How To Catch The Keisei Line At Narita Airport

Above, the Keisei Line Ticket Counter at Narita Airport's Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I've traveled to Japan, my arrivals and departures have always been at Narita Airport.

Depending on where I am staying in Tokyo, I'll either use the JR Narita Express or the the Keisei Line.

The last time I used the Keisei Line didn't work out too well. But it wasn't the line's fault. An unusually heavy snowstorm hit Japan the same day as I arrived. It was the biggest snowstorm in years and I ended up being stuck in a Keisei Line train car for about 22 hours at a Chiba Prefecture train station as snow prevented the train from proceeding to Tokyo.

Above, Keisei Line trains snowed in at a station in Chiba Prefecture in 2014. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on how to catch the Keisei Line from Narita Airport.

They begin with:

If you’re going to be taking the Keisei Line from Narita Airport to your accommodation in Tokyo, you might want to give this walk-through a read first. To make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, we’ve put together a guide on getting from Point A (the Arrivals hall) to Point B (your destination). Let’s go! 

What a lot of travelers to Tokyo don’t realize is that Narita Airport is actually in Chiba—that’s the next prefecture over. Getting from the airport, which is out in the sticks, to the big city can take a little longer and be a bit more complex than expected. Luckily, both the Keisei Line and Japan Railways run trains throughout the day, including dedicated airport expresses. If you’re happy to pay for speed, Keisei’s fastest option, the Skyliner, can get you to downtown Tokyo in as little as 41 minutes. There are also a number of other ways to get from Narita to Tokyo.

To read more, go here.

Trains and Buses Compete For Passengers On Tokyo-Narita Route

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Terminal One of Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There's nothing like good, old fashioned competition for your travel dollars, or rather, yen.

Tourism to Japan has been on the rise for the past several years and with the 2020 Olympics coming to Tokyo next year, various transportation companies are in competition for the tourist's business. This includes trains and buses to and from Narita Airport and Tokyo.

Japan Today has an article on this and they begin it with:

TOKYO - In the run-up to next year's anticipated rise in international travel demand, last month, the curfew on landings at Narita Airport was extended to midnight. 

Weekly Playboy (Nov 25) also noted that the Keisei Railway Co introduced a new schedule from Oct 26, in which the number of Skyliner special expresses running between the Narita airport terminals and Keisei Ueno Station would be increased 1.4-fold, effectively shortening waiting time between train departures from 40 minutes to 20. 

This new development has not escaped notice of JR East, operator of the Narita Express trains,  which service the capital at 30-minute intervals. 

A writer who covers rail transport tells the magazine that Keisei clearly has the upper hand. 

"Connections by the Skyliner from Keisei Ueno to Narita Terminal 1 take 43 minutes, at a cost of 2,520 yen," he points out. "In contrast, a ticket from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport takes 53 minutes and costs 3,070 yen. Keisei has always been faster, but now with increased frequency, they've become the train of choice." 

The newly introduced aerodynamic 3100-type Skyliner cars boast a maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour, making them the fastest non-Shinkansen trains in Japan.

Above, a Narita Express car at Terminal One of Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I have used both the Keisei Lines and the Narita Express several times over the years. I really depends upon where in Tokyo I am staying at when I choose which train line. If I stay in the Ueno/Asakusa area, I'll use the Keisei trains. If I am staying elsewhere in Tokyo, I'll use the Narita Express.

To read more, go here. 

Time Out Tokyo: Cheap Transport Deals For Tourists

Above, a view of Kyoto from a bullet train window. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan are a lucky bunch, for they can get many deals on transportation to places in cities and around the country. All one needs is a foreign passport.

Time Out Tokyo has an article list different transportation deals available for tourists in Japan.

They begin with:

Flash your foreign passport and get access to a host of discounted tickets for trains, buses, metro, flights and even the shinkansen 

Everyone keeps telling you how expensive Tokyo is, right? Don't let the naysayers get the better of you. There are means to beat the budget-blowing travel expenses that come with sightseeing around the city and beyond. One of the best money-saving tips is to get a travel pass that gives you unlimited rides on the city’s efficient and extensive public transportation network with just a one-off payment. Here are your options. Some of these will require you to show your passport upon purchase or use.

To read more, go here.

