Getting around in Tokyo
Japan's public transport is safe, efficient, and clean. Tokyo's transportation network is run by different operators: JR (Japan Railways), Tokyo Metro, Toei Subway, and private lines. Use an IC card (Suica/Pasmo) for almost all travel - just tap in and out at the gates; fares deduct automatically. Add to Apple or Google Wallet or a supported smartwatch before you land. For a concise overview of how IC cards work and where to use them, see Tokyo Zebra’s IC cards guide. Tachikawa is on the JR Chūō Line; from Shinjuku, rapid trains take ~25–30 minutes. Google Maps is reliable for transit directions, line names, and platform info.
Line colors and station numbers help you navigate without reading Japanese. Every line has a distinct color on maps and trains: e.g. JR Yamanote is green, JR Chūō (to Tachikawa) is orange, Tokyo Metro Marunouchi is red, Hibiya is silver. Stations have codes: Tokyo Metro uses letters and numbers (e.g. G = Ginza Line, G-09 = a station on it); JR uses prefixes like JC for Chūō (e.g. Shinjuku and Tachikawa each have a JC number). You can think "take the orange line to JC-24" or "get off at G-09" instead of memorizing names. Follow the color and code on signs and platforms.
Tokyo Metro line symbol examples:
JR East line symbol examples:
Additional resources
Train etiquette
- No phone calls; set to silent (called 'manner mode'). Quiet conversation only.
- Priority seats: leave for elderly, pregnant, and disabled passengers.
- Let people off before boarding; stand to the side of doors.
- Hold bags in front of you or on the rack. Rush hour (7am–9am, 5pm–7pm) on the Chūō and Yamanote Lines is very crowded - travel outside those times if you can.
Shinjuku Station is the busiest in the world (3M+ passengers/day). Allow extra time for transfers; follow line colors and station numbers.
Taxis and Uber
When trains have stopped (around midnight), taxis and Uber are the main options. Uber in Tokyo often dispatches licensed taxis, so you get the same vehicles with app-based booking and payment.
- Available taxi: Look for a red 空車 (kuusha) sign in the windscreen or a red light on the roof—it means “vacant” and the taxi is available. If the sign is green, orange or says 賃走 (chinsou), the taxi is occupied.
- Don’t touch the door: The left rear door is automatic and operated by the driver. Wait for it to open; the driver will open it when you board and again when you get out.
- Raise your hand to hail a taxi on the street. Have your destination ready in Japanese or on a map (e.g. Google Maps) so the driver can follow the route.
- Tipping is not expected. Cards and sometimes IC cards are accepted; cash is always fine.