Category Archives: Airport Access

Haneda (HND), Station information

Hamamtsucho station guide. How to transfer JR, Tokyo Monorail and Subway lines

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JR Hamamatsucho stations platforms
JR Hamamatsucho stations platforms

Hamamatsucho is one of the stations on Yamanote line in downtown Tokyo. This station is not a mega station, such as Tokyo, Shinjuku. But this station is the hub of local transportation in downtown Tokyo. JR Yamanote line and JR Keihin Tohoku line connects many places in downtown Tokyo. Tokyo Monorail connects Haneda airport and Hamamatsucho.

And there is subway Daimon station. This stations is different name from Hamamatsucho station. But actually these stations are located in same place. You can catch Toei subway Asakusa line and Oedo line at Daimon station.

I believe many of travelers who visit Tokyo may use this station. I would like to tell you about these stations in this post. Continue reading →

Chubu (NGO)

Chubu (Nagoya) airport transportation guide. Find info about airport station and access to Nagoya

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Chubu airport (C) Y Shimizu / JNTO
Chubu airport (C) Y Shimizu / JNTO

Chubu Airport is the gateway to Nagoya. The official name of this airport is Central Japan International Airport. But this airport is also known as “Centrair” (central + air). And also it is called Nagoya airport sometimes. In this post, I call “Chubu airport”.

This airport is located approximately 30 minutes away from Nagoya station by Meitetsu railway limited express train. Actually it is not very hard to get downtown Nagoya from this airport. But some of you may be nervous. You may be the first time traveler. You want to know exact location of station, bus stop, ticket office, etc.

In this post, I would like to tell you about overview of Chubu airport arrival level, Chubu airport station and bus stops.

I will also show you many photos. I believe this post will help you to understand what you need to do right after arrival at Chubu airport.

Continue reading →

Kansai (KIX)

Kansai airport transportation guide. Find info about station, ticket, airport bus and high speed ferry

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Kansai Airport station ticket gates, JR (blue/left) and Nankai Railway (red/left)
Kansai Airport station ticket gates, JR (blue/left) and Nankai Railway (red/left)

Airport is tourist friendly spot. But you may be hurry when you arrive in Japan, especially if you arrive in late night. As I wrote about late night arrival, trains do not run 24 hours. After midnight, the transportation to Osaka is very limited. Some of you want to know exact location of station, bus stop, ticket office.

In this post, I would like to show you these following topics:

  • Overview of Kansai airport arrival level
  • JR and Nankai Railway’s Kansai airport station
  • Limousine bus stops and ticket counter
  • High speed ferry service counter

Continue reading →

Kansai (KIX), Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara

How to choose the deals for access to/from Kansai Airport

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Kansai Airport arrival level at ground floor
Kansai Airport arrival level at ground floor

If you arrive in Kansai airport, most of you go to Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe or maybe Nara, Wakayama. There are many deals that you can choose. You maybe confused and overwhelmed to pick up. In this post, I would like to show you all available deals and help you to find the best deal for you.

If you have plan to stay in Osaka for entire stay and make day trips to other places from Osaka, the following post may help you to build your itinerary.

How to build the itinerary and choose the deals for Osaka stay 5 to 7 days.
Continue reading →

Narita (NRT), Rail pass for residents, Rail pass for visitors, Tokyo

The list of deals for Tokyo to/from Narita airport

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Narita Airport departure floor © Y.Shimizu/© JNTO
Narita Airport departure floor © Y.Shimizu/© JNTO

It you use JR Pass, JR East Pass or Kanto Area Pass right after you arrive in Narita, you don’t need to purchase any more deals or passes. But some of you stay in Tokyo for the first several days and activate JR Pass or other deals. In this case, you might think about additional deal for the transfer to Tokyo from Narita.

In this post, I will show you the discount fare, budget type bus services and deals. Continue reading →

Kansai (KIX), Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara

How to access to Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe from late arrival flight at Kansai Airport-KIX

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Kansai airport is a manmade island. Ltd/©JNTO
Kansai airport is a manmade island. Ltd/©JNTO

I have received many inquiries about access to Osaka from the flight that arrive after 21:00 at Kansai airport (KIX). Some of you cannot have any idea how long you will spend after arrival to get the station. And you may not know what time the last train departs from Kansai airport.

