How to navigate and not get lost in Tokyo? What are the dos and the don’ts of navigating Tokyo’s train Network on your upcoming Japan trip? Hopefully, you won’t be making any mistakes so grab a pen, don’t forget to subscribe for more Japan, planning tips and let’s get started using Google Maps. Everything starts with a map, a start point and an end destination and Google Maps are similar will help.
You know the platform number the best boarding position for easy transfer, closest exit, number and walking time to your end destination. This is your first step to naviga in Tokyo without getting lost, or at least not too lost, and best of all this can all be done in advance, allowing you to choose the best route that suits your needs before you head out getting to your train, it’s Important to differentiate between using Tokyo’s math train transportation system to get around the city and accessing the shinkansen to navigate between cities.
What you do need to know is that shinkansen bullet trains often depart from what, in essence, is a station within a station or a section of the station that will have an additional ticketed gate, machine or reader, sometimes beyond the initial gates. In most cases, an IC card will not work here, but there are always ticket machines nearby if you need them once at the shin Canton gate. This operates very similar to an airport with displays clearly demonstrating upcoming departures and platform numbers in English and Japanese step.
One navigating to the platform, the first thing that you’ll need to do is enter the station. If entering the Metro, these will usually display the lines it serves. Even a street level, you will need to go for the automated ticket Gates using an IC card or paper ticket you’ll find that many stations have more than one entrance and therefore more than one ticket gate.
Thanks to Google Maps, you should already know the platform number or the line you’re going to use Tokyo stations are among some of the best and most abandonedly signposted stations in the world.
You’Ll find signs leading to your platform number or your specific line. These are clearly sign posted, so look out for overhead signs signs on the floor or even on the wall or columns.
These signs go beyond navigating to your train and can also help you find many other useful things like restrooms or exits to points of interest near you and much more inside of stations. You’ll also find a range of different maps to help you navigate and find your bearings. If you need them too. The entrance to each platform is clearly visible, with a line number and line name, and you can check the line route to make sure that you’re going in the right direction. This can usually be found on the side of the platform’s entrance. Major stations will have access to platforms via escalators and elevators, but bear in mind that smaller stations might not or that certain Gates might have these facilities, but others might not step two at the platform. You’ve made it to the platform and, if you’re still feeling unsure, then don’t worry, you’ll likely find signs on the floor and full-on platform.
Information boards, with all the information needed, but most importantly, look out for the platform number and the digital live displays that are updated in real time. These will normally display the final destination of the train and will usually match the information from Google Maps too.
The exterior of the train will also have a screen display demonstrating its bound destination.
It’s polite to queue up in line and allow people off the train before boarding you’ll notice that if the train is busy, people will exit to allow others to leave and then re-enter the train in some train platforms. It’s also common to line up on marked spots on the platform when waiting for the train. This helps maintain order and boarding. It’S also important to note that, during During certain hours of the day, you might find women only carriages.
These are usually marked on the floor and if you need special assistance, then ask for help.
Major Tokyo Station platforms usually have many useful facilities like smoking rooms, vending machines, kiosk selling drinks, snacks and echy bentos and, very importantly, trash cans too. And if the platform serves a train with a green car which is similar to first class, then there will usually be a green car upgrade machine too. But these will usually only work with Suka and not with other icy cards if upgrading from within Tokyo. And if you are on the Metro, you usually also find a line map somewhere on the wall, where the train approaches making.
It super easy to make sure that you’re heading in the right direction step three on the train. There are plenty of things that you can do on the train to make sure that you’re on the right one, an important etiquette that will make for a smooth ride around Tokyo inside the train over the train door.
You’ll usually find a display changing between Japanese and English, with some very useful information like the next upcoming station, the root map, including any line changes available at those stations, the station code and the time it will take to reach each station. The display will also show which side of the door will open the car number that you’re traveling on and a basic map of the next station platform at arrival, which shows where toilets, escalators and elevators can be found in reference to your location.
So, you know in what direction you should exit, whilst on the train, you should know that commuter train seating is on a first come first served basis. People will shift around to either sit with no one next to them or to try to get the elusive corner seats, so they can rest against the screen. So don’t take it personally. If someone moves away from you, there is an area for assistance or priority seating that should be respected and plenty of handles and areas to grab onto for stability if traveling with a day bag.
It’s recommended to put this on the overhead shelf or in between your legs or, as a last resort. Wear it in front of you, instead of your back to avoid accidentally invading people’s personal space, if traveling, with larger luggage, try to place yourself out of the way to the side of the door, if possible and secure your luggage in front of you. Some trains, for example, heading to and from the airport, will usually have luggage areas, making things easy if the train is busy and you’re standing at the door step out to allow others to exit and then return to the train, too, trains are usually silent.
So keep talking to a minimum, avoid eating and drinking on local trains and don’t make or receive calls with your phone. But it’s perfectly fine to use headphones when exiting the train, be mindful of the people around you and make sure that you don’t leave anything behind step. Four exiting the train at the platform.
