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Getting to and around Japan’s
capital doesn’t have to eat
up a big chunk of your travel
budget. Take advantage of
its efficient public transport
system and available
discounts. FromNarita
Airport, visitors can choose to
travel by bus or rail to Tokyo,
which is 60km away. A trip
on the Japan Rail (JR) Narita
Express (NEX), Keisei rail
lines or airport limousine bus
will set you back anywhere
from¥1,000 to ¥3,000
(compared to ¥25,000 by taxi).
Because we weren’t too
sure about the train transfers,
we took the limousine bus (it
drops passengers at several
major hotels). An extra ¥100
gets you a one-day Tokyo
Metro pass worth ¥710.
That’s a ¥610 saving right
there. Chinami Nishizawa
of Tokyo Free Guide (www.
tokyofreeguide.com), a
nonprofit group made up of
volunteers who offer city tours
at no charge, recommends
the pass (which sells for
anywhere from¥710 to ¥1,580
depending on the railway
lines included) for visitors
planning to travel only within
the capital. It’s ideal if you’re
planning to take the train
several times a day.
Watch out for discounted
rail passes, too. The NEX
Tokyo Direct Ticket allows
foreign tourists to take the
Narita Express at half off
the standard price of almost
¥3,000. It’s available at JR
ticket offices in the Narita
Airport basement.
T H E S H O E S T R I N G D I A R I E S
Limousine
bus
TRANSPORT
¥1,000
¥25,000
¥710
Taxi
City
tours
1
TO TOKYO,
WE GO
Tokyo’s rail system is so extensive,
most of the popular districts are
readily accessible
PHOTOS
ALFIE GOODRICH
