Tokyo Metro Complete Guide 2026: Suica, PASMO, Tokyo Subway Pass — Which to Get?
Tokyo has 300+ subway stations and 13 metro lines plus JR lines. This complete guide explains Suica vs PASMO vs IC cards, when Tokyo Subway Pass is worth buying, and how to actually read the confusing metro map.
📝 NTJ Editorial Guide · Official Sources Verified
Tokyo's Transit System at a Glance
Tokyo's transit network is really made up of two systems:
Subway (Metro/Subway):
- Tokyo Metro (東京メトロ): 9 lines (Ginza Line, Marunouchi Line, Hibiya Line, Tozai Line, Chiyoda Line, Yurakucho Line, Hanzomon Line, Namboku Line, Fukutoshin Line)
- Toei Subway (東京都交通局): 4 lines (Asakusa Line, Mita Line, Shinjuku Line, Oedo Line)
Above-ground rail:
- JR East: Yamanote Line, Chuo Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, and others
- Private railways: Tokyu, Tobu, Seibu, Keio, Odakyu, and others
Comparing the IC Cards
| Suica | PASMO | Welcome Suica | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issued by | JR East | Tokyo Metro / Toei | JR East |
| Deposit | ¥500 | ¥500 | ¥0 (but disposable — no refund) |
| Coverage | Nationwide JR + private railways across Japan | Nationwide interoperable IC areas (issued in Tokyo; same network as Suica) | Nationwide interoperable IC areas (same as Suica; no refund) |
| Refundable deposit on return | Yes (at a JR ticket window before you leave; ~¥220 handling fee) | Yes | No |
| Recommended? | Best overall pick | Solid second choice | Best pick for short-term visitors |
⚠️ IC cards are interoperable nationwide, but you cannot tap through across separate IC areas on one continuous ride (e.g. a long Kanto↔Kansai trip) — buy a ticket for cross-area long-distance travel.
Best choice for travelers: Welcome Suica (tourist-only, no deposit, valid for 28 days — just top it up and don't worry about returning it) > Buy it at: Haneda/Narita Airport, major JR stations
Is the Tokyo Subway Pass Worth It?
| Pass | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 24-hour | ¥800 | A day of heavy subway use in Tokyo |
| 48-hour | ¥1,200 | Two days in Tokyo |
| 72-hour | ¥1,500 | Three days in Tokyo |
When it's worth buying: If you'll take more than 4 subway rides in a day (each ride runs ¥200–300), the pass pays for itself. But note: it does not cover JR lines! Going from Tokyo Station to Shinagawa, for example, requires the JR line, which isn't included.
Tips for Understanding the Tokyo Subway Map
Tip 1: The Yamanote Line Is Your Outer Ring Reference
The Yamanote Line (山手線, やまのてせん) loops all the way around central Tokyo and serves as the reference point for every other line:
- Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Tabata are all on the Yamanote Line
- Once you have the Yamanote Line memorized, every other line just branches outward from it
Tip 2: Match Colors to Lines
Each line has a fixed color:
- Yamanote Line: green
- Ginza Line: orange/yellow
- Marunouchi Line: red
- Chiyoda Line: dark green
- Fukutoshin Line: brown
Tip 3: How to Transfer (乗り換え, norikae)
- Before entering the station, confirm which line and direction you need for your final destination
- On the platform, check the yuki (行き, "bound for") signage
- When you need to change lines, look for the transfer signage inside the station (usually available in multiple languages)
- Just enter your start and end points into Google Maps — it will give you the best route
Common Route Combinations
| Trip | Line | Time | Fare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo Station → Ueno | JR Yamanote Line | 7 min | ¥160 |
| Shinjuku → Shibuya | JR Yamanote / Saikyo / Shonan-Shinjuku Line | 5–7 min | ¥170 |
| Ueno → Asakusa | Ginza Line | 6 min | ¥180 |
| Shibuya → Harajuku | Yamanote Line | 2 min | ¥140 |
| Shinjuku → Ikebukuro | Yamanote Line | 10 min | ¥170 |
| Tokyo → Shinagawa | Yamanote Line | 10 min | ¥180 |
Things to Keep in Mind
- Last train times: Tokyo's subways generally stop running around midnight, and late-night taxis get expensive fast (¥3,000–8,000)
- Priority seats (優先席): Switch your phone to silent mode near these seats, and give up your seat for elderly passengers, pregnant women, and people with disabilities
- Boarding and alighting: Line up on the platform and wait — let passengers exit before you step on
- Large luggage: Fine on the Shinkansen and limited express trains, but hauling big suitcases on the Tokyo subway during rush hour is genuinely a hassle