Tokyo Moves Fast: A Practical Guide

Start with IC cards (your universal key)

Think of Suica and PASMO as tap-to-go wallets that work across Tokyo Metro, JR lines, private rail, buses, coin lockers, vending machines, and many kiosks. The easiest setup is to add Suica or PASMO to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet and top up with your regular card—no ticket-machine lines, no guessing at fares. Every ride is simple: tap in, tap out. If a trip runs a bit over your remaining balance, use the Fare Adjustment machine beside the gates to settle up in seconds. Because IC cards also work for small buys (water, snacks, station coffee), you can keep your day friction-free and receipts auto-generate if you need them.

Station exits: the ten-minute secret

Tokyo’s stations are mini-cities. Picking the correct numbered exit (A2, B7, etc.) can save 10–15 minutes of street walking per stop. Inside the station, follow the overhead boards that list exits and nearby landmarks; outside, the small street-level signs confirm which number you’re leaving from. Google Maps and Apple Maps often recommend the exact exit—trust that cue. A little exit literacy adds up: less backtracking, fewer crowds, and far calmer days.

Know your last train (and plan your nights)

Most lines wrap up around midnight to 1 a.m. Exact times vary by route and day, so check the platform screens or your Maps app when you arrive in the evening. If you’re out late in Shinjuku, Shibuya, or Roppongi, a quick glance at the last-train time keeps you from playing taxi roulette. If you do miss it, late-night izakaya, ramen shops, and konbini keep the city livable—Tokyo after midnight is friendly if you know where to look.

How to ride like a local

On platforms, queue at the floor markers, let riders off first, and keep your bag in front in crowded cars. Some lines run women-only cars during peak hours (look for pink signage on platforms)—a good safety and comfort option. Peak times are roughly 7:30–9:30 a.m. and 5:00–7:00 p.m. If you can, shift plans or ride in the rear cars where crowds thin out faster. Inside trains, phones go to manner mode, calls wait until you’re off, and headphone volume stays low. It’s calm by design—go with it.

Cash, lockers, and small logistics that save the day

Cards are everywhere now, but some tiny ramen shops or retro cafés still prefer cash. 7-Bank and JP Post ATMs play nicely with foreign cards and are widely available in stations and convenience stores. For bag freedom, use coin lockers in big stations (your IC card works), stash your gear, and explore hands-free. Tokyo also runs on tidy streets with few public bins; carry a small trash bag and drop waste at your next konbini (trash cans there are for items purchased inside). Bring a compact umbrella—summer showers roll in fast and station surfaces get slick. On escalators, stand left in Tokyo (it flips to right in Osaka).

Eat well—especially after midnight

When the last train is looming, food stays easy. Konbini (convenience stores) are 24/7 lifelines with onigiri, hot snacks, and surprisingly decent coffee. Ramen shops with ticket machines are even faster: choose on the screen, pay, take the stub, and sit—water is self-serve. If you’re still hungry after the last slurp, try kaedama (extra noodles) instead of a full second bowl; it’s a smart value move. Many restaurants close mid-week or shut once they sell out, so a quick hours check in Maps saves you a walk.

Screenshots, day trips, and simple wins outside the loop

Do yourself a favor and screenshot key screens before tunnels or signal dead zones: your hotel address in Japanese, your last-train time, and any reservation codes. It’s the fastest way to get help from station staff if you need it. For day trips that don’t strain your brain, target Yokohama, Kawagoe, or Enoshima. Your IC card works for the simple hops; for longer runs or limited-express seats, reserve in advance and enjoy the calm.

The loop that orients everything

Learn the JR Yamanote Line early. It’s the green loop that ties together Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, and Ueno—basically the spine of central Tokyo. Once you can picture that circle, neighborhood choices make more sense and your internal map starts to click.

Plan your Tokyo trip in minutes with an AI travel planner

You can build all of this in notes and bookmarks, but Touva—an AI travel planner and Tokyo trip planner app—keeps the details working for you. Add your dates and neighborhoods and Touva:

• Drops Suica/PASMO setup steps at the start of day one,

• Pins the correct station exits for each stop,

• Tracks last-train windows against your dinner or karaoke plans,

• Maps late-night ramen, izakaya, and konbini near your route,

• And lets you download the entire itinerary offline for when tunnels eat your signal.

Because Touva understands transfer times, platform layouts, and realistic walking speeds, it trims the dead minutes and pads the moments that need it. Your plan stops feeling like a puzzle and starts feeling like… Tokyo.

Key takeaways (so you actually use this)

• Put Suica/PASMO in your phone and tap everywhere—rail, buses, lockers, small buys.

• Follow exit numbers to cut 10–15 minutes of walking at each big station.

• Check last trains around midnight so your evening doesn’t end in a scramble.

• Ride with quiet-car etiquette, shift around rush hours, and use women-only cars if helpful.

• Lean on coin lockers, 7-Bank/JP Post ATMs, a mini trash bag, and a folding umbrella.

• Keep late nights simple with konbini and ticket-machine ramen—and say yes to kaedama.

• For easy wins beyond the city, try Yokohama, Kawagoe, or Enoshima with your IC card.

When you’re ready to plan a trip to Tokyo that runs smoothly from the first tap to the last train, open Touva. Pin your must-eat ramen, lock the right exits, and let the AI travel planner turn fast city energy into a trip that just works.