24 HOURS! The last trains for each line are around midnight. If you see everyone running and it's in the direction of your train, run, bc you don't want to miss that train. If you do, life isn't over. You can spend the night at an internet cafe (also called a manga cafe. That's in Layover in Tokyo post. Check it out. 

If you found any of this info useful, please leave a comment below and share the link my blog post with your friends!

Live, Love, Travel!

LMJ