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Tokyo transportation guide
#35426 - 21/11/06 06:04 pm
Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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Here's my guide to Tokyo transportation. It may be worth making it a "sticky"
Selecting the right ticket.
JR Rail Pass
This is a consecutive day pass which can only be bought outside of Japan, only available to non-resident foreigners. Firstly, you must validate the pass in Japan, within 3 months of buying the exchange order here in Australia (or other country). You redeem the voucher, for which you will get the JR Rail Pass in Japan. A 7 day pass costs 28,300yen (about $320). This pass includes all JR trains except the Nozomi Shinkansen, which is the fastest (Shinkansen = Bullet Train). However this is no disadvantage, as from Tokyo to Kyoto, the difference between Nozomi and Hikari is small. e.g. 513km, 2 hours 20min for Nozomi, and 2hours 38min for Hikari. The Kodama Shinkansen stops at MOST stations so takes much longer. Even with a JR Rail Pass, it's best to reserve seats on express trains including Shinkansen, as it's free to do so.
A JR Rail Pass doesn't make much sense if you're travelling from Narita-Tokyo-Hakuba and back, as this will only cost 21,360 yen (by the most expensive way: Narita express & Shinkansen), and you will only travel two days out of 7. You can otherwise get individual tickets instead. However, this means organising each ticket.
For a Narita to Hakuba return, a JR East 4-day flexible ticket is good value if you plan to do no more travelling than Narita-Tokyo-Hakuba, even if you only use 2 days. It allows you to travel anywhere (Tokyo and east) on 4 non consecutive days (unlimited travel per day), valid for one month. Cost is 20,000yen, and can be bought inside or outside of Japan, only available to non-resident foreigners.
You can exchange the JR Rail Pass at certain larger stations in Japan (Including Narita airport & Tokyo see list: http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en009.html ), but you can choose a different day for it to start. e.g. You can exchange the exchange order for the JR Rail Pass on 1st Feb, but select a validation date of, say, 5th Feb. Make sure you mention that, when you exchange it.
Note from admin
Much of the info here has been consolidated here:
http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Tokyo
and here:
http://wikiski.com/wiki/index.php/Category:Chubu_Region
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#35427 - 21/11/06 06:05 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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Getting to Tokyo
There are 4 quick ways to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport (60km away):
- Japan Rail – Narita Express (NEX) (2740yen, 56min, Tokyo Station or Shinjuku or Shinagawa)
- Keisei Skyliner (1920yen, 59min), or the Keisei limited express (1000yen, 71min, Nippori Station)
- Airport Limousine Bus (3000yen, 85min, various hotels around Tokyo or TCAT)
- Taxi (about 35,000, 85min)
If you have a JR Rail pass or JR flexi 4 day and intend to go straight to Hakuba the same day, then use the Narita Express.
If you want a cheap, but still fast and convenient option, then use the Keisei Skyliner or the Keisei limited express.
If you want a convenient trip with lots of gear, straight to your hotel, then use the Airport Limousine Bus.
If you’re made of money, I suppose you could try taxi!!!
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#35428 - 21/11/06 06:05 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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Trains around Tokyo.
There are four different types of train systems around Tokyo.
1. Japan Rail
2. Tokyo Metro Subway
3. Toei Subway
4. Various private railways.
Japan Rail has the loop Yamanote line (Green stripe), which takes you around the central circle of Tokyo. The Chuo/Sobu (Yellow) and Chuo Rapid (Orange) lines cut across the middle of this loop. If you’re mainly using JR, it pays to stay somewhere close to these lines. Various other lines skirt the Yamanote line away from central Tokyo: Keihin Tohoku - Blue, Yokosuka - dark blue, Tokaido – orange/green, etc. The minimum charge is 130yen(1-2 stations). You can buy a Tokyo all day ticket for 730yen. JR is very well sign-posted in English. Generally, you will get a better “lay of the land” with JR, because it is above ground.
Tokyo Station JR Travel Centre is located just south of the Yaesu JR ticket gate exit(outside the gate). You can do the booking of tickets, reserved seats, etc, and exchange your JR Rail pass voucher there. They speak English and are very helpful.