Getting To Tokyo From Narita Airport

Above, inside a Narita Express train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Here's something useful for newbies as well as for experienced visitors to Japan.

Tokyo Cheapo has posted an article on how to get to Tokyo from Narita Airport and what each mode of transportation costs.

Generally, I use the Narita Express (N'EX) or, depending upon where I'm staying in Tokyo, the Keisei Line or Keisei Skyliner.

They begin their article with:

For newcomers to Tokyo, it can come as quite a surprise that Tokyo’s main international gateway—Narita Airport (NRT)—is not really very close to Tokyo at all. In fact, this Tokyo airport is so rural and remote that the view on the first part of the train journey from Narita to Tokyo is predominantly of rice paddies—oh, and a faux-Dutch windmill. In more practical terms, you’re looking at a distance of about 80 km from Narita Airport to Shibuya Crossing. 

As Tokyo is such a vast city, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to which method or route is cheapest/best for getting from Narita to your accommodation. However, for certain major locations in Tokyo, it might help to have a look at our mini guides—they cover the fastest, cheapest and easiest transport options. You’ll find more general route information below, including bus and train prices.

To read more, go here. 

Getting From Narita Airport To Tokyo, The Cheapest

Above, inside a Narita Express train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Most people who travel to Japan from the U.S. generally fly into Narita International Airport. But, Haneda Airport in Tokyo is increasing its international service.

Narita International Airport is about an hour outside of Tokyo in "the sticks" of Chiba Prefecture. After landing, going through Immigration and Customs, one has to find a way into Tokyo.

Fortunately, there are many ways to do so and Tokyo Cheapo has an article on each one and which is the cheapest. Personally, I use either the Narita Express or the Keisei Line trains.

They begin with:

For newcomers to Tokyo, it can come as quite a surprise that Tokyo’s main international gateway—Narita Airport—is not really very close to Tokyo at all. In fact, it’s so rural and remote that the view on the first part of the train journey from Narita to Tokyo is predominantly of rice paddies—oh, and a faux-Dutch windmill. 

As Tokyo is such a vast city, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to which method or route is cheapest/best. However, for certain major locations in Tokyo, it might help to have a look at our mini guides—they cover the fastest, cheapest and easiest transport options: 

• Narita to Shibuya
• Narita to Shinjuku
• Narita to Roppongi
• Narita to Ikebukuro
• Narita to Ueno
• Narita to Asakusa
• Narita to Disney

To read more, go here. 

Cheapest Transport To and From Narita Airport

Above, the Keisei Skyliner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

For those of you who are flying to Tokyo and are landing at Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture, there are a number of ways of getting transported from the airport to Tokyo (and vice-versa).

Of the transports available, I have used the Narita Express and the Keisei Line trains. In 2014, I was going to try the Keisei Skyliner, but heavy snows shut down the train. I then took the regular Keisei Line, but made it only halfway to Tokyo before those same snows shut that train down. I didn't get to my hotel until 22 hours after landing.

Above, the Narita Express. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

There are other ways of being transported to and from Tokyo and Tokyo Cheapo has posted a comprehensive guide to all of them.

They begin with:

For newcomers to Tokyo, it can come as quite a surprise that Tokyo’s main international gateway—Narita Airport—is not really very close to Tokyo at all. In fact, it’s so rural and remote that the view on the first part of the train journey from Narita to Tokyo is predominantly of rice paddies—oh, and a faux-Dutch windmill. 

As Tokyo is such a vast city, there’s no “one size fits all” answer as to which method or route is cheapest/best. However, for certain major locations in Tokyo, it might help to have a look at our mini guides—they cover the fastest, cheapest and easiest transport options.

To read the guide, go here. 

"How To Catch The Keisei Line From Narita"

Above, the Keisei Line ticket counter below Terminal One at Narita Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I book a room at my preferred hotel in Tokyo, the Hotel Asia Center of Japan, I generally take the Narita Express to Tokyo Station rom Narita Airport to catch a connecting subway to my hotel. If no rooms are available there (due to different reasons), I have stayed in the Ueno or Asakusa areas of Tokyo. This happened the last two times I visited Japan. If this is the case, I would take the Keisei Line from Narita to Ueno Station and take a quick cab ride to my hotel either in Ueno or Asakusa.

