Travel to and from Tokyo

Many visitors on Japan ski trip will arrive at the Tokyo airports, either Narita Airport or Haneda Airport.

Narita Airport Tokyo

Lots of international flights to Honshu arrive at Tokyo Narita Airport. There is an abundance of flight options into Narita Airport. Airlines include Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Jetstar, Korean Air, Air New Zealand, Air China, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, Thai Airways and Singapore Airlines (with whom you might want to consider a Singapore stopover).

You can look a flight route options to Tokyo Narita here.

Narita Airport is 82km by road east of central Tokyo.

If you need to stay overnight near Narita Airport (Tokyo International Airport), here are some listings for hotels near Narita Airport.

Japan Railways run a train service from Narita Airport into Tokyo Station, from where you can change to almost any train station in Tokyo. The Narita Express (NEX) takes just under an hour to travel from Narita to Tokyo. The NEX trains depart from Narita regularly. You can check Japan Travel by Navitime for schedules and fares, and for other routes to Toyko train stations.

Haneda Airport Tokyo

Haneda is the other Tokyo airport, which is also a hub for international flights and an abundance of domestic flights. If you're looking for a Haneda Airport hotel, here are some options.

To travel from Haneda Airport to Tokyo, catch the inexpensive monorail from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho. The monorail takes about 15 minutes, although the walk to get to the monorail may take 8-10 minutes depending on how good you are at hauling your luggage. From Hamamatsucho, there are very regular and inexpensive local trains to Tokyo.

Travel Around Tokyo

Train is the most efficient and effective way to get around Tokyo. Most Tokyo attractions are close to a subway or train station. Using the trains can be a little daunting initially, but the staff are happy to help and the station signs and LED inside the trains are usually in English as well as kanji. You can do a google maps search (or use Jorudan or Navitime) to help you plan your route, and for timetables and fares. Wear good deodorant because there’s a chance you’ll be almost cheek to cheek with the locals on the train, especially during peak hour!

Travel to the Nagano Ski Resorts from Tokyo

Nagano Snow Shuttle offers bus transport (or train/bus combos) from Tokyo, Haneda Airport or Narita Airport to the main Nagano ski resorts including Hakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Shiga Kogen and Madarao plus Myoko Kogen in Niigata.

Another option for transport from the Tokyo Airports to the Nagano ski resorts with Chuo Taxi, who offer shared or private door to door transport.

Often the fastest way to the Nagano ski resorts from Tokyo or the airports is via the trains. See the relevant ski resort “getting there” page for more information.

If you rent a car in Tokyo or near the Tokyo airports, be mindful that vehicles don’t come standard with snow tyres, which are required to drive to the ski resorts. You can request snow tyres, usually for an additional charge, or you may choose to rent a car from near Nagano station instead. See our driving in Japan information for some tips on driving.

Travel to Other Ski Resorts Near Tokyo

Information about getting to the other ski resorts from Tokyo or the airports can be found on each resort “how to get there” page.