Getting around Tokyo

Location of the Conference :

The American School in Japan, Chofu campus
1 Chome-1-1 Nomizu, Chōfu-shi, Tōkyō-to 182-0031

アメリカンスクールインジャパン

〒182-0031 東京都調布市野水１丁目１−1

 

Google Maps is the best, most accurate way to navigate Tokyo, both when walking around and when planning the use of public transit.

Check your train route, times & fares with the Jorudan “Train Route Finder” or Google Maps

This page has information on the following routes:

Haneda Airport – Shinjuku
Haneda Airport – METs
Narita Airport – Shinjuku
Narita Airport – METs
METs – ShinjukuJ
How do I get to ASIJ ?

GOOGLE MAP Markers : 
Narita Airport
Haneda Airport
Shinjuku Station (where many conference attendees are staying, and where the Thursday evening social activities will be)
Tama Station (the closest train station to the school)
Hotel Mets Musashi-Sakai (where L2 Leaders are staying)
ASIJ Chofu Campus (all Learning2 sessions will be held here)

 

Walking directions from Tama Station to ASIJ Chofu Front Gate

Japan Travel Tips:

• • Every train station has coin lockers.  If you are in a hurry after leaving the conference and want to join friends for dinner, it is often easier to put your backpack in a coin locker rather than go back to your hotel.
    
  • Most ATM (bank machines) in Tokyo work only with Japanese cards.  ATMs at 7-11 stores usually work with foreign cards. When you arrive, you should use an ATM at the airport to get some local currency.  This will avoid you wandering from machine to machine trying to find one that takes your card. 
  • Many shops and restaurants are cash only. Some places take credit card, but not all.  You should check first if you plan to use a credit card.
  • There is never any tipping.  You don’t tip at restaurants, you don’t tip a taxi driver.
    

    If you plan to take the train, you should get a Suica or Pasmo card.

    It’s a reloadable RFID cash card (like an Oyster or Octopus card.) There is a 500 yen deposit on the card, which you can get back at the airport if you turn the card in.  Estimate how much travel you’ll be doing and load cash on the card. You can get the card at the airport or at the first train station you visit. When you turn the card in, you won’t get a refund on any cash that’s still on it. However, nearly every store and vending machine takes Suica or Pasmo cards as payment.  You could spend any that’s left on snacks and drinks at a 7-11 on the way to the airport or at the airport. It’s very convenient to have a loaded Suica card to use at vending machines.

        For individual tickets only cash payments are possible. 

 

Here are recommended travel options.  Please note that long-distance taxis are extremely expensive.

Haneda to Shinjuku

The easiest option is the Airport Limousine Bus.  The ride is about an hour and it leaves about once an hour.  You can buy your ticket at the airport. Check in advance which stop in Shinjuku is closest to your hotel.  (website with interactive schedule) Tickets are ¥1230.

The train is another option, especially if you aren’t carrying heavy luggage.  Take the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station (about 15 minutes), then switch to the Yamanote (Green) line.  Go ten stops clockwise on the Yamanote towards Shibuya and Shinjuku (about 25 minutes). Total travel time is about 50 minutes, cost is ¥690. The advantage is that you won’t spend much time waiting, since the trains come frequently.  Most of this travel is above ground, so you’ll get some nice city views from the train.

Haneda to the Mets

The Mets Hotel is located right next to Musashi-Sakai station, which is a station on both the Chuo (orange) train line and the Seibu-Tamagawa train line.  

You can take the Airport Limousine Bus from Haneda to Kichijoji (80 minutes, ¥1230).  Kichijoji Station is two stops (5 minutes, ¥160) away from Musashi-Sakai station.  You can take the Chuo train line two stops, or from Kichijoji you could take a taxi.  A taxi would take about 20 minutes and might cost ¥1000.

The train from Haneda to the Mets is another option, especially if you aren’t carrying heavy luggage.  Take the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda to Hamamatsucho Station (about 15 minutes), then switch to the Yamanote (Green) line.  Go four stops counter-clockwise on the Yamanote towards Tokyo and Ueno (about 9 minutes) and exit the train at Kanda. Take the Chuo line from Kanda to Musashi-Sakai (34 minutes, 11 stops).  Total travel time is about 75 minutes, cost is ¥960. The advantage is that you won’t spend much time waiting, since the trains come frequently. Most of this travel is above ground, so you’ll get some nice city views from the train.  In afternoon rush hour traffic, the westbound Chuo can be crowded.

Narita to Shinjuku

The easiest option is the Airport Limousine Bus.  The ride is about two hours and it leaves about every 30 minutes.  You can buy your ticket at the airport. Check in advance which stop in Shinjuku is closest to your hotel.  (website with interactive schedule) Tickets are ¥3100.

The train is another option, especially if you aren’t carrying heavy luggage.  Take the Skyliner from Narita to Nippori Station (about 37 minutes nonstop), then switch to the Yamanote (Green) line.  Go ten stops counter-clockwise on the Yamanote towards Ikebukuro and Shinjuku (about 23 minutes). Total travel time is about 70 minutes, cost is ¥2670. The advantage is that you won’t spend much time waiting, since the trains come frequently.  Most of this travel is above ground, so you’ll get some nice views from the train.

Narita to the METs

You can take the Airport Limousine Bus from Narita to Kichijoji (2 hours, ¥3100).  Kichijoji Station is two stops (5 minutes, ¥160) away from Musashi-Sakai station.  You can take the Chuo train line two stops, or from Kichijoji you could take a taxi.  A taxi would take about 20 minutes and might cost ¥1000.

Narita Airport to METS

The train from Narita to the Mets is another option, especially if you aren’t carrying heavy luggage.  In afternoon rush hour traffic, the westbound Chuo can be crowded. Depending on the time you arrive, the Narita Express (¥3640) or the Skyliner (¥2940) might be more efficient. Both routes are about 2 hours.

Use Google Maps to plan a few routes that might work for you.

From the Mets to Shinjuku

Take the Chuo line towards Tokyo (20 minutes, 8 stops, ¥310)

From ASIJ to Shinjuku

It’s an easy walk (about 8 minutes) from ASIJ to Tama station. Take the Seibu-Tamagawa line 2 stops (5 minutes) to Musashi-Sakai station.  Change to the Chuo line in the direction of Tokyo. (20 minutes, 8 stops). Get out at Shinjuku. Total cost ¥490

 

HOW DO I GET TO ASIJ ? 

Check out all the details and where you can meet the volunteers in Red T-shirts on our Conference Transportation