Airport Access
Airport access
The first hour after a 10-hour flight sets the tone for the whole trip. This is the one leg where paying for a no-thinking-required transfer is worth it.
Tokyo
Tokyo: Haneda or Narita?
If you have the choice, pick Haneda. It is about 30–45 minutes to central Tokyo, half of what Narita takes. On an evening arrival, that difference decides whether you get dinner.
| Airport | Option | To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narita | Keisei Skyliner | Nippori, Ueno | Fastest train. Handy for hotels in the north and east |
| Narita | Narita Express (N’EX) | Tokyo, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Yokohama | Covered by the JR Pass. Direct to the main hotel districts |
| Narita | Limousine bus | Direct to major hotels | Best with big luggage or kids. Zero staircases |
| Haneda | Tokyo Monorail | Hamamatsucho, then JR lines | Covered by the JR Pass |
| Haneda | Keikyu Line | Shinagawa, then anywhere | Usually the fastest way into central Tokyo |
| Kansai | JR Haruka | Tennoji, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto | Direct to Kyoto in about 80 minutes |
| Kansai | Nankai Rapi:t | Namba | Fastest to southern Osaka |
| Chubu | Meitetsu Mu Sky | Nagoya | About 28 minutes |
| New Chitose | JR Rapid Airport | Sapporo | About 37 minutes, frequent departures |
| Fukuoka | Subway | Hakata, Tenjin | 5 minutes to Hakata. The closest airport to a city in Japan |
Fares and travel times change. Tickets can be issued in advance along with your other documents; just ask.
Private Option
4 times a private car is the right answer
- Late-night arrival The last airport train leaves earlier than you would think
- Big luggage Japanese stations have a lot of stairs
- Seniors or small kids Two transfers turn the trip into a different trip
- Groups of 4+ Per person, it costs about the same as the train