It’s not a stretch to say that thousands of passengers use the Tokyo subway system every day. And it’s certainly not a rare scene to see travelers scratching their heads as they try to figure out the complicated subway system. But what if you could travel the complex lines and play a game at the same time?
SCRAP, the company that makes some immersive game events including escape games around Tokyo, has teamed up with Tokyo Metro to bring would-be subway passengers a new and exciting puzzle game—Tokyo Metro: The Underground Mysteries. With over 280,000 people having played the game in previous years, it’s a great way to learn and explore the complex subway system of Tokyo.
How to play the game
The rules of Tokyo Metro: The Underground Mysteries game are simple. You solve the riddles to the game; find the clues for the next destination; and move through each destination. In addition to having fun, the goal of the game to find the final answer through solving puzzles. The 2,400-yen game kit consists of a folded map, a puzzle book, a pencil and—best of all—a specially designed subway pass that allows for unlimited rides for 24 hours only on all metro lines!
To start the journey, you have to first solve the puzzle to find out the station you’ll have to visit next. The marvel of this game is that you actually have to visit the places to move on to the next stage. The game is so well designed that it is almost impossible to find out the answers with only the hints in the book. Gather clues at each stop in order to visit the next destination. This is a great activity to do by yourself or with friends. You’ll be amazed at how complex the puzzles can be. Wonder in excitement at where you might be sent next.
The perks
The stations you visit are not necessarily top Tokyo travel spots, but they’re definitely interesting places to check out. Some of the stations are even relatively unknown to Japanese people and long-time residents. The puzzle book introduces plenty of places to eat and visit so visitors have some information about these stations and nearby places to relax during your adventure. The game is a great way to explore the city from the most popular stations to those that most travelers will never visit, all with the convenient Tokyo Metro 24-hour Ticket.
Where to get your kit
The 2019 game kits are sold every day from 7:40 am to 8 pm from October 15th to February 16th at the Tokyo Metro Pass Office at the following stations: Ueno, Kita-Senju (at the Chiyoda line Tokyo Metro Pass Office), Shinjuku, and Tokyo. You can also purchase the kit on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays during the event period from Ginza and Meiji-jingumae; as well as from Shimbashi Station between October 15 and February, 2020. If those options don’t work for you, check out the SCRAP stores Tokyo Mystery Circus and Real Escape Room Asakusa.
One last tip before you jump into the game! Pay attention to every detail including decorations, texts, and signs. You may have to look closer than you think to finish the game! So, put on your detective hat and walking shoes and get going!
Tokyo Underground Mysteries 2019 Official Video
