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Progressive public transportation offers guidance in foreign languages

Transportation

Plan Your Trip

Well-organized guidance in foreign languages is of great help to foreign travelers to assist them in enjoying a pleasant trip in Japan. Currently, there is guidance in English at almost all facilities, such as airports, major railway stations, and subways. Guidance in Chinese and Korean is also being promoted.

Let us show you some examples at Narita Airport, JR Tokyo Station, and a subway (Tokyo Metro) in Tokyo.

Airport : Narita Airport

Most travelers arriving in Japan come to Tokyo from Narita Airport. There are three ways to get to Tokyo: railway; bus; or taxi.

Guidance Display
A guidance display at the airport.

Ticket Counter
A ticket counter for both railway and bus. There are displays in English, Chinese and Korean.

Marked by "?"
Information Center An information Center for foreign travelers marked with a "?" mark.

Information Board
An information board for transportation found in central Tokyo.

Railway: JR Line and Keisei Line

There are two railway lines available from Narita Airport: JR East, the former national railway; and the Keisei Line, a private rail company. JR East's "Narita Express" brings you to stations located in the center of Tokyo, with trains departing about every 30 minutes to one hour. The train takes about one hour to get to Tokyo Station, and costs about 3,000 yen. The Keisei's limited express "Keisei Skyliner," departing about every 40 minutes, takes you to Ueno Station, located in the center of Tokyo. This ride takes about one hour, and costs about 2,000 yen.

Sign
A sign in English, Chinese, and Korean directing visitors to the train boarding area.

JR Line
Sign A sign in English, Chinese, and Korean directing visitors to JR Lines.

Midori-no-Madoguchi
A sign in English, Chinese, and Korean for a "Midori-no-Madoguchi" (Green Window) JR ticket reservation office.

Narita Express
A ticket vending machine with information in English and Japanese for the "Narita Express" (limited express) heading for Tokyo.

Ticket Gate
Departure times for trains displayed at a ticket gate. The display includes an easy to read clock in Japanese and English.

Keisei Line : Ticket Counter
A ticket counter for the Keisei Line with information in English, Chinese, and Korean.

Ticket Vending Machine
A Keisei Line ticket vending machine.

Guidance
Guidance in Japanese and English for the stops on the Keisei Line.

Departure Times
Departure times of Keisei trains in Japanese and English.

Ticket Gate
The entrance to platforms through the ticket gate.

Bus

The advantage of taking a bus is that you can reach your destination directly, including major stations and hotels in Tokyo and surrounding cities, such as Yokohama. However, there are sometimes delays due to traffic jams. There are many bus companies to choose from, including Airport Limousine, and it costs about 3,000 yen to ride to one of the major stops in Tokyo.

Ticket Counter
A ticket counter for buses with information in English, Chinese, and Korean.

Bus/Taxi Sign
A bus/taxi sign in English, Chinese, and Korean.

Bus Stop
A bus stop with a display of stops and schedule in Japanese and English.

Passengers boarding a bus.

Taxi

A fixed rate taxi fare for a ride to the center of Tokyo is available. For example, it costs 17,000 yen to go to Tokyo Station (excl. highway charges). When taking a taxi, please tell a staff member at the taxi stand that you wish to take a fixed-fare taxi.