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

I opted for a Pasmo card because it allows you to transfer between the two independently operated Metro and Toei lines. It can also be used on the city buses.

It cost me 500 Japanese yen (about $4.54 at the time) to buy a new Pasmo, but that price is refundable when you finish using the card and return it at the end of your trip.

The card is refillable at any station kiosk, and you simply tap it to enter and exit the station. Unlike in some other cities, I didn't have to infuriatingly swipe a flimsy paper card at just the ride speed.

Some subway systems around the world utilize a flat fee for all riders, but the Tokyo system is priced based on distance.

For my ride from the airport to Shibuya, I had to transfer from the airport line, which is more expensive to ride, to the local line, which is usually a bit cheaper.

The first part of my trip cost me 300 yen (about $2.73 at the time) and the second part on the local line cost me 170 yen (about $1.54 at the time).

Although I didn't have any children with me, I noticed there were discounts for kids.

Infants ride for free, toddlers ages 1 to 6 ride for free as long as there are no more than two toddlers per adult or child, and children ages 6 to 11 (or a third toddler) ride for about half of an adult fare.

The most confusing thing about the Tokyo subway system is that multiple train lines run on the same platform. You have to pay close attention to the time your train is scheduled so you get on the right one.

This was the one mistake I made when traveling from the airport. I got on an express train that didn't stop at the station I needed to transfer at. But that could have been avoided if I had paid better attention to which train I was supposed to board in the first place.

When you enter your destination into Google Maps, it will tell you the time your train is coming, which car to get on for the easiest exit or transfer, and even how likely it is that you'll get a seat.

There's free Wi-Fi at many of the subway stations, so pulling up this information should be relatively hassle-free.

Google Maps was so helpful because it would say, for example, that the train we needed to board would arrive at 5:57 p.m. When the train would pull up exactly at 5:57 p.m., we knew without a doubt that it was the one we needed to take.

It was sort of unbelievable, especially as a former New Yorker, to see a subway system run with such accuracy. There were also new trains every three or so minutes, so if you missed one, another was right around the corner.

The tight schedule is a point of pride for Tokyo. Tokyo Metro's public-relations manager, Noboru Ishikawa, told Metro magazine in 2019 that avoiding delays is the subway system's no. 1 priority.

If you don't have access to Google Maps, navigating the trains is still fairly easy.

All of the stations have visible maps that are easy to find, and they are labeled in English as well as Japanese, so I didn't have to worry about not speaking the native language.

In the cars themselves, digital screens also show upcoming stops and transfer stations in English.

The New York City subway can become a mad dash when it comes to getting on an approaching train, especially during rush hour.

In Tokyo, however, there are labels on the ground that show you where to line up — and people respect those queues.

The queue signs are also helpful to show you which trains stop at the platform. For example, I stood in the line for the train that runs to the airport, and it was clearly labeled on the ground.

I didn't come across any of these women-only cars myself, but they're designed to be used during the morning rush hour to help women feel safer boarding and riding a crowded train. Younger children are also allowed to use these cars.

This area is generally used for older passengers, people who are pregnant, and people with disabilities. It's marked with red paint on the floor, and there are yellow handles to hold on to in the section.

But even the general seating area is clean and comfortable. Unlike some subways that use hard, plastic seats, the ones on the Tokyo trains were comfortable and plush. I especially appreciated them during the 45-minute ride to my hotel.

This helps to keep the aisles clear so more people can board without tripping over bags. Also, this way, no one gets hit in the face with a backpack.

In general, I also noticed people were very courteous, especially on crowded trains.

Although there's no rule against eating or drinking, most people seemed to avoid doing so out of respect for those around them. And even though many of the trains run above ground, people didn't use their phones to make calls or play music or videos out loud.

It was a pretty quiet and respectful way to travel.

For me, the biggest highlight of the subway was how punctual it was and how easy it was to navigate.

I don't speak Japanese and it was my first time in Tokyo, but I was able to get around without any major problems.

I think someone in Japan ought to tell New York City how public transit should be done.

Read more:

• I rode the subway in Taiwan and saw why it's one of the best mass transit systems in the world
• What it's like to travel on the subway in 16 cities around the world
• I rode London's Underground for a day, and it blew New York's subway system away
• 13 things I wish I knew before traveling from the US to Japan