Tokyo
Transportation
Tokyo
has one of the most efficient and
fast public transport systems in
the world. It combines an extensive
train network, underground subway
lines, a bus system, taxis, and
car rentals. For visitors, trains
and subways are usually the most
convenient way to travel. All stations
have signs in English and trains
and subways are faster and cheaper
than buses. The bus system is more
complicated as well and destinations
are written only in Japanese. The
drivers, too, do not speak English.
Taxis are very expensive and drivers
speak little or no English. Driving
yourself is not advised as heavy
traffic congestion tends to make
driving slow and frustrating.
Train
and Subway Lines
Trains
and subways are the primary mode
of transportation in Tokyo. JR
East ( East Japan
Railway Company ) is the
biggest operator of railway passenger
lines in the city. It is also the
largest passenger railway company
in the world. Besides the Shinkansen
(“bullet trains”) and
the Monorail ,
the most prominent line of JR East
is the JR Yamanote
Line, a circle line which connects
Tokyo's multiple city centers. Its
six major stations are Tokyo, Ueno,
Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and
Shinagawa. The other JR East commuter
lines that radiate from Tokyo to
its suburbs are the Keihin-Tohoku
, Chuo ,
Sobu , Keiyo
, Yokohama ,
Tokaido , and Yokosuka
Lines.
There
are several other private railway
networks that also operate in Tokyo.
Among these are Keikyu
with 5 lines, Keio
with 6 lines, Keisei
with 7 lines, Odakyu
with 3 lines, Seibu with
13 lines, Tobu
with 12 lines, Tokyu
with 8, and the last 5 one each
for a total of 55 non-JR lines serving
Tokyo Prefecture.
The
Tokyo subway network has a total
of 13 lines operated by two companies
– the Tokyo Metro
and Toei (Tokyo
Metropolitan Bureau of Transportation).
Tokyo Metro operates 9 lines – Ginza
(Shibuya to Asakusa),
Marunouchi (Ogikubo
to Ikebukuro), Hibiya
(Naka-meguro to Kita-senju), Tozai
(Nakano to Nishi-funabashi),
Chiyoda (Yoyogi-uehara
to Kita-ayase), Yurakucho
(Wakoshi to Shin-kiba),
Hanzomon (Shibiya
to Oshiage), Namboku
(Meguro to Akabane-iwabuchi), and
Fukutoshin (Ikebukuro
to Shibuya). The busiest Tokyo Metro
stations are Ikebukuro, Kita-senju,
Otemachi, and Ginza. Toei operates
4 lines - Toei Asakusa
(Nishi-magome to Oshiage), Toei
Mita (Shirokane-takanawa
to Nishi-takashimadaira & Meguro
to Shirokane-takanawa), Toei
Shinjuku (Shinjuku to
Moto-yawata), and Toei Oedo
(radiate part – Hikarigaoka
to Tochomae & circle part –
Tochomae to Tochomae via Roppongi
and Ryogoku).
Tickets
cost begins at 130 yen for the JR
lines, 160 yen for the Tokyo Metro
lines, and 190 yen for the Toei
lines. Above the ticket machines
there is a train map that shows
the train routes and the ticket
fares. Each train company
has different tickets, and tickets
of one company cannot be used for
another. A Passnet
can be bought for 1000, 3000, or
5000 yen which can be used on the
Tokyo Metro, Toei and other private
lines, but not on JR lines. JR has
its own rechargeable card system,
called Suica .
A Suica does not need to be passed
through the ticket gates, but just
held above it, which makes it faster.
It can also be re-charged for the
desired amount at a ticket machine.
Some special day passes are also
available which are valid for unlimited
use on particular lines on one calendar
day.
Buses
Buses
are secondary to trains and subway
lines as a means of public transport
in Tokyo. They are mainly used in
areas that are poorly served by
trains or subways, for long distance
services, and for airport to city
transfers. Toei
( Tokyo Metropolitan Bureau
of Transportation ) operates
buses in all the 23 wards of Tokyo
and have a fixed fare of 200 yen
per ride. Other private bus companies
(mostly the large train operators
like Yokohama
and Kawasaki )
operate on different routes and
charge according to distance. Frequent
bus riders may buy prepaid bus cards
from the drivers to avoid the hassle
of buying a ticket each time they
ride. These cards are available
in 1000, 2000, and 5000 yen denominations.
Water buses are also available in
the oceanfront area. Visitors to
Tokyo often opt for a ride on one
of these to get a look at the city
from a different angle. Water buses
are run by two companies – Tokyo
Cruise Ship and Tokyo
Mizube Line.
Taxis
Taxis
are another mode of transport in
Tokyo. These are mainly used by
businessmen, when buses are inconvenient,
or when people travel in groups.
Taxis are relatively more expensive
with a ride at 660 yen and costing
at least 5000 yen for an average
ride. The amount to be paid is as
indicated by the fare meter upon
arrival at the destination. Most
of the taxis are medium sized. There
are also some small-sized taxis
which are a little cheaper and may
be got from one of their exclusive
depots. Share-taxis, or “noriai”
taxis as they are called, are also
available. Customers who travel
to the same destination share the
ride, thus paying less than they
would do when riding alone. “Wagon
taxis”, or mini-vans, are convenient
for visitors with luggage. These
are available at the airports and
hotels at the same rate as a medium-sized
taxi. Limousines are the best taxis.
They are larger in size and of a
better grade… and more expensive.
Rental
cars
For
visitors it is not recommended that
you drive in Japan. Japan
has the best public transportaion
system in the world. However,
if you really want to drive, you
will need either a Japanese drivers
license or an international license
which is accepted in Japan.
Rental cars are easily available
in Tokyo. Advance and internet reservations
have special rates, so it is best
to go for these.
