This spring I will be traveling to Japan for the first time in a while not for business purposes only, but together with my wife and our 5 year old daughter we will be visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, Hirakata, Osaka, Hiroshima and Fukuoka. We will completely depend on public transport, something nearly unimaginable when traveling to different cities in the US. Japan has a famously efficient public transport system where you do not have to rely on a car as a form of transportation.

For a stress-free family or business trip with public transport feel free to follow below tips on how to get around Japan.

Getting Into Tokyo:

Narita Airport to Tokyo By Train

JR Narita Express Train (NEX) direct to Tokyo Station (takes 53 minutes) or Shinjuku Station (approx. 80-90 minutes). NEX trains usually run every 30 minutes. Price: Regular fare is ¥3,190 (credit cards accepted). English website: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/

Keisei Skyliner Train (sometimes advertised as Nippori Liner) direct to Ueno Station (takes 41 minutes). Price: ¥2,400 (credit cards accepted). English website:

http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/ *Both train services operate from the basement level of each terminal at Narita Airport (follow the signs that say “Rails.”)

By Limousine Bus
Direct to your hotel: The Limousine bus has a direct service to various major hotels in Tokyo. The list of participating hotels, time tables, and travel times can be found through the bus’ website below. Price: ¥3,000 for hotels in central Tokyo. (major credit cards – Amex, Visa or Mastercard are accepted.). Website: http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/

From Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT): Buses depart every 10-15 minutes to the Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT) located at 'Suitengu-mae' station on the Hanzomon subway line. From here you may take a taxi or subway to your destination. Price: ¥2,900 (major credit cards – Amex, Visa or Mastercard are accepted.) Website: http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/

Keisei Bus: Offers a ¥1,000 ticket for a single journey for those traveling to and from Narita Airport. More information and a timetable can be found here: http://www.keiseibus.co.jp/global/en/nrt00.html

By Taxi
Taxis are available but not recommended as travel can cost roughly ¥15,000-20,000 for a single journey (approx. $140-$190)

Haneda Airport to Tokyo By Train

Tokyo Monorail: The monorail travels to Tokyo’s Hamamatsucho station from where you can connect to almost anywhere in Tokyo on the JR Yamanote line. It takes about 25 minutes to Hamamatsucho station. The monorail has a station at each of Haneda Airport’s three terminals. Price: ¥470. Website: http://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/

Keikyu Line: The Keikyu line has two train stations at Haneda Airport: one for the international terminal and one serving both domestic terminals. Price: Keikyu trains run to Shinagawa (15 min, ¥400) and Yokohama (30-35 min via Airport Express, ¥440-470). Some Keikyu trains from Haneda Airport continue on to the Toei Asakusa Line. Website: http://www.tokyo-airport-bldg.co.jp/en/access/train/route_map.html

By Taxi
Taxis to central Tokyo from Haneda Airport will cost between from ¥4,000 to ¥10,000 (approx. $35-$90) plus a 20% surcharge between 10pm and 5am. An alternative is Anzen Taxi’s fixed fare service for ¥6,000 (¥8,000 at night) to most of central Tokyo, including Shinjuku and Shibuya. Anzen Taxi website: http://anzentaxi.co.jp/

Traveling Between Haneda and Narita Limousine Bus: This service connects Haneda Airport with Narita Airport (90 minutes, ¥3,000).

Keikyu Line: Most Airport Rapid Express trains on the Keikyu Line also run all the way to Narita Airport’s terminals; these services are much cheaper than the bus (105 minutes, ¥1,740), but buses operate more frequently.

Leaving Tokyo Tokyo to Narita Airport For prices and timetables, please see the Getting into Tokyo section above

By Train
JR Narita Express Train (NEX): This train departs from several major stations in Tokyo (Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro etc.) to Narita Airport.

Keisei Skyliner: This train departs from Keisei Ueno Station, 3 min. walk from JR Ueno Station; reservations can be made on arrival at the station. You can also depart from Nippori Station on the Yamanote Line.

By Limousine Bus
From Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT): TCAT is located at 'Suitengu-mae' station on the Hanzomon subway line; exit No1 connects directly with TCAT. Depending on your airline, you may be able to check your luggage and complete immigration formalities at TCAT. Please arrive at TCAT approximately 4 hours before the departure of your flight.

From your hotel: The Limousine Bus service departs from most major hotels. Check with your hotel for departure times.

Tokyo to Haneda Airport

By Train
Tokyo Monorail: Travels from Hamamatsucho station on the JR Yamanote to Haneda airport in about 15 minutes.

Keikyu: There are trains about every 10 minutes during the day from Shinagawa station. It will take about 15 minutes by direct line.

By Limousine Bus
From Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT): TCAT is located at Suitengu-mae station on the Hanzomon subway line; exit No1 connects directly with TCAT. Depending on your airline, you may be able to check your luggage and complete immigration formalities at TCAT. Please arrive at TCAT approximately 4 hours before the departure of your flight.

From your hotel: The Limousine Bus service departs from most major hotels. Check with your hotel for departure times.

Getting Around Japan

By Train
Shinkansen (bullet train): Services run nearly the length of Japan, with trains running most frequently from Tokyo to Nagoya (100min), and Osaka (140min). Tickets can be booked at major JR railway stations across Japan or online. If you know you will travel at least between two major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto/Osaka I recommend purchasing a 'JR Pass'. You will have flat rate access to most Shinkansen (bullet trains) and the nationwide JR network. For more information check this link: https://www.jrpass.com/

Regular trains: A countrywide train route search engine with service in English is available here.

By Bus
Japan is serviced by a vast network of bus routes. For budget travelers, night buses traveling to and from all major cities remain a popular way to travel. General information about bus routes and companies servicing Japan can be found here.

Helpful Links
Japan Guide: For a comprehensive database of travel options in Japan, please visit: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e627.html

Tokyo Metro (subway): For printable subway maps and route information, please visit: http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/

Hyperdia: For a countrywide train route search engine with service in English, please visit: http://www.hyperdia.com/

Travel Within Tokyo Tokyo is serviced by a vast network of public transportation.

Tokyo Metro (subway): For printable subway maps and route information, please visit: http://www.tokyometro.jp/en/