The train in Tokyo is probably the most convenient and cheapest way to get around Japan. The bullet trains can also get you to cities like Yokohama, Kyoto, Nikko, Mt. Fuji and Hiroshima just to name a few. There are a few things to remember about the trains in Tokyo:
The JR railpass must be purchased before you arrive to Japan. It is only available to tourists and will save you a lot of money if you plan to go to place outside of Tokyo Click here for more information about the JR Railpass. Click here for other types of train passes and discounts.
Trains run from 5am till a little after midnight every day. So if you are partying far away from your hotel or hostel then it may be wise to prepare to stay out all night till 5am, find an internet cafe, or leave the club/bar before midnight if you don’t want to stay out till 5am.
There is the JR lines and the Subway lines. If you have a rail-pass becareful (it only works for the JR lines) not the subway. But the JR lines can get you to just about all th major cities in Tokyo, so there is no need to worry. Here are maps of the JR Lines and Subway Lines
If you do not have a railpass the most common way to purchase your ticket is from the ticket vending machines located at the entrance of every train station. Of course, you will easily figure this out on your first day in Japan. The train staff in the booths are always willing to help you so don’t be afraid to ask questions even if your Japanese is not so great.
There are rules posted all over the Trains. For example “turn your phones to silent.”, “save reserved seats for women with children, crippled, and elderly.” and a rule that is not posted but widely understood by most Japanese people “Keep your voices down.” Please make sure you honor these rules so that you can impress your Japanese friends and everyone around you!
By Bus:
(City Bus) The buses are almost as convenient and cheap as the trains. However it may be difficult to read the signs for stops or really know exactly where the bus is going unless you ask someone or if you can read Japanese. To pay for the bus you use either yen or a suica/pasmo card.
(Night Bus) Japan has a great and cheap way of transportation if you dont mind sleeping on a bus for a few hrs depending on where you want to go. The night buses are often very cheap and and get you from the center of Tokyo to any city in Japan. Many of our guests use this bus to get to Kyoto. Night bus will cost an average of 4,000 yen to Kyoto one way. The train can cost an average of 15,000 yen or more one way. Recommended night bus booking company: Willerexpress.com
By Car:
(Taxis) We just don’t recommend taxis unless you are absolutely stuck and desperate to get someplace. Really just don’t take taxis at all unless you are very very rich. They are the most expensive ways of getting around Tokyo and have caused many foreigners to lose most of their travel money and or have to go home sooner then expected because they became low on funds after taking a taxi from Shibuya to Asakusa after they missed the last train! If you are stuck in a city far from where you stay, it is best to seek out an Internet cafe for the night. That is what they are there for (read more about internet cafes here)
(Rental Car) You can pick up a rental car just about anywhere in Tokyo. They are actually very afordable if you have an international drivers licnense already in hand! You can get rental car information from any airport you land in when coming to Japan.
Sunshine City – Has shops, a planetarium, an aquarium, a small oriental museum, a theater and the Namja Town theme park for children.
website: http://www.sunshinecity.co.jp/ (site in Japanese)
Hours and prices for all attractions in the Sunshine City building:
Sunshine City Observation Gallery: Hours: 10:00 am to 8:30 pm (9:30 Jul 31 to Aug 31). Last ticket sold thirty minutes before closure. Admission: Adults: 620 yen, Under 15: 310 yen.
Namja Town:(Highly recommended by staff and past guests) Hours: 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Admission: Adults: 1,600 yen – 3,900 yen. Children: 800 yen to 3300 yen depending upon the number of rides.
Website explaining more about Namja town!
Aquarium: Hours: 10:00 am to 8:00pm Admission: Adults: 1800 yen, Children: 900 yen
Planetarium: Hours: 10:00 am to 8:00pm
For the observation gallery, aquarium, planetarium and Namja Town, combination tickets are available, please visit the nearest tourist information booth for more information.
Take a look at this video which will give you some Idea about what to expect in Sunshine City:
Toyota Amlux Auto Salon – Next to Sunshine City you’ll find the futuristic car show building. The cars are spread over 6 floors making it one of the largest car showrooms in the world. Admission: Free
Hours: 11:00 am – 8:00pm Tuesdays to Sundays. (Closed Mondays except national holiday and Tuesdays if the day before was a national holiday)
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Ueno is another great place to visit. But the most spectacular place in Ueno is Ueno Park. Only just a few minutes from JR Ueno station and can also be reached by the Ginza line. Ueno Park was established through an imperial land grant to the city of Tokyo by Emperor Taisho in 1924. The official name of the park is Ueno Onshi Kōen (上野恩賜公園), which can be translated as “Ueno Imperial Gift Park.”
