Easy Guide to Navigating Tokyo’s Transportation System

Welcome to Japan!

Traveling around Tokyo can feel overwhelming for first-time visitors. Not because the system is bad, but because there are so many options. JR lines, subways, local railways, airport trains.

It’s hard to know which one to choose right after landing in Japan.

This guide break everything down in a simple, practical way so you can move smoothly from Narita or Haneda Airport into the city, understand how JR and Metro lines work, and pick up a Welcome Suica to make your trip even easier. Whether you’re staying in Shinjuku, Asakusa or Shibuya, you’ll know exactly how to get around without stress.

From the Airport to Central Tokyo

Narita Airport (NRT)

Narita is the biggest airport in Japan and about an hour from downtown Tokyo.

The fastest options are the Narita Express (N’EX) by JR to Tokyo or Shinjuku, and Keisei Skyliner to Ueno or Nippori. Both are comfortable and easy to use. If you have a lot of luggage, the Airport Limousine Bus is a good choice. It goes directly to major hotels and stations.

· Narita Express by JR: about $27CAD (3,000 yen)/ 1 hour

· Keisei Skyline: about $23 CAD (2,500 yen) / 45min

· Airport Limousine Bus: about $28-33 (3,00-3,500 yen) / 60-90 min

Haneda Airport (HND)

Haneda is much closer. Take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho Station or the Keikyu Line to Shinagawa or Asakusa. Both accept Welcome Suica, Suica and PASMO.

· Tokyo Monorail: about $4 CAD (500 yen)/ 25min

· Keikyu Line: about $4.5 CAD (550 yen)/ 25-35min

Travel Tips from the Airport

· Choose your route based on where you’re staying.

· Get a Welcome Suica, Suica or PASMO card right at the airport. It makes transfers and small payment much easier.

·         Check train schedules on Google Maps or NAVITIME (Japan Route Finder & Planner | Japan Travel by NAVITIME - Guides, Transit Search and Itinerary Planner). Both app work great in Japan and give real-time platform info in English.

Getting Around Tokyo: JR, Metro and Local line

Tokyo’s train network is huge, but it’s easier to understand when you group it into three main systems: JR, Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway and Local Train.

JR (Japan Railway East)

JR is the largest train company in Japan and covers both local and long-distance train like Shin-Kansen. In Tokyo, the most useful line is the Yamanote Line (Light Green) which loops around major districts like Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, Akihabara and Tokyo Station.

You can also use JR lines to reach nearby cities like Yokohama, Kamakura or Chiba.

· Within Tokyo: $2-5 CAD (230-550 yen)

· To Yokohama: $6.5 CAD (720 yen) with Keihin-Tohoku Line (Sky Blue)

· To Mihama, Tokyo Disney Resort: $3 (330 yen) with Keiyo Line (Red)

Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway and Their Connected Lines

The Tokyo Metro and Toei subway cover central Tokyo with over a dozen lines. They’re perfect for sightseeing spots like Ginza, Roppongi, Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree and Tsukiji.

Many Metro lines are directly connected to Local railways so you can travel beyond Tokyo without changing trains.

For example:

· Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line <-> Tobu Skytree Line = for Tokyo Skytree or Nikko

· Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line <-> Tokyu Toyoko Line = for Shibuya, Yokohama and Motomachi-Chukagai (Chinatown in Yokohama)

· Tokyo Subway 1-Day Ticket: $8 CAD (800 yen)

· One Ride: $1.50-4 CAD (180-440 yen)

Local Line (Keisei, Odakyu)

These lines are especially useful for airport access and regional travel.

The Keisei Lines connects Narita Airport with Ueno and Asakusa while the Keikyu Line connects Haneda Airport with Shinagawa and Kawasaki.

What’s convenient is that these companies share tracks with the Toei Asakusa Line so you can travel directly between Narita and Haneda without changing trains.

· Narita-->Ueno (Keisei Main Line): $13 CAD (1,450 yen)

· Haneda-->Tokyo station (via Keikyu & Asakusa Line): $6 CAD (660 yen)

· Narita-->Haneda (direct local train via Keikyu): $16 CAD (1,770 yen)

So, What Is Suica?

For traveling in Japan, the Welcome Suica makes your trip much smoother.

It’s a prepaid IC card that works like e-money. You simply tap it at the ticket gate, and fare is deducted automatically. No need to buy a new ticket every time.

Welcome Suica: The Easiest Way to Travel Around Japan

The Welcome Suica is designed especially for short-term visitors and is valid for 28 days from the date of purchase. You can use it on almost all trains, subways and buses in Tokyo, as well as Chiba, Kanagawa, Saitama, Sendai, Niigata, Aomori, Akita and part of Hokkaido, Tokai area, West Japan and Kyushu!

· Deposit-free (You only pay for the amount you load)

· Minimum charge: $18 CAD (2,000 yen)

You can buy it at JR EAST ticket machines or Travel Service Centers at Narita, Haneda or Tokyo Station. The balance can also be used for shopping at convenience store and vending machines.