Trains and subways are the primary mode of transportation in Tokyo. Many people use prepaid IC cards when traveling around Tokyo. Buying a ticket every time when you get on a train is a time-consuming task. Nowadays you can easily get these IC cards, so more and more people are using them.
You may be wondering how much money to put into an IC card! Since people usually think transportation costs in Japan are high, it is difficult to estimate how much money you would need for transportation when traveling in Japan. In this feature, we will introduce the economical "Tokyo Subway Ticket", so that you won't regret spending too much just on traveling from one place to another.
What is the Tokyo Subway Ticket?
Although many train and subway lines run in Tokyo, this ticket allows unlimited access to Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines that mainly run across central Tokyo. It might be difficult to figure out which lines will be covered by this ticket just from the name. But don't worry, you will easily understand which lines are covered by the colorful signs shown below.
Since you can freely use about 280 stations in central Tokyo, you can visit almost all popular sightseeing spots in Tokyo using this ticket♪
Types of Tokyo Subway Tickets
Within the expiry period stated on the back of the ticket, the Tokyo Subway Ticket is valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours after first use. You can select one from the three valid periods to suit your travel plan! While the three images below are Tokyo Subway Tickets for adults, those for children up to 11 years old are available as well. This makes the Tokyo Subway Tickets suitable for a family trip too.
Tokyo Subway 24-hour Ticket: 800 yen for an adult / 400 yen for a child Tokyo Subway 48-hour Ticket: 1,200 yen for an adult / 600 yen for a child Tokyo Subway 72-hour Ticket: 1,500 yen for an adult / 750 yen for a child
Where to buy this ticket?
Don't forget to bring your passport when you purchase the Tokyo Subway Tickets! You can buy them at Haneda and Narita Airport right after your arrival in Japan.
You can also buy them at the Tokyo Metro Tourist Information Centers, the Tokyo Metro Pass Offices, and other tourist information centers at various places in Tokyo. Please click here for more details about the ticket sales locations.
Using the ticket
Your ticket will be validated right after inserting it into the slot at an automatic turnstile. You can see the expiry period of your ticket on its back.
Some Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines change into a different subway line as they extend beyond the city center. Please mind that additional fees will be required when you use any lines other than the designated ones.
In case the validity of your ticket expires while riding the train, please don’t panic! An additional fee won’t be required as long as you get on the train within the ticket's validity period.
Why don’t you go sightseeing in Tokyo with a Tokyo Subway Ticket !
There are many sightseeing courses you can take using the Tokyo Subway Ticket. Since there are a number of spots to cover in the city, you are probably confused! To make things easy, in this feature, we introduce a model course! Hope you can use this as a reference for your trip with the Tokyo Subway Ticket ♪
A route for architecture and design lovers
From Kenzo Tange to Fumihiko Maki, this tour covers representative postwar architectural marvels as well as places that every design lover would be happy to visit in Tokyo. To start our journey by taking the Ginza Line up to Omote-sando Station for our first stop, Spiral.
Spiral (Omote-sando)
This building's facade features a variety of forms and shapes arranged in a collage style and as you walk deeper into the structure, a massive spiral unfolds. This multi-use cultural facility, designed by Fumihiko Maki, is conceived around the idea of fusing lifestyle and art; several exhibitions are held here. From enjoying a quick coffee or an evening drink to shopping for classic designer products, this is an ideal spot to start your design tour in Tokyo.
Details Address: 5-6-23 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/pEfDFZUQgX1abUob9 Tel. No. 03-3498-1171 Opening hours vary for different shops and facilities. Access: 1-min from Exit B1 of Omote-sando Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Chiyoda Line and Hanzomon Line Official Website: https://www.spiral.co.jp/en
SunnyHills Minami Aoyama (Omote-sando)
A few minutes from the Spiral is SunnyHills, a striking building quite different from the glass and steel-dominated structures all over the city. Kengo Kuma uses wood and a traditional Japanese technique called "jigoku-gumi" to form an interlocking grid by joining slats at 30 and 60-degree angles allowing for the sun to shine through.
Details Address: 3-10-20 Minamiaoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4ayp4HCTmqxLHGPb7 Tel. No. 0120-916-226 Opening hours: 11:00-19:00 Access: 7-min from Exit A4 of Omote-sando Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Chiyoda Line and Hanzomon Line Official Website: https://www.sunnyhills.com.tw/store/ja-jp/
After enjoying these two gorgeous buildings, we take the train from Omote-sando station to Kuramae station (change at Shimbashi to the Oedo Line). Kuramae, close to Asakusa, has recently seen a makeover and is now home to several specialty shops.
Dandelion Chocolate, Factory ＆ Cafe Kuramae
Credit: (c) Dandelion Chocolate Japan
Our first stop is the Dandelion Chocolate, Factory & Cafe Kuramae. Here, you can try exquisite bean-to-bar chocolate treats, some with a Japanese twist. Since the factory is inside the store, you can even see how the chocolate is made from start to finish. The stylishly packed chocolates and seasonal specials make for excellent souvenirs.
Details Address: 4-14-6 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/4KEJELvjU7XFVFgD7 Tel. No. 03-5833-7270 Opening hours: 10:00-20:00 (last order: 19:30) Access: 3-min walk from Kuramae Station on the Toei Asakusa Line Official Website: https://dandelionchocolate.jp/
Nakamura Tea Life Store (Kuramae)
Just a minute from the chocolate store is Nakamura Tea Life Store. A world of aromatic teas and warm wooden interiors, part the noren (split curtain) and step into this tea store of a Shizuoka-based, family-run tea company that has been in business for almost a century. Selling organic tea grown in Shizuoka, you can enjoy a tasting here before purchasing the teas sold in chic tea canisters.
