Hanalog

I simply want to go north and for some reason I first have to go south and then east and then northwest. Would you trust me if I said to “Just follow the signs and the fact that you have no idea what the words on the signs are saying .. isn’t a problem, either.” Ever think that perhaps, the quickest way from A to B isn’t a straight line.

The Tokyo Metro … it isn’t the “sub”way .. it is the best way to get around this city. And it’s (no joke) one of my favorite places in the city. I have dedicated an entire series to showing as many of the amazing aspects of what most Tokyo folks probably take for granted every day.

The main reasons to be impressed? It is unbelievably efficient, it is impeccably clean, and it is inconceivably monstrous. The REAL reason for me to be excited about a train system? Because it shows the value and impact of good design.

First ask yourself how often you want to go directly north or south (or directly east or west, for that matter). Usually, your destination is located at some sort of an angle from your present position. Transferring is somewhat unavoidable. “How quickly can I get there” becomes dependent on several factors, not just one.
1) Do you know where you are going.
2) Do you know the route to get there.
3) How much will it cost
4) Depending on my destination, where is the best place for me to begin [a few blank faces on this one]
5) How long will it take to get from the subway to the exit of the station.
6) If I am unfamiliar with the area, will I know which of the 18 exits is the best one for me to take

Seems like a lot to think about .. and I guarentee that you ask every single question anytime you are traveling whether it be a subway or highway. You just don’t normally have all the information present in the transportation system here.

Most all of information regarding directions in the Tokyo subway is in both Japanese and English. Even if it isn’t, the pictograms are extremely intuitive. From the minute you walk into the subway, you can
a) figure out which line you need to take, and at which stations you need to transfer to get to your final destination
b) how much it costs regardless of the number of transfers
c) which train car is closest to the exits or toilets when you get off at the destination
d) the exact time the train will arrive at the station
e) the final destination of the next arriving train
f) the amount of time it takes from your current station to your destination
g) how many meters from your current position to the train platform
h) find several vending machines offering hot and cold beverages
i) in some locations, sit and eat ramen while you wait for the next train