You must know these information before you touch down at Kansai airport. In this post, I will tell you about it. Continue reading →

Narita (NRT), 2013 winter Tohoku & Nagano trip, Tokyo

Trip to Tohoku and Nagano in 2013 winter – Part 1, from Narita airport to Ueno

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2013 winter trip route map (Click to enlarge)
2013 winter trip route map (Click to enlarge)

I had a trip to Tohoku area and Nagano area in this past January and February. I stayed there for only three nights. But fortunately I have got many trains, like Overnight Limited Express Akebono, Skyliner, Resort Shirakami, Fuji Kyuko, Ueda Railway, Limited Express Hakutaka. This following list is what I wanted to do in this trip:

  • Try to book and take overnight train on arrival day.
    I wanted to check how long we spend to change the pass, book and transfer to Ueno/Tokyo.
  • To take Resort Shirakami and Akita Nairiku Jukan Railway.
    I wanted to see some spots and trains in Tohoku area.
  • To go to Kawaguchiko (Lake Kawaguchi) station from Shinjuku via Fuji Kyuko Railway.
    I wanted to take both Fujisan Limited Express and Fuji Tozan Densha on Fuji Kyuko Railway.
  • To take a train between Nagano and Naoetsu.
    This section will be transferred to non JR lines in 2015. Because it will be transferred to third sector companies, Shinano Railway and Echigo Tokimeki Railway after Hokuriku Shinkansen will open. JR Pass will not cover this section.
  • To take Limited Express Hakutaka.
    This express train will be discontinued after Hokuriku Shinkansen will open in 2015.

Continue reading →

Hokkaido Area, New Chitose (CTS), Rapid service

How to access from New Chitose airport to Sapporo, Otaru, Asahikawa and other cities in Hokkaido.

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New Chitose airport station is located at the underground of the terminal building. (C) JP Rail
New Chitose airport station is located at the underground of the terminal building. (C) JP Rail

Hokkaido is one of the best destination in Japan. New Chitose airport (新千歳空港) is the biggest airport in Hokkaido. Some of you may be start your trip from this airport. I would like to show you how to get the train to Sapporo, Otaru and Asahikawa from New Chitose airport. And also I will show you how to transfer other trains to most of major cities in Hokkaido. Continue reading →

Airport Access, Private Local Buses, Haneda (HND), Private company, Subway, Tokyo

How to take Tokyo Monorail or Keihin Kyuko for late arrival and early departure at Haneda

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If you arrive at Haneda by Tokyo Monorail, the station is located at same level as departure floor. (C) JP Rail
If you arrive at Haneda by Tokyo Monorail, the station is located at same level as departure floor. (C) JP Rail

Since I have received many inquiries regarding late arrival and early departure at Haneda on my previous post, How to access from Haneda airport to downtown Tokyo, I show you more detailed time schedule and how to get on Tokyo Monorail and Keihin Kyuko at Haneda Airport. Continue reading →

Airport Access, Kyushu Area, Fukuoka (FUK)

How to access from Fukuoka airport to downtown Hakata and Tenjin.

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Fukuoka subway train (C) JP Rail
Fukuoka subway train (C) JP Rail

Some of you may arrive at Fukuoka International Airport (FUK) from your countries directly. You may transit at Haneda and take domestic flight to Fukuoka. I have received questions about Fukuoka airport and Hakata (博多) station. I have just visited Fukuoka airport by subway. I would like to share what I got with you. Continue reading →

Private Local Buses, Tips for Japan Rail Pass, Kansai (KIX), Private company, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara

How to access from Kansai airport to downtown Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe

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JR Limited Express Haruka is one of the popular way from KIX to get Osaka.
JR Limited Express Haruka is one of the popular way from KIX to get Osaka.

Kansai airport is the international airport in Osaka. It is the closest international airport to Kyoto, Nara and Kobe too. There are many ways to get downtown Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. In this post, I give you basic information about the route to major spots in Osaka. I also have another links below to tell you about Kansai airport. Continue reading →

Kansai (KIX), Rapid service, Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Namba, Tennoji, Kansai Airport, Wakayama, Mt. Koya

Access to Kansai Airport and Wakayama from Osaka. Kansai Airport Rapid Service and Kishuji Rapid Service

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Typical Rapid Service trains (JR West 223 and 225 series)
Kansai Airport Rapid Service trains (JR West 223 and 225 series)

