I have some sympathy with this comment (although like other commenters I don't quite agree). I think some of this disconnect is cultural (or what you're used t

I have some sympathy with this comment (although like other commenters I don't quite agree). I think some of this disconnect is cultural (or what you're used to). The most important thing to understand about Japanese trains is that there a many train companies. If you don't realise that, then you can easily get confused about the need to go to a completely different building across the road to get a transfer. Many stylised maps don't make it clear and I've been confused before. I'm guessing that the blue in your example is the Keisei line. As for cards, Japan is still very much a cash based culture. Although you can use credit cards in most places now, if you had come 10 or 15 years ago you might have been astounded that you practically could not survive without carrying cash. Even now, if you go out to where I live (in the countryside), I don't think there is a single store that accepts credit cards. It used to be that the ATMs were only open during banking hours (what's the point in an ATM if it's only open when there is a teller available? ;-) ). I got into the habit of that time of carrying about $1000 all the time. Hell, the gas man would pass me on the street randomly, hand me my bill and expect that I would pay him on the spot. Different culture :-) Anyway, I hope your trip was enjoyable otherwise. One more quick tip: If you come again and end up in a station without romaji train maps, you can corner one of the station attendants and they will find a way to help you somehow (also probably won't speak English, but I've seen them being very inventive).