It has been more than three months since the relaxation of entry restrictions in Japan. On 27 January, the Government decided on a policy to classify the new coronavirus as category 5, the same category as another seasonal influenza on 8 May. This change will make a huge impact on our daily life, of course on the flow of international travellers as well. I believe this decision will change the whole picture whatever we do and wherever we go. I’ve guided tourists from overseas recently, and there is one thing that I recognized again using subways in Tokyo. The first is it is too complicated, the second is that it costs too much, but the third is that it is so convenient once you master how to use it. I will focus on the metro system in Tokyo several times in my newsletter and try to maximize the benefit of visitors from overseas.
Overview
JR East, bus, bicycle share, and subway…there are several choices to get around in Tokyo, but I would say the subway is the best from various points of view. When you plot your destinations on the map, the subway systems cover most destinations, and you should have good access to the station as long as you stay in central Tokyo. Tokyo's underground system consists of two operators and 13 lines. Nine Tokyo Metro routes and four by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government cover the whole subway system in Tokyo. You can’t use the same ticket when you use two different underground system operators. Even though the subway network is very complicated, one interesting point is that there are only two lines which don't run Chiyoda-ward, and the underground of the Imperial Palace is not used for the subway. The reason is simple. No station can be built underground of the Imperial Palace.
Headache of buying a ticket
Whatever you spend in Japan, the settlements of the account are always a headache. Despite the rapid expansion of cashless payment in Japan, you still need to carry cash at the station. Every time you use subways, you must buy a ticket or use a transport IC card. I had a situation in which the payment had to be by cash many times, and it is a pity that you have to prepare some cash to buy a single ticket. Whenever I guide my clients in Tokyo, I give them the "Suica=IC transport card" charged in advance. It is painful to go to the ticket vending machine and put in cash to buy a single ticket every time. Suica may solve the problems of oversea travellers who are staying for a short time. But a deposit for the card is included when you buy the new Suica card. Before you leave Japan, you must go to the ticketing office and get a refund.
Solutions
The solution for getting away from these headaches is to buy one day pass. There is one thing that you have to be careful of. Tokyo has two different subway operators. Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway(operated by Tokyo metropolitan Government) have a different one-day passes. So you’d better check your visiting places before you buy the ticket. You may need Toei Subway Pass if you are visiting Asakusa and Ginza, but I believe one day pass of Tokyo Metro will cover most of your visit. You can buy a “Tokyo Subway Ticket”, which will cover both Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway. Tokyo Subway Ticket has three tickets depending on the ticket duration. They are 24/48/72 hours, and the longer the validity, the more money you can save. For instance, you can recover your expense if you use Tokyo Metro more than four times a day if you choose Tokyo Metro 24-hour ticket.
Points to be aware of
There are two subway operators in Tokyo, and you are not allowed to use the same ticket for both.
Buying Tokyo Metro one-day pass covers most of your travel for 600 Yen.
Buy Tokyo Metro one-day pass if you use it more than four times in one day.
Tokyo Metro’s one-day pass is valid for 24 hours after your purchase.
There are two kinds of ticket gates: those that accept IC cards for touch only and those that accept paper tickets.
ONE STOP/Cherry blossoms forecast
The first cherry blossoms forecast for 2023 was announced. Fluctuations in the temperature this coming February and March may change the projected time, but this forecast will help you book your flights, and now you can start the planning.
The timing below shows the estimated time of blooming.
Fukuoka: 23rd of March
Tokyo: 26th of March
Nagoya: 26th of March
Osaka: 28th of March
Kyoto: 29th of March
Aomori: 20th of April
Sapporo, Hokkaido: 29th of April
(Quoted by JWA as of 29th of January, 2023)