Complete Tokyo Train Guide for Foreign Visitors: From Suica to Boarding

For foreign tourists visiting Tokyo, trains are the most efficient and economical way to get around. While Tokyo’s railway system is one of the world’s most complex and advanced, anyone can easily use it once they understand the basics. Master Tokyo’s train system with this complete guide.

Why Trains are the Best Choice for Tourists in Tokyo

Benefits for Visitors

Punctuality

Trains run on schedule down to the second
Unaffected by traffic congestion
Average delay time is less than 1 minute

Cost Performance

About 1/10th the cost of taxis
Single ride: approximately ¥150-400
Even more savings with day passes

Access to Tourist Attractions

Direct connections to major sights like Asakusa, Shinjuku, Shibuya, and Ginza
30-60 minutes from airports to city center
Nearly 24-hour operation (last trains around midnight)

Tokyo’s Railway System: What Tourists Need to Know

Major Railway Companies and Their Importance for Tourism

JR East (Most Important)

Yamanote Line: The lifeline of Tokyo tourism, connecting major attractions in a loop
Chuo Line: Shinjuku-Tachikawa-Mount Takao
Keihin-Tohoku Line: Shinagawa-Ueno-Omiya
Used by approximately 80% of foreign tourists

Tokyo Metro (Important)

9 subway lines covering central Tokyo
Ginza Line: Asakusa-Ginza-Omotesando-Shibuya
Marunouchi Line: Ikebukuro-Shinjuku-Ginza-Tokyo Station

Toei Subway

Oedo Line: Shinjuku-Tsukiji-Ryogoku-Ueno
Asakusa Line: Haneda Airport-Asakusa

Private Railways

Access to suburban tourist destinations (Kamakura, Hakone, Nikko, etc.)

How to Read Tourist-Friendly Route Maps

Color Coding: Each line has a unique color for identification
Station Numbers: G01 (Ginza Line), M09 (Marunouchi Line), etc.
Transfer Symbols: Stations where multiple lines intersect
English Labels: All station names have English alongside Japanese
Tourist Icons: Major tourist spots near stations are marked

Welcome Suica: Perfect for Foreign Tourists

What is Welcome Suica?

A special IC card exclusively for foreign tourists, with different benefits from regular Suica cards.

Welcome Suica Features

No Deposit Required: No ¥500 security deposit needed
28-Day Validity: Valid for 28 days from purchase date
Take Home as Souvenir: Keep the card as a memento
Multilingual Support
Special Design: Features Japanese motifs like cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji

Where to Purchase

Ticket machines at Narita and Haneda airports
Major JR East stations (Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, etc.)
Tourist information centers for foreign visitors

Comparison: Welcome Suica vs Regular Suica

Feature	Welcome Suica	Regular Suica
Deposit	Not required	¥500 required
Validity	28 days	10 years
Reissuance	Not possible	Possible
Take home	Possible	Possible (no deposit refund)
Price	From ¥1,000	From ¥1,500 (including deposit)

How to Purchase Suica: Step-by-Step Guide

Airport Purchase (Recommended)

Narita Airport

Find ticket machines in the arrival lobby
Select “Welcome Suica”
Choose language (English/한국어/中文/ไทย/etc.)
Select charge amount (¥1,000, ¥2,000, ¥3,000)
Pay with cash or credit card

Haneda Airport

Same procedure as Narita
Located in international terminal arrival lobbies

Tourist Information Centers in the City

“Midori no Madoguchi” (JR Ticket Offices)

JR East staffed counters
English-speaking staff available
Purchase Welcome Suica by showing your passport
Office locator: www.jreast.co.jp/estation

Tourist Information Centers

Located at Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya stations, etc.
Multilingual support available
Route guidance provided simultaneously
Tourist center list: www.gotokyo.org/visitor-services

Smartphone Options

Apple Pay (iPhone)

Open Wallet app
Add “Suica”
Charge with credit card
Works with international Apple IDs

Detailed guide: support.apple.com/suica

Google Pay (Android)

Similar setup process for Mobile Suica
Some international cards may not work
Setup guide: www.jreast.co.jp/mobilesuica

How to Ride Trains: Complete Tourist Guide

Pre-Departure Preparation

1. Confirm Your Destination

Use Google Maps for route planning
Check number of transfers and travel time
Know the approximate fare in advance

2. Note Essential Information

Departure station name (both English and Japanese)
Destination station name
Transfer station names
Estimated travel time

Station Procedures

1. Arriving at the Station

Check the route map at the entrance
Look for signs to your desired line
Confirm the direction (e.g., “bound for ○○”)

