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.
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
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)
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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