Travel to Tokyo, Japan

Best way to travel from Narita International Airport to Tokyo City  (as of October 2017)

Upon advice by a Japanese friend, I took the Airport Limousine from Narita to go to Tokyo City Air Terminal from where I took a regular (metered) taxi to my hotel destination.

1. Purchase your ticket for the Airport Limousine at the ticketing counter located at the main lobby of the arrival area in Narita.  Expect some queue. Ticketing staff speak good English and you can tell them your final destination and indicate the time that you wish to arrive in your destination. The ticketing staff will suggest the bus that you can take and the schedule of trips available for the day.

2.  Ticket cost from Narita to Tokyo City Air Terminal is 1900 Yen (approx. US$20).  You can pay in Japanese Yen or use your credit card.

3.  Upon issuance of your ticket, the ticket agent will tell you which bus terminal stop to take. Bus terminal stops are located just as you exit the arrival area. Signage have English translation.

4. Proceed to your designated bus terminal stop and queue for the bus. While waiting for your bus, Airport Limousine staff will tag you luggage which will be loaded to the bus compartment. Keep your claim stub for claiming your luggage when you reach Tokyo City Air Terminal. Note: you are allowed to have one small hand-carry inside the bus.

5. Travel time from Narita to Tokyo City Air Terminal is approximately 1 hour depending on the traffic.  Buses are clean, air-conditioned and comfortable (but no toilet and no wifi). You are allowed to quietly eat and drink inside the bus.

Returning to Narita using the Airport Limousine

1.  It is best to take the Airport Limousine to Narita from one of the hotels that the bus regularly services.  Ticket costs are standard but will vary depending from your point of embarkation. (In my case, I took the Airport Limousine from the New Otani Hotel. Return ticket cost was Yen 31,000 - approximately US$30).

2. It is advisable, especially during peak travel season, to make your advance booking for your ticket from the hotel where you intend to embark.

Suggested Hotels in Tokyo  (still best to do your advance booking via the internet)

1.  The New Otani Hotel Tokyo, 4-1 Kiocho, Chiyoda-ku Akasaka, Tokyo, Japan 102-8578

• Five-star hotel
• Starting approximately US$200 per night
• walking distance to Sophia University and the shopping district

2. Tokyu Stay Yotsuya, 2-1 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0004; Tel. 03-3354-0190; email: yotsuya@tokyustay.co.jp

• Three-star hotel; comfortable hotel recommended for business travelers 
• Approximately US$120 per night (with breakfast at adjacent restaurant - Jonathan's Coffee and Restaurant)
• Hotel is fitted like an apartment with small kitchen and facilities like washer/drier, ironing board, microwave oven, etc. 
• five minutes walk to Sophia University; 3 minutes walk to Tokyo Metro Nanboku Line/ Tokyo Metro Maruouchi Line Yotsuya Sta.

Suggested Restaurants

1. Pizza Salvatore Cuomo, 1 Chome-24 Yotsuya, Shinjuku, Tokyo Japan

• good Italian food including pizza and risotto
• located at the ground floor of Mitsui Garden Hotel in Yotsuya