Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Left
Pleasure boat, Sumida River
Center
Japan Railways staff helping customers
Right
Cycle taxi
Arriving and Getting Around
!
Customs and
runs around central Tokyo
and includes all the major
stations, which serve as
departure points for long-
distance travel. The Chuo
Line (orange) connects
Shinjuku and the western
suburbs and Tokyo
stations, while the Sobu
Line (yellow) serves the
eastern suburbs.
%
Tickets and Passes
Tokyu, though very few
have signs in English.
Flat fares (¥200-¥210)
are the norm. Prepaid
bus passes can be
bought at bus stations
or from the driver.
*
Taxis
Immigration
Landing forms and
passports are required at
the immigration gates. All
foreign nationals are fin-
gerprinted before enter-
ing the country. Unless
you are exceeding the
duty-free limit or arriving
by ship, no detailed list
of your belongings is
necessary. There are no
restrictions on incoming
currency amounts.
@
Airport Facilities
Taxis are expensive,
with fares starting at
¥710. Fares are higher on
weekends and between
11am and 5pm. A taxi
from Narita Airport to the
city center will cost at
least ¥20,000. Taxi stands
can be found near all
stations, department
stores, and big hotels.
Valid on all JR lines,
JR Suica cards can be
bought from “Green
Window” counters and
vending machines in JR
stations. Passnet prepaid
travel passes, available in
various denominations,
cover all Tokyo railway
lines and subways, but
not JR ones. For travel
outside Tokyo, the Japan
Railway Pass covers the
entire JR network.
^
Subways
The facilities at Narita
International Airport are
excellent, with English-
speaking staff at infor-
mation centers. There is
also a medical clinic,
toilets, and restaurants,
as well as several shops
and vending machines.
Money exchange bureaus
and ATMs are plentiful.
Facilities for children,
such as changing and
play areas, are good.
£
Airport
(
Boats
Tokyo has an
extensive system of
rivers and canals. The
Sumida River water bus
(
suijo
bus) offers a cruise
between Asakusa's
Azuma Bridge and the
Hama Rikyu Garden.
Continue on to Odaiba
Marine Park or the
Museum of Maritime
Science. All boats depart
from the Hinode Pier.
)
Bicycling
There are 14 lines in
Tokyo, most run by Tokyo
Metro. Four lines (Mita,
Oedo, Shinjuku, and
Asakusa), called Toei, are
run by the metropolitan
government. The system
is color-coded, but the
number of stations and
intersecting points can
be daunting. Station sub-
way maps in English are
available in tourist
offices. Look out for the
yellow plates outside the
ticket wickets showing
directions and sights.
Connections
The airports are well run
for passengers in transit.
Both Narita and Haneda
are linked by a first-rate
system of trains and
buses. Arrive at the air-
port at least two hours
before departure at Narita,
and one hour for domes-
tic flights out of Haneda.
While it is possible
to go sightseeing on foot,
Tokyo has some desig-
nated bike routes to
explore the back alleys of
the city. Free bicyles are
available every Sunday
near Nijubashimae sub-
way for a circuit of the
Imperial Place moats. The
Meiji Shrine outer gardens
have a similar service. Be
sure to lock your bicycle
to prevent theft.
$
JR Lines
Japan Railways (JR)
dominates Japan's effi-
cient train network. Three
lines serve Tokyo. The
Yamanote Line (green)
&
Buses
Tokyo is served by
many bus companies,
such as Toei, Keio, and
11 7
A special limousine bus operates between Narita and Haneda
airports, stopping at hotels and key stations.