Ueno Park
Many people find Ueno park a beautiful place during Cherry blossom season in the spring time. There park is lined with wonderful Cherry Blossom trees. Every year hundreds of people visit this park during the spring for Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) parties under the blooming trees.
If you can’t make it here during the spring there are also dozens of attractions year round. On a beautiful sunny day you will find several street performers and free live music.
Places to go in and around Ueno park!
Tokyo National Museum – Includes 100,000 art objects covering Japanese history from the Jomon period to the 20th century. Average cost: General admission ¥420, university students ¥130, high school and younger free. Special exhibitions charge separate admission fees. Hours: Open daily 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, closed Mon.
National Museum of Western Art – Public art gallery in Japan specializing in art from the Western tradition. The museum’s collection includes pieces from 15th century to the modern period. Average cost: General admission ¥420, Free admission on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month. Hours: Open daily 9:30-17:00
The National Science Museum – There are sections covering technology, the physical sciences, and hands-on exhibits for children. Average cost:
Hours:
Pagoda Kan’eiji Temple Ueno Zoo – The pagoda is presently in the Ueno Zoo, but formerly was part of the Kan’eiji, the temple of the Tokugawa shoguns of Japan, in the Ueno neighborhood of Tokyo. Average cost: Adults (16-64) ¥600, Seniors (65+) ¥300, Students (13-15) ¥200, Children (0-12) Free Hours: 9:30am. to 5:00pm (tickets sold until 4:00pm) and closes every Monday (closes Tuesday if Monday is a public holiday).
Toshogu Shrine – Toshogu Shrine was built in 1617 is considered to be valuable for its historical architecture, Grand Oishi Torii Gate and bronze garden lanterns. It is open every day of the year. Average cost: ¥1300 (admission to all parts of the shrine)
¥1000 (combination ticket that also covers Rinnoji, Taiyuinbyo and Futarasan Shrine, but does not include admission to Toshogu’s nemuri neko carving and Ieyasu’s tomb. An additional ¥520 is required to see that part of the shrine.) Hours: 8:00 to 17:00 (until 16:00 from November through March) Admission closes 30 minutes before closing time.
Bentendo Hall Temple – Bentendo Hall Temple is a Benzaiten Temple on an island in the the middle of Shinobazu Pond, which forms part of Ueno Park. Average cost: n/a Hours: Till park closing.
Akihabara is the place to go for electronics, games, manga, anime, and random otaku things. It is usually very crowded there so be prepared to face tiny shops with lots of people to find what you are looking for.
Fun Sights
If you are just looking for some fun things to do in Akihabara here are a few staff and past guest recommended spots. All places listed are with in 5 minute walking distance or less from the JR Akihabara station.
Maid Cafe or “Meido Cafe” – In maid cafes, typical manga-style maids serve tea and cakes. When a guest comes to the cafe, maids say “Welcome home, Master” even if it is the guest’s first time there, because the maids play the role of maids belonging to the guest’s mansion. Similarly, they say “Have a nice day, Master” when the guest leaves. They are easy to find as you will see many girls dressed in Maid costumes handing out flyer’s or just asking you to visit their cafe. One cafe to look for is the “Cure Maid” cafe. It is one of the original cafes and prices are most reasonable there.
Tsukumo Robot Kingdom – The first special store of robots in the world, now became a landmark for robot fans and builders all over the world. Three minutes from JR Akihabara Station. Do It Yourself parts and tools are prepared for people who want to make robots. They offer everything from small personal robots to large scale robots.
Don Quijote – For shopping mostly. Usually there are random things to buy here any where from food, stationary, clothes, costumes, and much more. The Don Quijote in Akihabara also has a Maid Cafe on the top floor.
Lastly…
Gundam Café – Maybe one of the top places to visit. It is just a cafe but the staff dresses up like gundam characters and the pastries are shaped like gundams. Also the place is just decorated in everything gundam. It’s a very interesting place to see even if you don’t really enjoy anime or gundam so much.
Well that’s it for Akiba… If you have any places to recommend please let our staff know and we will do our best to get it listed here!!
Ueno is another great place to visit. But the most spectacular place in Ueno is Ueno Park. Only just a few minutes from JR Ueno station and can also be reached by the Ginza line. Ueno Park was established through an imperial land grant to the city of Tokyo by Emperor Taisho in 1924. The official name of the park is Ueno Onshi Kōen (上野恩賜公園), which can be translated as “Ueno Imperial Gift Park.”
