Beginners Guide to Riding Trains in JAPAN | DETAILED and EASY

This is your Beginners Guide to Riding Trains in JAPAN | DETAILED and EASY

In this video I’ll give you a Beginners Guide to Riding Trains in JAPAN | DETAILED and EASY and you’ll be feeling like a pro in no time!
Our subscribers spoke and we listened. This is the perfect first-timers guide to the basics of getting around Japan by train. Many first-time travelers to Japan also misunderstand the usage of IC cards like the JR Pass, – Suica and Pasmo and confuse them with using the Japan Rail Pass. We’ll cover this and more! I’ll also answer a few of the most common questions I get from subscribers about getting around Japan. The information in this video can be used throughout Japan and the recommended ICs will work anywhere you go.

Once upon a time, I was also new to Japan and wish I had someone to explain everything in easy-to-understand, simple terms. In this video I break train travel down into step-by-step instructions that anyone can understand.

Our goal is to make informative and detailed content so you don’t have to waste time figuring things out when you arrive in Japan. We want to equip you with the tools you need so you can start Discovering Japan immediately!

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DISCLAIMER
This channel is not a travel agency. Comments requesting additional travel guidance, assistance, or recommendations may not be answered by Discovering Japan.
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Here’s a list of helpful websites and apps that I mentioned in the video:

Japan Travel Information:
https://www.japan-guide.com

Japan Rail Pass :
https://japanrailpass.net

Welcome Suica:
https://www.jreast.co.jp/e/downloads/pdf/welcomesuica_e.pdf

Passmo Passport:
https://www.pasmo.co.jp/visitors/en/buy/

Pasmo app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobilepasmo.android&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/pasmo/id1489151487

Suica app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mobilesuica.msb.android&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/jp/app/suica/id1156875272

Google Maps app:
Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.maps&hl=en&gl=US
Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/google-maps/id585027354

Chapters:
00:00 – What this video covers
00:50 – Suica or Pasmo?
01:21 – Good News & Bad News
01:50 – IC Basic Info
02:19 – Difference in Pasmo/Suica
03:12 – How to buy IC cards
05:42 – Finding your train
06:05 – Resolving IC problems
06:23 – Recommended App
07:21 – Changing trains

Well, you’ve made it to Japan! You’ve picked  up your bags and you’re ready to experience   everything that Japan has to offer! The  shopping, the food, the culture…   But what’s your plan for getting around? Well, if  you’re like 99.9% of travelers to Japan, you’ll  

Certainly be using the Japan rail system. But if you’ve ever seen maps of Japan’s   rail system, this can look  extremely intimidating!   So today we’re going to put your anxieties  aside and show you how it’s done.  

If you’ve done any research at  all about getting around Japan,   you’ve probably heard of several different terms  like Suica, Pasmo, and a Japan Rail Pass. But   what do these mean? What do they cover? Well, by the time you’re finished with this video,  

You’ll be ready to travel Japan like a pro. In this video, we’ll primarily be discussing the   Suica and Pasmo IC card options which  are typically used for localized travel   within the area you’re visiting but can  be used everywhere in the country.  

The Japan Rail Pass, however, is your option for  your long distance travel and is good for one,   two, or three weeks, depending on your length of  stay and your travel needs. This is completely   different from a Pasmo or Suica IC card and I’ll  cover this option in a separate video.  

So for now, let’s just focus on your  local travel since that’s what you’ll   likely be using first. But before we get started,   I’ve got good news and bad news. First,  the bad news… The bad news is that due to   a post-coronavirus shortage of semiconductors,  in July 2023, Japan indefinitely suspended the  

Issuing of new Pasmo and Suica IC cards. But, not  to worry. There is a workaround for this.   Both Pasmo and Suica are offering temporary,  28-day IC cards. …and yes, these are ONLY valid  

For 28 days from the date of purchase. First, let’s cover some basic information about IC   cards. Each person will require their own separate  IC card and child cards are available for children   up to 12 years old with proof of age. Something to keep in mind though! These temporary  

Cards are NON-REFUNDABLE. So, just be aware of  how much you put on each card. If you have a   balance on the card when you leave Japan,  you CANNOT get it refunded to you.   Finally, one of the questions I get  asked the most is, “What’s the difference  

Between using a Pasmo or Suica?” Ok, get your notepads out and get ready   to take some notes here. Ok, are you ready?   The difference between using a Pasmo and  Suica is… ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!  

