How to get around Tokyo easily and affordably.

*This article was written in June 2023.
The information on this article is subject to change, please check the official websites of the each company for details.

What you can learn in this article.

How to get around Tokyo easily and affordably.
The good value for tickets for sightseeing in Tokyo.

Hello! I’m Nabe, a staff at K’s House Tokyo Oasis. We get a lot of questions from our guests at the reception, and this time we’d like to share with you some of the most common questions we get asked.

The questions are something like the following

『How should we get around Tokyo ?』
『Should I buy a ticket each time ? Or Is there any kind of bargain ticket?』

We are in Tokyo, so normally we use trains and buses without thinking about it, but if you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time, there would be a lot of things you don’t know. Even if we live in Tokyo, there are some good value tickets we might not know either, so we’re going to introduce you some easy and affordable ways to get around Tokyo.

Are you ready ? Let’s have a look !

CONTENTS

How you should get around Tokyo ??
Let’s have it for now! Suica , PASMO
Value tickets for sightseeing in Tokyo
Enjoy Tokyo sightseeing more easily with a bus tour!
- Hato Bus Tour
- Sky Hop Bus
【Summary】Let’s travel in your own style！

How you should get around Tokyo ??

As Tokyo is Japan’s “capital”, many types of transportation such as train, bus, boat, monorails, etc. are available but the most convenient means of transport for sightseeing in Tokyo are trains and subways.

In Tokyo, about 20 companies operate trains, with more than 80 different routes. But you can access to the most of tourist spots with the following three companies.

Tokyo Metro
Private subway which operates nine lines in Tokyo.
Route Map：https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/subwaymap/
Toei Transportation (Toei Subway）
Subway operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which operates four lines in Tokyo.
Route Map：https://www.kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp/eng/maps/
JR
Although now privatized, the railway used to be a state-owned company covering most of Japan.
Route Map(Around Tokyo)：https://www.jreast.co.jp/map/pdf/map_tokyo.pdf

Let’s have it for now! Suica , PASMO

* Currently some types of Suica & PASMO are not available. Please check following notice for details.

https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pdf/press_20230802_suica.pdf

If you are planning to travel by train or subway in Tokyo, we recommend that you have one of the following IC cards.

※写真は伊豆急行ホームページより引用（https://www.izukyu.co.jp/train/suica.php）

Suica
Traffic IC cards issued by JR East.
Web: https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/suica.html
PASMO
Transport IC cards issued by PASMO Corporation, which comprises several transport operators.
Web: https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/

Both are prepaid cards that can be used on public transport. By charging money onto the card in advance, you can use almost all forms of transport, such as trains, subways and buses, simply by touching the card over the gate at stations.

Both cards make your trip much easier as you don’t have to work out complicated fares or buy a ticket every time you need to change lines.

In addition, they can be used not only for transport but also for shopping, so they can be widely used at many places such as train station kiosks, convenience stores and supermarkets etc.

Furthermore, both are now available throughout Japan, so once you have one, you can use it for transport and shopping even outside Tokyo.

What is the difference between Suica and PASMO?　Where can I buy one?

There is no difference between the two in terms of basic travel functions, although the details may differ slightly.

However, Suica can only be purchased at JR East stations within the Suica area (*Note: some stations do not sell Suica cards), whereas PASMO can be purchased at PASMO-operator stations. Most railways operating in Tokyo are PASMO members, so PASMO can be purchased at almost any stations except JR line.

How to buy Suica and PASMO

Both can be purchased at the station counter or from a ticket machine. Note that a 500 yen deposit is required to purchase the card and that the deposit cannot be used to pay for fares or purchases. The deposit can be refunded in exchange for the card at the station counter if the card is no longer required.

Credit cards cannot be used to purchase either card.

Summary of Suica and PASMO

Both are prepaid transport IC card.
Card can be used for almost all modes of transport.
Card can be used to pay for purchases as well as fares.
Card can be used nationwide, not just in Tokyo.
Suica can be purchased at JR stations, PASMO at non-JR stations.
A 500 yen deposit is required at the time of purchase (refundable at the counter when the card is returned).

Value tickets for sightseeing in Tokyo

Suica and PASMO are just prepaid cards and do not offer outstanding discounts (*but the fare is a few yen cheaper than paying cash), but there are discount tickets available in Tokyo which make it easier and more affordable just by having one card like Suica and PASMO.

Here are some of the value tickets you should know sold by Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway and JR.

Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket

This is a special ticket that allows unlimited travel on all Tokyo Metro lines for 24 hours from the time it is used. This ticket is recommended for people who travel more than four times a day. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day of use.

Other 24-hour IC card type tickets are also available, but please note that IC card type tickets can be used for 24 hours from the time of purchase, not from the start of use.

Fare: Adults 600 yen, Child 300 yen

Place you can purchase:
Tickets can be purchased from automatic ticket machines at Tokyo Metro stations, and advance tickets can be purchased at office on stations. (Some stations may not sell).

Web：https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/1day/index.html

Toei 1Day Pass

This ticket allows unlimited travel on Toei Subway, Toei Bus, Sakura Tram and Nippori-Toneri Liner for one day only. Tickets can be purchased in advance or on the day. For details , click here.

