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| City Guide - Tokyo - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport Tokyo has one of the most sophisticated and efficient public transport systems in the world - a combination of an extensive train network operated by a number of private companies, 12 underground lines, bus services and several monorails. The Tokyo Tourist Information Office (tel: (03) 32 01 33 31) can provide detailed service and timetable information for all the different service providers. The complexity of the network and the sheer size of some of the stations can be rather daunting. However, public transport is very safe, even at night, and staff and passers-by are generally quick to help confused foreigners. Despite very frequent services, trains are uncomfortably crowded during rush hours (0730-0900 and 1700-1900); trains run around 0500-2400/0100. Tickets are sold from vending machines inside stations and most journeys within the centre of the city cost less than ¥200. The Tokyo Combination Ticket is a pass valid for one day on all Japan Rail, underground and bus services within the city and costs ¥1580. The One-Day Open Ticket is valid on eight of the twelve underground lines and costs ¥710. Taxis: Taxis are numerous and can be hailed on the street or caught at taxi ranks. Taxi drivers are very professional but rarely speak English so it is advisable to have your destination written out in Japanese, or be able to point to it on a Japanese map. Fares vary slightly between taxi companies, but are uniformly expensive at around ¥660 for the first two kilometres (1.2 miles), then ¥80 every 274m (900ft). There is a 30% supplement after 2300. During rush hours it is often faster to take the train, and taxis become scarce around 0100 once the train services have finished. A peculiarity of all Japanese taxis is that the rear doors are operated automatically by the driver - do not try to open or close them yourself. Limousines: Hinomaru Limousine (tel: (03) 35 05 17 17; fax: (03) 35 89 24 45; web site: www.netspace.or.jp/~hinomaru) offers a variety of cars and can provide English-speaking drivers. Driving in the City: Tokyo's public transport network and taxis are excellent and driving is not advised. Traffic is heavy, navigation is greatly complicated by the fact that streets rarely have names, and parking is expensive and difficult to find. Car Hire: The biggest car hire company, with 150 branches in the Tokyo area, is Nippon Rent-A-Car, 5-5 Kamiyamacho, Shibuya-ku (tel: (03) 34 85 71 96). Other companies include Avis, 3-13-19 Ginza, Chuo-ku (tel: (03) 55 50 10 11), Hertz, 1-8-21 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku (tel: (03) 54 01 76 51) and Dollar Rent-A-Car, 2-5-22 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku (tel: (0120) 117 801). Car hire in Japan is expensive, costing from ¥5000 per day for the smallest class of car. Basic insurance is usually included in the price. Both a national driving licence and an International Driving Permit are required. Bicycle & Scooter Hire: SCS, 2-36-10 Mukogaoka, Bunkyo-ku (tel: (03) 38 27 54 32) can arrange scooter hire from ¥4500 per day. Bicycles can often be hired at suburban train stations, however, train stations in the central areas of the city do not offer this service. |
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