乗Japan Train Trips
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How to ride trains in Japan

Kanto (Tokyo)

How to ride the Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line): in at the front, pay first

東京さくらトラム（都電荒川線）の乗り方

Tokyo's last streetcar works the other way round: board at the front and pay ¥170 (¥168 by IC) as you get on, then leave by the rear door.

  • Board at the front
  • Exit at the rear
  • Pay when you get on
  • IC cards OK
  • Flat fare
↓ IN↑ OUT◀ Front (driver)Rear ▶
Board at the front Exit at the rear

The Tokyo Sakura Tram (Toden Arakawa Line), run by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation (Toei), rattles through old neighbourhoods between Waseda and Minowabashi, past Asukayama Park. Unlike the other trams in this guide, you board at the front and pay as you get on. Every ride costs the same: adults ¥170 (¥168 by IC card), children ¥90 (¥84 by IC). There are no tickets.

▶

乗り方の流れ

Step by step

  1. 01Check the destination

    Look at the sign on the front and side of the tram — some trams end partway between Waseda and Minowabashi.

  2. 02Board at the front door

    Get on through the front door, next to the driver.

  3. 03Pay as you get on

    Drop the exact fare into the fare box, or touch your IC card (PASMO, Suica and the other nationwide cards) on the fare machine. The machine takes ¥1,000 notes and coins only — no ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 notes. Paying a child fare, or for several people on one card? Tell the crew before you touch.

  4. 04Press the stop button early

    Move to the middle of the tram and press the stop button in good time before your stop.

  5. 05Get off at the rear door

    Leave through the rear door. Pass holders show the date side of their pass when boarding.

Day passes

Toden 1Day Pass: ¥400 (child ¥200). Buy a paper pass on board (cash only), load it onto your PASMO or Suica on board, or buy a digital pass in the RYDE PASS app.

Toei 1Day Pass (都営まるごときっぷ): ¥700 (child ¥350), adding Toei Subway, Toei buses and the Nippori-Toneri Liner.

Changing trams isn't free — if you board a short-working tram and change, you pay again.

Good to know

  • Minowabashi connects to Tokyo Metro's Minowa Station (Hibiya Line); Asukayama is the stop for Asukayama Park and the Paper Museum; Waseda is the western end.
  • Luggage: up to two pieces (250 cm combined, 30 kg); big bags may be refused when the tram is crowded.
  • The JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid on the tram.

Sources

Rules differ between railways and change from time to time — last checked 3 Nov 2026. Follow signs and staff on the day.