2. Passing Through Ticket Gates

Touch your Suica or IC card to the right-side panel
Gate opens with a “beep” sound
Don’t leave your card on the gate reader
Insufficient balance triggers a “beep-beep” warning

3. Getting to the Platform

Follow signs to reach the platform
Check the platform number
Locate elevators and escalators

Train Etiquette: What Foreign Visitors Should Know

When Boarding

Let passengers exit first, then board
Don’t stand directly in front of doors
Wear backpacks in front
Move toward the center of the car

Inside the Train

Mobile phone calls are prohibited
Keep music volume low (inaudible to others)
Don’t spread your legs wide when seated
Eating and drinking is generally OK (avoid strong-smelling foods)

About Priority Seats

Reserved for elderly, pregnant women, disabled, and unwell passengers
Turn off mobile phones nearby
Tourists may sit when available
Always give up your seat when needed

Exiting and Ticket Gates

1. Confirming Your Station

Listen to announcements (Japanese and English)
Check electronic displays above doors
Use smartphone GPS

2. Exiting the Train

Move toward doors before the train stops
Say “Sumimasen” (excuse me) in Japanese
Or say “Excuse me” in English

3. Exiting Through Gates

Touch Suica the same way as when entering
Fare is automatically calculated and deducted
Pass through if no receipt is needed

Major Lines and Tourist Destinations

Yamanote Line (Most Important)

Major Tourist Stations

Shinjuku: Kabukicho, Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, shopping
Shibuya: Scramble Crossing, Center Gai
Harajuku: Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine
Tokyo: Imperial Palace, Tokyo Station building
Ueno: Ueno Zoo, Ameyoko Market, National Museum
Akihabara: Electronics district, anime and manga culture

Usage Tips

It’s a loop line, so even if you go the wrong direction, you’ll eventually reach your destination
Very crowded during rush hours (7:30-9:30 AM, 5:30-7:30 PM)
Learn the difference between outer loop and inner loop

Ginza Line

Tourist Route Asakusa (Sensoji Temple) → Ueno (Museums, Zoo) → Ginza (Luxury Shopping) → Omotesando (Fashion) → Shibuya

Chuo Line

Tourist Destination Access

Kichijoji: Ghibli Museum
Tachikawa: Showa Kinen Park
Takao: Mount Takao (hiking, autumn leaves)

Troubleshooting for Tourists

Common Problems and Solutions

1. Missed Your Stop

Stay calm and get off at the next station
Take the train in the opposite direction without exiting the gates
No extra charge for JR lines; private railways may require fare adjustment

2. Stopped at Ticket Gates (Insufficient Balance)

Use the “fare adjustment machine” next to the gates
Or tell station staff “Charge, please”
Pay the shortage with cash

3. Lost or Confused

Approach station staff: “Excuse me, where is ○○?”
Major stations have English-speaking staff
Use Google Maps for navigation

4. Train Delays or Suspensions

Check electronic displays at stations
Use JR East Train Info app for service updates
Alternative transportation may be provided free of charge

Emergency Response

Useful Japanese Phrases

すみません (Sumimasen) – Excuse me
英語できますか？(Eigo dekimasu ka?) – Can you speak English?
助けてください (Tasukete kudasai) – Please help me
○○に行きたいです (○○ ni ikitai desu) – I want to go to ○○

Emergency Contacts

Police: 110 (free)
Fire/Ambulance: 119 (free)
Tourist Hotline: 050-3816-2787 (24/7, multilingual)
Japan Visitor Hotline: jnto.go.jp/hotline

Money-Saving Tips for Tourists

Day Passes and Free Passes

Tokyo Metro 24-Hour Ticket

Price: ¥800
Unlimited rides on all Tokyo Metro lines for 24 hours
Available at Haneda and Narita airports

Greater Tokyo Pass

Price: ¥1,590 (3 days)
Unlimited use of Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and JR lines within Tokyo
Exclusive to foreign tourists

JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass)

7 days: ¥29,650
Unlimited rides on JR lines nationwide
Includes shinkansen (except Nozomi and Mizuho)
Must be purchased before entering Japan

Tourist Destination Train Strategies

Sample One-Day Itineraries

Asakusa-Ueno-Ginza Course

Asakusa Station (Ginza Line) → Sensoji Temple
Ueno Station (Ginza Line) → Ueno Zoo, National Museum
Ginza Station (Ginza Line) → Luxury shopping, Tsukiji Outer Market

