Yokohama - train to Tokyo National Museum?

[seafun]

Hi folks, I'm doing Sep 20 to Oct 7 on Diamond Princess, as two segments that return to Yokohama on Fri Sep 29.  I would love to see the huge Tokyo National Museum, but speak no Japanese.  Theoretically, I should be able to use public transportation to get to the museum and back.  Has anyone done this before?  Any suggestions?  I'm usually brave, but this seems a bit daunting.  Thanks for any help. 🙂

[Hlitner]

We did it in April, and its not too intimidating if you do your homework.  We will assume you are able to do a lot of walking as you need to walk a few blocks to the metro station (from the cruise port) and will do even more walking at Ueno Park (where there are multiple museums).   There are several ways to do it via metro (subway) or train to subway.  You can get the Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Yokohama, take it to Shibuya Station (about 40 minutes) and then change to the Ginza Line and go to Ueno Station from where you must walk to the park and museum.  It can also be done using the JR Train system (I have not researched the route) which is handy if you happen to have a JR Rail pass.

 

One suggestion is to go online and read-up on the "Suica Card."  If you are going to spend more than a few days in Japan, this is a handy card that can handle most of your transportation needs.  It is simply a pre-paid card (you can load more money at most metro/train stations, 7-11s, etc.  Just beware that any credit you want to load on this card much be done in cash (the machines do not take credit cards).  I also strongly recommend having a working cell phone since you can use the various map programs to guide you through the huge Tokyo metro area.  Besides, when you are on a train or subway you need a phone so you look like everyone else (who is looking at their phones).

 

Hank

P.S.  If "Brucemuzz" sees this thread and posts his recommendations, we defer to his expertise 🙂  He will certainly know the fastest and easiest way to get to Ueno Park.

[BruceMuzz]

Hank posted the easiest way to get there.

Of course it depends on where in Yokohama you are starting.

If you are at Osanbashi Cruise Terminal in Yokohama, you can walk 2 blocks to Nihon-Odori Subway Station.

There you can catch the Minato-Mirai Subway Train to Shibuya. The regular train takes 40 minutes. The Express Train (runs several times every day) costs the same but takes only 29 minutes.

At Shibuya Station, transfer to the Ginza Line, and get off at Ueno Station.

You could also transfer to JR Yamanote Line in Shibuya. The JR Train to Ueno Station travels above ground, so you would get a better view of Tokyo, although the trip would take several more minutes.

 

Hank's advice on Suica Card and a working mobile telephone were spot on.

Using Rome2Rio, or a similar app will make your travels in Japan far easier.

[seafun]

Thank you both very much.

[monkey@cruise]

Unfortunately, due to the current global semiconductor shortage, sales of both Pasmo and Suica cards have been suspended indefinitely as of August 2, 2023.

Only Welcome Suica card for tourist with some restrictions:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html

 

Edited September 2, 2023 by monkey@cruise

[BruceMuzz]

9 minutes ago, monkey@cruise said:

Unfortunately, due to the current global semiconductor shortage, sales of both Pasmo and Suica cards have been suspended indefinitely as of August 2, 2023.

Only Welcome Suica card for tourist with some restrictions:

https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html

 

The Welcome Suica Card is nearly as good as the regular Suica Card.

The regular Suica Card requires a cash deposit; the Welcome Suica does not.

You cannot have the outstanding balance refunded, but there are so many ways to use the card that it is doubtful you will have much left over anyway.

Aside from Trains, Subways, Buses and Ferries, Suica can also be used in taxis, at convenience stores, and for vending machines. When you are at Narita or Haneda airport, ready to fly home, you can use any leftover credit to purchase a meal, a drink, or some souvenirs. Maybe some Wasabi Kit-Kats?

[RlyLvn]

Hi BruceMuzz we are planning on going into Tokyo from Yokohama for the day during our B2B this month. 
Is there multiple train station stops in Tokyo?  Which station should we get off at if we just want to see the city for a few hours?

 

Thanks for your help. 

[BruceMuzz]

5 hours ago, RlyLvn said:

Hi BruceMuzz we are planning on going into Tokyo from Yokohama for the day during our B2B this month. 
Is there multiple train station stops in Tokyo?  Which station should we get off at if we just want to see the city for a few hours?

 

Thanks for your help. 

Your question is not an easy one to answer.

Although the actual number is often debated, Metro Tokyo is generally regarded as the largest city on Earth, at around 42 million people.

There are many Cities and Districts within Metro Tokyo - each with it's own culture and style.

The number of train and subway lines - public and private - is in the 100's.

The number of train and subway stations is in the 1,000's.

 

Tokyo Sky Tree area is good for the Sky Tree and Sumo Stables, Sumo Matches

Ginza area is good for high end shopping and dining, Department Stores, and Imperial Palace

Asakusa area is good for temple visits and "Restaurant City" (Kappabashi)

Shinjuku area is good for night life, robot bars and restaurants, shopping, and City Parks

Shibuya area is good for discount shopping, college kids, and Hachiko

ShitaMachi (literally "downtown") in Chiyoda-ku is good for prewar buildings and antique shops

Ueno area is good for museums and the zoo

Roppongi area is good for all the foreigner things and sex clubs

Tokyo Station and Shinjuku Station are the places to go for Bullet Trains

Minato-ku area is good for Tokyo Disney, Tokyo Tower, River and Dinner cruises, and city parks

Tsuki-shima is good for Okonomiyaki

Akihabara (Electric City), in Minato-ku is great for computers and electronics

Toyosu fish market in Tokyo Bay has replaced the nearby old fish market -Tsukiji- both fascinating

Omotesando / Harajuku has high end shopping and the Goth Harajuku Girls

Japanese baseball games occur nearly all year around in Tokyo. They are fascinating.

 

 

 

[RlyLvn]

Wow!  Thank you for this detailed information. I really appreciate it. Very helpful!  Maybe we need a month in Tokyo!! 😀

[Northern Aurora]

29 minutes ago, RlyLvn said:

Wow!  Thank you for this detailed information. I really appreciate it. Very helpful!  Maybe we need a month in Tokyo!! 😀

 

Just a quick expansion of the response from @BruceMuzz -- We have been to a number of very large metropolitan area across the globe, and nothing prepared us for the five days we spent in Tokyo after a pair of B2B cruises.  While extremely well organized, it was clearly the largest most densely populated city we have experienced.  Much more densely populated than a city-state such as Singapore.  But absolutely wonderful.