Arriving: Planes, Trains, Buses, and Taxis
Most visitors arrive via the New Tokyo International Airport (commonly known as Narita -- the name of the city where the airport is located). After clearing customs, you enter the main lobby where you can exchange money, make arrangements for bus service into the city, pick up your rail pass, or get tourist information. Though crowded, the main lobby at Narita is compact, and it is fairly easy to identify the different counters. Just give yourself a minute or two to become acclimated and things will become clear.
- Buses
There are two options for buses out of Narita. The Airport Limousine Bus (counter in the main lobby). Limousine Buses leave hourly and tend to...
- Monorail
Visitors who arrive at Haneda have the option of taking the monorail from the airport to Hamamatsucho Station. This option is fast and inexpensive.
- Other Airports
The other major airport, Haneda, is serviced by a few airlines. Haneda is closer to Tokyo than Narita, but is serviced by few airlines.
- Ship
Ships generally arrive at Yokohama. Visitors can then take a train into Tokyo.
- Taxis
Taxis are the most expensive method for traveling around the city, especially from the airport to your hotel (approximately ¥20,000), and, because of heavy traffic,...
- Trains
For comfort and speed, you can't beat the JR Narita Express, also known as N'EX) leaving from Narita for Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro,...