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Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
- Casey Baseel
Jul 24, 2026 - Tweet
New machines at two of Tokyo’s busiest metro stations will require you to pay with a credit card or one-day-pass QR code.
- Japan
- (Ginza • IC cards • IC transportation cards • Japan travel • Pasmo • stations • subways • Suica • Tokyo Metro • tourism • trains • transportation • travel • Ueno)
Japanese trains in Sapporo might be better than those in Tokyo, thanks to one special feature
- Oona McGee
Apr 12, 2026
Sure, Tokyo has fancy digital signage, but Sapporo has a better old-school idea.
- Japan
- (Hokkaido • Sapporo • subways • technology • Tokyo Metro • tourism • trains • travel)
Major Tokyo subway line shut down by in-train mobile battery fire
- Casey Baseel
Mar 17, 2026
Device for charging on-the-go brings subway to a stop in latest mobile battery fire.
- Japan
- (gadgets • Hanzomon Line • mobile batteries • subways • technology • Tokyo Metro • tourism • trains • travel)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
- SoraNews24
Feb 19, 2026
Train etiquette can be hard to navigate for tourists, but locals need to watch their manners too.
- Japan
- (COK • etiquette • Japanese trains • manners • society • subways • tourism • train etiquette • train manners • train travel • trains • travel)
What’s up with the secret basement at this Japanese train station?
- Oona McGee
Feb 15, 2026
There’s one level in this underground dungeon that can only be seen, but not accessed, by the public.
- Japan
- (COK • elevators • Japanese train stations • Korakuen • mysteries • SNJO • Subway • subways • Tokyo • trains • trains stations)
These are Tokyo train lines people most want to live along【Survey】
- Elliot Hale
Jan 24, 2026
In the train-heavy Tokyo area, convenience is what matters most to prospective residents.
- Japan
- (COK • commuting • living • Living in Japan • society • Subway • subways • survey • Tokyo • trains • Yamanote • Yamanote line)
One of Tokyo’s most useful subway lines for travelers is about to get more convenient
- Casey Baseel
Oct 4, 2025
Tokyo’s oldest subway line should be less crowded for sightseers starting next month.
- Japan
- (Asakusa • COK • Ginza • Ginza Line • Shibuya • subways • Tokyo Metro • tourism • trains • travel)
Ed Sheeran teams up with Tokyo subway line to promote his newest album
- Master Blaster
Sep 12, 2025
The train line has nothing special to plug at the moment though.
The 8 most annoying things people do on Japanese trains, according to local commuters
- Oona McGee
Aug 1, 2025
In a country renowned for good manners, these are the train etiquette rules to watch out for.
- Japan
- (COK • etiquette • Japanese trains • manners • society • subways • tourism • train etiquette • train manners • train travel • trains • travel)
These are Osaka’s three best digital rail passes for travelers
- Casey Baseel
Jul 21, 2025
Unlimited subway rides, free admission to some of the city’s best sightseeing spots, and no paper ticket you need to pick up at a service counter.
- Japan
- (Japan Railway • Japan Railway Company • JR • Osaka • Osaka Metro • Osaka Smart Access Pass • rail passes • subways • Surutto Kansai Osaka Amazing Pass • tourism • train passes • trains • travel)
New Japanese train etiquette point arises from high temperatures and high handy fan sales
- Casey Baseel
Jul 17, 2025
Personal electric fans are an imperfect solution to packed-train heat.
- Japan
- (COK • etiquette • fans • gadgets • handy fans • society • subways • tourism • trains • travel)
What are you supposed to do with your backpack on a crowded train in Japan?
- Casey Baseel
Mar 29, 2025
“People wearing their backpacks on their backs” and “people holding their backpacks in front of them” both rank high on list of train riders’ annoyances.
Japan’s ultra-convenient unregistered prepaid train cards return after nearly two-year absence
- Casey Baseel
Feb 19, 2025
Suica and Pasmo cards that you can buy anywhere without registering personal data will be back in time for the spring travel season.
- Japan
- (COK • East Japan Railway • JR • JR East • Pasmo • prepaid cards • subways • Suica • tourism • trains • travel)
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
- Casey Baseel
Dec 30, 2024
Survey finds 10 things to avoid as Japan experiences record-breaking, sometimes patience-testing levels of inbound international tourism.
- Japan
- (etiquette • manners • overtourism • stations • subways • tourism • trains • transportation • travel)
Finally! General sales of Japan’s ultra convenient Sucia, Pasmo prepaid train cards resume next month
- Casey Baseel
Aug 21, 2024
The two easiest ways to pay for train tickets, and a whole bunch of other stuff, make their long-awaited return.
