5 Most Confusing Train Stations In Tokyo

Above, Shibuya Station in 2010. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Unless a visitor wants to spend money on expensive taxi cabs in Tokyo, the only alternative to getting around the city is with the subway and train system.

Navigating the Tokyo subway and train system is, to me, a lot easier than the Amtrak system in the U.S. But, there are some train stations in Tokyo that are downright confusing, even to locals.

Time Out Tokyo has an article on five of the most confusing Tokyo train stations.

They begin with:

Let’s get one thing straight: some train stations in Tokyo are so confusing that even locals routinely get lost in them. So you can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that when it comes to navigating the underground labyrinth of Shinjuku Station, or finding an exit at Shibuya Station other than the one that leads to Hachiko, everyone is in the same boat. 

To make things more complicated, in the midst of the city transitioning to remote work, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and general urban development projects, many of the stations are undergoing renovations that have partially altered station exits and train lines. That’s why we’ve outlined this guide to the five most confusing train stations in the city.

To read more, go here. 

What To Do If You Miss The Last Train In Tokyo

Above, a Denny's restaurant in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Getting stranded somewhere in Tokyo after the trains and other public transit systems have shut down for the night (usually around midnight) has never happened to me, but some visitors to Tokyo have.

However, there are some options for stranded tourists and Live Japan has a list of them.

They begin with:

Missing the shūden, as the last day of the train is affectionately called, is a common occurrence among Tokyoites, especially if you’re out and having a good time with friends and family. Other cosmopolitans may be used to public transport running all night, but in Tokyo, buses and trains stop running during the night until the early hours of morning. When this last train runs depends on the line but usually, it is around midnight – easy to miss if you forget the time over a couple of drinks and an engaging conversation. Suddenly, you find yourself stranded and wonder what to do. Of course, a taxi is always an option, but taxis are notoriously expensive in Tokyo and especially if you’re far from home, the expenses might be too much to handle. Thankfully, Tokyo offers a lot of fun and affordable options to spend a night should you miss the last train!

To read more, go here. 

Japan Tourist Passes & Day Tickets

Above, passengers board a JR Yamanote Line train in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One great thing about Tokyo is the city's vast network of public transportation.

A car isn't really necessary to own in Tokyo since there's trains, subways, buses and taxi services available. And going outside of Tokyo is very easy.

But for foreign tourists, there's additional bonuses and Live Japan presents them.

They begin with:

There are certain tickets available that are offered specifically to tourists who want to explore Japan – and there are some great deals to be made. 

While there’s a wide variety of special deal tickets for tourists available, every railway company sells them in a different manner and place. So with your sightseeing goal in mind, first check which company’s lines will take you there. Some special deals might not be sold at all stations and will require that you visit a specific information or ticket center instead.

 To read more, go here.

Tokyo Cheapo: Where To Stay In Tokyo

Above, the Hotel Asia Center of Japan in the Minato Ward of Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When traveling to Tokyo, my preferred place to stay is the Hotel Asia Center of Japan. It is centrally located and within easy walking distance to the Aoyama-itchōme subway station in the Minato Ward. The hotel has nice rooms at reasonable prices and their own restaurant, again, at reasonable prices. The Ginza, Oedo and Hanzomon subway lines can be caught at the Aoyama-itchōme station.

The past few times to Japan found me in other hotels as either the Hotel Asia Center of Japan was undergoing renovation or booked up.

I have stayed in the Ueno area twice and once in Asakusa when this happened.

Many people visiting Tokyo for the first time haven't a clue where to stay and what sections to avoid (especially if they have children with them).

Fortunately, Tokyo Cheapo has an article that will answer any such questions people may have.

They begin with:

Finding the best area to stay during your trip to Tokyo depends on what you want to get out of your stay, how much you have to spend, and the level of convenience you require (or inconvenience you’re willing to put up with). 

A lot of what is referred to as “Tokyo”, is not even technically in Tokyo. For example, both Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Narita Airport are located in neighboring Chiba Prefecture. Combined with the surrounding prefectures, the greater Tokyo area holds a staggering 25 million people. Thousands of train stations and numerous railway lines collect this together in a mind boggling transportation network. As a result, different neighborhoods often cater for quite different needs and interests.

To read more, go here.

Saving Money With A Tokyo Day Pass

Above, the moon and Tokyo Tower. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are many ways to get around Tokyo. Just about everywhere one can imagine, there's a subway or train station nearby.

But it can get a little expensive shelling out yen to get around. Fortunately, Live Japan has an article on saving money while roaming around Tokyo.

They begin with:

Tokyo is such a massive city that guidebooks online and otherwise can usually only begin to scratch the surface of the immense number of places worth visiting! While many visitors buy a JR Rail Pass before coming to Japan, it doesn’t cover Tokyo’s extensive subway system. 

