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Provided by: Andy Fuchs
Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
Post
The guide was updated:Post boxes are red in Tokyo and the slot on the left is for domestic mail, the right one for international. English script is acceptable when writing addresses and stamps can be purchased at convenience stores. Post offices are indicated by a red and white ’T’ and are located everywhere. Post office ATMs accept foreign bank cards. The fare for postcards in irregular shapes is different from the regular ones.
Useful Information
- Opening hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Fri (some larger branches open till 7pm), closed at weekends
Digital Travel Guide Download
Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.
*this will be downloaded as a PDF.Price
€4,95
Two airports serve Tokyo: Narita International Airport and Haneda International Airport (mainly internal flights).
Narita Airport is accessible by the Narita Express Train (N'EX) which is the fastest way to get from the city centre to the airport. It takes approx. 60 minutes to Tokyo Station and 41 minutes to Ueno Station.Trains depart approx. every half hour. You may consider getting a N'EX TOKYO Round Trip Ticket in the JR EAST Travel Service Centers and from JR Ticket Offices at Terminal 1 or 2.This ticket allows you to transfer to any other JR stations within Tokyo once. Narita Express Trains: www.jreast.co.jp
The Kesei Skyliner trains go from Narita to Ueno/Nippori station in approx. 45 minutes.
Skyliner: www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/ae_outline/index.php
For a cheaper choice, the Access Express goes to Higashi-Ginza station in approx. 65 minutes.
Access Express: www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/nrt_access/index.php
Limousine buses run regularly from Narite airport to key points in the city in approx. 75-125 minutes.
Limoushine Bus: www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
Taxis are available for the 70 km journey but fares are astronomical.
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Haneda Airport
Haneda Airport is served by the Tokyo Monorail in approx. 20 minutes to Hamamatsucho Station leaving every 10 minutes almost around the clock. You may consider getting a 24/48/72 hours Welcome! Tokyo Subway Ticket to travel with Tokyo Metro and Toei Subway in the Keikyu Tourist Information Centre.
Tokyo Monorail: www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp
Keiyu: www.haneda-tokyo-access.com/en/
Buses run regularly from Haneda airport to key points in the city. For Tokyo city centre, it takes approx. 40 minutes.
Keiyu Bus: hnd-bus.com/
Limoushine Bus: www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/
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Passport / Visa
Japan may be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of all European Union member states, Australia, Canada, the USA, as well as several other world countries. The up-to-date list of visa exemptions by country may be found at: https://www.mofa.go.jp/j_info/visit/visa/short/novisa.html
Citizens of countries not listed as not requiring visa will need to apply in advance via a Japanese mission or consulate closest to them.
Special visa requirements apply to citizens of China and the Philippines, as well as travellers visiting Japan as part of a cruise journey.
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Public transport
Tokyo has one of the most efficient train and subway systems in the world. Trains are clean and fast and all stations have signs in English.
The major train and subway systems are : East Japan Railway (JR), Tokyo Metro, and Toei Subway. There are other railway companies. Each company has its own ticket. A variety of tickets and passes are on offer to make it easier than buying individual tickets for every trip. You can also consider getting a prepaid Suica Travel pass to travel on JR , subways, and buses. These can be purchased at JR ’Green Window’ areas or at ticket machines.
www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/types/pass/index.html
www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/index.html?src=gnavi
The East Japan Railway (JR) is represented by green letters "JR" logo, offering the fastest service but in a higher price. It operated overland train lines are colour-coded, the most frequently used line in Tokyo municipality is the Yamanote line (green).
Tokyo Metro runs by a private company. The subway consists of 9 lines with the light blue letter "M" logo. Subways and trains operate from 5am-midnight.
Toei Subway operates 4 subway lines by the Bureau of Transportation with a green shape logo.
Buses in Tokyo are run by several different companies. It is less confusing to take the subway or train around the city, but bus routes are efficient. Nevertheless, few signs are in English which makes navigation difficult. Bus route guides in English are available at Toei subway stations and hotels.
www.tokyobus.or.jp
Cycling is one of the most common ways to get around in Tokyo, if you’re feeling energetic. Some hotels will hire out bikes, but most will have further information on where to hire elsewhere.
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Taxi
Taxis are expensive but convenient in Tokyo. Weekend rates are even more expensive, as are rides between 11pm and 5am. Taxi stands are located in almost all busy areas and tipping is not expected.
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Post
Post boxes are red in Tokyo and the slot on the left is for domestic mail, the right one for international. English script is acceptable when writing addresses and stamps can be purchased at convenience stores. Post offices are indicated by a red and white ’T’ and are located everywhere. Post office ATMs accept foreign bank cards. The fare for postcards in irregular shapes is different from the regular ones.
Read more
Pharmacy
Pharmacy in Japanese is "Yakkyoku". Generally, pharmacies are open from 9am to 6pm on weekdays and Saturdays, and closed on Sundays, while drugstores are usually open 7days a week and sometimes 24/24.
One of the biggest and popular pharmacy chains is Matsumoto Kiyoshi. They have stores scattered around the whole island and offer original brands of drugs and medicines including cosmetics and beauty products. Other chains in Japan are: SunDrug, Sugi Drug Group and Tsuruha Drug.
Here are some English-speaking pharmacies:
National Azabu Supermarket’s pharmacy
4-5-2 Minami-azabu, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Opening hours: 8.30am - 9pm (7days a week)
www.national-azabu.com
Yakuju pharmacy
Roppongi Izumi Garden, 1-6-1 Roppongi, Minato-Ku, Tokyo
Monday - Friday:9am - 7pm, Saturday: 9.30am-2pm, 3pm-5pm
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Electricity
Japan’s current is 100V AC. Plugs have two flat-sided prongs.
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Telephone
Country code: +81
Area code: 03
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