The secret to conquering Tokyo is understanding the JR Yamanote Line. It's the green-striped loop that connects most of the city's major hubs. This is your cheat code for finding a fair midway point.
1. Master the Yamanote Loop
Think of it as a circle. If one friend is in Ueno (north-east) and the other is in Shibuya (south-west), the midway point is roughly Shinjuku or Tokyo Station. Find where each of you are on the loop and count the stops to the middle.
2. Identify Key Transfer Hubs
Stations like Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo Station, and Ikebukuro are major hubs where multiple train lines intersect. These are almost always a good bet for a meetup, as everyone can get there easily, even if they aren't on the Yamanote line.
3. Don't Fear the Transfer
Sometimes the "closest" station in terms of stops isn't the fastest. A place that requires one simple transfer for both people is often better than a place that's direct for one person but a 3-transfer nightmare for the other. Fairness over directness!
4. Use Google Maps Transit Times
This is the ultimate tie-breaker. Plug in both starting points and check the transit time to a few potential midway stations. Let the algorithm do the hard work. Look for places with similar travel times for everyone.
5. The "Golden Triangle" Rule
For most meetups, somewhere within the triangle of Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Station/Ginza will be your best bet. This central area has the highest density of things to do and is the easiest to get to from all corners of the city.
Of course, there's an easier way...
That's why we built midway@! Our app takes all these factors into account—travel time, transit complexity, and what's actually fun to do—and gives you the perfect, fairest spot in seconds. But now you know the secrets behind it!