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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) 3201 3331) 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 from approximately 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 (Tokyo Free Kippu) 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 Tokyo’s taxis are numerous and can easily be hailed on the street or caught at taxi ranks. It is also possible to reserve one in advance from one of the many companies, such as Tokyo-Musen (tel: (03) 3330 2111) or Cheka-Musen (tel: (03) 3573 3751). At least ¥200 will be charged for this service. 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. Tipping is not customary and may offend. Taxi drivers are very professional but rarely speak English so it is advisable to have one’s destination written out in Japanese or to be able to point to it on a Japanese map. During rush hours it is often faster to take the train and unoccupied 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 – visitors should not try to open or close the doors themselves. Limousines Hinomaru Limousine (tel: (03) 3505 1717; fax: (03) 3589 2445; website: www.netspace.or.jp/~hinomaru/indexe.html) offers a variety of cars and can provide English-speaking drivers. Rates are from ¥6000 per hour (for a minimum of three hours). 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) 3485 7196). Other companies include Avis, 3-13-19 Ginza, Chuo-ku (tel: (03) 5550 1011; website: www.avis.com), Hertz, 1-8-21 Shiba Koen, Minato-ku (tel: (03) 5401 7651; website: www.hertz.com), and Dollar Rent-A-Car, 2-5-22 Kyobashi, Chuo-ku (tel: (0120) 117 801; website: www.dollar.com). Car hire in Japan costs 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. Drivers must have held their licence for at least a year and the minimum age for hiring a car varies between 19 and 26, but is usually about 21 years. Bicycle & Scooter Hire SCS, 2-1-16 Hakusan, Bunkyo-ku (tel: (03) 3827 5432), can arrange scooter hire from ¥3400 per day. Bicycles can often be hired at suburban train stations for around ¥1000 per day, however, train stations in the central areas of the city do not offer this service. |
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