Tokyo Train System

Introduction

When preparing for a trip to Japan, you may have heard this at least once: you need to pay extra every time you transfer.

This is likely because many travelers feel mental pressure about Tokyo’s complex transport system.

But in TourCast, we explain this complexity as simply as possible for first-time visitors to Tokyo.

• The content below is based on Common Part 2 - Japan Transport System, so it is best to read that first and then refer to this section.

Trains and subways are clearly different in Tokyo

Like most countries, Japan clearly separates above-ground and underground routes. In simple terms, an above-ground railway is called train, and an underground railway is called subway.

• Subway: The 9 lines on the right are Tokyo Metro, and the 4 lines on the left are Toei (都営)
• Train: JR lines and private railways (Odakyu Line, Yurikamome Line, etc.)

Comparing major JR lines (Yamanote Line vs Chuo Line)

Tokyo’s main backbone is the JR Yamanote Line, a loop line, connecting major sightseeing areas such as Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, and Ueno.

Tokyo’s JR network also has a 'direct line' that runs across the city between Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Station. These are the Chuo Line (中央線) and the Chuo-Sobu Line Local (中央・総武線 各駅停車).

As you can see in the image above, traveling from Shinjuku Station to Tokyo Station on the Yamanote Line (green) takes about 33 minutes, because it loops via the Shinagawa side and stops at all stations.

In contrast, the Chuo Line (orange) takes only 13 minutes from Shinjuku to Tokyo. It saves nearly 20 minutes and compensates for the loop line’s weakness.

It is not fast simply because it goes straight across. It is fast because it is a rapid train that stops at only a few stations, such as Shinjuku → Yotsuya → Ochanomizu → Kanda → Tokyo.

So what is the difference between the Chuo Line and the Chuo-Sobu Line Local?

As the word 'Kakueki (各駅)' suggests, the Chuo-Sobu Line Local (yellow) stops at every station.

This line runs from Shinjuku Station and connects toward Akihabara via Ochanomizu Station. So it is useful for traveling Shinjuku → Akihabara.

In summary, here are the main ways to travel between Shinjuku Station and Tokyo Station:

• Chuo-Sobu Line Local only: about 18 minutes
• Chuo Line Rapid + transfer at Ochanomizu: about 12 minutes
• Yamanote Line: about 37 minutes

Overview of Tokyo private railway lines

Tokyo’s well-known private railways (trains) include the Yurikamome Line to Odaiba and the Odakyu Line to Hakone. Compared to standard subways or JR lines, these lines are often more expensive.

However, many lines offer well-designed transport passes, so with the right pass, you can travel more affordably.

These private railway lines often do not pass through the inner city, based on the JR Yamanote Line. This follows a “no entry into the city center” rail policy, so they do not enter inside the Yamanote Line loop.

• Yurikamome connected to Shimbashi Station
• Tokyo Monorail from Hamamatsucho Station to Haneda Airport
• Odakyu Line connected to Shinjuku Station, and more

Tokyo Metro vs Toei Subway

Tokyo’s subway system is divided into Tokyo Metro (9 lines), operated by a private company, and Toei Subway (4 lines), operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

This is one of the parts that many Tokyo travelers find the most confusing.

In short, transfers within the 9 Tokyo Metro lines do not require an extra fare, and transfers within the 4 Toei lines also do not require an extra fare.

But transfers between Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway require an extra fare, so you need to be careful.

As shown above, the M-shaped logo on the left is Tokyo Metro, and the ginkgo-leaf-shaped logo on the right is Toei Subway.

• Tokyo Metro (9 lines): Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya, Tozai, Chiyoda, Yurakucho, Hanzomon, Namboku, Fukutoshin
• Toei Subway (4 lines): Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, Oedo

Exclusive TourCast Tips!

How to identify lines easily on Google Maps by logo and line code

When you search routes on Google Maps, subway lines are usually shown as a single letter, which refers to Tokyo Metro or Toei lines.

In contrast, JR lines are shown as two letters starting with ‘J’. For example, JC means the Chuo Line, and JB means the Chuo-Sobu Line Local.

Other lines, such as Tsukuba Express and Ueno-Tokyo Line, are classified as private railways (trains).

Tokyo train and subway transfer fares

One of the most confusing and stressful parts of planning a Tokyo trip is often transferring between trains and subways.

