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  • Essay / Transport in Tokyo: getting around

    Tokyo is known for its excellent public transport. It is a huge and compact network of train, metro and bus lines. It has the largest urban rail network in the world and is used by several transport companies. The most important train is the JR Yamamote Line; it is a circular train line that connects the different city centers of Tokyo. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Operated by 2 companies, Tokyo's 13 subway lines cover central Tokyo. Toei lines operate 4 lines: Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku and Oedo. Tokyo Metro operates the other 9 lines: Ginza, Marunouchi, Hibiya, Tozai, Chiyoda, Yurakucho, Hanzomon, Namboku and Fukutoshin. Additionally, JR East's most notable train lines are Yamamote, Kelhin-Tohoku, Chuo/Sobu, Chuo, Saikyo and Shinkansen. Several passes and tickets are available for sale. But many of these tickets and prices can be considered too expensive, because many of them do not cover all the different companies or only partially do so. A prepaid card like Suica or Pasmo is the recommended way to get around the Tokyo area. Tokyo Free Kippu (aka Tokyo Tour Ticket) (1,590 yen) - Unlimited use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro) and JR trains in the central Tokyo area on a calendar day (i.e. say from the first to the last train of the day). It is also valid on buses and trams operated by Toei. The pass is too expensive and probably won't save on regular tickets or prepaid cards. Tokyo Subway Ticket (24 hours: 800 yen, 48 hours: 1200 yen, 72 hours: 1500 yen) - Unlimited use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro). Not valid on JR trains. The pass is sold at Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, ticket counters at some major subway stations, and Bic Camera electronics stores in central Tokyo, to foreign tourists only (passport required). Additionally, it is sold to foreign tourists and residents of Japan through selected travel agencies outside the Kanto region. Toei and Tokyo Metro One-Day Economy Pass (900 yen) – Unlimited use of all subway lines (Toei and Tokyo Metro) for one calendar day. The pass only costs money if you use the metro excessively. The pass is not valid on JR trains. Unlike the cheaper Tokyo Metro ticket (see above), this pass can be purchased at central Tokyo metro stations. Tokyo Metro 24-Hour Ticket (600 yen) – Unlimited use of all nine Tokyo Metro subway lines, but not the four Toei Subway lines and JR trains. The ticket is available at vending machines at Tokyo metro stations. Toei One-Day Economy Pass (700 yen) - Unlimited use of all four Toei subway lines, buses and trams for one calendar day. It is not valid on all nine Tokyo Metro subway lines and JR trains. The pass is available at vending machines and ticket counters at Toei stations. Tokunai Pass (750 yen) – Unlimited use of JR trains in the central Tokyo area for one calendar day. The pass is available at purple vending machines and ticket counters at JR stations..