After preparing your itinerary, allocating the needed amount of money and having your approved visa with you, the next thing you would need think about is on how you would navigate the place. Knowing how to roam around the city is something usually neglected by most new travelers. The result of not doing an advance preparation could lead to spending more money or wasting more time and energy. Thus, knowing how you could be from one place to another is surely as important as the others.
If it is your first travel to Tokyo, Japan, lucky you! Japan, as a first world country have a top notch commuting system, thus roaming around the city and visiting Tokyo’s famous destination could be easy peasy. Though I do agree that if you did look at the map of the Tokyo train and subway system, it could be as messy as a mud race. To help you properly navigate Tokyo, remember to have this two important tools with you: Google Maps and Internet Connection.
*If you are under a plan at Globe telecom, roaming is very easy to do in Tokyo. Just by turning on your data, you will be connected to either Docomo or Softbank. For only Php 599/day you can have unlimited data for 24 hours.
In this blog I will be giving you an overview on what to expect and the different options you could choose if ever you plan to explore and visit Tokyo Japan.
But before we dive in, I just like to let you know that if ever you’ll be booking a place via AirBNB or Booking, it is best to pick rooms in Shinjuku, Shibuya or Asakusa, where most of the iconic destinations can be found and everything you would be needing is just around the corner. Being in these places could cut down your traveling expenses as well as the time, specially if you would need to be back early on your place.
Korean Town – Shin Okubo
Now, Lets begin and start from the airport. There are two major airports that serve the greater Japan. These are Haneda Airport which mostly handles domestic flights and Narita Airport which mostly accommodates International flights. Your point of entry would be in the latter.
Tokyo Skyliner: From NARITA to the main City
From Narita Airport you can either do a private taxi ride, a Van or avail the Tokyo Skyliner system. Taking a private taxi transfer is of course a bit pricy than taking the train. But what is good about this service is that it is hassle free, runs for 24 hours and can definitely bring you to 23 different areas in Tokyo City no matter the size of your luggage. Getting a private taxi ride is perfect for a group of friends or a family. But as I said it is pricier after all you’ll be paying for connivence.
Taking the Tokyo Skyliner system on the other hand is very convenient as well (less the dragging of your huge luggage after the train ride). The Keisei Skyliner is a top of the range high-speed train that operates between Narita Airport and Ueno (downtown Tokyo) offering a comfortable and efficient passenger service. With services from terminals 1, 2, 3, the Skyliner provides a non-stop service to Nippori Station, which offers easy connections onto JR lines, as well as stopping at Ueno in the heart of downtown Tokyo.
Tokyo Skyliner is on reserve seating means you’re guaranteed a seat when you enter the train. It got a spacious interior cabin and would only take 41 minutes till you reach downtown Tokyo.
To make it even easier, each service can be booked via Klook.
Check out the links below:
Private Taxi Transfer
Kensei Skyliner
The Tokyo Train System
From Ueno, you would need to transfer to another train system depending on to which area in Tokyo you are going. In our case, because we were going to stay in Shin Okobu (also known as Korean Town) we transferred to JR’s Yamanote Line. From here on you would need to base your destination from what you google maps are saying.
The railways in Japan can be divided into three categories: JR line, Subway line and other private railways. JR which stands for “Japan Railway” was once the national railway of Japan but is now under a private company. There is also the Tokyo Metro operated by Tokyo Metro Co., Ltd. and Toei Subway operated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation. There are also the 7 private railway companies that includes Odakyu Electric Railway, Keio Corporation, Keikyu Corporation, Keisei Electric Railway, Seibu Railway, Tokyu Corporation, and Tobu Railway.
I will not be discussing each of the lines here for it is something a bit complicated.
Each line is color coded making it easier to navigate. If you are planning to visit the popular destinations, you would mostly find yourself using the Yamanote Line.
Getting your self an IC card could also be really helpful specially if you plan to do lots of train ride. An IC card is a rechargeable card that can be used to conveniently pay fares on public transportation and to make payments at a rapidly increasing number of vending machines, shops and restaurants by simply touching the card on a reader for about one second. In Tokyo, Pasmo and Suica are the most preferred prepaid IC card.
Talking about fares, well you would need to plan it well. If you already know that you are going to use a particular line more frequently I would suggest for you on getting the full day pass for it would be affordable. If not reloading your IC card would be the best way. Ride from station to another could cost around 130 yen and up depending on the distance.
Roaming around the City
Aside from the Train system (which I think is the best way to travel around Tokyo) you can also opt to ride the taxi or probably Uber (Yes! Uber is available here!). Though I could really say that the fares are totally outrageous. For a standard four-passenger taxi, fares typically begins at around 400-700 yen for the first 2 kilometers and increases by around 80-90 yen for every 300-400 meters traveled. Prolonged time like traffic (which is unusual in this place) or waiting could even worsen the fare.
Riding the bus is also an alternative and is mostly useful if you are planning to visit the downtown areas or northern part of Tokyo or even the nearby provinces.
If you really want a scenic view of Tokyo, renting a bike or just simply walking could save you more money, which you can probably spent on your next meal!
Will tell you more stories about my Tokyo, Japan Travel next time!
Check out my Athens Greece 101 here