That’s right, there’s no difference in  what they do, what trains you can ride,   or where you can use them. The only thing  different about them is who provides them.   Suica is provided by JR East, and Pasmo is  from Tokyo area non-JR train companies.  

Again, they are completely interchangeable and can  be used in the same way. Just if you buy your pass   from JR station, you’ll probably buy a Welcome  Suica card. And if you buy from a private line,   you’ll likely buy a Pasmo Passport or other  similar card. That’s all there is to it. So stop  

Sweating which one to get and just get it. Ok, so how do you buy your IC Card? Well,   if you decide on a Sanrio style Pasmo,  you can purchase it from the Pasmo desk   located within the airport terminal. From here, you can conveniently purchase  

Your Pasmo Passport from one of the  staff with a credit card ONLY.   The minimum purchase is 1,500 yen, and  500 of that just for the purchase of the   card. The remaining 1,000 yen or more  will be your available balance.  

I recommend starting with at least 3,000  yen. You can always top it up later, and   I’ll show you how to do that in a moment. If you prefer a Welcome Suica IC, you’ll go to   the JR terminal in the airport. The Welcome Suica can be purchased with  

Cash only from the ticketing machines.  There is also no charge for this card,   so 100% of your initial payment will be  applied to your available balance.   Using the machines is very easy. First, Select your language.  

Then choose whether you want  an adult or child card.   For this video, I chose 1,000  yen for example purposes only,   because I already have my own card. But again, I  recommend starting with at least 3,000 yen.  

And just like magic, the machine will issue  your new card and give you your change.   It’s that easy! When you need to check or add   funds to your balance, just go to any ticketing  machine and again, select your language.  

Select – Charge or add value. Insert your card.   From here we can see the 1,000 yen I just put  on my card. I could also choose to add more   funds from the options listed. If you’re just checking your balance,  

Select cancel, and your card  will be returned to you.   Again, Super easy! After you have your cards,   and especially if you’re traveling with  kids, I find it easy to put each card   in a retractable lanyard so everyone can  easily carry and use their own card.  

Ok. Let’s head to the platform. Before you head to any train platform,   you’ll need to go through a gate and  tap your card on the IC sensor.   These gates may be marked or look slightly  different, but any gate is fine.  

When you tap your card on the IC sensor It’ll beep  and register where you entered so it can deduct   the correct amount from your card when you get  to your final stop or change train lines.  

If you ever have an issue where your card  is not accepted or the gates don’t open,   first check the balance of your card  at the read-out on the gate.   You can then go to any ticketing machine to add  more funds or go to the train station attendant  

Near the gate to resolve your issue. As far as navigating the train system I   actually recommend using Google  Maps throughout Japan.   Google maps will tell you exactly what time your  train departs and arrives, and which platform  

You need to be on. It’s a very useful tool. If you happen to miss your train like I just did,   just refresh Google Maps or re-input  your destination information.   Never worry, another train  will be along shortly.  

Arriving train information is also displayed  on the overhead arrival boards.   But pay attention to which one you  get on, because some trains are rapid,   meaning they bypass some stations and others are  local, and stop at every single station.  

If you have to change trains, Google Maps will  again tell you which train line you need to use   and which platform you need to go to. A quick note about train etiquette: In Japan,   it’s considered extremely rude to  speak loudly or talk on the phone  

While on the train. Please be respectful of the  culture and avoid doing these things.   In this example, we can see that Google Maps  is telling me that I need to transfer to the  

Keihin-tohoku line, which is a JR line, and catch  the rapid train on platform 1 at 1:12 pm.   Just follow the signage and you’ll be fine. Ahead we see the JR line. And in smaller print,   the Keihin-Tohoku Line. Just tap your card to go through  

The gate and keep following the signs. Another note on Japanese culture… When riding   the escalator, Japanese will keep to one side  to allow others in a hurry to easily get by.   Which side of the escalator depends  on what region of Japan you’re in.  

Just follow what others are doing. Well this is our connecting train. I think   you’ve got the idea of how this works now. Just follow Google Maps, follow the signs,   and if you’re feeling friendly, don’t  be afraid to ask a local for help.  

I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised  with how willing they are to assist.   You’ve got this! You’re gonna do fine. Now just relax and go Discover Japan!   Welcome to Japan guys! One final thing before we go,  

If you haven’t already done so, please take a  second to like this video and subscribe to join   our family of the following recent subscribers.  We’ll see you next time on Discovering Japan.