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buses

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Updated: February 20, 2024

How to take a bus

Buses can be a useful transportation alternative to trains if you are staying outside of the immediate city center. Tokyo buses might not be as frequent as trains and generally take longer to get from place to place, but they often travel to lesser-known areas and are a good way to avoid crowded train stations. Some of them have a free WiFi system in place. Make a quick note of how to board and pay on the bus to make your travel easy and stress-free.

For details, see "Economical Tickets" for one-day passes and other convenient discount tickets.

Bus Information

Toei Bus

A bus that covers the main areas in the city and lets you visit various locations by making connections with the different lines. It is convenient in that it can be used together with trains, subways, and other forms of public transportation

Fare (general) Adults 210 yen, Children 110 yen
Note: Fares in the Tama area are according to distance by kilometers. (Starting fare: Adults 180 yen, Children 90 yen)
Official website Toei Bus -TOEI TRANSPORTATION
Tokyo Sightseeing on the Toei Bus -Tokyo-to Koutsukyoku
Real-Time Information Service -Toei Bus

 

SKY BUS TOKYO / SKY Duck / SKY HOP BUS TOKYO

SKY BUS TOKYO is a service that efficiently takes you through Tokyo's major sightseeing spots in an open-top bus. There's a wide variety of routes, including a night view course that takes in Tokyo Tower, Ginza, and Rainbow Bridge. Each route takes around an hour. Other popular options include the SKY HOP BUS, which sells unlimited-use one-day tickets, and the amphibious SKY Duck.

SKY BUS TOKYO / SKY Duck

Fare SKY BUS TOKYO: Varies according to the course
SKY Duck: Varies according to the course
Hours Marunouchi Mitsubishi Building ticket counter: 9:00‒18:00
TOKYO SKYTREE Station office: 9:00-18:00
Odaiba SKY Tourist Information: 10:00-18:00
Course SKY BUS TOKYO: Imperial Palace‒Ginza - Marunouchi Course (weekdays only) / Oedo Tokyo Course (weekends and national holidays only) / Tokyo Tower‒Rainbow Bridge Course / Odaiba Night Course
SKY Duck: TOKYO SKYTREE course / Odaiba Panorama course / Toyosu, and Tokyo View course
TEL 03-3215-0008(9:30 - 18:00)
Official website SKY BUS TOKYO (JPN)
*Reservations required; online booking available

SKY HOP BUS TOKYO(Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tokyo)

Fare One day tickets : Adults 3,800 yen, Children 1,900 yen
Two-day tickets: Adults 5,500 yen, Children 2,750 yen
Note: Please check the official website for the latest information on fares and timetables.
Hours 9:30~18:00(Please check the timetable for more details)
*Tickets can be purchased online at the official website or directly on the bus.
Course RED course (Asakusa, TOKYO SKYTREE)
BLUE Course(Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Teleport Station, Tsukiji, Ginza/Via Rainbow Bridge)
GREEN Course(Shinjuku・Shibuya/Via Shibuya Scramble Crossing)
TEL 03-3215-0008 (Call center open 9:30 - 18:00)
Official website SKY HOP BUS TOKYO

 

Hato Bus

Hato Bus is a well-known bus tour service in Tokyo. With a variety of tours available, visitors are sure to find an interesting experience. If you're looking to take a quick tour of some of Tokyo's famous spots, the Panorama Drive (Rainbow Bridge & Ginza) is a great option. You'll cross the Rainbow Bridge riding an open top bus on your way to Ginza. Audio guides in nine languages are available for free.

Fare Panorama Drive (Rainbow Bridge & Ginza): Adults 2,000-2,200 yen, Children 1,000-1,100 yen
Hours Panorama Drive (Rainbow Bridge & Ginza): Several buses from 9:30-16:00
Course Panorama Drive (Rainbow Bridge & Ginza): Hibiya Park, Kasumigaseki, National Diet Building, Toranomon Hills, Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, Odaiba, Toyosu, Kachidoki Bridge, Tsukiji, Kabuki-za Theatre, Ginza

For information on other courses, please check the official website.
TEL 03-3435-6081 (English)
Official website Hato Bus

 

Skytree Shuttle®

A sightseeing shuttle bus that directly connects Ueno, Asakusa, and TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN. There are also non-stop trips from Haneda Airport, and Tokyo Disney Resort®.

Note: As of January 10, 2023, the Ueno-Asakusa Line is no longer operating on weekdays.

