BootsnAll Travel Community

Hey All,

So my husband and I will have about a 12 hour layover in Tokyo on our way home from SEA. We're hoping to leave the airport during that time if possible and have a few questions.

1. It would be possible to leave the airport right? There's no need for a visa or anything?

2. How much would it cost us and how would you go about getting into the city from the airport?

3. Any reccomendations for cheap eats, things to see, neighborhoods to go to, markets, etc in an afternoon's time?

Any other feedback on a day in Tokyo and how much we would spend would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

quote:

It would be possible to leave the airport right? There's no need for a visa or anything?

I assume your both US citizens. In which case there should be no problems. I have waited anywhere between 3 minutes and 1.5 hours to get out through immigration.

quote:

How much would it cost us and how would you go about getting into the city from the airport

You can take the kesei line to Ueno for about 1000 yen one way. Takes about an 1 hr 20 min. Form Ueno you will be able to get anywhere else. Although, taking the Kesei line is not necessarily intuitive for the first time visitor. Especially on the return journey. So pay attention when you arrive at Ueno so you can reverse your steps. Alternatively, there is the Narita Express which will take you all the way to Tokyo Station. It takes less than an hour but it is quite a bit more expensive. Around 2900 yen each way I think.

After that you're looking at 160-200 yen for each ride on the subway

quote:

Any reccomendations for cheap eats, things to see, neighborhoods to go to, markets, etc in an afternoon's time?

I'd probably stick to the areas around Tokyo Station or Ueno. Basically, the Eastern areas of Tokyo so you don't spend all your day commuting across Tokyo. After that, what you should see and where you should go really is going to depend on your preferences and what you are interested in.

Hi! That's good advice about taking the Keisei line from Narita to Ueno...there's plenty to do in that area in an afternoon (or several hours). The Tokyo National Museum (TNM) is a favorite, and cheap - 6,00 yen per adult, and also another good place to explore is Ameyayoko marketplace for foods, last-minute souvenirs, or just to soak up the atmosphere...You can also take a stroll around Shinobazu pond. There's an attractive little teahouse there on the pond you can relax at, and on weekends there's usually a little flea market. Also, fairly close by (within 20 minutes walk or so) is the Yanaka neighborhood which is very traditional and has a funky/arty shitamachi (downtown) feel. This neighborhhood is also next to Nippori station (one stop away on the Keisei line from Ueno, but it can also be walked easily from the TNM). Here's a good overview of the Keisei line and stops from Narita: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keisei_Main_Line

You're also not too terribly far from Asakusa if you feel like exploring further. Check this link:http://www.taitocity.com/kanko/asakusa_ueno/e_guide/index.html
good luck and have fun!