Above, the Keisei Skyliner. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The most memorable ride I had on the Keisei Line was in February 2014 when I was stuck nearly for 24 hours on a Keisei Line train midway between Narita Airport and Tokyo due to an unusually heavy snowstorm that arrived almost at the same time as I did.

Above, the Keisei Line train I was stuck in due to a heavy snowstorm. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo Cheapo has an article on "How To Catch The Keisei Line From Narita".

It starts with:

If you’re going to be taking the Keisei Line from Narita Airport to your accommodation in Tokyo, you might want to give this walk-through a read first. To make your experience as smooth and stress-free as possible, we’ve put together a guide on getting from Point A (the Arrivals hall) to Point B (your destination). Let’s go! 

What a lot of travelers to Tokyo don’t realize is that Narita Airport is actually in Chiba—that’s the next prefecture over. Getting from the airport, which is out in the sticks, to the big city can take a little longer and be a bit more complex than expected. Luckily, both the Keisei Line and Japan Railways run trains throughout the day, including dedicated airport expresses. If you’re happy to pay for speed, Keisei’s fastest option, the Skyliner, can get you to downtown Tokyo in as little as 41 minutes. There are also a number of other ways to get from Narita to Tokyo.

To read the article, go here. 

The Cost To Get To Tokyo From Narita Airport

Above, inside a Narita Express car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now that Haneda Airport in Tokyo has expanded international flights, people now have that as an option instead of arriving and departing from Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture.

Narita is Japan's biggest air travel hub, but its disadvantage is that it is about an hour away from Tokyo.

In each of my eight visits to Japan, all my flights were into and out of Narita. Only once did that present a major problem as one of the biggest snowstorms to hit the Tokyo area (and beyond) at the same time as my 2014 arrival at Narita.

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Narita Airport Terminal One. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I got out of the airport okay, but midway between the airport and Tokyo, the snowstorm forced all train service to come to a stop. I had to sit inside the Keisei Line train for hours. I didn't get to my hotel in Tokyo until almost 24 hours after arriving in Japan.

But that was a fluke occurrence.

There are different means of getting to Tokyo from Narita Airport and City-Cost.com has an article on them and how much they cost. My favorite is the Narita Express.

They begin with:

We should probably kick off by cautioning travellers to avoid the same mistake that we've just committed here - specifying only the name "Narita" in searches.  Narita is in fact the name of the city next to which sits the airport.  Narita has its own train station which it is not practical to walk to from the airport.  No, in your searches be sure to enter, "Narita Airport" (you can probably skip the "international" bit).

Narita Airport is serviced by two train operators - JR and Keisei.  Both of these services can be accessed from the B1 floor of terminals 1 and 2 (not terminal 3).

To read more, go here. 

Getting Around Tokyo

Above, a view of the Sumida River from the Tokyo Skytree. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Tokyo, Japan is the main arrival point when traveling to Japan. It is also the one Japanese city that has many things to see in pop culture. The trick is getting around the city to see its attractions.

Fortunately, the Tokyo transit systems (there's more than one) are some of the most efficient in the world. Frankly, one does not really need a car in Tokyo.

TNT Magazine has posted a detailed article on the many transit systems available to foreign visitors for getting to and around the city.

They begin with:

The city of Tokyo has the third largest population in the world. The first two positions belong to Beijing and New Delhi. Its surface covers over 2,188 square kilometers, while the population of this thriving city numbers over 13.62 million people. Ever since the Summer Olympic Games were held in Tokyo in 1964, the city has become an increasingly popular destination. Tokyo’s infrastructure and transportation system have developed significantly over the last years, making it easier and faster for commuters and visitors to reach any part of it. 

So, how do you get around using the Tokyo Metro, the Yamanote line, Narita Express, and the Japan Rail Pass.

To read more, go here.

10 Train Faux-pas In Japan Some Japanese Men Let Slide

Above, inside a Narita Express train car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Taking a train in Japan is very commonplace. The Tokyo train system is so elaborate, that one really doesn't need to have a car.

However, there are some rules of etiquette that train-riders are expected to follow, but some of them are so minor that they are ignored by Japanese men.

RocketNews 24 has an interesting article on what breached rules that some are willing to let slide.

