The cost of transportation is a nightmare for many, as public transport in Japan—especially in Tokyo—can be quite expensive if you need to use it daily. That’s why today we’re going to talk about:

定期券 (Teikiken), or commuter pass

What is it?
As the name suggests, it's a pass that allows you to travel by metro and train in Japan at a reduced price.

Can I travel unlimitedly?
Yes and no. Let us explain. This transport pass allows you to travel unlimitedly between two stations for a fixed monthly, quarterly, or semi-annual fee, depending on the duration of the pass you purchase.

But is it really worth buying this pass?

Good question. Let’s analyze how much you could save with these passes. Let’s take, for example, two stations in Tokyo: Ikebukuro and Shibuya, both on the Yamanote line.

• A one-way ticket between these two stations would cost 180 yen, so if you live in Ikebukuro and study in Shibuya, you would spend 360 yen per day. That adds up to 7,200 yen over four weeks of school (5 days a week).
• If you decide to buy the monthly pass, you would pay 5,620 yen, saving almost 1,600 yen per month.
• For the quarterly pass, the price would be 16,010 yen, increasing your savings to 5,590 yen per quarter.
• For the semi-annual pass, the price would be 27,060 yen, which would save you 16,140 yen per semester.
  

Some schools also offer an additional student discount, in which case the prices would be even lower.

How can I get this pass?
All metro and train stations in Japan have a machine like the one in the image below where you can get it.

To purchase it, you’ll need to choose:

• Two stations between which you plan to travel
• The duration of the pass: 1, 3, or 6 months
• You’ll need to enter your full name, gender, and phone number
• You’ll also have to select the start date when the pass becomes active

Once you’ve selected everything, you’ll need to make the payment in cash or by card, and you’ll be ready to start traveling while spending less.

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