Taking public transportation in japan

JR Yamanote Line – the main line that circle the main points of Tokyo city.

Travelling around this line will not be wrong.

The Chuo Line (中央線, Chūōsen) is the only JR line to cross the circle of the Yamanote Line.

Buying of Train tickets at the vending machine can be a daunting experience. There are too many stations and alot of numbers. It get really confusing and time wasting. Get a auto-top up train pass. It works like our EZ-Link card.

Suica card – a prepaid card that is very useful for travelers who are going to be in Tokyo for more than 3days. It allows user to travel on all lines like our EZ-Link card. Though no discounts for traveling but it is compensated by the unmatchable convenience when taking the complicated rated subways of Tokyo.

Can be purchased at any Major JR station and convenience stores.

Value is 2000 jpy/card with 500 JPY deposit. Once the among finishes, just top up at any station. English instruction available.

Refunding at the JR office (at most major stations) at the end of your trip. They will charge you an small admin fee for the refund, so you don’t really get back the full 500JPY deposit.

There are many type of these Top-up card at each city. Sucia however is widely accepted in many major cities and it can be kept for 10 years if you do not refund after the end of your trip. Use it again on the next trip to Japan.

Taking taxi may not be as scary as everyone is saying. It is not so expensive if you are taking within the same city, especially when you are doing aggressive shopping. NEVER attempt to take taxi out of the city.

The paying of the bus fare differs at each city, region. Most will need you to pay first, while some you only pay on upon alighting. Do check it out with the local first before you board. Some of the drivers who do not understand english may not have the patience to explain.