They begin it with:

Taking the train is by far the most common way to get around urban and suburban Japan. By its very nature, though, using public transportation means being out in public, which in Japan means following social norms about proper manners and not bothering your fellow passengers. 

The average Tokyo commuter spends an hour each way on the train, though. It can be hard to follow all of the implicit rules of train etiquette during such a lengthy ride, and here are 10 minor breaches of etiquette that some Japanese men are willing to turn a blind eye to.

Internet portal Web R25 recently surveyed 200 men on the subject. The respondents, all working adults between the ages of 20 and 39, were given a list of behaviors that, while not outright prohibited, are generally frowned upon while riding the train, and asked to pick up to three that they personally had no problem with others doing.

To see what rules Japanese men are willing to let slide, go here. 

Discount Passes Available To International Passport Holders

Above, the Narita Express train. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Japan offers several transportation discounts that are only available for short-term (and some long-term) foreign visitors.

Gaijinpot.com has listed them in a news article.

They begin it with:

This post will list several discounts available only to foreign passport holders in Japan. Please note that most of these discounts are only for short-term visitors. A few discounts, however, are available to short-term and long-term visa holders alike. Be sure to check the details on for whom the discount is valid, on how the discount can be used and on how to obtain the discount.

To view the discounts, go here.

Narita Airport Budget Shuttle Buses

Above, train and bus ticket counters at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Whenever I've traveled to Japan, I've always flown into Narita International Airport and taken either the Narita Express or the Keisei Line trains into Tokyo (which are under an hour's ride).

However, there are also shuttle bus services available that are much cheaper than the aforementioned train lines.

Rocket News 24 reviews both budget bus services. So if you are not in a hurry to get into Tokyo or want to save money, these alternatives may be to your liking.

They begin their article with:

Most tourists to Japan will come in and out through Tokyo’s Narita Airport. But like many international airports, Narita is not exactly on the doorstep of a major destination city, and travellers headed for Tokyo will usually make the 60-kilometer (36-mile) journey to the metropolis via the Narita Express, a high-speed rail service with a single-trip fare of 3020 yen (US $25.34). 

What’s perhaps less well-known is there are two budget bus services that take you from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station for as little as 900 yen. Tokyo Shuttle and The Access Narita seem to offer similar airport shuttle services, but which is the better option?  And can they match the Narita Express in comfort and convenience? We sent one of our Japanese reporters to test out both services and find out!

To read more, go here. 

Ride The Airbus A380 (While You Still Can)

Above, a Boeing 777 gets ready for a flight to Japan. Airlines opted to buy fuel-efficient
planes such as the Boeing 777 and 787 instead of the Airbus A380. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back around ten years ago, Airbus Industries introduced their gigantic passenger jet, the A380. The double-decker plane was so huge, it even dwarfed the old reliable Boeing 747. The A380 was touted as the "wave of the future" in travel.

Times are different now.

According to India Times:

In 2007 the first commercial flight of a much hyped A380 took off from Singapore Changi airport en route to Sydney with excited passengers ready to be a part of aviation history. It was more than what they expected, especially those flying first and business class. After Singapore Airlines, other airliners associated with luxury began adding the jumbo jet to their fleets in the hopes of carrying more passengers aboard long haul flights, thereby reducing the number of take offs per day. 

Today, the A380 is on the verge of extinction just like the remarkable Boeing 747 that has been in service since the '60s. But why?

In the beginning, Airbus expected to sell about 1,200 units of the A380. To date, only 318 have been ordered.

I have only seen one A380, and that was while I was on the Narita Express heading to Narita International Airport in 2010. That thing was huge. It was so huge that I would be very reluctant to get on board.

To read more, go here. 

Narita International Airport To Open "Fast Lane" For Travelers In A Rush

Above, the meeting point for arriving passengers after they have cleared Immigration,
Customs and Baggare in Narita Airport's Terminal One Arrival Lobby. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Narita International Airport may be way out in the boonies from Tokyo, but I have always found it very efficient.

From the time of landing to going through Immigration, Customs and Baggage, I usually get through the process in less than an hour. Which is not bad.

The only real problem with Narita is the long walk from the gates and the necessity of taking multiple flights of escalators to get to the Immigration windows and, if multiple flights have arrived, the long lines at the Immigration officer's desk.

