I rode the subway in Japan and saw why it's one of the best mass-transit systems in the world

Martha SorrenJun 10, 2020, 20:41 IST

Insider

I rode the subway in Tokyo, Japan, and it's one of the best public transportation systems I've ever experienced.
The subway was clean, efficient, and easy to navigate — especially if you had access to Google Maps.
The signs on the ground at the stations and on the trains are well-marked in both Japanese and English.
The trains ran on time, and everyone was courteous even when the cars were crowded.

Public transportation can tell you a lot about a city, and the Tokyo subway system — which is primarily made up of the Tokyo Metro and the Toei Lines — was clean, efficient, and easy to navigate even though I don't speak or read Japanese.

On my first trip to Tokyo, Japan, I took the subway from Haneda airport to my hotel in Shibuya with hardly a hiccup. The subway, which has operated since 1927, has had nearly 100 years to perfect itself, and it's incredibly efficient to use as a tourist.

Here's what it was like to ride the subway in Tokyo, and why other cities around the globe should take note.

You can buy a refillable card to ride the trains.

I purchased a rechargeable card to ride the subway in Tokyo. Martha Sorren for Insider

Fares are calculated based on distance, and children get a discount.

The subway fares were reasonable in Japan. Martha Sorren for Insider

Google Maps is super helpful when it comes to deciding which train to take.

Google Maps will provide a lot of information regarding train times. Martha Sorren for Insider

In my experience, the trains almost always run on time.

The trains seem to run on a tighter schedule than some other systems I've ridden. Martha Sorren for Insider

All of the signs are in English and Japanese.

It's OK if you don't speak Japanese because the signs are also in English. Martha Sorren for Insider

Many of the stations have helpful queue lines on the ground.

The queue lines made getting on the train less chaotic. Martha Sorren for Insider

The subway has a few specially designated cars that only women can ride.

The cars are designed to make women feel safer when riding the subway alone or with their children. AP Photo/Katsumi Kasahara

In every car, there's a priority seating area.

Priority seating is clearly marked in each car. Martha Sorren for Insider

There are storage shelves above the seats for your bags.

Bags don't have to sit in the aisles or take up extra space in the car. Martha Sorren for Insider

Overall, the system was easy to navigate even though it was my first time riding it.

I had a positive experience riding the subway in Tokyo, Japan. Martha Sorren for Insider

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