Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [129]
There is a direct bus service between Haneda and Narita airports (¥3000, 1¼ hours).
Bus
Pick up a copy of the free TOEI Bus Route Guide from the TIC. When using a bus, have the name of your destination written in Japanese so you can either show the driver or match up the kanji with the route map yourself (there’s very little English signposting on buses or at bus stops). It’s a flat ¥200 for city destinations.
Car
If you plan to rent a car, you must obtain an International Driving Permit before arriving in Japan; bring the permit and your passport with you to rent a car. Several rental agencies have counters at Narita Airport, as well as offices or rental desks just outside, or near, the Yaesu central exit at Tokyo station (Map). The agencies listed here usually have English speakers on hand. Prices quoted are average costs for sedans, and usually include unlimited mileage.
Mazda Rent-a-Car (Map; 3564-5656, overseas reservations 0120-08-5656 9am-5.30pm; www.mazda-rentacar.co.jp; 1-17-11 Kyōbashi, Chūō-ku; per day/week ¥12,600/69,300; 8am-8pm) Insurance is an extra ¥1050 per day. From the Yaesu underground central exit, take exit 24.
Nippon Rent-a-Car (Map; English line 3271-6643; 9am-5pm Mon-Fri; www.nipponrentacar.co.jp; B2 fl, 2-1- Yaesu, Chūō-ku; per day/week ¥9555/57,435; 7am-10pm Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm Sat & Sun) Insurance is an extra ¥1050 per day. The desk is at the Yaesu West Parking Lot, in the basement that is accessible when you come to the entrance of the underground mall.
Nissan Rent-a-Car (Map; 3274-4501, overseas reservations 0120-00-4123; http://nissan-rentacar.com; 1-8 Yaesu, Chūō-ku; per day/week ¥9923/68,460; 24hr) Insurance is included. From the Yaesu underground central exit, take exit 19.
Toyota Rent-a-Car (Map; 3278-0100, overseas reservations 0800-7000-815; http://rent.toyota.co.jp; per day/week ¥9450/56,700; 7am-10pm) Insurance is included. From the entrance to the Yaesu underground mall, pass the post office and make a right down the stairs for the Yaesu East Parking Lot. The office is on the B2 floor, on the left.
Taxi
Taxis are so expensive that you should only use them when there’s no alternative. Flagfall is ¥710, which gives you 2km (1.5km after 11pm), after which the meter starts to clock an additional ¥100 for every 350m; you also click up ¥100 for every two minutes you sit idly gazing at the scenery in a Tokyo traffic jam. If you don’t speak Japanese, taxi drivers can plug a venue’s telephone number into the GPS system to find its location.
Train
Tokyo has a crowded but otherwise awesome rail network. Between the JR and private above-ground and subway lines, you can get to almost anywhere in town quickly and cheaply. But night owls beware: it closes from around midnight until 5am or 6am. If you do miss your midnight train, Click here.
Avoiding Tokyo’s rush hour is not often possible, though things tend to quiet down from 10am to 4pm.
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DAY TRIPPING FROM NARITA
If you face a long layover at Narita airport, consider these alternatives to dazed, interminable hours in the terminals.
Assuming you have several hours to kill – including at least 2½ hours to get out, away and back into the airport – make a quick detour into Narita town. The town’s highlight is its impressive temple, Naritasan Shinshōji (; 0476-222-111; 1 Narita, Narita-shi, Chiba-ken), surrounded by a pretty park laced with walking paths, trees and ponds. Along Omote-sandō, the main road leading from station to temple, explore the little shops and restaurants in town. To get there, take a limited express Keisei or JR train to Narita station (¥250, 10 minutes). Pick up a Narita map from the friendly TIC outside the east exit of the JR station.
If your layover is longer than eight hours, you can spend a couple of those hours discovering Tokyo. Hit the airport ATM for at least ¥10,000, check your bag through or stow it in a left-luggage locker, and catch the next JR Narita