Getting around Tokyo
World’s best public transport system
Tokyo has multiple overhead train and metro operators. In some cases, between points A and Z, which might be two hours total, a different company is operating different segments on the same track, with the same carriages. Don’t panic. A single pre-paid card (Suica or Pasmo) is all you need to ride anything within the city. Check at the airport train station, which sells the cards. They can usually be paid for and loaded onto iPhone as well.
For a seriously wow 3D transit map experience, check out Mini Tokyo 3D:
Conventional metro map in 2D (not including overhead rail).
Map showing both overhead rail and metro lines (prepare the eyes)
Bullet train (Shinkansen) and other long-distance express trains: they typically require both a fare for travel between A and Z, and an additional “express” fare.
Taxis
Plentiful, clean, safe and reliable. Drivers will not rip you off. In almost all cases, cash, credit cards and transit cards can be used. Typically the fare is 500 yen for the first 1km, ie, reasonable, but reaches nastyland numbers with long distances or late at night.
FYI: do not open or close the taxi door. The driver does this for you with a lever or button. Operating the door by yourself is not a criminal offense, but your driver will be mortified.
No tipping, and this applies to taxis, restaurants, hotels, everything.
From Haneda Airport
Taxi to Shinagawa costs approximately 4,500 yen and takes 20-25 minutes. Shinbashi and Ginza cost a bit more and take around 35 minutes. Shibuya and Shinjuku are around 8,500-9,000 yen.
By train, take the Keikyu line, which runs frequently, costs 330 yen and takes 14-30 minutes to Shinagawa Station. From there you can take a taxi or transfer to the JR lines for easy connections to other points.
The Tokyo Monorail operates from Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station, where you can transfer to other JR lines. The fare is 520 yen and travel times range between 19 and 35 minutes.
From Narita Airport
The airport is very far from the city center, so train or bus is the norm. A taxi can be around 200 USD/Euro.
JR Narita Express: to Tokyo Station, Shinagawa Station, Shibuya Station, Shinjuku Station.
https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/nex/
Keisei Skyliner: to Ueno Station and Nippori Station
https://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/index.php
Note that trains to/from Narita Airport require purchasing both the transport from A to B and an “express train” component. You simply select both when purchasing your ticket.
“Limousine Bus”: buses go to several train stations in town and to many different hotels. Note that depending on the number of stops and traffic, the bus ride can take up to two hours.
https://webservice.limousinebus.co.jp/web/en/
Easy day trips
Fast bullet train (Shinkansen) fix
Japan’s super-express Shinkansen trains have been in operation since 1964. The numbers are simply astounding. 9 lines around the country and 350+ services, transporting 400,000+ passengers, daily. Roughly every six minutes, a 1,300-seat Shinkansen departs from Tokyo for Osaka and beyond, and vice versa. The fastest model hits 320 kph/200mph. If you have not experienced the Shinkansen, take it from Shinagawa Station to the coastal city of Odawara, trip time only 26 min and one-way fare of ¥3,630. Or go 20 minutes beyond to another coastal city, Atami, which has a hot spring foot bath right in front of the station and two charming shopping streets nearby.
Hakone (near Mt. Fuji)
Soak your soul in an exquisite hot spring (onsen in Japanese), surrounded by stunning nature. Just 90 minutes by “Romance Car” Odakyu Line express train from Shinjuku Station to Hakone Yumoto Station.
Hakone Yuryo is a perfect hot spring for day trips and is three minutes from Hakone Yumoto Station via free shuttle bus (map).
Hakone Yuryo
South of Tokyo: Kamakura region
Settled around 1063, Kamakura was at one point the political center of medieval Japan. It is dotted with many exquisite Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, and is only one hour from Haneda Airport, and 50-60 minutes from hub stations such as Shinagawa, Tokyo or Shibuya.
Official tourist info site
North of Tokyo: Nikko
Nikko is a magical collection of World Heritage shrines and temples dating back 1,200 years, set in lush mountains. It is only around two hours from Tokyo Station, Ginza or Nihonbashi.
Official tourist info site
Prefer to explore a neighborhood? Match your mood with these:
Nature and culture with a side of retail therapy: Meiji Shrine, Harajuku & Omotesando
Culture and retail therapy with a side of nature: Asakusa & Kappabashi
Retail therapy and culture, with extra concrete: Ginza
Pulse of the city: Shibuya
At/near Haneda Airport: Haneda & Tennozu Isle