Getting Around in Tokyo

Typical train station platform

The best way to get around in Tokyo is by train. Tokyo's extensive subway system is the best in the world and extremely convenient. Each ride costs around $2 and the typical trip requires a couple transfers so by the time you go somewhere and back home you've spent ten bucks. Certain periods of the day are incredibly crowded. One morning we took the train near our house at peak morning rush hour. There were hired guys pushing people into the train cars and our bodies were squished against other bodies all the way to the knees!

Packed Local Train

Peak hour in Tokyo Station

Generally people are either sleeping, reading or playing games on their phones, which is a convenient way to avoid eye contact when the train is packed.

Battery assisted Mom-mobile

Another great way to travel is by bicycle. We were in a pretty affluent area of Tokyo and most all the moms had battery assisted bicycles. Talk about soccer moms, these gals were vicious on their bikes loaded up with a couple kids and the day's shopping. Watch out!



My favorite were the folks that commuted by bicycle to the subway. At the subway station there are huge underground bicycle parking lots. Fantastic technology. I saw some that had bikes stacked several layers high in automated parking structures. You could pay by the hour or get a monthly parking pass. Wow!

Bicycle Park-n-Ride

Bike Park Entrance

And of course there is the Bullet Train (Shinkansen).  It is super comfortable and travels at between 150 and 200 mph!  It's hard to look at the scenary things are flying by so fast.  We took it to Kyoto, Kobe and then Sendai.  It is a little expensive, but beats going to the airport. 

The Bullet Train (Shinkansen)

Tokyo Subway Map