Fortunately, there are day passes which allow travelers to save money while sightseeing! Especially if you’re someone who loves to explore, find places that tourists don't usually get to, and see a new side of the city, the new “Tokyo Surprise!” 1-Day Pass might be right for you!

To read more, go here. 

The Spring Is Back

Above, just before I was discharged from the hospital.

Ever since my July 27 heart attack, I have been very careful about what I am eating. Grocery shopping has become even more of a chore as I read all nutritional listings on the food labels.

I am especially conscious about watching for cholesterol, sodium, calories and other things that might be detrimental. I have not had any beef since July 27 and I have shed about five pounds since that day. My weight hasn't been this low since just after I graduated from California State University, Long Beach in 1979.

I have to confess that I was very tempted to go to Genaro's Mexican Restaurant in Gallup last night as I was craving Mexican food something fierce. I was getting tired of chicken and fish. But common sense and caution overruled me as I opted instead for a turkey breast sandwich on 9-grain wheat bread at the Subway in the Flying J. It saddened me to have to say "no cheese" when I was asked. I added, "doctor's orders." The only dressing in the sandwich was light mayonnaise.

As for beef, I will eventually have some, but it won't be a regular part of my diet. Just once in a while. I might barbecue a t-bone steak next week as a treat to myself.

It will be a month in three more days since the heart attack and am now feeling normal with the "spring back in my step". For a couple of weeks (or so) I was feeling hesitant and had some trepidation about doing anything. Those feelings are now gone. Still, I am reminded of what happened by all the medications I've been taking and the Life Alert gizmo I am wearing. I don't have to see the cardiologist until November.

I got word the other day that I now have medical coverage in New Mexico, which includes prescriptions. This will be a big help financially as just one medication I have to take (Brilinta) costs around $400 alone.

As a friendly reminder, I posted a blog earlier this month on the warning signs of a heart attack by the American Heart Association. The link to it is here.

Insider Travel Tips For Beginners Exploring Japan

Above, inside a Narita Express train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Getting around Japan is not difficult. There are many options for transportation, but not all of them are cheap even though foreign visitors have the advantage of getting Rail Passes.

Gaijinpot.com has some travel tips for beginners.

They start with:

So you’ve come to work in Japan and are now wondering how to travel around this dynamic country in the most cost- and time-efficient ways? Great, let’s brainstorm together. Read on to learn about the pros and cons of traveling by train, car, bus and plane. We’ve even included insider tips for cheap accommodation and helpful forums for your trip planning.

To read more, go here. 

Inside The Flying J

Above, the Bass Pro Shops store in the Flying J. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It truly is nice and handy to have the Pilot Flying J Travel Center just down the hill and across Interstate 40 nearby. Otherwise, for minor purchases, one would have to drive 17 miles into Gallup.

For one thing, the community of Jamestown has its post office inside the travel center. I have a post office box there to receive my mail.

The Flying J also has its own store that includes food (pizza, etc.), groceries, vehicle accessories, gifts and liquor. It also has a Subway take-out restaurant and a Denny's Restaurant. I've already eaten at both.

Along with the above, it also has a Bass Pro Shops store to buy clothing items such as shirts, jackets, hats and other apparel.

Members of the Good Sam RV club can save money on purchases at the Flying J. I get five cents off per gallon of gasoline when I use my Good Sam card. While New Mexico's gasoline prices is roughly one dollar less than the gasoline prices of California, the nickel per gallon is also a help, especially if one is filling up a 55-gallon gas tank.

How To Ride Tokyo's Trains

Above, riders boarding a JR Yamanote Line train. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo probably has the best public transportation system in the world.

At first glance, navigating around the city may appear daunting to a newbie. But once one gets the hang of it, it is actually very easy.

Time Out Tokyo has an article on how to use Tokyo's transit system.

It begins with:

Tokyo boasts world-class cuisine, an endlessly vibrant culture and more places to explore than you can manage in a lifetime. But our dear capital also stands out in one rather more practical way: it’s got the best train and subway system of any major world city. Sure, rush hour is hell and unlike all those breathless travelogues suggest, trains actually do get delayed. But considering Tokyo’s scale, its public transport system is almost impossibly convenient. 

That’s once you get used to it, though. With 13 subway lines, well over 100 train lines and a dozen or so different transport companies in the metropolitan region, learning to navigate Tokyo’s trains is almost like learning a new language. Read up on the basics below, get out there and start studying…

To read more, go here. 

Japan Info: How To Use The Train In Japan

Above, a bullet train (shinkansen) pulls into Atami Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

One of the nice things about Japan is that their public transportation system will get people to virtually any place.

Tokyo's subways may seem complicated, but once you've mastered their system (along with color-coded maps), using the subway is a cinch.

The same goes for their train system.

Japan Info has an article on how to use the train in Japan.