These trains connect downtown Osaka (=大阪) with Kansai airport (=関西空港) and Wakayama (=和歌山). Both Kansai Airport and Kishuji Rapid Services are combined to operate between Tennoji (=天王寺) and Hineno (=日根野). Those trains are uncoupled at Hineno, then each trains go to Kansai Airport or Wakayama. If you arrive at Kansai airport, you can take Kansai Airport Rapid Service instead of airport access express “Haruka“. Of course both Limited Express Haruka and this rapid train are fully covered by Japan Rail Pass. But if you buy a single ticket, you may consider to take this train. Continue reading →

Narita (NRT), Rapid service, Tokyo, Narita Airport, Chiba, Choshi, Kashima-Jingu, Sakura, Naruto, Yokohama, Kamakura, Yokosuka, Odawara, Tokyo

Access to Narita airport and Kamakura from Tokyo. Rapid Train on Yokosuka-Sobu line (Airport Narita)

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Ivory and blue are Yokosuka-Sobu train's color.
Ivory and blue are Yokosuka-Sobu train’s color.

Sobu-Yokosuka line (=横須賀総武線) means the operation route of one of the Rapid train network in Greater Tokyo. This train is operated on Sobu line, Tokaido line and Yokosuka line. Most of trains are operated between Chiba (=千葉) and Kurihama (=久里浜)/Yokosuka (=横須賀) via Tokyo (=東京) and Yokohama (=横浜). Some trains are extended to operate to Narita airport (=成田空港) and other stations in Chiba Pref. This train is a sort of commute train. But all trains have two double decker Green cars in the formation. Especially Rapid train to Narita airport may be replacement of Narita Express if you want to save the fare. These trains are fully covered by Japan Rail Pass. Of course if you use Japan Rail Pass Green, you can take Green cars with no extra cost. Continue reading →

Narita (NRT), Limited Express, Tokyo, Narita Airport, Chiba, Choshi, Kashima-Jingu, Sakura, Naruto, Yokohama, Kamakura, Yokosuka, Odawara, Tokyo, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Narita Express, Most popular transfer from Narita airport to Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shinagawa and Yokohama

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E259 series is the fleet for Narita Express.
E259 series is the fleet for Narita Express.

Narita Express may be your first train in Japan. It is operated between Narita airport and Greater Tokyo area, such as Tokyo, Shinagawa, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and Shibuya. And also service is extended to Yokohama, Totsuka, Ofuna and Omiya. This train stops both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 in Narita airport. Continue reading →

Kansai (KIX), Limited Express, Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Namba, Tennoji, Kyoto, Nara, Kansai Airport, Wakayama, Mt. Koya, Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara

Direct access to Shin Osaka, Kyoto from Kansai airport, Kansai Airport Limited Express “Haruka”

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Limited Express Haruka connects Kansai airport and Kyoto via Tennoji and Shin-Osaka.
Limited Express Haruka connects Kansai airport and Kyoto via Tennoji and Shin-Osaka.

Kansai Airport Limited Express Haruka may be your first train in Japan. It is operated between Kansai (Osaka) airport and Greater Osaka area, Kyoto, Kusatsu and Maibara. But please be careful that Haruka does not stop at Osaka station. It stop at Tennoji and Shin-Osaka. If you want to go to Osaka station, you have to transfer to the local train at Shin-Osaka. This express train has 30 round trips a day and are operated mostly every 30 minutes. Continue reading →

Private Local Buses, Haneda (HND)

Haneda airport access guide and the list of deals

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(C) Yasufumi Nishi/ JNTO
(C) Yasufumi Nishi/ JNTO

Narita airport (成田空港) is well known as the international airport in Tokyo. But many flights arrives and departs at Haneda airport (羽田空港) too in these days.

Haneda is located in Metro Tokyo 23 municipalities. Haneda is way closer to downtown Tokyo than Narita. Please see the map below to find the location of both Narita and Haneda.


View Narita Airport and Haneda Airport in a larger map

Haneda airport is connected with downtown Tokyo by Tokyo Monorail, Keihin Kyuko Railway (a.k.a. Keikyu railway) and Airport Limousine bus. In this post, I will explain about the access between airport and downtown Tokyo. And also I will mention some deals for airport access. Continue reading →

Private Local Buses, Tips for Japan Rail Pass, Narita (NRT), Limited Express, Private company

Compare many rail services and shuttle bus. How to get downtown Tokyo from Narita airport.

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Narita Airport departure floor © Y.Shimizu/© JNTO
Narita Airport departure floor © Y.Shimizu/© JNTO

Narita airport is mostly your gateway to explore in Japan. But Narita airport is not close to downtown Tokyo. You have to think about a transportation to downtown Tokyo. Let’s see which way is the best for you. Continue reading →