Tokyo Metro Subway and Toei Subway use the same subway map, and although they interconnect, they use a separate ticket system. If you get a Tokyo Metro map (at subway stations), you can see the difference at the bottom right. The minimum on Tokyo Metro is 160yen, and 170yen for Toei Subway. Be careful how you use these two systems, because if you intend to use the connections between the two, you may end up paying 330yen for travelling only two stops.(about $3.65)
You can buy a combined JR/Subway pass for 1580yen(Called “Tokyo Free ticket”), and you can buy an all day subway pass(Metro & Toei) for around 1000yen. Mostly the Subways have English signs, but sometimes these mysteriously disappear!!! Most of the ticket price boards in the subways are only in Japanese. You need to concentrate sometimes, to follow the directions to other subway lines, as it’s sometimes tricky to tell the difference between a “straight ahead” arrow being straight ahead or straight up the stairs!!!! The Tokyo Metro is worse than the Toei Subway in this respect. The Toei subway often as coloured lines to follow.
If you are having trouble figuring out the fares, don’t panic. Just buy 150yen tickets (or 160-170 in the subways), and when you get to the other end, just put it in the “Fare Adjustment” machine, and it will tell you how much extra you need to pay. All of the train stations have automated in and out ticket gates, where you feed the tickets in. As you go in, don’t forget to grab the validated ticket!!! When you go out, it just gobbles the ticket.
There are various private trains (e.g. Monorail, Keisei, Keikyu line, etc), which can often be more expensive than the other trains. These generally don’t link in with any other tickets.
Sometimes the trains (any trains) will have a red sign next to the destination. On some subway trains it is in English. It means it is “Kaisoku” or express train. If you’re only going a few stations, it’s probably best just to avoid these, as they don’t stop at all stations, and you might end up having to get off and back track.
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#35429 - 21/11/06 06:06 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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Storing gear in Tokyo
There are lockers at practically every major railway station, but the biggest are only big enough for a medium/large suitcase. I’ve seen large cases that just don’t fit.
At Tokyo Station if you head down the stairs at the JR Yaesu Central UNDERGROUND exit, just to the left is a "Cloak Room". This is INSIDE the JR ticket gates. They can hold your baggage there for 500yen an item. However, it is only open from 10am - 6pm, and you MUST collect it the same day.
There is also a "Parcel Storage" place, but it is hard to find. It's located OUTSIDE the station about 50m south of the Yaesu South exit from the station. You have to cross a truck terminal area, and it is located just the other side of the lost property, so it's easiest to follow those signs the lost property signs(and even then it’s hard to find!!!). I haven't been inside, but I assume they store bags and the like for a few days.
I will investigate more and up date this.
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#35430 - 21/11/06 06:07 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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Tokyo to Hakuba
There are a few different ways to get to Hakuba from Tokyo
JR Shinkansen Tokyo to Nagano Station and back will cost 7770yen x 2, plus 2800yen return bus to Hakuba =18,340 Yen. Buses from Nagano to Hakuba run every hour, with the last bus departing Hakuba at 8:20pm. (Friday night 9.20pm). Alpico bus cost per person 1400yen one way. Buses depart from the East (Higashi) exit of Nagano Station from bus stop 6.
Shinjuku - Hakuba (JR Azusa express direct, 6710yen) Total = 6710yen x 2 = 13,420yen. Most Asuza express train only go as far as Matsumoto, and local trains must be used from there. This means you need to pick the right one. Go to Tokyo Station JR Travel centre for assistance. (or you could try at Shinjuku)
Shinjuku - Hakuba by bus. Highway Bus Service (Highland express) Departs from Shinjuku West exit. One way - 4,700 yen, Return - 8,500 yen.
Tokyo – Haneda domestic Airport, with flights to Hokkaido. (they do have SOME international flights to the region)
This is easy. Catch the private monorail from Hamamatsucho Station, 470yen. (only 3 stations south of Tokyo JR station,)
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#35431 - 21/11/06 08:43 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Heinz
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Good one Sandy. A couple of points to add.
It is a good idea to carry a small printed english version of subway / rail map for those occasion when there isn't an english version at the station. These are readily available at hotels, information centres.
When looking for the train line for your destination also note the end station in the direction you are heading on that line so you get the correct platform.
If you just miss a subway, don't worry, another one will be along in a couple of minutes unless it is the last one. They generally close around midnight.
The system in Osaka is very similar. If you have a few days in the Kansai region (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji) you can get a JR East Kansai pass for local trains in that area. From memory a 4 day pass was $66.