It begins with:

If you happen to visit Japan, you will undoubtedly use the train at some point. Even if you plan to rent a car the entire time during your visit, you are likely to hop on a train between the airport and where you’re staying. Particularly in big cities such as Tokyo (東京), Osaka (大阪), or Nagoya (名古屋), trains are a large part of Japanese life and for many, it is the main method of getting around. 

A few great things about both the above-ground trains and subways in Japan is that they are clean, safe, and (usually) punctual. Riding the train in Japan isn’t too difficult, but can seem a little daunting at first due to the vast number of railway lines, the crowds during rush hour, and the sometimes complicated ticket machines. This article aims to prepare you for riding the train in Japan and help you make the most out of your journey.

To read more, go here. 

St. Petersburg Subway Terrorist Bombing

Above, Asya at the portrait unveiling last year. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Just before heading out to have my 2016 income tax preparation done, I heard on the news that a terrorist set off a bomb at a St. Petersburg, Russia subway station.

At this writing, 10 people were killed and around 50 injured.

As Asya has been in St. Petersburg, my immediate thought was to check with her to confirm that she and her family is safe.

I just heard from her:

On explosions, thanks for your concerns, news get spread fast indeed. So bad, but my family is fine, at least that sounds good)

Another explosive device was apparently found at another subway station in St. Petersburg, but it was diffused.

The devices were placed there as President Vladimir Putin was visiting St. Petersburg.

A Day's Cost of Tokyo Trains

If there's a big city in the world where one doesn't need to own a car, Tokyo is it.

Above, passengers boarding the Yamanote Line at Shinjuku Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo has a transportation network of trains and subways that is the envy of the world. While it is far from perfect, one can get to anywhere in Tokyo through the train and subway system and, surprisingly, it is relatively cheap to use. It is a lot easier than it looks.

So, how much does train travel in Tokyo cost for a day?

Fortunately, City-Cost has that all figured out and it is explained.

They start with:

Let’s get this straight, Tokyo’s transport network is nothing short of phenomenal. Somehow it manages to shift an army of economic foot soldiers of Biblical proportions, from home to office, office to home, every day.  And usually without major incident. Yes, it’s not without its faults and yes, at times, cramped carriage conditions border on a human rights violation.  But still, cities the world-over eye-up Tokyo’s system with envy. And rightly so!

A key part of said system is the JR East train network.  These are the trains that navigate Tokyo above ground.  Despite having a map that looks like a preschooler went mad with some crayons, the JR network is perfectly navigable, given a bit of time.  But is it affordable?  Here we ask, What’s the cost of a day’s train travel in Tokyo?

 To read more, go here.

Ginza Line Offers Free Wi-Fi

Above, the Ginza Line station sign in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo's Ginza Line on the Tokyo Metro system is probably the subway I use the most while in Tokyo.

It goes from Asakusa to Ginza and from there to Shibuya. Whenever I've stayed at the Hotel Asia Center of Japan, the nearest station to the hotel is the Aoyama-Itchome Station, which is a couple of blocks away. The Ginza Line stops at the Aoyama-Itchome Station.

Now, the Ginza Line is the first to have free Wi-Fi on board its trains as an experiment.

According to Japan Trends:

The Tokyo Metro Ginza Line will start offering subway passengers free wi-fi on trains from December 1st, aimed particularly at visitors from overseas. 

Tokyo Metro partners with NTT Broadband Platform and Wire and Wireless to offer three networks on subway trains (Metro_Free_Wi-Fi, Japan Connected-free Wi-Fi, and TRAVEL JAPAN Wi-Fi). 

Passengers have already enjoyed free wi-fi at all Tokyo Metro stations, but the city’s main subway service operator wants to experiment with offering online connections actually on trains. It will start with a single train running on the Ginza Line, which serves popular tourist spots like Ueno and Asakusa. This will increase to five trains by the end of fiscal 2016, aiming to provide a network for all 40 trains operating on the line by 2020.

 To read more, go here.

New App Will Help Navigate Shinjuku Station

Above, Denise and Aiden with service dogs outside of Shinjuku Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The train and subway system in Tokyo is one of the most efficient transit systems in the world.

However, sometimes it can be bewildering for a newbie to navigate some of the enormous stations in Tokyo. To help visitors, a new app has been introduced for Shinjuku Station.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO —Tokyo’s efficient rail system makes getting from one part of the city to another a snap. What’s not always so easy, though, is getting around the stations themselves. 

Shinjuku Station, located on the west side of downtown, can be particularly intimidating for the uninitiated. It’s not just the busiest station in the city, but the entire world, with 3.6 million passengers making their way through the train and subway hub every day. Of those, roughly 750,000 are using East Japan Railways’ trains, so the company has released a new smartphone app to help them navigate the JR portion of Shinjuku Station. 