TourCast explains Tokyo’s transport system as simply as possible for beginners, so take it step by step without pressure.

1) Train - Train

Transfers between JR lines, or within the same private railway line, are treated as free transfers.

• Chuo Line (JC) → Chuo-Sobu Line Local (JO) is within JR, so it is a free transfer

2) Train - Subway transfer

Transfers between JR lines or private railways ↔ subways (Tokyo Metro/Toei) are run by completely different operators, so you must pay a one-way fare + another one-way fare.

3) Subway - Subway transfer

Using a route from Roppongi Station to Shimbashi Station as an example, let’s see how the fare changes depending on which subway combination you use.

1. Metro - Metro transfer

   • Metro Hibiya Line → Metro Ginza Line
   • One-way fare: 170 yen (free transfer within Metro)

   

2. Toei - Toei transfer

   • Toei Oedo Line → Toei Asakusa Line
   • One-way fare: 220 yen (free transfer within Toei)
   • However, many Toei sections have lower usage than Metro

   

3. Metro - Toei transfer

   • Toei Oedo Line → Metro Ginza Line
   • One-way fare: 280 yen (paid transfer between operators)
   • The base fares are 180 yen + 170 yen, but a special subway discount of 70 yen applies, making it 280 yen
   • If you buy a cash ticket, you can transfer with one 280-yen ticket

   

Exclusive TourCast Tips!

The gate that connects operators: how to use ‘Transfer Gates’

There are no free transfers between JR lines and subways/trains. In most cases, you exit the JR gate and then enter the gate of the next operator.

However, some stations have a 'Transfer Gate (連絡改札口)' for transfers between operators. If this gate exists, you can transfer directly between the two operators.

• Main stations with Transfer Gates
• Inside the Yamanote Line: Shinjuku, Shinagawa, Nippori, Gotanda, Hamamatsucho, Takadanobaba, Nishi-Nippori, Ichigaya
• Within Tokyo: Bakurocho
• In Yokohama: Yokohama

When you pass through this gate, IC card users can transfer by simply tapping, but single paper tickets (magnetic tickets) require extra care.

You should go in this order: single ticket (magnetic ticket) → insert first, then IC card → tap. If you do it the other way around, it can cause an IC card read error at your destination.

Example) Shimokitazawa → Shinjuku → Tokyo Station → Shinkansen

1. Take the Odakyu Line from Shimokitazawa and arrive at Shinjuku (tap your IC card)
2. At Shinjuku, tap your IC card at the ‘乗り換え専用 (transfer only)’ gate and enter the JR line
3. At Tokyo Station, insert your Shinkansen ticket first, then tap your IC card and exit

• If you do not have a Shinkansen ticket, you must exit through the '出場専用 (exit only)' gate, buy a ticket, and enter again

View JR East Suica transfer guide

In central Tokyo, using only an IC card is usually enough, but mistakes are common when transferring from the Skyliner at Narita Airport to JR lines, so be careful.

This is covered in detail in 'Entering Central Tokyo from Narita Airport'.

How to use a Tokyo single ticket (one-way paper ticket)

A single ticket (magnetic ticket) means you do not use an IC card like Suica or PASMO, or a transport pass. Instead, you buy a one-way ticket with cash at the station.

1) Fare adjustment for extra distance

• If you travel farther than the ticket you bought, insert your ticket into the yellow fare adjustment machine next to the gates. It will show the remaining amount to pay.
• Insert the extra cash, and a new ticket will be issued. Use this new ticket to pass through the gate.

2) Orange ticket gates

• Some stations require you to exit the gate area to transfer, because there is no internal transfer corridor. This can happen even when transferring within the same Metro network.
• If you pass through a normal gate with a single ticket, the ticket is collected, so you cannot transfer, and you may need to buy a new ticket.
• In this case, you must use the orange transfer gate, so your ticket comes back out and you can continue the free transfer.
• Major stations where you must use the orange transfer gate include:
  • Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Ueno, Mitsukoshimae, Otemachi, Iidabashi, Kudanshita, Hibiya ⇔ Yurakucho
  • Awajicho ⇔ Shin-Ochanomizu, Ueno-Hirokoji ⇔ Naka-Okachimachi