Tokyo's public transportation system, I don't know what to use?

Question

I'm visiting Tokyo in 2 weeks and I've looked on line to figure out how I'm going to get around in the city. But for a person living in Virginia, tokyo's public transportation system is a bit confusing.

What is the difference between subway.JR line , and skyliner.
Which one do I use?

I'm plannig on taking a limousine bus from the airport to the hotel, in Shinjuku, since there is a direct bus. But it seems like JR line and skyliners are faster. Would limousine bus be easier for me to take?

Thanks everyone!

Answer 1

Skyliner is the name of the train from the airport to Tokyo. If there is a limousine bus that will take you straight to your hotel, then take it. It may be a little longer, but since you are new, it is your best option so you don't get lost.

The JR and the subway in Tokyo are intertwined. Get a map of the system or just look around at Shinjuku Station since that is where you'll be staying. Never get on a train unless you know where you are going. If you look at a map, you can find your connections. If you have troubles, then ask someone at the station for help.

Good luck and have fun.

Answer 2

If you want you can contact me directly. I live near Shinjuku and I pass through Shinjuku all the time.

From the airport you can take the Limousine bus. Where is your hotel?

Your other option that will be also a good choice is to take the Narita Express (which is a JR train)

Both choices are good and cost is about the same. Sometimes the Limousine bus has drop off points at certain hotels. The Shinjuku Hilton and Shinjuku Hyatt (not the Lost in Translation Hyatt) have free shuttles from Shinjuku station.

Answer 3

Hi There,

Yes I do agree that the Transportation system is crazy here. But if you understand it, its great. Let me give you some ideas.
Basically the best and cheapest way to get to Shinjuku from the airport is the Airport Limousine. Big Orange bus and the ticket booth can be seen pretty much as soon as you exit customs.
Skip the skyliner its expensive and you will be too confused once you get to your arrival staion. The bus is better becuase it takes you to street level.
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
I use the above link for both the Metro, JR and Private lines. Just type from where to where you wanna go and it will give you the route, price and schedule.

"Metro" is basically most of the subway system eg (Tokyo Metro) These trains use a different ticket system to JR and usually the same as the Private lines.
"Private lines" are usually a train line that is owned by a big company or shopping centre, eg Odakyu line, Seibu Shinjuku line, etc.
JR is basically Japan Rail, mostly or all government owned train lines. Most are surface trains and there are many major lines. If you wanna play it safe and get around Tokyos major tourist attractions the Yamanote line is the best bet.
http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperWeb.cgi
Find the map halfway down the page on this link.
I used this train alot when I first came to Tokyo its the best becuase its a circle route if you get lost you just go back.

Answer 4

I think the easiest way for you to go is to ride the airport limousine from the airport direct to the hotel. Once you get out of the immigration, please look for a counter with orange signs and that is the airport limo counter. The bad part is that there is a waiting time between rides.

Shinjuku can be a very confusing train station, but if you are the adventurous type, then you can also take the Narita Express to Shinjuku and ask you way around!

Answer 5

Do yourself a favor and take the bus to your hotel. Shinjuku is REALLY confusing. I've been there probably 20+ times now and I still can't figure the place out. It's fun to explore, but you DEFINITELY don't want to be hauling around luggage and thinking "how the @#*& do I get to my hotel?" Stick with the bus.

I recommend that you get around by JR if possible, because there are a lot of subway stations around Shinjuku and you're likely to get lost, whereas there is only one JR station so you'll have a common point of reference. JR doesn't go everywhere, though.

If you take the subway, you might want to invest Y1,000 in a "passnet" card. Each time you ride the subway your fare is deducted from the Y1000. I recommend this because there are two separate subway systems, plus several other companies who run through trains on the subway, and you have to buy a special ticket to transfer between them--really confusing if you don't know how to do it. The passnet card handles inter-line transfers for you so you can focus on getting to your destination.

Answer 6

The JR Yamanote Line is great for getting around Tokyo and it's really simple unlike the complex subway system. The Yamanote loops around Tokyo so you can never really get too lost on it. A number of sites are within easy access to it.

Tokyo Station - Imperial Palace Garden Park. It's just 2 or 3 blocks from the station.

Harajuku Station - Yoyogi Park Park and Meiji Shrine right outside the station

Shibuya Station - the huge Shibuya crossing seen in movies

Ueno Station - Ueno Park. You can easily change to the Ginza Line and go to Asakusa three stops away.

Answer 7

Looks like everyone answered your question.
You should def-ly check on the JR Rail Pass if you'll be doing any traveling inside Japan.