- Japan
- (COK • East Japan Railway • JR • JR East • Pasmo • prepaid cards • subways • Suica • tourism • trains • travel)
General sales of Japan’s most convenient prepaid train/shopping card to finally resume soon
- Casey Baseel
Aug 8, 2024
JR East says Suica sales are coming back in full force.
- Japan
- (COK • East Japan Railway • JR • JR East • Pasmo • prepaid cards • subways • Suica • tourism • trains • travel)
Studio Ghibli and Tokyo Metro team up for summer stamp rally with adorable Catbus prize
- Casey Baseel
Jun 8, 2024
But you’ll want to act fast.
- Japan
- (anime • Catbus • cute • Hayao Miyazaki • manga • My Neighbor Totoro • stamp rally • Studio Ghibli • subways • Tokyo Metro • trains • transportation • travel)
JR, Tokyo Metro, other rails lines adding discounts for mentally handicapped riders, caregivers
- Casey Baseel
Apr 13, 2024
New policy seeks to remove additional financial burden in a country where not taking the train often isn’t an option.
- Japan
- (COK • health • Japan Railways • JR • mental health • society • subways • Tokyo Metro • trains • transportation)
Japan bad train manners survey reminds us of three things to watch out for while riding the rails
- Casey Baseel
Jan 2, 2024
Participants pick the most unpleasant parts of public transportation.
End-of-the-Line Exploring in Japan: Tokyo’s Mita Line can give you all the nothing you want【Pics】
- Casey Baseel
Oct 28, 2023
Let’s take a ride to the northernmost stop of the Tokyo subway network.
- Japan
- (COK • End-of-the-Line Exploring in Japan • Mita Line • SNJO • stations • subways • trains • travel)
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Recent Posts
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MOST POPULAR
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Today
Japan ends tax-free shopping system for foreign tourists, new refund request system now in effect
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Beautiful Ghibli diorama kits lets you build anime characters’ homes inside yours [Photos]
Japan’s mini Shikoku Pilgrimage walking tour left us feeling immensely satisfied
Shoplifting prevention guard arrested for shoplifting boot from store he was guarding
This semi-secret, totally free footbath in downtown Tokyo is completely awesome
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo Skytree set to offer breathtaking Diamond Fuji natural phenomenon view this month
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Weekly
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
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Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Modern exosuits are opening up ancient Japanese castle climbs to everyone
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
One simple unexpected recipe swap will make your Japanese-style omelets extra fluffy and juicy
Fishing information website for Susaki, Japan, hit by data leak, all 3 users affected
Starbucks Japan releases “Let’s Par-TEA!” Frappuccino and drinks for the holiday season
Cold Stone is closing its final branch in all of east Japan, but it’s going down singing
Monthly
Pokémon Company announces first-ever permanent Pokémon store to open outside Asia
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
What’s it like to stay in a Japanese container hotel?
Chainsaw robots helping keep trains running safely in east Japan [Video]
New Studio Ghibli anime gets extended run at the only cinema in Japan where it’s being shown
Tokyo train station will play Godzilla theme song as new departure melody
Studio Ghibli creates illustrated Kyoto sightseeing map, available at any 7-Eleven Japan store
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Japan’s TeamLab digital art group is opening a permanent museum in America
Yearly
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
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RECOMMENDED STORIES
This semi-secret, totally free footbath in downtown Tokyo is completely awesome
Family Mart releases 47 convenience store socks and stickers, one for every prefecture in Japan
Tokyo Skytree set to offer breathtaking Diamond Fuji natural phenomenon view this month
Starbucks Japan invites us to par-tea with its new Earl Gray Frappuccino [Taste test]
Pokémon guitars from Fender Japan come with 8-bit sound mode for covering retro game music [Vid]
Life-size Monster Hunter dragon statues to be built at Japanese shopping mall
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods for 2026, with exclusive holiday surprises
Osaka’s famous Glico Running Man will be removed and replaced with a new-look sign
Evangelion announces collaboration with Hard Rock Cafe
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Can Japan’s Self-Defense Forces legally open fire on a zombie horde?
Studio Ghibli homeware brand’s faux oil lamp brings light, smiles, and Kiki’s Jiji to your home
Hello Kitty cuts ties with hit Japanese spy drama Vivant over torture scenes
Guile cosplay goes with everyone for Halloween at SoraNews24 HQ [Photos]
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