Details Address: 4-20-4 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/W25QrtnR5yJoXnAg9 Tel. No. 03-5843-8744 Opening hours: 12:00-19:00 Closed on Mondays Access: 5-min walk from Kuramae Station on the Toei Asakusa Line and Toei Oedo Line Official Website: https://www.tea-nakamura.com/index.html
inkstand by kakimori (Kuramae)
Inkstand by kakimori feels like an upscale chemistry lab. Here, you can make your own personal ink by mixing and matching colors. If you're a stationery lover, you don't want to miss this spot.
Details Address: 4-20-12 Kuramae, Taito-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/Ab52A1vjJcD97XUp6 Tel. No. 050-1744-8547 Opening hours: 11:00-19:00 Closed on Mondays Access: 3-min walk from Kuramae Station on the Toei Asakusa Line Official Website: http://inkstand.jp/english
From Kuramae, we take the Oedo Line up to Iidabashi, change to the Yurakucho Line and make our way to Edogawabashi Station.
St. Mary's Cathedral (Edogawabashi)
One of the most iconic structures by Kenzo Tange is St. Mary's Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church known for its distinctive roofline. In a quiet neighborhood of Tokyo, this unconventional building was completed in 1964. A bird's eye view reveals the shape of a cross and sunrays beam through a skylight on the nave creating a serene atmosphere.
Details Address: 3-16-15 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/8w1zrbpMU3XeBHmc8 Tel. No. 03-3941-3029 Access: 15-min walk from Exit 1a of Edogawabashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Official Website: http://cathedral-sekiguchi.jp/
Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo (Edogawabashi)
Close to the church is Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo. The grounds of this hotel are home to a western-style building with a traditional Japanese garden and other Japanese architectural features including a three-storied pagoda. Each season offers a varied view of the gorgeous garden and spring seems to be the most popular with cherry blossoms dotting the landscape.
Details Address: 2-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/6UY1iSSjdeywf7EE7 Tel. No. 03-3943-1111 Access: 10-min walk from Exit 1a of Edogawabashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Official Website: https://www.hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.com/
Soba Mucha-an (Edogawabashi)
Within the hotel grounds, you can try freshly made soba (buckwheat noodles) at Mucha-an. With a lovely view of the lush gardens, cold soba served with a simple broth, grated wasabi, radish and thinly-sliced Japanese leek is a perfect lunch on a hot summer's day.
Details Address: Inside the gardens of Hotel Chinzanso Tokyo, 2-10-8 Sekiguchi, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/JqRuaKcyAkfKun5JA Tel. No. 03-3943-5489 Opening hours: Weekdays 11:30～L.O.15:00; 17:00～L.O.20:00 Weekends and holidays 11:30～L.O.15:30; 17:00～L.O.20:00 Access: 10-min walk from Exit 1a of Edogawabashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Official Website: https://hotel-chinzanso-tokyo.jp/restaurant/muchaan/
Higo-Hosokawa Garden
Located next to the hotel is Higo-Hosokawa Garden. Take a stroll around the pond in this Japanese garden and you almost forget that you are in the buzzing city of Tokyo. Get a peek into the feudal history and lifestyle of Japan at Shouseikaku, the former Tokyo residence of the Hosokawa family. You can also enjoy tea and sweets at Tsubaki, a cafe lounge.
Details Address: 1-1-22 Mejirodai, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/1pb4ZmC1Lt1RSL9z8 Tel. No. 03-3941-2010 Opening hours: From February to October 09:00-17:00 (last entry 16:30); From November to January 09:00-16:30 (last entry 16:00) Access: 15-min walk from Exit 1a of Edogawabashi Station on the Tokyo Metro Yurakucho Line Official Website: http://www.higo-hosokawa.jp/en/
Next we take the Yurakucho Line, get off at Yurakucho Station and make our way to Hibiya Station from where we take the Hibiya Line to Naka-meguro Station.
Daikanyama Hillside Terrace (Naka-meguro)
In the trendy neighborhood of Daikanyama, close to Shibuya, is Hillside Terrace, a representative work of architect Fumihiko Maki, that was built in seven phases over 30 years. Boutiques, cafes and art galleries are scattered through this idyllic structure created with a thorough consideration of light and space.
Details Address: 18-8 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZWu8SwwqC99KaaVY8 Tel. No. 03-5489-3705 Access: 7-min walk from Naka-meguro Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Official Website: http://hillsideterrace.com/
Spring Valley Brewery Tokyo (Ebisu)
Nothing better than delicious beer to unwind after a long day of sightseeing. A few minutes from the Hillside Terrace is Spring Valley Brewery Tokyo, a popular microbrewery. All-day dining means you can enjoy a beer with excellent food any time of the day. If you're not sure what to get, the set including six beers paired with snacks is a great way to acquaint yourself with the beers available here.
Details Address: Log Road Daikanyama, 13-1 Daikanyama-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Google Map: https://goo.gl/maps/9BpydqeU6XNXVaE7A Tel. No. 03-6416-4960 Opening hours: Monday to Saturday 08:00-24:00 (L.O. 22:30); Sunday 08:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:00) Access: 7-min walk from Ebisu Station on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line Official Website: https://www.springvalleybrewery.jp/en/
If you want to experience some of the iconic artistic creations in Tokyo, you should definitely try this route by yourself.
With these Tokyo Subway Tickets, you get unlimited access to the Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway lines. As you don’t need to walk for saving money on transportation costs, you can save both money and time by using these tickets. You can fully enjoy your stay in Tokyo by eating delicious food and buying souvenirs with the money you save. If you do use the Tokyo Subway Ticket during your trip, don't forget to tell us about your amazing experiences and the places you visited!