Fare: Adults 700 yen Child 350 yen

Place you can purchase:
Toei subway stations and bus offices.

Common One-day Ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway

This ticket allows unlimited travel on all Tokyo Metro lines and all Toei Subway lines for 1 day. This ticket is also available as an IC card.

Fare: Adults 900 yen, Child 450 yen

Place you can purchase:
Advance tickets can be purchased at Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway station ticket counters; same-day tickets can be purchased at station ticket machines (except at some stations).

Web：https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/1day/index.html

Tokyo Combination Ticket

This ticket allows unlimited travel on all Tokyo Metro, Toei Transport (including subways, buses, trams, etc.) and JR lines within the metropolitan area for 1 day. IC card type is also available.

Fare: Adults 1,600 yen, Child 800 yen

Place you can purchase:
Ticket machines at Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, JR and Nippori-Toneri Liner stations (except some stations).

Web：https://www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/1day/index.html

Tokyo Subway Ticket

This is a special ticket that allows unlimited travel on all Tokyo Metro lines and all Toei Subway lines. While the ‘Common One-day Ticket for Tokyo Metro & Toei Subway’ is valid until the last train of the designated day, this ticket is valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours from the start of use.

Fees:
24-hour ticket Adults 800 yen Child 400 yen
48-hour ticket Adults 1,200 yen Child 600 yen
72-hour ticket Adults 1,500 yen Child 750 yen

Place you can purchase:
Unlike other tickets, these can only be purchased at designated locations or online.

Please see here for details.

Tokyo Metropolitan District Pass (Tokunai Pass)

This ticket allows unlimited travel on regular trains (including rapid trains) on JR lines in the Tokyo metropolitan area for one day.
For free areas and details, see here.

*Shinkansen trains are not available. Only fares are available for limited express trains.

Fare: Adults 760 yen, Child 380 yen

Place you can purchase:
Ticket vending machines at major stations in Tokyo metropolitan area (except some stations).

NONBIRI Holiday Suica Pass

This ticket allows unlimited one-day travel on regular trains (including rapid trains) on JR lines, Tokyo Monorail and Rinkai Line in a wide area, including within the Tokyo metropolitan area. Also, you can use this ticket for limited express and green car by purchasing a limited express ticket or green ticket. (* Shinkansen trains are not available.)

Note that the ticket can be purchased all year round, but can be used only on Saturdays, holidays and every day from 29 Apr to 5 May, 20 Jul to 31 Aug and 29 Dec to 3 Jan.

For free areas and more information, click here.

Fee: Adults 2,670 yen, Child 1,330 yen.

Place you can purchase:
Ticket machines at major stations in the free area (excluding some stations) or Mobile Suica app.

Holiday ODEKAKE Pass (Kyujitsu Odekake Pass)

This ticket allows unlimited one-day travel on regular trains (including rapid trains) on JR lines, Tokyo Monorail and Rinkai Line in a wide area, including within the Tokyo metropolitan area. Also, you can use this ticket for Shinkansen(*), Limited express and green car by purchasing a limited express ticket or green ticket. (* Except Tokaido Shinkansen.)

Note that the ticket can be purchased all year round, but can be used only on Saturdays, holidays and every day from 29 Apr to 5 May, 20 Jul to 31 Aug and 29 Dec to 3 Jan.

For free areas and more information, click here(*Only Japanese page).

Fee: Adults 2,720 yen, Child 1,360 yen

Place you can purchase:
Ticket machines at major stations in the free area (excluding some stations) or major travel agency.

Monorail & Tokunai Pass

This ticket allows unlimited rides on regular trains (including rapid trains) on JR lines and the Tokyo Monorail within the Tokyo metropolitan area for one day.

Note that the ticket can be purchased and used only on Saturdays, holidays and every day from 29 Apr to 5 May, 20 Jul to 31 Aug and 29 Dec to 3 Jan.

In addition, sales are only available on Mobile Suica and use is restricted to adults.

For free areas and more information, click here(*Only Japanese page).

Fee: Adults 1350 yen, Child Not available

Place you can purchase:
Available on Mobile Suica

Enjoy Tokyo sightseeing more easily with a bus tour!

If you want an easier way to see the sights, a bus tour is a great option. Although more expensive than a train or bus, bus tours make it easier to see the main attractions.

Hato Bus Tour

Hato Bus is so famous for its bus tours . There are a wide range of tour types, including half-day and full-day tours, and it is possible to join on your own.

Web：https://www.hatobus.com/v01/en

Sky Hop Bus

Sky Hop Bus is a double-decker, open-top sightseeing bus. You can get on and off as many times as you like at the stops along the routes.

There are three routes, all of which take you around classic tourist spots in Tokyo, and are recommended for those who want an easy way to see the city.

Web：https://skyhopbus.tokyo/en/

【Summary】Let’s travel in your own style！

How was it? There are many more ways to enjoy Tokyo than the ones we’ve introduced here, so please enjoy Tokyo in your own style. Okay then, see you in Tokyo!

【Summary】

Major spots in Tokyo are accessible by Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway and JR.
Take Suica or PASMO for now!
If you go sightseeing by train or subway, check out the special ticket in advance.
Bus tours are also good to see around Tokyo.

【Related links】