Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
50
since only the end destination is written
on the bus and routes listed at bus stops
are usually not in English. In addition,
many bus drivers don't speak English.
Buses are sometimes convenient for short
distances, however. If you're feeling adven-
turous, board the bus at the front and drop
the exact fare (usually ¥200) into the box.
If you don't have the exact amount, fare
boxes accept coins or bills; your change
minus the fare will come out below. Suica
and Pasmo cards are also accepted. A sign-
board at the front of the bus displays the
next stop, usually in English. When you
wish to get off, press one of the buttons on
the railing near the door or the seats. You
can pick up an excellent Toei bus map
showing all major routes at one of the
Tokyo Tourist Information Centers oper-
ated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Govern-
ment (see “Visitor Information,” p. 313).
Or check the Toei website at www.kotsu.
metro.tokyo.jp.
An exception to the city buses above is
Toei's
Tokyo Shitamachi Bus,
a user-
friendly sightseeing bus that follows a
fixed route to seven major sightseeing
spots. Departing from the Marunouchi
north exit of Tokyo Station, buses stop at
Nihombashi's Mitsukoshi Department
Store; Akihabara, with its many anime and
electronic stores; Ueno Park; Kappabash-
dougugai Dori, with its many kitchen
stores; and Asakusa before terminating at
Ryogoku Station with the Edo-Tokyo
Museum. Buses travel in both directions at
30-minute intervals daily between 9am
and 6:30pm. The fare is ¥200 each time
you board (you can use a Suica card); or
purchase a one-day Toei bus pass for ¥500.
For information about the Tokyo Shi-
tamachi Bus, including a schedule and
map, stop by the Tokyo Tourist Informa-
tion Center in Shinjuku or Ueno (p. 313).
BY BOAT
Although all tourist destinations are acces-
sible by land transportation, some sights
in Tokyo Bay or on the Sumida River are
served by sightseeing boat, an enjoyable
way to travel and see the Tokyo skyline.
Boats depart from
Hinode Pier
near
Hamamatsucho and Hinode stations and
travel to
Asakusa
via the Sumida River;
the trip takes approximately 40 minutes
and costs ¥760. You can also reach Asakusa
by boat from Hama Rikyu Garden, while
another route travels between Asakusa and
Odaiba. Pick up a brochure at the TIC or
call the
Tokyo Cruise Ship Co.
at
&
03/5733-4812.
A timetable is posted
on its website at www.suijobus.co.jp.
3
4
MONEY & COSTS
The Value of Yen vs. Other Popular Currencies
Yen
US$
Can$
UK£
Euro (€)
Aus$
NZ$
100
$1.10
C$1.13
68p
€.76
A$1.19
NZ$1.49
Frommer's lists prices in the local currency.
The currency conversions quoted above
were correct at press time. However, rates
fluctuate, so before departing consult a
currency exchange website such as
www.
oanda.com/convert/classic
to check up-
to-the-minute rates.
There's no getting around it: Tokyo is
among the most expensive cities in the
world (according to Economist.com, it
was
the
world's most expensive city in
February 2009). Hopefully, this guide will
help reduce some potential costs by show-
ing you how to take advantage of deals on
public transportation, dine more cheaply,