The app is actually an updated version of a similar one released last year for Tokyo Station. The new edition can be used in either Shinjuku or Tokyo Stations, and can be configured for either English or Japanese menus and displays.

To read more, go here. 

6 Things You Can Do In Tokyo If You've Missed Your Last Train Home

Above, Nakamise Street in Asakusa. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Cheapo has posted an article on what to do if you happen to miss the last train home.

The article is geared for Tokyo residents, but it can also apply to people who are just visiting Japan's capital city.

They begin with:

It’s the best of times, it’s the worst of times. You put in some extra time at work. You run a crosstown errand. You meet up with a friend for a drink, which turns into three. You look at your phone and realize with horror; you’ve missed your last train home. 

Yeah, you’re stuck, but you’re stuck in the greatest city in the world, and it’s not so bad. You probably already have a favorite cafe, capsule hotel, or watering hole to pass the time in. Here are a few more ways to make the most of your night the next time you miss the last train.

To read more, go here. 

Japan Info: What Railcard to Use in Japan

Above, two of the JR Rail Passes I've used. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If you are planning to visit Japan and want to see much of the country, but are on a budget, Japan Info has posted an article on different ways to save money on transportation.

Above, the fronts to the rail passes I've used. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Included in the article are the ten JR Rail Passes that are only available to foreign visitors and pre-paid travel cards.

They start the article with:

Japan has an amazing and extensive public transportation system, being famous for the Shinkansen, or bullet train which is the fastest train in the world. It might seem overwhelming at first when you come to plan your trip due to all the different options for travel, today I will focus on getting around Japan by train and what products you can have to make this simpler and cheaper!

To read more, go here. 

Gaijinpot: What To Do If You Fall On The Train Tracks

Above, a commuter train at Kumamoto Station. The yellow line is there for a reason. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The subject of standing or walking safely on a train or subway platform is not one that I would immediately think of blogging about. But, apparently Gaijinpot.com feels otherwise and they posted an article on "What To Do If You Fall On The Train Tracks."

They begin it with:

Anyone who has squeezed onto a crowded Tokyo platform has probably had this thought: what should I do if I fall on the tracks in Japan? As it turns out, we have several options in this worst-case scenario. In this article, you can read about preventing falls, the several common safety features of Japanese train platforms and how you can use them in case of a fall.

The tips Gaijinpot provides can also apply to subways and train platforms in the U.S. or other countries with these transportation systems.

To read the full article, go here. 

Inside Japan Blog: Making Sense of the Tokyo Metro

If you are planning Tokyo, Japan anytime soon, you'll want to learn how to use the Tokyo subway system.

In actuality, it is not difficult to master and I consider it easy to use. In case you feel intimidated by using the Tokyo subway system, fear not! Inside Japan Blog has posted an article on "Making Sense of the Tokyo Metro."

They start it with a map of the subway system (this is a clearer image than the one they use):

They then post:

You see that spaghetti dinner up there? That’s the map for Tokyo’s subway system, Tokyo Metro. Although it may look daunting at first glance, with a little explanation (and a lot of pictures) you’ll be riding the underground like a true Tokyoite in no time!

If you want to learn more, go here. 

Tokyo Trains: 11 Easy Steps

Above, the hustle and bustle of Tokyo Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo has one of the most extensive train and subway systems in the world. To a newbie, navigating around the city aboard Tokyo's transit system may be intimidating. In actuality, it really isn't. It is really an easy system to master. Once you do, it is a cinch to travel around Tokyo.

To help visitors make use of the train system in Tokyo, Tsunaga Japan has posted "11 Steps On How To Get To Your Destination In Tokyo."

They begin with:

Trains runs like veins through Tokyo. I am rather literally. Walk around the city, and you will find subway entrances, train tracks, trains itself all over the place. You can’t say you’ve experienced an aspect of Tokyo without experiencing a train ride. Here are 11 easy steps on how to get to your destination by train in Tokyo.

To read the 11 easy steps on getting to your destination by Tokyo train, go here. 

Naughty, Naughty! Metro Cleaners Caught Turning Trash To Cash

Whenever I've used the Tokyo Metro subway system, I've always paid cash, so using IC cards is not "familiar territory" for me.

But, I've learned a little something about them from an article in the Tokyo Reporter.

They wrote:

TOKYO (TR) – A word of warning to commuters on the Tokyo Metro subway system. 

A 57-year-old woman working as a cleaner on the underground lines in Japan’s capital has been caught spending money from an IC card a passenger accidentally threw in the trash. 

The card in question had around 3,100 yen remaining on it, which the woman spent on herself. Procedures on the Metro lines require cleaners to pass on anything of value found in the trash to their office. 

IC cards in Japan include the names, addresses and phone numbers of their holders, meaning that the card — and the money on it — could have been returned easily.

To read more, go here.