Navigating Japan’s subway system can definitely be intimidating. From the fact that you might not be able to read the characters, to the dozens of exits that can each lead a mile away from the station, it can be challenging. Here are some basic tips and tricks for navigating the subway.
- If you run into some characters that you cannot read, try downloading the google translate app (the web browser version won’t work) and use the scan function to translate the words. This was a lifesaver to me every time I couldn’t read the map on the train or figure out which train I needed to get on.
- It can be hard to figure out what exit to get out of, but if you know your general direction, use the compass app on your phone! If you know you need to go southeast, then as soon as you get off the train, you can just open up the compass app and follow it to the closest exit in that direction.
- Buy an IC card instead of buying individual tickets if you are gonna be staying over a week. You can load money onto it and use it on the subway, bus, train, and even pay for things at 711 or Lawson’s with it. Depending on the type of card, you might be able to use it anywhere in Japan. I personally suggest purchasing a Suica card as it has the largest region of use.
- If you are in a station farther out of the main city, be aware that the trains won’t run as frequently and you should check the train times beforehand. I made this mistake when going out with some friends out of the city and we got home late by over 2 hours because we didn’t realize how infrequent the returning trains were.