Picture choosen by: Mr.Aadu Sye Getting around in Tokyo Tokyo's world-class, public-transport system will get you anywhere you need to go. Most places worth visiting are conveniently close to a subway or Japan Railways (JR) station. Where the rail network lets you down (though it really shouldn't), there are usually bus services – although using these can be challenging if you can't read Kangji.

Most residents and visitors use the railway system far more than any other means of transport. It is reasonably priced and frequent (generally five minutes at most between trains on major lines in central Tokyo), and stations have conveniences such as left-luggage lockers for baggage storage. The only drawback is that the system shuts down at midnight or 1am and doesn't start up again until 5am or 6am.

Subway trains have a tendency to stop halfway along their route when closing time arrives. People who are stranded face an expensive taxi ride home or have to wait for the first morning train. Check schedules posted on platforms for the last train on the line if you plan to be out late.

Avoiding Tokyo's rush hour is a good idea, but might be impossible if you're on a tight schedule. Commuter congestion tends to ease between 10am and 4pm, when travelling around Tokyo – especially on the JR Yamanote Line – can actually be quite pleasant. Before 9.30am and from about 4.30pm onward there'll be cheek-to-jowl crowds on all major train and bus lines.

Local Land transport

1. Taxi
Generally speaking, taxis are very expensive, and you should only use them when you have no alternative, such as returning to your hotel or apartment late at night. Rates start at ¥710, which buys you 2km (after 11pm it's 1.5km), then the meter rises by ¥80 every 275m (every 220m or so after 11pm). You also click up about ¥80 every two minutes while you relax in a typical Tokyo traffic jam. Taxi vacancy is indicated by a red light in the corner of the front window; a green light means there's a night-time surcharge; and a yellow light means that the cab is on call.

If you have to get a taxi late on a Friday or Saturday night, be prepared for delays and higher prices. The same applies any day of the week for the first hour or so after the last trains run. At these times, most stranded commuters stand in long queues in order to get a taxi home.

Tokyo taxi drivers rarely speak any English – if you don't speak Japanese, it's a good idea to have your destination written down in Japanese. Even if your destination has an English name, it is unlikely the driver will understand your pronunciation.

Oh, and by the way, don't slam the door shut when you get in or leave. In Japan, taxi doors magically open and close themselves.

2. Bus & Tram
The vast majority of Tokyoites and resident expats never set foot on a bus as the rail and subway system is convenient and incredibly comprehensive. However, on rare occasions, it can sometimes be quicker to get between two destinations on a bus.

Bus fares are ¥200 for Tokyo Metropolitan (Toei) buses; you can pick up a copy of the Toei Bus Route Guide, including a route map and timetable, at any Toei subway station. Children's rates are half those of adult fares. Deposit your fare into the box next to the driver as you enter the bus; you can get change for ¥1000 notes and coins. A tape recording announces the name of each stop as it is reached, so listen carefully and press the button next to your seat when yours is announced.

The one-day Tokyo Combination Ticket can be used on Toei buses as well as the subway and JR railway lines.

3. Bicycle
Despite the tangled traffic and often narrow roads, bicycles are still one of the most common forms of transport in Tokyo. Theft does happen, especially of cheap bicycles, so go ahead and lock up your bike. Ride with your bag or pack on your person, as opportunists on motorbikes do swipe stuff from those front-mounted baskets.

Some ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) and inns rent bicycles to their guests, but if your lodgings don't, you can rent a bicycle in Asakusa for ¥200 per day. There's a bicycle-rental lot on the Sumida-gawa bank near Azumabashi (the bridge just outside Asakusa Station).


Air
International flights from all over the world land in Japan, most of them arriving in Tokyo. Tokyo is also the hub of air travel within Japan, which is extensive, reliable and safe. In many cases, flying can be faster – and not significantly more expensive – than riding the shinkansen (bullet train). Flying can also help you get from Japan's main hubs, such as Tokyo and Osaka, to some of the country's most far-flung destinations, such as Okinawa and Hokkaido.

Customs and immigration procedures are usually straightforward, although they're more time-consuming for foreigners than for Japanese. Note that as of 20 November 2007, non-Japanese have been fingerprinted and photographed on arrival, and are subject to intense questioning. A neat appearance will speed your passage through passport control and customs, though you can expect delays if you've entered Japan multiple times as a tourist.

Everything at Narita Airport is clearly signposted in English and you can change money in the customs halls of either terminal or in the arrival halls. The rates will be the same as those offered in town.

Tokyo has two airports: Narita, which handles most international traffic, and Haneda, which is used primarily for domestic flights.

1. Narita Airport
(flight information 0476-34-5000, general information 0476-32-2802) is 66km east of Tokyo, but aside from its inconvenient location, it's an excellent, modern airport with a plethora of services. It is divided into two terminals, which are connected by a free shuttle-bus service. From Terminal 1 board this bus at stop 0, and from Terminal 2 board at stops 8 and 18. Note that some of the airport's services are available only in the newer Terminal 2.

At both terminals there are post offices, currency-exchange counters and lots of restaurants and duty-free shops. Both terminals also offer left-luggage services and efficient baggage-courier services.

In both Terminals 1 and 2, the travel-weary (and -dirty) will find showers and day-rooms for napping, and free children's playrooms available to departing passengers who have completed emigration formalities. Both playrooms include computer games and well-designed play areas.

There are several information counters in both terminals, and the staff speak English; the main counter for foreign visitors is the Terminal 2 information counter (0476-34-6251; 9am-8pm), on the 1st floor.

The airport Tourist Information Center (TIC; 0476-34-6251; 9am-8pm) is a key stop if you haven't yet booked any accommodation. While you're there, pick up a subway map and the Tourist Map of Tokyo. There's a TIC on the 1st floor in each terminal. Narita airport also has a JR office where you can make bookings and exchange your Japan Rail Pass voucher for a pass, if you're planning to start travelling straight away.

Check-in procedures are usually very efficient at Narita, but you should arrive at the airport at least two hours before your departure time. Passport control and security procedures are similarly efficient (bring your embarkation card, which you should have received upon arrival; if you don't have one, you can get a blank form before going through passport control).

2. Haneda Airport
(information 5757-8111) is the airport seasoned Tokyo expats wish was still Tokyo's main air hub. Unfortunately, all international traffic now goes via Narita airport, and only domestic flyers and charter flights can make use of this conveniently located airport.

Haneda doesn't have Narita's services infrastructure, but there are post offices, banks, left-luggage services and baggage-shipping companies. Nor does Haneda have a dedicated English-language information counter, although there is usually someone who can answer your questions in English.

Courier services
Baggage couriers provide next-day delivery of your large luggage from Narita and Haneda Airports to any address in Tokyo (costs around ¥2000 per large bag). They can also deliver luggage to points beyond Tokyo so you don't have to haul it through trains and stations all over the countryside. Couriers can also pick up luggage for delivery to the airport, but be sure to call two days before your flight to arrange a pick-up. The companies listed here have some operators who speak English:

ABC (01-2091-9120)
NPS Skyporter (3590-1919)
Yamato (0476-32-4755)

Boat
Water taxis are one of the most dramatic ways to take in the city.