Hyperdia Help Me!

Yes, I know that my blog is titled Hawaii to Tokyo and I started in Yokohama.  This is only because we landed at Haneda airport late at night and staying in Yokohama was convenient.  Below are my examples of using the train when you're in Tokyo.  I will later explain how we traveled from Yokohama to our next hotel. 


You have your PASMO card in hand.  Now what?  The next step is to download the Hyperdia app on your phone.  With your pocket Wifi in your purse, you'll be able to access your Hyperdia app at the train station and get the quickest route to any destination.  There are other apps available for travelers in Tokyo, but we found Hyperdia to be very easy and reliable.

You must download Hyperdia right before you leave for Tokyo.  This app will expire in 30 days.  After 30 days you will be charged a fee to use the app.

When you've chosen a destination, make note of the train stations that you will be using.  I usually researched the places we would visit at our hotel.  Then we mapped out our route before walking to the station.

For example, if I were staying near Shinagawa Station (This is why we make sure our hotel is near a station), I would type in Shinagawa, going to Akihabara.  Then I would press Search.  Please note that Japan uses military time.

The next screen says that the travel time to Akihabara will be 15 minutes.  You will catch the JR Yamanote Line Train for Osaki.  The Yamanote line trains all have a green stripe in them.  It will leave at 7:40 and then arrive at Akihabara at 7:55.  You can see that Hyperdia gives several options.  We almost always used the first option as it was the quickest way to travel.

This is another example of leaving from Shinagawa Station and going to Odaiba.  (These are all places that I will highlight later in my blog.)  You catch the JR Yamanote Line for Osaki (Green).  Exit at Shimbashi and catch the Yurikamome train for Toyosu (Pink).  It shows the travel time for both trains.

My last example shows leaving Asakusa (subway station) and catching the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line for Shibuya (Pink).  This is a longer ride and you will arrive in Shibuya in 32 minutes.  You will have no transfers.  Note that this would only cost $2.40 on your PASMO card.

There will be times that Hyperdia will have you catch the subway and the train.  There are signs everywhere in the train station.  If you feel uneasy and need to ask for help, there are workers throughout the station that will answer questions for visitors.  If you miss your train, don't worry.  Another train will arrive in about 5 minutes, just enough time to get a drink from the nearest vending machine.

One of the benefits of living in Hawaii is that we are accustomed to reading Japanese names.  You'll be able to read the names of the various stations, Shibuya, Ueno, Harajuku, Odaiba, etc.  These names will all be written using English characters.  As you're riding the train or subway, the intercom will announce the next stop before it occurs.  There are also maps showing all the stops inside the train for commuters to follow. 

If you miss your stop while you're in the train, don't worry!  Simply get out at the next stop and then use your Hyperdia app again (or ask for help).  You won't be charged anything extra because you only beep your PASMO card when leaving the ticketing gate.

You'll also find that Hyperdia will keep a history of all of your searches.  This will help you as you learn how to navigate through the area.

We also found the best restaurants, stores or tourist sites when we were just walking down the streets of Tokyo.  There's so much to see and take in.  You're on vacation!  There shouldn't be a schedule!