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#35432 - 21/11/06 10:37 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Snow Addict
Old and Crusty ;)
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Bravo Sandy and Heinz :clap:
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#35434 - 22/11/06 08:49 am
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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JT
Been Here a While
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Thanks for the very valuable information. Just makes out Japan trip that much easier!
I have one request though 
Could you please tell us about the luggage courier service at the Airport?
I had in my mind that we arrive in Tokyo, go to the luggage forwarding place. They take our snowboard bags and courier them up to Niseko for us. We spend a few days in Tokyo then fly up without the hassle of having to lug around snowboard bags.
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#35436 - 22/11/06 11:59 am
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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Delivery of Bags
Takkyubin or Takuhaibin (within Japan)
Packages can be sent to pretty much any place in Japan using Takkyubin or Takuhaibin. There is usually no need to even call or go to a service centre. Many convenience stores offer this service and hotels will arrange this for you. Just look for the Takkyubin sign at convenience stores:
Here are some typical prices, dependent on size and weight:
Suitcase (80 cm x 40 cm x 30cm, less than 25 kg):
From Tokyo to Hakuba: 1900 Yen
From Tokyo to Hokkaido: 2200 Yen
Tokyo to Narita Airport: 2400 Yen
Delivery companies at Narita Airport include Yamato(as mentioned by Rover), Fukuyama & KTC/Sagawa/Seibu.
Sending Packages from Japan to Australia
Depending on what it is and how big, there are various ways.
1. Japan Post. Maximum length is 100cm. e.g. 7kg 13,150yen
2. EMS. This is the courier service of Japan Post. Maximum length 150cm. e.g. 7kg 10,700yen
3. Nippon Express(Pelican Jetpak). Maximum size: Measure no more than 200cm on any side (or more than 300cm in total on all three sides). e.g. 7kg 20,000yen
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#35437 - 22/11/06 01:31 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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JT
Been Here a While
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Alright thanks for the info Rover and Sandy.
I believe i will be forwarding on all my snowboard gear when i get to Narita. 24 bucks sounds like a bargain!
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#35438 - 22/11/06 02:11 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Heinz
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JT, yes the baggage delivery is a very good service. I think you need to allow around 3-4 days to Hokkaido. Make sure though you have the full address details of your destination (also in japanese if possible) to make it easier for the for the staff to fill out the paperwork and quicker for you.
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#35439 - 22/11/06 03:38 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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JT
Been Here a While
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Yeah we are in Tokyo from the 2nd to the 6th so hopefully it will get up there by then.
Hmmm now to email my accomodation and get that address in Japanese
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#35441 - 27/11/06 10:41 am
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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Ian, I will be posting more, which I will include in WikiSki
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#35442 - 27/11/06 12:17 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Ian D
Man with big stick
Old and Crusty ;)
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:cheers:
_________________________
wikiski.com - go and add something
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#35443 - 04/01/07 11:01 am
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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TheYoungOnes
Been Here a While
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First timer to Hakuba.
Does the bus from Tokyo to Hakuba from the Shinjuku district allow carriage of snow gears? If I use the return ticket which includes a free lift ticket, do I have to use it the day I arrive in Hakuba?
Many thanks.
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#35444 - 04/01/07 12:31 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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The skis will be carried in the laggage compartment.
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#35445 - 04/01/07 08:57 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Nothing Out of Bounds
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Sandy,
Again, your providing an excellent service. Myself and mate are heading to Tokyo on 13th jan, are ariving Narita at 1830. Given the last bus from Nagano to Hakuba is 2030, does this mean it is impossible to get to Happo-One (where we are staying) that same night?
I kind of got a bit confused when reading about the bus routes from Tokyo to Hakuba - but if my assumption is right, that may be an option.
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#35446 - 04/01/07 09:50 pm
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Sandy
Dark Sith Lord & Gold Skigie 2006
Old and Crusty ;)
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No, it's impossible......
If you arrive at Narita Airport at 18:30, take only 30min in immigration, baggage claim and customs, and onto the Narita express, 58min to Tokyo station, that's 19:58
Then the Shinkansen to Nagano, 1hr 54 min, the earliest you could be there to get the bus would be around 21:52
Sorry, a night in Tokyo is required!!!!!
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#35447 - 22/02/07 08:19 am
Re: Tokyo transportation guide
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Crystal
I so have my ski legs now ...and an ass like steel
Part of the Furniture
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off to the archive now
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