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Tokyo: Essentials
Monday, February 13, 2006;
TO / FROM THE AIRPORT
Airport Limousine
Japan Rail (JR) Narita Express (N'EX)
Keisei Skyliner Train
Keisi Limited Express Bus
Haneda Monorail tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp
Japan Rail (JR) Lines
Tokyo Metro
Pick up the handy free Tokyo Metro Guide in stations. It lists major landmarks and sights and their corresponding metro stations. You don't want to explore Tokyo without it.
Toei Subway Lines
Special value tickets
Passnet Cards
Fare Adjustment Machines
Taxis
Free on the street Metropolis (the best of the English guides), Tokyo Notice Board, Tokyo Journal, and Japanzine; available at HMV, Tower Records, and Kinokuniya
In bookstores Katei Gaho International is a beautiful, glossy English-language magazine with articles on traditional and contemporary Japanese culture and the arts, as well as on local events and restaurants. Well worth a look. $7.50.
TOURS
Goodwill Guide Tours
Hato Bus
NUMBERS TO KNOW
011-81-3/3665-7220, limousinebus.co.jp
The best choice for transportation into the city. Buses depart hourly from a stand directly outside the Arrivals lobby and make drop-offs at major hotels. Look for the counter as you exit Immigration. From the airport to the central Shibuya area takes about 85 minutes, to the Shinjuku Station transportation hub takes around 100 minutes. $26 for a one-way ticket on both routes.
011-81-3/3423-0111, jreast.co.jp/e/nex/index.html
Trains run every hour (every half hour during peak times) between the airport station just below the Arrivals lobby and the city's main stations: Tokyo Station (one hour, $25 each way) and Shinjuku (80 mins., $27 each way). Purchase tickets at the airport's JR Reservations Office or from vending machines at the stations.
011-81-3/3831-0989, keiseibus.co.jp
A good choice if you're staying in Asakusa, but not if your hotel is in the more westernized Shinjuku or Shibuya neighborhoods. Purchase tickets at stations or through the Keisei Ueno information office. The plush trains depart every 40 minutes for the central Ueno Station, $17 each way for the hour-long ride.
011-81-3/3831-0989, keisei.co.jp
Eleven routes connect Narita and major suburban cities in and around Tokyo, including Kichijyoji, Makuhari, Kasai, and Yokohama. Departing times and fares vary depending on the destination. Rides into Tokyo take one hour. Purchase tickets at stations. From $9.50.
Haneda is Tokyo's central domestic airport, with few inter-national flights, mostly to/from Asian destinations. If you arrive here, the smartest transportation option into the city is the monorail. Consult the map on the Haneda Airport website for details. Purchase monorail tickets from machines at airport stations. From $4 each way.
011-81-3/3423-0111, jreast.co.jp/e/index.html
The Yamanote Line, which encircles the city, and the Chuo Line, which bisects Tokyo, are cheap and convenient, and they connect many places worth visiting. Other lines are more circuitous, and more expensive. Trains arrive and depart every few minutes 5 a.m.--1 a.m. Note: Try to avoid the infamous Tokyo morning rush (7:30 a.m.--9:30 a.m.). Purchase tickets from vending machines. From $1.15/ride, depending on the distance.
011-81-3/3941-2004, tokyometro.jp
The Metro is not as confusing as its colorful map looks. Depending on where you want to go, it can be a great way to get around areas not covered by the nicer JR Lines. Trains run every few minutes 5 a.m.--midnight. From $1.50/ride.
011-81-3/5322-0400, kotsu.metro.tokyo.jp
In addition to Tokyo Metro lines, Tokyo has four city-operated Toei subway lines--Asakusa, Mita, Shinjuku, and Oedo. You can transfer to and from JR and Metro lines at many stations, but you'll need to pay separate fares. If you know you'll be transferring to or from another transit line, you can purchase a joint ticket at the station where you get on. From $1.50/ride.
Tokyo Metro's One-Day Open Ticket allows unlimited travel in a 24-hour period. The one-day JR Tokunai Pass is valid for travel on all JR city lines. Both 24-hour passes can be purchased at any station from the cash-only ticket machines. Around $6.25 for a One-Day Open Ticket, $6.50 for a JR Tokunai Pass.
Available for Tokyo Metro and Toei subway lines, as well as several other local trains and buses. They won't save you money, but they'll save you time lining up at cash-only ticket machines. As you enter and exit stations, fares are automatically calculated and deducted from the card. Available in 1,000 yen ($8.75), 3,000 yen ($26.25), and 5,000 yen ($43.75) increments.
If you don't quite get the train line maps and ticket pricing system, don't worry. Simply buy the cheapest ticket available when entering a station, and pay the extra at the other end using a Fare Adjustment Machine. Just press the English button for directions and insert your ticket. The machine will tell you how much to pay.
Fares are about $5.75 plus $2.50 for every additional 262 feet traveled. Rates increase 30 percent 11 p.m.--5 a.m. The average cab carries up to four people. In Tokyo, you can hail a cab just about anywhere by holding your arm out. A red windshield light means vacant; green means out of service. Note: Licensed taxis vary in color and make of car; just look for the identifying windshield light.
Asakusa Cultural and Sightseeing Center, Kaminarimon 2-18, 011-81-3/3842-5566
Enthusiastic English-speaking volunteers conduct walking tours of the historic Asakusa area, which encompasses Tokyo's busiest temple, Senso-Ji. Another tour option takes you through Ueno Park and the city's liveliest market, Ameya Yokocho. Asakusa tours last one hour and depart at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Sundays. Ueno tours run 90 minutes and depart at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Free.
World Trade Center, Hamamatsucho 2-4-1, 011-81-3/3761-1100, hatobus.co.jp Half- and full-day bus tours in English that include the space-age sounding Cityrama Tour, which covers the distinctly un-futuristic Meiji Jingu Shrine and Senso-Ji Temple. $35.
Note: When dialing from abroad, drop the 0 in the city code in the Japanese number, e.g. from U.S.: 011-81-3/3761-1100
USEFUL WORDS
Conbini General term for convenience store (Lawson, Family Mart, etc.--most are open 24 hours and are licensed to sell alcohol).
Futon Thin mattress. Unlike a western futon, there is no wooden frame; the mattress is folded up when not in use.
Onsen Hot spring
Ryokan Traditional Japanese inn; guests use futons rolled out on tatami mats on the floor. Baths are usually communal.
Shoji Wood and paper screens used as room dividers
Tatami Traditional reed mat
Yukata Light cotton robe provided in ryokans and onsens. A thicker, more stylish variety is worn outside at summer festivals.
TIP: Finding addresses can be difficult in Tokyo because most streets don't have names. The locals get around by using landmarks and by asking directions. Ask the concierge at your hotel to direct you. And be sure to get a card with a map of your hotel from the front desk to make sure that you can find your way back again.