Shibuya-Harajuku-Shinjuku Course

Shibuya Station (Yamanote Line) → Scramble Crossing
Harajuku Station (Yamanote Line) → Takeshita Street, Meiji Shrine
Shinjuku Station (Yamanote Line) → Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck, Kabukicho

Apps and Tools

Essential Apps

Google Maps

Japanese and English support
Real-time service information
Walking navigation included
Offline map support
Download: Android | iOS

Hyperdia

Dedicated train timetable app
Detailed transfer guidance
Full English support
Website: www.hyperdia.com
App: Android | iOS

JR-EAST Train Info

Official JR East app
Service updates and delay information
English, Chinese, Korean support
Download: Android | iOS

Other Useful Tools

Yahoo! Transit

Most popular transfer search in Japan
Website: transit.yahoo.co.jp
App: Android | iOS

NAVITIME

Comprehensive navigation app
English version available
Website: www.navitime.co.jp
App: Android | iOS

Seasonal Train Tips

Spring (March-May): Cherry Blossom Season

Important Notes

Weekend trains are crowded during cherry blossom season
Ueno Park and Shinjuku Gyoen areas are especially busy
Recommended to travel early morning or after evening

Access to Cherry Blossom Spots

Ueno Park: Ueno Station (JR, Tokyo Metro)
Shinjuku Gyoen: Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station (Marunouchi Line)
Chidorigafuchi: Kudanshita Station (Tozai, Hanzomon Lines)

Summer (June-August): Festival Season

Heat Countermeasures

Subways are cool and comfortable
Station platforms can be hot
Don’t forget to stay hydrated

Summer Festival Access

Sumida River Fireworks: Asakusa, Kuramae Stations
Kanda Festival: Kanda, Akihabara Stations

Autumn (September-November): Fall Foliage Season

Fall Foliage Spot Access

Mount Takao: Takaosanguchi Station (Keio Line)
Meiji Shrine Outer Garden: Gaienmae Station (Ginza Line)
Ueno Park: Ueno Station

Winter (December-February): Illuminations

Illumination Spots

Omotesando: Omotesando, Meiji-jingumae Stations
Roppongi: Roppongi Station (Hibiya, Oedo Lines)
Marunouchi: Tokyo Station

Official Information Sites and Links

Railway Company Official Sites

JR East

Official site: www.jreast.co.jp
Route maps: www.jreast.co.jp/map
Service status: traininfo.jreast.co.jp

Tokyo Metro

Official site: www.tokyometro.jp
Route maps: www.tokyometro.jp/station
Service status: www.tokyometro.jp/unkou

Toei Subway

Official site: www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp
Route maps: www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/subway

Suica and IC Card Information

Official Suica Information

JR East Suica site: www.jreast.co.jp/suica
Welcome Suica details: www.jreast.co.jp/welcomesuica
Mobile Suica: www.jreast.co.jp/mobilesuica

Discount Tickets and Free Passes

Tokyo Tourist Passes

Greater Tokyo Pass: www.tokyometro.jp/tcvb
Tokyo Metro 24-Hour Ticket: www.tokyometro.jp/ticket

JR Pass (Foreign Visitors Only)

Official site: japanrailpass.net
How to buy: www.jrpass.com

Tourist Information and Support

Official Tokyo Tourism Sites

GO TOKYO: www.gotokyo.org
Tokyo Convention & Visitors Bureau: www.tcvb.or.jp

Foreign Visitor Support

Japan Visitor Hotline: jnto.go.jp/hotline
Multilingual Call Center: 050-3816-2787 (24/7)

Airport Access Information

Narita Airport Access: www.narita-airport.jp
Haneda Airport Access: www.haneda-airport.jp

Summary: Master Tokyo Trains, Master Tokyo

Tokyo’s railway system boasts world-class efficiency and punctuality. While it may seem complex at first, following these key points will make your sightseeing much easier:

Keys to Success

Buy Welcome Suica at the airport – Start using trains immediately upon arrival
Download Google Maps – Basic functions work offline too
Learn major lines – Just the Yamanote and Ginza lines provide access to many tourist spots
Avoid rush hours – 10:00 AM-4:00 PM and after 8:00 PM are comfortable
Follow basic etiquette – Japanese people value quiet and courteous train behavior

Final Advice

Tokyo’s trains are not just transportation—they’re a way to experience Japanese culture. The orderly boarding process, punctuality, and passenger manners all reflect Japanese society.

Don’t hesitate to ask station staff or people around you for help when in trouble. Many Japanese people warmly welcome foreign tourists and will help as much as possible.

Master the trains and create wonderful memories in Tokyo!

We hope this guide helps make your Tokyo visit more enjoyable. Have a safe and wonderful trip!