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First time in traveling to Japan in December. Help!!

Sheila21
Sheila21
over 10 years ago
4 responses

Hi, we are (teens) travaling to Tokyo, Japan on december 10. We will be spending 5 nights in Tokyo.
I understand that there are many lines in tokyo. And i am VERY confuse.

Roughly, these are the places I would like to visit
Asasuka, Ameyoko, Akhibara, Shinjuku, Harajuku, Tsujiki, Shibuya, Ginza and disneyland. Also day trips to Yokohama and Fuji Five Lakes.

My stay would be at Ueno so from Narita airport, I am taking the Keisei skyliner. Is it advice-able to buy the skyliner + Tokyo metro 1day or 2day pass? And do i need to buy an additional IC card like the Pasmo/Suica?

Which card (SUICA or PASMO) is more appropriate to get to these places via the different lines such as JR Yamanote Line or Chuo line, etc? I am departing from Haneda Airport, so which card will bring me to Haneda Airport via?

I would really like a card/pass that can have hassle free travel and cost saving since we are on a budget.

Really appreciate some guidance and reply. Thanks

avatar
Daniel-san
18828 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

There are indeed a lot of train lines in Tokyo and they can be very confusing for someone to come to Japan for the first time. Here are some tips to help you navigate the Metropolis of Tokyo:

1.) Read out Blog Post about navigating the Tokyo Metro, this will get your a good idea of the Metro Network.

2.) Use one the Mobile Apps to plan your journey ahead, so you never get lost.

3.) Forget all trains lines and start with just the Yamanote line. This train makes a loop trough Tokyo and stops at many of the main stations, including, Shinjuku, Ueno, Akihabara, Harajuku, Shibuya, Ginza* and of course Tokyo station. Once you have familiarized yourself with it, start looking at other train lines.

4.) Read our [Blog post about planning with Hyperdia to plan your journey all trough Japan.

I do think that the Keisei liner + Metro Ticket deal is a great way to get you started in Tokyo, it gives you a nicely discounted ride into Tokyo (to Ueno station) and a 2 day Unlimited Metro Pass. After those two days you could either consider buying a Tokyo Metro Day Pass or consider one of the other discounted day passes in Tokyo.

An IC card, like Pasmo or Suica is handy if you make use of different kinds of transport because you won't have to buy a separate ticket each time. Both passes are valid on most kinds of transport and the only main difference is their name.

I hope this helps!
Daniel

*Within 10min walking distance from the station called Kanda

Sheila21
Sheila21
4 posts
over 10 years ago

Hi Daniel-san,

Thank you so much for the tips. I know the Keisei skyliner + 2day metro ticket deal is a great headstart for me. However, I am concern about the necessity of it.

1.Since I am arriving at 8:35 am at Narita Airport, check in to hotel is at 3pm. So will me tokyo metro ticket a good deal as compared to me buying a SUICA card?

  1. Second day will be heading to disneyland, so if I purchase the 2day metro ticket, i might not get to fully utilize it. Taking into consideration that I am making day trips to Yokohama and Fuji Five Lakes on the subsequent days.

  2. As such, 3 days of my total tokyo trip is taken up. So I would just like to confirm my opinion that buying the skyliner + 1 day pass is necessary for day 1. And a SUICA for the other days for my day to day easy travel.

Is this okay?

Thank you

Sheila21
Sheila21
4 posts
over 10 years ago

Hi Daniel-san,

Thank you so much for the tips. I know the Keisei skyliner + 2day metro ticket deal is a great headstart for me. However, I am concern about the necessity of it.

1.Since I am arriving at 8:35 am at Narita Airport, check in to hotel is at 3pm. So will me tokyo metro ticket a good deal as compared to me buying a SUICA card?

  1. Second day will be heading to disneyland, so if I purchase the 2day metro ticket, i might not get to fully utilize it. Taking into consideration that I am making day trips to Yokohama and Fuji Five Lakes on the subsequent days.

  2. As such, 3 days of my total tokyo trip is taken up. So I would just like to confirm my opinion that buying the skyliner + 1 day pass is necessary for day 1. And a SUICA for the other days for my day to day easy travel.

Is this okay?

Thank you

avatar
Daniel-san
18828 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Again!

Both are great deals but in your case I do think that it would be better to buy a Suica + N'EX ticket.
This because the Suica card allows you to travel on different kinds of transport and can also be used to travel to Yokohama for instance (but I guess that you already figured that out).

All the best!
Daniel

Sheila21
Sheila21
4 posts
over 10 years ago

Hi,

Thank you for the valuable information

I cant seem to find any source to get to Mt Fuji on the internet. Can you help me? With the SUICA card is there any transport to Mt Fuji as a day trip.

Thanks

avatar
Daniel-san
18828 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi There,

I would recommend reading this page for information on how to travel to Fuji.

The best option is to take the express bus from either Shinjuku or Tokyo station, these however do not accept the JR Pass / Suica card.

Hope this helps!
Daniel


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