For those who loved shopping and exquisite cuisine, Tokyo - Japan has to lots to offer. Tokyo has a mixed culture of old, new, east and west - you can find crazy modern buildings as well as old castles! They are sometimes known as the 'capital of fashion and design of Asia' simply because Japanese are bold in expressing who their are in style!
Moving around in Tokyo is relatively easy and hassle-free. Their Railway trains are fast, reliable and most importantly, punctual. There are almost no random street crime in Japan so you can practically feel safe even if you get out in the wee hours.
Shopping in Japan never comes cheap but i can assure you, everything you spend there is worth every Yen - simply because the Japanese takes pride in producing the finest.
When to visit?
Most people agrees that the best time to visit Japan is during Spring and Autumn. However, avoid the main holiday periods:
Golden Week (29 April - 5 May)
"Shichigatsu Bon" (15th of July)
"Hachigatsu Bon" (15th of August)
In these periods, places of interest are jam packed with vacationing Japanese and moving around could be difficult. For those who prefer cold weather, periods of November to January.
January: 2 - 10 Degrees
February: 2 -10 Degrees
March: 5 -13 Degrees
April: 11 - 18 Degrees
May: 15 - 23 Degrees
June: 19 - 25 Degrees
July: 23 - 29 Degrees
August: 24 - 31 Degrees
September: 21 - 27 Degrees
October: 15 - 22 Degrees
November: 10 - 17 Degrees
December: 5 - 12 Degrees
How to move around?
Renting a Car
Renting a car would only make sense if you want to visit rural parts of japan with no or infrequent transport. If you plan to rent a car, make sure you have adequate maps to guide you along. You can rent a car in the Narita or Haneda Airport once you've touched down.
The Car rental booth is located at the 1st floor of 'Arrival' in the Central Building at Terminal 1 and 1st Floor of 'Arrivals' in the Main Building at Terminal 2.
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/service/list/svc_51.html
*Do note a Japanese or International Driver's license is required. Minimum driving age is 18 years.
Railway Trains
One of the easiest way to get around Tokyo is by Train. There are dozens of railway companies operating in Tokyo and it is separated by 'JR Railways' and the 'Tokyo Metro' (Subway) each taking care of different routes. Since there are several railway companies, the Tokyo Metro and JR line looks a bit messy with a series of colors (most of them overlapping each other) representing different routes.
You can look at the huge railway map just above the ticketing machine at every station for your destination and the correct fare. Remember to grab a couple of JR line and Tokyo Metro Maps before you set off to your destinations. Since the lines are a bit messy, finding your destination could be time consuming so it would be wise to grab the maps and plan your routes as well as identifying which rail line to your destination in your hotel room. You can either approach the station counter just beside the gantries or the station information counter for the maps. The maps comes in both mandarin and English.
Travelling by train is quite expensive in Tokyo. Therefore, it is essential to buy a Japan Rail (JR) Pass as well as the Tokyo Metro Pass.
The JR pass can be used to travel unlimited on JR Trains, Bullet Trains, JR Buses and Ferries.There are 7, 14 and 21 days to passes with a choice of 'Green Cars' (Superior) or Ordinary Cars. The JR Rail Pass is a MUST when you travel free in Tokyo.
(JR Green Pass & Ordinary Pass)
http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en003.html
Alternatively, if you want to get around mostly using the Tokyo Metro Subway, you can purchase the Tokyo Metro pass. There are several different types of passes which you can purchase: The Special 1 day and Special 2 days, The Limousine and Metro Pass, The Skyliner and Metro Pass (All to be purchase in Narita Airport), Tokyo one day unlimited open ticket , The common one day ticket for Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway line (All to be purchase at the station ticket office), The Keikyu Haneda / Subway Pass and The Limousine and Metro Pass (All to be purchase in Haneda Airport).
(The Special One-Day Open Ticket)
*There are two subway operators in Tokyo, Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway.
The Tokyo Metro 1-Day Open Ticket, Special 2-Day/Special 1-Day Open Tickets, Limousine & Metro Pass and Skyliner & Metro Pass can only be used on Tokyo Metro lines.
Buses
For places that is inaccessible by trains, taking a bus to your destination would make sense. The Tokyo bus line is relatively complicated and intimidating to foreign tourists because there are usually few English displays or announcements, and there are different systems of ticketing depending on the company. Below is a description of the most common system, followed by notes about exceptions:
| 1) Enter the bus through the back door (or front door if there is only one door). 2) When entering, pick up a ticket from a small machine. A number is printed on the ticket, which you will later use to determine your fare. 3) A display above the driver shows the next stop and the fares for that stop in Yen. To determine your fare, match the number on your ticket with the number and fare on the display. 4) When your stop is approaching, press one of the buttons on the wall to signal the driver that you wish to get off at the next stop. 5) If you do not have the exact fare, use the changing machine to get small coins. 6) When getting off, put your ticket and the exact fare into the box next to the driver. |  |
In many cities or city centers, for example in central Kyoto, a flat fare applies, i.e. you always pay the same price regardless of how far you travel. This means that you do not have to worry about steps 2) and 3) in the above description.
Of course, there are a few exceptions to the above outlined system. The most prominent exception are the Tokyo Metropolitan Buses, where you are supposed to enter through the front door, pay a flat fare when entering, and exit through the rear door.
Taxis
Taking a taxi don't come cheap and it could cost you US$10 in just 5 - 10 minutes of ride. However, don't expect your friendly taxi driver to speak any english or know exactly where he is going. It is best that you carry a map or an address (in Japanese) to show the driver.
Limousine Buses
The limousine bus is probably the most common and convenient way of getting to your hotel from the airport. There are several limousine buses going several places across Tokyo and usually stops at certain drop off points ,so if it doesn't stop just outside your hotel, do make sure you know exactly where is the nearest hotel to yours before purchasing the ticket. Usually the limousine staff will ask you for your hotel address when your purchase your ticket so they can match you to the correct limousine bus.
Fares from ¥3000 - ¥3010 (Narita Airport to Downtown Tokyo) and ¥1300 - ¥1600 (Haneda Airport to Downtown Tokyo). Children above 6 and below 12 is half priced. Infants who do not occupied any seat is free of charge.
*You can also purchase the ticket at the General Counter of Airport Limousine at both Narita & Haneda Airport line, The Airport Limousine ticket counter at 3rd floor of T-CAT (Tokyo City Air Terminal), The Airport Limousine ticket counter at west exit of Shinjuku station and the Pass Ticket Counter of Tokyo Metro.
http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/guide/faretype.html
I hope the above will aid you on when to visit and how to move around in japan. If you have any question, email me at japansbest@tokyo.com.
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