Fare (Ueno‒Asakusa Line) Adults 230 yen, Children 120 yen
(Haneda Airport Line) Adults 1000 yen, Children 500 yen
(Tokyo Disney Resort Line) Adults 800 yen, Children 400 yen
Course Ueno‒Asakusa Line / Haneda Airport Line / Tokyo Disney Resort Line
Official website Tobu Bus On-Line (JPN)

 

Free Shuttle Bus

A free shuttle bus that anybody can use free of charge. It runs between three major spots every 10 to 20 minutes. Useful for touring or shopping.

A. "Marunouchi Shuttle" - the fare-free cyclic bus that connects the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho areas

Operating hours [Weekdays] 8:00 - 20:00 [Saturdays, Sundays, holidays] 10:00 - 20:00
Runs about every 12 - 18 min. (Excluding some time periods. Operates 365 days a year.)
Departure times may differ from the schedule above depending on traffic conditions.
Official website Marunouchi Shuttle - HINOMARU BUS CORPORATION (JPN)

B. "Metrolink Nihonbashi" - the fare-free cyclic bus that connects the historic Yaesu, Kyobashi, and Nihonbashi areas

Operating hours 10:00 - 20:00 (Operates 365 days a year.) Runs about every 10 min.
Note: The frequency may change depending on traffic conditions.
Official website Metrolink Nihonbashi - HINOMARU BUS CORPORATION (JPN)

C. "Metrolink Nihonbashi E-Line": A free bus loop connecting Tokyo Station to the Hamacho/Ningyocho/Kabutocho areas

Operating hours Year-round service (bus frequency approx. 22 to 25 minutes)
[Weekdays] 8:00 - 18:00 [Saturdays, Sundays, holidays] 10:00 - 20:00
Note: The frequency may change depending on traffic conditions.
Official website Metrolink Nihonbashi E-Line - HINOMARU BUS CORPORATION (JPN)

Shuttle buses

Shuttle buses are operated by local authorities and offer a convenient way to get around local areas. They're a good choice for visiting places that are far from a train station.

Shuttle buses

Shuttle Seven (Kan-nana Shuttle Bus)

Description Express bus running along Kannana-dori Ave
Fare Adults 220 yen–500 yen
Note: Fares vary by travel distance. Half price for children.
Official website Shuttle Seven -Keisei Bus Official Website (JPN)

Fukagawa Shuttle

Description Sightseeing shuttle bus operated on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Fare Adults 210 yen / Children 110 yen
(Silver passes / Toei Bus one-day passes accepted)
Official website Fukagawa Shuttle -Koto city formal website (JPN)

Joto Shuttle

Description Sightseeing shuttle bus operated on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays
Fare Adults 210 yen / Children 110 yen
(Silver passes / Toei Bus one-day passes accepted)
Official website Joto Shuttle -Koto city formal website (JPN)

Loop buses

Marunouchi Shuttle

Description Free loop bus connecting the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho districts
Fare Free
Official website Marunouchi Shuttle -HINOMARU BUS CORPORATION (JPN)

Megurin

Description Taito-ku loop bus
Fare Adults and children 100 yen
One-day ticket: 300 yen
Official website Taito City Circular Route Bus "Megurin"-Taito City website (JPN)

Sumida Hyakkei Sumimaru-kun / Sumirin-chan

Description Sumida-ku loop bus
Fare Adults (middle school students aged 13 and older) 100 yen
Children (elementary school students aged 6–12) 50 yen
Infants free
Three-route one-day pass 300 yen
Official website Sumida Hyakkei Sumimaru-kun / Sumirin-chan -Sumida city formal website (JPN)

Community buses

B-GURU

Description Bunkyo-ku community bus
Fare Adults and children 100 yen
Official website B-GURU -Bunkyo city (JPN)

Hachiko Bus

Description Shibuya-ku community bus
Fare Adults and children 100 yen
Official website Hachiko Bus-Shibuya City (JPN)

Thanks Nature Bus

Description Jiyugaoka loop community bus
Fare Free
Official website Thanks Nature Bus (JPN)

Mubus

Description Musashino-shi community bus
Fare 100 yen / Preschool children free
Official website Mubus -Musashino city (JPN)

Sakura and Shioiri-Sakura

Description Arakawa Community Bus
Fare Adults 180 yen / Children 90 yen
Official website Sakura and Shioiri-Sakura Bus – Keisei Bus (JPN)