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getting around in tokyo

  • Location
  • Tokyo
  • City guide
  • Getting around

Using the public transportation in Tokyo

Tokyo is rightly famous for its extensive train network. Trains are the most common way of getting around the city, and most Japanese school students in Tokyo will travel to and from their accommodation by train.

There are multiple train companies operating in Tokyo. Luckily, prepaid IC cards can be used across all networks, so we recommend getting one of these as soon as you arrive. The two most common IC cards are called Pasmo and Suica. Either is fine. They can be bought at almost all stations, either from vending machines or from staff. The price includes travel credit, and a deposit that can be refunded when you finish using the card. Each time you use the card (by tapping it on the gates as you enter and leave a station), the cost of your travel is deducted from the card. You can add more funds to the card at any station, using the machines.

If you have a smartphone, we recommend installing a route search app that can be used even without Internet access, such as Navitime.

Uber is available in Tokyo. However, only “livery cabs” are allowed, so prices are basically the same as a normal taxi.

Tokyo’s transport network can be overwhelming at first, especially if you’re not from a big city. Luckily, Genki Japanese School Tokyo branch is here to help! See the below instructions on how to get from Narita and Haneda airports to school.

Click here to download a large version of the subway map

Getting from Narita / Haneda airport to central Tokyo

Airport transfer service

Leave it up to us

We will arrange for a taxi driver to fetch you from the airport when you arrive, and drop you off at your accommodation. The driver will meet you at the arrivals gate, after you collect your luggage/go through customs. They will be carrying a signboard with your name, as well as the name of the school.

If you are staying with a host family, a representative of the homestay company will meet you at the arrivals gate, and travel with you to the host family's house using public transport.

hint!
Using public transport by yourself from the airport is a lot cheaper than asking us to book an airport transfer for you!

  • one way
Narita airport

By train

Narita Airport is inconveniently located about 70km east of Tokyo. Luckily, it’s not too hard to get to the city from there. We recommend the Narita Express. This train runs from Narita Airport terminals 1 and 2 all the way to Shinjuku in just an hour, and departs every 30 minutes.

From Shinjuku Station, it’s about a 10-minute walk to Genki Japanese School Tokyo.

Schedule & fee info
Haneda airport

By train

Getting to Shinjuku by train is a little more inconvenient, because you will have to change trains midway. Generally people will travel by Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho station (the last stop), then switch to the JR Yamanote line to travel to Shinjuku Station. This is relatively cheap, but can be difficult with heavy suitcases.

By bus

Limousine buses depart every 15 minutes throughout the day, and will take you to Shinjuku Station in about 40 minutes. If you have heavy suitcases, we recommend this as a simple method that doesn’t involve changing trains.

Schedule & fee info

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Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi 812-0013,
Japan

+81 (0)92 472 0123

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Tokyo School

Hanazono Bldg 1BF, Shinjuku 5-17-6,
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022,
Japan

+81 (0)3 6457 3554

[email protected]

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Hayashi Bldg 2F, Shimizuchō (Kawaramachidōri), 454-1,
Shimogyō-ku, Kyōto-shi 600-8025,
Japan

+81 (0)75-353-0003

[email protected]

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Japan

+81 (0)52-433-3152

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