If you are arriving in Tokyo via the Haneda airport, there are 3 options to travel to the city center or downtown.
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Taxi - very costly, in excess of five thousand Yen.
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Tokyo Metro - This is the cheapest option but need to change the line at Shinagawa station.
This could be a hassle with all the luggage and also Tokyo metro takes some to comprehend the lines, colors and connections.
The cost could be about 850 Yen and additional walking from the station to the hotel.
- Bus - This is slightly expensive comparatively, though the metro but drops you at the nearest point to the hotel.
I took this bus, also strangely called the Limo Bus, and the cost was 1100 Yen.
The ticket vending machine for the bus can be easily spotted when you know it looks like this:
Hint: The first button to find on the screen is “English” since the default screen is Japanese as shown below.
If you are not comfortable with using a kiosk machine there is a lavish ticket counter.
The service is prompt and decent.
The staff at the counter understands English, though saying Shibuya is enough if you want to go to Shibuya.
Do not hesitate to provide a 10,000 Yen note for a 1100 ticket.
They will promptly return you the change without a grudge.
The Japanese are extremely polite and have infinite patience.
Note however that they would expect the same decency from you.
Back to the ticket vending machine, the prompts on the screen are easy to follow.
Take your time to figure out what’s happening since the screen looks busy and could be a daunting task handling it the first time.
Once you got the ticket, there will be guiding flex boards immediately as you leave the ticket counter.
Keep walking and keep your eyes open - there will be guidance and directions all over the place.
More signs follow before you feel you have lost directions.
The Haneda airport in Tokyo is not so large compared to the ones in India.
The directions are clear and are placed at prominent places.
Finally, you will arrive at the elevator lift that will take you down to the street level for the bus.
As shown in the inset, the elevator lift is accessible for the differently abled.
After exiting the elevator lift you will see the street level bus stop where a staff member in uniform will be standing to guide you.
The inset in the photo below shows the bus ticket.
The transport staff will help you with loading the luggage.
Inside the bus is comfortable seating.
The bus takes about 1 hour to reach from Terminal 3 of the Haneda Airport of Tokyo to Shibuya.
Enjoy the views on the way.
Welcome to Tokyo, Konnichiwa!
Special mention to @AnubhaBangia and @Kumaarsantosh who greatly appreciated similar helpful articles.
Thank you, buddies for the encouragement, it helps me keep going…!