For some people, Narita's normal efficiency may not be fast enough for them and they are in a hurry. So, to remedy this, the airport will open a "fast lane" for those passengers.

According to Japan Today:

TOKYO —Narita airport authorities plan to establish a special lane intended to decrease the amount of time spent in the airport for individuals visiting or leaving the country for conferences, meetings or other time sensitive activities. 

In what will be Japan’s first airport “fast lane,” incoming passengers who are participating in international diplomacy conferences, and other people with similarly time-sensitive schedules, will all be able to utilize the lane not available to other passengers in order to speed up the immigration process at the airport, Sankei Shimbun reported Wednesday. 

Although such lines have been available for some time in the West, following a request for the establishment of such lanes from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Narita officials expect to have the priority lane operating by next year.

It will be interesting to see how they decide on who qualifies to use the "fast lane" at Narita.

Above, a Keisei Line train stopped at the Yachiyodai Station in Chiba Prefecture due
to snow in February 2014. If they can make the train lines between Narita Airport
and Tokyo "snow-proof," then that would impressive. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Now, if they were able to find a way to make the trains into Tokyo (Narita Express, Keisei Line and Keisei Skyliner) from Narita "snow-proof," then I would be very impressed.

To read more, go here.

Latest Blog Post Pick-ups

The fine folks at The Japan Daily picked up three of yesterday's blog posts for sharing with their readers,

They are:

To read The Japan Daily, go here.

New Round-Trip Discount Tickets For Narita Express

Above, a Narita Express car. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has announced new changes for foreign visitors. Foreign visitors can ride the Narita Express (round trip) at a discounted rate beginning March 14.

From the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO):

The prices for the N'EX round trip will be:

ADULTS (aged 12 and over): ¥4,000

CHILDREN (aged 6 to 11): ¥2,000

The tickets can be purchased at the JR EAST Travel Service Centers at Narita International Airport's Terminal One Station and at Terminal Two Station.

For more details, go here.

TokyoCheapo: Cheapest Transport to Get From Narita Airport to Tokyo

Above, the Keisei Skyliner at Narita International Airport. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Getting out of Narita International Airport was quite an adventure for me last February due to the unexpectedly strong snowstorm.

However, under more normal conditions, the Japanese transit system is quite efficient and one has many choices to get into Tokyo from Narita International Airport as well as back to the airport from Tokyo.

TokyoCheapo has an (updated) article on those choices to get to and from Tokyo.

They begin with:

While finding the cheapest transport to get from Narita to Tokyo is a worthy quest in itself, it has become more important because of the arrival of low cost carriers like Jetstar Japan - which use Narita as their base of operations for domestic flights out of Tokyo.  Some of the fares are cheap enough to make tourists coming to Japan consider whether they should get the JR Pass or just book a couple of flights on an LCC. However, since Narita Airport is not right in the middle of Tokyo (like the much more conveniently located Haneda Airport) transport costs to and from Tokyo should be factored into your overall costs.

To read the article, go here. 

Three Blog Posts Picked Up

Three of yesterday's blog posts were picked up by The Japan Daily.

They are:

To read The Japan Daily, go here.

Take The Narita Express To Mt. Fuji

Above, climbers' lights dot the silhouette of Mt. Fuji. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Anyone arriving at Narita International Airport who wants to avoid Tokyo and go directly to Mount Fuji can do so starting this summer aboard the Narita Express.

The Japan Times reported:

The Narita Express railway service will run all the way to Mount Fuji starting this summer, offering travelers a potential way to skip the capital and its congested railway interchanges. 

The distinctive red and black N’ex cars currently link the Tokyo area to Narita Airport in Chiba Prefecture. Under the new plan, East Japan Railway Co. and Fujikyuko Co. will be able to shuttle passengers much further, via JR and Fujikyuko lines, to Kawaguchiko Station in Yamanashi Prefecture, the nearest stop to the mountain. 

The train will operate on weekends and national holidays, when it will make one return trip per day. The ride will take 3½ hours and will cost about ¥7,000 one way. It will operate between July 26 and Sept. 28.

To read more, go here. 

6 Blog Posts Picked Up

The Japan Daily has picked up several blog posts from the past 24 hours.

They are:

To read The Japan Daily, go here.