zero to reading a japan rail map without panicking
learned most of this backwards on my first trip. this is the fixed sequence.
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1
Start with Google Maps for point to point routing
it handles fares, platforms, and even delays in Japan surprisingly well, you don't need to read a single kanji yet
2
memorize one line by sight before anything else
I did the Yamanote loop first since it's a circle, you can't really get lost on it
3
get a Suica or Pasmo IC card set up and understand the gates
tap in, tap out, the seisan machine fixes shortfalls. this took me an embarrassingly long time to trust
4
it knows timetables down to the platform in a way Maps sometimes doesn't for smaller lines
5
learn which lines are JR and which are private/subway
they don't always share a gate, I've walked into a dead end mid-transfer more than once assuming they would
6
learn the difference between local, rapid, and limited express on your regular JR line
boarding a rapid by accident skips your stop entirely, ask me how I know
7
try reading a full station map with no app, just to test yourself
8
learn kanji for the transfer stations you use most
not all of them, just the 4 or 5 you actually hit every week. that's enough to stop panicking
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