Myself and two others are backpacking Japan in July, while we are exploring tokyo we plan on using the subway. Three questions...1) is the tokyo subway system easy to navigate for western travelers who can't read, speak, or otherwise communicate in Japanese? 2) we were planning on only using the Tokyo Metro. Is that system sufficent or should we plan on also using the toei subway system? 3) Should we just plan on NOT riding during rush hour or is it not as bad as everyone says?
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Reply to this I haven't heard of the other system - the tokyo metro is not too bad - there are usually ticket machines which have an English option for buying tickets and if I remember rightly the announcements on the metro for each stop are in Japanese and English as well as a digital screen with the info written on it - if you're used to underground systems you should find it ok to travel around, the metro maps are quite clear and again are in Japanese and English (at least I remember using one that was - I think it might have been in Lonely Planet). Most of the workers in stations don't speak English though, but you shouldn't have too much of a problem. Tokyo station itself (which is mainline and metro) can be a bit of a labyrinth if you're passing through there which you probably will at some point, if only to travel out of Tokyo - there are signs in English but it can still be confusing.
I think I used the metro once in rush hour and it wasn't too bad - again, if you're used to the subway/metro in other places, it's no worse than anywhere else during rush hour - and remember, though it may be crowded, the Japanese will NEVER shove and push the way people do elsewhere!
Reply to this Hi Jason,
Welcome to TravelBlog.
Providing you don't allow yourself to be easily overwelmed you'll be fine. There are maps by all the ticket machines in English as well as Japanese. Have a look at the one in LP (or another guidebook) before you go so you have an idea of what you'll be seeing, and where the places you want to go to are.
Don't decide on only using the subway before you go - one of the most useful train lines is the Yamanote line.
I think from memory it charges per stop - so nothing stopping you going the wrong direction and getting off one stop before the loop finishes (only paying for 1 'stop') etc.
I'd suggest getting one of the daily passes like the
Tokyo Free Ticket - bit misleading ;-)
Print it out and take it to the ticket office if you want to make it easier to buy.
Regarding the crowds, yes it gets incredibly crowded at peak times. Having said that you're not going to know how crowded unless you go have a look sometime - try inside Shinjuku station for crowds, just stand out of the way.
Reply to this When I first looked at subway map of Tokyo, I thought I was looking at a plate of coloured spaghetti! However, this is the saving grace, for each of the stations has a letter and number code (ie N8, E10) and the maps display them in different colours. Also, I vaguely recall that the colours on the map also correspond to the colours of the signs on the platforms. Some maps do not show the number and letter combinations of each line, but you can pick up a free map on arrival that does list them.
I think the Yamanote line is an excellent one as well - and this was my most used line during my stay in Tokyo however, this does not conform to the colour coding or numbering systems of the subways.
And yes, all the stations are listed in English and Japanese, and yes - not many people at the stations speak English.
Reply to this 
