Discover Tokyo in style aboard an open-top double-decker bus! Did you know exploring waterfront areas without a car can be a bit tricky?
With an open-top double-decker bus, all you have to do is just sit and relax for about an hour! You can efficiently tour the city, which is a great option for a day when you’re tired of walking or need a quick one-hour break.
Operating year-round, the best season is definitely October. The weather is good, the temperature is good, and it’s the perfect season for an open-top bus ride. The most popular route departs from Tokyo Station, covering key tourist attractions such as Nagatacho & Kasumigaseki (Japan’s political center), Tokyo Tower, the Rainbow Bridge, and Ginza in a one-hour cruise. Enjoy the cityscape of Tokyo’s tall buildings while feeling the breeze. The highlight of this route is the extraordinary experience of riding an open-top double-decker bus, driving through the city with road signs almost at your arm’s reach.
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Two companies operate this sightseeing bus route in Tokyo, so we’re gonna introduce those two to you!
Hato Bus (The yellow bus)
https://www.hatobus.com/v01/en/course/2023/autumn/A1301
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Hato Bus is the most renowned sightseeing bus company in Japan, easily recognizable by its distinctive yellow buses.
Key points:
- They provide GPS-automated audio guides in English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese.
- Non-stop service; the bus returns to the boarding point without intermediate stops.
- Seating capacity matches the number of tickets sold, ensuring everyone has a seat.
- Japan’s leading tour bus company, offering half-day and full-day tours in Tokyo and excursions to the surrounding areas as well.
Prices:
- Adults: ¥2,000 to ¥2,200 (¥2,000 on weekdays; ¥2,200 on weekends and holidays).
- Children (6 – 11 years old): ¥1,000 to ¥1,100 (¥1,000 on weekdays; ¥1,100 on weekends and holidays)
- Children (0 – 5 years old/If a seat needed): ¥600
Online Reservation:
https://www.hatobus.com/v01/en/course/2023/autumn/A1301
Ticket Counter:
Sky Hop Bus (The red bus)
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This iconic red double-decker open-top bus is popular among international tourists.
Key points:
- Provides GPS-automated audio guides in Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, and German.
- Operates as a hop-on/hop-off bus, allowing passengers to get on and get off at the bus stops freely.
- Offers various routes, including the recommended Bay Area route (Blue Course) covering Odaiba, as well as routes traversing youth-centric districts like Shibuya (Green Course) and traditional neighborhoods like Asakusa (Red Course).
- Note that in case of full capacity, boarding the bus may not be possible.
Prices:
- 1-day ticket for adults: ¥3,800
- 1-day ticket for children (6-11 years old): ¥1,900
- 2-day ticket for adults: ¥5,500
- 2-day ticket for children (6-11 years old): ¥2,750
*Children under the age of six ride for free when sitting on the lap of their parent or guardian. If an additional seat is required, a child fare will be charged.
Online Reservation:
https://skyhopbus.com/purchases/new
Ticket Counter:
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