Tokyo: By Train

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By Train

Japan Railways (JR) trains in Tokyo are color-coded, making it easy to identify the different lines. The Yamanote Line (green or silver with green stripes) makes a 35-km (22-mi) loop around the central wards of the city in about an hour. The 29 stops include the major hub stations of Tokyo, Yuraku-cho, Shimbashi, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ueno.

The Chuo Line (orange) runs east to west through the loop from Tokyo to the distant suburb of Takao. During the day, however, these are limited express trains that don't stop at most of the stations inside the loop. For local cross-town service, which also extends east to neighboring Chiba Prefecture, you have to take the Sobu Line (yellow).

The Keihin Tohoku Line (blue) goes north to Omiya in Saitama Prefecture and south to Ofuna in Kanagawa, running parallel to the Yamanote Line between Tabata and Shinagawa. Where they share the loop, the two lines usually use the same platform -- Yamanote trains on one side and Keihin Tohoku trains, headed in the same direction, on the other. This requires a little attention because, for example, if you want to take the loop line from Yuraku-cho around to Shibuya and you board a blue train instead of a green one; four stops later, where the lines branch, you'll find yourself on an unexpected trip to Yokohama.

JR Yamanote Line fares start at ¥130; you can get anywhere on the loop for ¥260 or less. If you plan to use the JR often, pick up an Orange Card, which is available at any station office. The cards come in ¥1,000 and ¥3,000 denominations. Use your card at vending machines with orange panels: you punch in the cost of the ticket and that amount is automatically deducted.

Japan Railways Hotline is an English-language information service, open weekdays 10-6.

Jorudan is an invaluable easy-to-use online source for plotting inner-city train, subway, and bus commutes.

Contact

Japan National Tourist Organization Tourist Information Center (03/3201-3331). Tokyo Metro (www.tokyometro.jp. 03/3941-2004). Japan Railways Group (New York. 212/332-8686). Japan Railways Hotline (03/3423-0111. www.jreast.co.jp). Jorudan (www.jorudan.co.jp).