Japan Transit 2 cities
Two of the densest rail networks on earth. Tokyo layers a JR loop over thirteen subway lines run by two operators; Osaka answers with its own loop and a subway grid you can navigate by colour alone.
Tokyo on Rails — the Yamanote & Metro
The JR Yamanote loop plus the tourist-useful Tokyo Metro and Toei lines, from Shibuya to Skytree. Press play and tap any station — Shinjuku, Ueno, Asakusa, Odaiba and the rest.
Interactive map · JapanOsaka — Metro & JR Loop
The Midosuji and Osaka Metro subway lines plus the JR Loop, from Umeda to Dotonbori and Osaka Castle. Press play and tap any station.
Interactive map · JapanHow to ride
The full written guide for each city — fares, the interchanges that matter, rides worth planning around, and local etiquette. Tap a city to open its guide.
Tokyo — Yamanote & Tokyo Metro
Tokyo's rail map looks terrifying and rides easily. The key is a rechargeable IC card — Suica or Pasmo (or the same thing in Apple/Google Wallet). Tap in and tap out at every gate and it just works across all the operators: JR, Tokyo Metro, Toei, and the private lines. You never need to understand the fare zones; the gate does the maths. Buy one at any station, or add it to your phone before you land.
One thing worth knowing: JR (which runs the Yamanote loop and the Chuo-Sobu line) and the subways (Tokyo Metro and Toei) are separate companies. Transferring between them means tapping out of one and into the other, so plan routes that stay on one operator where you can — the Yamanote loop alone reaches most of what you came to see.
What it costs (indicative)
| Ride | Typical fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| JR Yamanote hop | ~150–210 yen | The loop that links Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ueno |
| Tokyo Metro ride | ~180–330 yen | By distance; a 24-hour Metro pass is ~600 yen |
| Narita Airport | ~1,200–2,500 yen | Keisei Skyliner or the JR N'EX from Ueno / Tokyo |
| Haneda Airport | ~500–650 yen | Tokyo Monorail from Hamamatsucho, or Keikyu from Shinagawa |
Fares are indicative and vary by distance and operator — treat them as ballpark, not gospel.
The interchanges that matter
- Shinjuku — the busiest station on Earth, where the Yamanote, Chuo-Sobu, Marunouchi and Oedo lines (and a tangle of private railways) collide. Follow the exit numbers, not your instincts.
- Tokyo Station — the Yamanote and Marunouchi lines and every Shinkansen; gateway to the Imperial Palace and Marunouchi.
- Otemachi — the great subway knot: Marunouchi, Tozai, Chiyoda and Hanzomon all cross here.
- Ueno — the Yamanote, Ginza and Hibiya lines, plus Keisei trains to Narita.
- Shibuya & Ikebukuro — the other two great hubs on the loop, each a shopping city in itself.
Rides worth planning around
- Senso-ji & Skytree — Ginza line to Asakusa for old Tokyo, then the Toei Asakusa or Hanzomon line one stop to Oshiage for Tokyo Skytree.
- Shibuya, Harajuku & Meiji Shrine — three stops in a row on the west of the Yamanote loop; do them in one sweep.
- Odaiba — ride the driverless Yurikamome from Shimbashi out over the Rainbow Bridge to the bayside island.
- Tsukiji & sushi — the Hibiya line to Tsukiji for the outer market, or the Oedo line to Tsukijishijo.
- The airports — Narita (NRT) via the Keisei Skyliner from Ueno/Nippori or the JR N'EX; Haneda (HND) via the Monorail from Hamamatsucho or Keikyu from Shinagawa.
Etiquette & tickets
- Trains are quiet. Keep phones on silent, don't take calls, and keep conversations low.
- Queue on the platform markings and let people off before you board.
- Late-night and early-morning carriages nearest the front are often women-only at rush hour — watch for the pink signs.
- Get a Suica or Pasmo (or the phone version) — it turns the whole network into one tap.
Osaka — Metro & JR Loop
Osaka's subway is run by Osaka Metro, and JR plus a tangle of private railways (Hankyu, Hanshin, Nankai, Kintetsu, Keihan) fill in the rest. A rechargeable ICOCA card (or any IC card — they're nationwide now) taps you through all of it; a contactless bank card increasingly works too. Tap in and tap out; fares are by distance. If you'll sightsee hard, the Osaka Amazing Pass bundles unlimited subway rides with free entry to many attractions.
What it costs (indicative)
| Ride | Typical fare | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Osaka Metro ride | ~180–380 yen | The Midosuji Line is the tourist workhorse |
| Enjoy Eco 1-day pass | ~620–800 yen | Unlimited subway; cheaper at weekends |
| Osaka Amazing Pass | ~2,800 yen/day | Subway + free entry to ~40 sights |
The interchanges that matter
- Umeda / Osaka — the vast northern hub (Kita), where the Midosuji subway meets JR Osaka Station and the Hankyu and Hanshin terminals.
- Namba — the southern hub (Minami) for Dotonbori, with the Midosuji, Yotsubashi and Sennichimae lines and the Nankai and Kintetsu terminals.
- Honmachi — the Midosuji, Chuo and Yotsubashi lines cross in the business core.
- Tennoji — the Midosuji and Tanimachi subways and the JR Loop, by Shitennoji temple and Abeno Harukas.
Rides worth planning around
- Dotonbori & Shinsaibashi — the Midosuji Line to Namba or Shinsaibashi for the neon, the food, and the shopping arcade.
- Osaka Castle — the JR Loop to Osakajokoen, or the Chuo/Tanimachi lines to Morinomiya or Tanimachi 4-chome.
- Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku — the Midosuji or Sakaisuji line to Dobutsuen-mae or Ebisucho for retro Osaka.
- Universal Studios Japan — the JR Loop to Nishikujo, then the Yumesaki line to Universal City.
- Osaka Aquarium — the Chuo Line west to Osakako.
Etiquette & tickets
- Trains are quiet — phones on silent, no calls.
- Note the local quirk: in Osaka people stand on the right of escalators (the opposite of Tokyo).
- No eating on commuter trains; let people off before boarding.
- Get an ICOCA (or use any IC card / your phone) — one tap for every operator.