Local transport

Bus & tram
Bus
The vast majority of Tokyoites and resident experts never set foot on a bus as the rail and subway system is convenient and incredibly comprehensive. However, on rare occasions, it can sometimes be quicker to get between two destinations on a bus.

Bus fares are ¥200 for Tokyo Metropolitan (Toei) buses; you can pick up a copy of the Toei Bus Route Guide, including a route map and timetable, at any Toei subway station. Children’s rates are half those of adult fares. Deposit your fare into the box next to the driver as you enter the bus; you can get change for ¥1000 notes and coins. A tape recording announces the name of each stop as it is reached, so listen carefully and press the button next to your seat when yours is announced.

The one-day Tokyo Combination Ticket can be used on Toei buses as well as the subway and JR railway lines.

Air
International flights from all over the world land in Japan, most of them arriving in Tokyo. Tokyo is also the hub of air travel within Japan, which is extensive, reliable and safe. In many cases, flying can be faster – and not significantly more expensive – than riding the shinkansen (bullet train). Flying can also help you get from Japan’s main hubs, such as Tokyo and Osaka, to some of the country’s most far-flung destinations, such as Okinawa and Hokkaido.

Customs and immigration procedures are usually straightforward, although they’re more time-consuming for gaijin (foreigners) than for Japanese. Note that as of 20 November 2007, non-Japanese have been fingerprinted and photographed on arrival, and are subject to intense questioning. A neat appearance will speed your passage through passport control and customs, though you can expect delays if you’ve entered Japan multiple times as a tourist.

Everything at Narita Airport is clearly signposted in English and you can change money in the customs halls of either terminal or in the arrival halls. The rates will be the same as those offered in town.

Boat
Water taxis are one of the most dramatic ways to take in the city.

Train
The Tokyo train system can be a bit daunting at first, but you’ll get the hang of it soon enough. Much initial confusion arises from the fact that Tokyo is serviced by a combination of train lines, private and municipal inner-city subway lines and private suburban lines. This sometimes means switching between different train and subway systems, though it’s not as bad as it sounds since the lines are well integrated.

When determining where to get off the train, look for station names clearly marked in both Japanese and English on platform signs and/or posts. These may sometimes be difficult to see, but inside the trains there are electronic signs indicating the next station in Japanese and English. Additionally, automated announcements are made both inside the trains, as well as at the station when the doors open.

Always watch out for express services. As a general rule, the longer the route, the more likely you are to find faster train services. The fastest ‘regular’ trains (i.e. slower than the bullet trains) are the tokkyū (; limited express services) and the kyūkō (; ordinary express), which usually stop at only a limited number of stations. The slowest trains, which stop at all stations, are called futsū ().