Getting Around Tokyo
Tokyo, like most major cities in Asia, features a clean, modern
and efficient public transportation system. If, for some reason,
you’re only going to be in Tokyo for the day and think you’ll
be using a combination of the subway, JR train and Toei bus (all
under the public transportation umbrella), you might want to consider
the $13 Tokyo Free Kippu, which allows unlimited travel for one
full day. You can find this card at all JR stations and most subway
stations.
Because the bus system is so intricate, and ultimately, features
less English on both bus signs and in the bus (i.e. passengers),
it’s suggested you stick to the subways and trains. The subway
system makes it easy to get around Tokyo. It isn’t cheap,
though, so try visiting areas that are close together so that you
don’t waste too much time or fare by commuting from one area
to the next. One-way fares range from roughly $1.35 for the shortest
distance to $2.50 for the longest. Don’t worry if you’re
not sure how much you pay, as most of the signs above the vending
machines are written in Japanese. One way around this is to get
the cheapest ticket possible, for $1.35, then simply pay the difference
when you arrive at your destination (you’ll have to rescan
your ticket at a “fare adjustment machine,” and it’ll
ask for the extra amount of change you owe if you chose a cheaper
fare, by choice or accident).
If you’re planning on staying a few days and don’t
want to bother with paying for single rides each time you enter
the station, opt for the Passnet Metro Card. This is a prepaid card,
which comes in different amounts ranging from around $8 to $42,
and lets you quickly swipe and automatically deduct how much fare
you owe. There is also a One-day Economy Pass (Echinichi Josha Ken),
which costs around $8 and lets you ride subway lines all day.
Unlike many of the fare signs, the 13 station names are all written
in English, so don’t expect too much trouble there. There
are also plenty of English-speakers, so don’t hesitate to
ask anyone for directions if you find yourself lost in the crisscrossing
of train stations. Just remember, when you’re transferring
from one line to the next be sure to use the orange transfer fare
gate. This way, if you’ve already paid through to your final
destination, you can still board the next train (within 30 minutes)
and not be charged extra. Unfortunately, like London, trains don’t
run all night. Most operate from around 5am until midnight, though
it’s suggested you avoid rush hour travel between 8 and 9am
(especially at Shinjuku) unless you want to travel shoulder to shoulder
with your commuter neighbors.
JR Trains, which operate above ground by the East Japan Railways
Company, are also color-coded lines. Fares start at $1.10 and also
go up depending on the distance you travel. You’ll likely
find the Yamanote Line (green-colored) the most convenient in the
city. It has over two dozen stops that it makes during its hour-long
commute over an oblong loop around the city. And if you decide to
stick to the JR lines more than the subway cars, think of purchasing
the IO Card, another prepaid option that lets you deduct fares as
you pass through station gates (again, they range from around $8
to $42). The one-day unlimited card is known as the Tokyo Rail Pass
(Tokunai Free Kippu), which costs around $6.
More Information
 www.tokyometro.jp
www.jreast.co.jp
|
 |
|
