Public Transport in Japan
I talked in another article about my stay in Japan, more specifically about budgets for Japan: http://www.conseil-voyageur.fr/info-asie/budget-cout-japon-2829. In this article, I will talk to you about transport and getting around in Japan and Tokyo.
Public Transport in Japan: Taking Public Transport in Tokyo.
Getting around Tokyo is very easy, the metro system is very convenient and serves many places in Tokyo. However, knowing the tips for getting around Tokyo requires a bit of attention.
Here is a map of the Tokyo metro:
On this map, you can see the different metro companies in Tokyo.
There are the TOEI lines, the Tokyo Line, and the JR Lines.
If you are moving around Tokyo, you should stick to the same companies unless you want to pay a little more. The price can quickly increase if you change companies; there can be a variation of 50 cents to one euro for the trip, so if you travel a lot in Tokyo, you have several choices: either take the daily ticket of one of the companies for 700 Yen or take the one for both companies for 1000 yen.
Knowing that with just one company, you can already do quite a lot, but the access route is sometimes longer!
Personally, I got caught out several times before understanding the system, so avoid making the same mistake and save a few dozen Euros.
Know that there are machines to adjust the price of your ticket at the metro exit if you made a mistake in the price.
Personally, I do not recommend taxis because they are very expensive and the price rises very quickly. I did not use this mode of transport!
Public Transport in Japan: Getting Around Japan
Most of the time, people stay in Japan for 1 to 3 weeks, so I will give advice for these people.
- If you travel within Japan, it is mandatory for you to get a JR pass.
A JR pass: is a pass that gives unlimited access to the JR lines and the Shinkansen, the high-speed train in Japan! The pass ticket quickly pays off if you make a round trip Tokyo / Kyoto (it takes 2 and a half hours compared to 10 hours by bus).
- How the JR pass works concretely:
You must buy your JR pass in France or abroad at an authorized agency.
You exchange your pass upon arrival in Japan at a designated point, there are several whether at the airport exit or in Tokyo (these are the JR information points).
You will be given a cardboard paper with the validity dates of your JR pass.
You must show it each time you take the JR lines by passing through the designated line in front of the ticket inspector.
You can reserve your ticket at the counter and/or take a seat directly on the train in the car for non-reserved seats.
You haven’t chosen your city for Japan yet? See how I got my cheaper plane ticket for Japan: http://www.conseil-voyageur.fr/asie/voyager-moins-cher-au-japon-2424