It is common for train platform stairs to have a one-way system if using an escalator with luggage place this on the step in front of you keeping a firm grip to avoid accidents in Tokyo, it’s normal to stand on the left side and pass on the right Allowing those in a hurry to easily walk up or down the escalator, this is actually the other way round in Osaka you will need to exit via the ticket Gates and if, for some reason, your icy card is lacking, balance for the journey you’ll usually find Fair adjustment machines, close by to top up or, if using digital speaker, simply do so from your phone step.
Five, finding an exit most stations will have multiple exits in what can sometimes feel like an underground Maze and finding the correct station exit will help you navigate closer to your final destination in Tokyo’s overground, if using Google Maps to head to a specific location or area Outside of the station, you will probably already know your exit number and can follow these instructions.
Another way to find train station exit information is by zooming into Google Maps or similar. Although I find this method to be a little bit, fidgety myself, you can also find your exit by checking the area information map within the station. This is also a handy way to see where different exits lead to. You will also find an exit guidance list of popular or key nearby locations, such as tourist spots, hotels and other point of Interest, along with corresponding exit numbers. Some maps are even interactive, giving you the option to search from within the map itself.
So, once you know what exit to navigate to Its straightforward to get to your destination by following the signs, you will find General exit information signs for main exits, which are sometimes named as a direction such as the West exit or north exit.
The station is full of General signs for main exits with clearly marked arrows to help you navigate you’ll, find these on columns overhead over stairways and escalators, sometimes on the floor at elevators and before exit gates too, and once you arrive at your exit, you may also Find additional area information too.
I got the Shinjuku line and it’s now telling me that I need to get out at the A2 exit and the A2 exit is the closest ex exit to the location that I’m meeting a friend. So, let’s get to the A2 exit. There’s a map there, but I can sear that the A2 exit is in that direction. So, let’s go on a side note, as I help you navigate Tokyo and Japan, will you help me navigate growing, my channel by sharing and subscribing? Additionally?
Here are two of my affiliate links that will help you get the most out of your trip and also help you not get lost in Tokyo step six, transferring between lines when traveling in Japan, you might need to transfer between different train lines. This could involve changing platforms within the same station or moving between entirely different train systems, such as switching from Jr lines to the Tokyo Metro. Fortunately, most stations are well connected and have clear signs to guide you. Sometimes you may need to exit one station to enter another.
However, these transfers are usually Under One Roof, so it often feels like you’re still in the same station once you’re at the station. Follow the signs to the transfer platform remember to allow extra time for transfers, especially during peak hours, and don’t hesitate to ask station staff for assistance if needed, navigating outside of the station. If you are already following Google Maps route, then follow those directions from Google Maps, but what I often like to do is search for walking directions afresh once I’m at street level.
This is especially important if you might have exited via a different exit if, for some reason, your GPS location seems to be confused due to tall buildings, consider using Google Maps live view to reorient and at least start walking in the right direction. Compatible phones with this feature will let you follow augmented reality arrows giving you the assurance that you might need to know that you’re walking in the right direction. One of the things that I love and, I think is totally underestimated for navigating especially finding your direction, which way should you actually be facing when actually following the map directions, is using live view, which is awesome because it will actually give you a Google Maps.
Augmented reality version of where you should go pointing the camera around. You will see some arrows. Can you see the arrows yeah and the arrows will actually tell you where to go, but um pretty good way of Orient orienting yourself. I know that now I need to go in that direction to head and find the station always remember that Japanese cities are multi-layered with many establishments and restaurants, either being above you or in basement levels below you, Google Maps will usually take you 99 % of the Way and a little detective work might be needed to get you to your goal: types of trains and tickets, whilst traveling around Tokyo and Japan.
You might encounter different types of trains, and this is what you need to know. Local trains usually stop at every station. On the line and make up the majority of trains in major cities, rapid trains and Express trains skip some of the smaller stations and only stop at Major stations. Limited Express trains stop only at Major stations offering faster travel times, but in addition to a basic, Fair ticket, a limited express Ticket will be required.
Shinkansen is also known as a bullet train. These are high-speed trains that connect major cities across Japan, Tua shines, a basic Fair ticket plus Aing caner ticket is required, reserve seats are available or on certain rout, mandatory it’s advisable to book in advance, especially during Peak travel times. Sleeper trains are overnight, trains that offer sleeping accommodations, a basic, Fair ticket plus an additional charge for the sleeping birth is needed, with reservations, usually required types of tickets, IC cards such as Sua, pasmo, Etc, can usually be used for trains that travel within a city.
However, they cannot usually be used for limited, Express or Shen Canon TR trains, paper style tickets are available from station cos or counters green cars and Grand class tickets.
These are business style cards available in certain trains, including the shinkansen. This ticket is, in addition to the basic, fair and any Express or shinkansen ticket limited, Express and shinkansen tickets can be purchased at ticket counters, ticket machines or online. It’s recommended to reserve seats in advance, especially for shinkansen and popular limit Express routs, especially at weekends and public holidays.
Tokyo’s train system might seem complicated, but hopefully, following these simple steps will help. You be better prepared and a more confident traveler on your trip in Tokyo and Japan. Safe travels, stay positive and be a happy gin.
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