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Airports
Toyama Airport has international departures to Dalian (China), Vladivostock (Russia) and Seoul (South Korea), as well as many domestic flights. You can get a bus to the airport from Toyama Station, and also from Takaoka. Toyama airport has free parking.
Komatsu Airport (near Kanazawa) may also be worth checking for domestic flights.
Kansai Airport (Osaka) This is the most convenient airport to get to from Toyama.
By Train
From Toyama (and Takaoka) you can take the train to Osaka or Shin-Osaka. From Shin Osaka you can get the Haruka Express to Kansai, and from Osaka you can take the slower train which is cheaper. Toyama to Kansai (using the Haruka express) costs around 12,000 yen one way.
By Bus
There is a new bus service to Osaka which has just started running. Buses leave twice a day from Toyama and the cost if 8,500 yen return!!! Timetables are on the website below:
http://www.chitetsu.co.jp/bus_b/oosaka1.html (In Japanese)
Nagoya:
Sometimes Nagoya can be cheaper that Kansai or Narita.
Getting there: There are a few options. You can take the Limited Express Train from Toyama station It takes three and a half hours and costs around between 8000-10000 yen (each way) depending on when you travel and if you reserve a seat or not. Check out the timetable and fares for this or any other train at: http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperd01.cgi The train takes you to Nagoya station.
Another option is to take the bus. There's one which leaves from Toyama station twice a day (4.5hours) or from Kanazawa station several times (maybe 5 or 6) taking 4 hours. From Kanazawa it's 6000yen and Toyama it's 9000yen RETURN so it's quite a bit cheaper than the train. The website is highwaybus.com and you can book online and pay at the combini (all in Japanese though)
To get to the airport you can either go by train or bus. Check out the airport access webpage (in English) for detailed information.
Narita (Tokyo) A little more expensive and less convenient than Kansai.
STEP 1 – Getting to Tokyo
The Train
Take a train from Toyama to Echigo Yuzawa (Niigata Prefecture) and change to the shinkansen to Tokyo. It takes about 4 hours to get from Toyama to Tokyo by train. Be careful upon return. I have had to change at Omiya before. But it depends on which train you get. I believe it the Max Tanigawa takes you straight to Etchigo Yuzawa. But double check when you get your ticket, or ask the conductor. Believe me it’s worth it. Cause before I done did ended up all the way out and took bout 50 hours to get back to the ‘Yama.
The Bus
You can also get a bus from Toyama to Tokyo. The Seibu Group run two buses from Toyama-ken to Tokyo. One bus starts at Himi and picks up at Takaoka and Tonami. The other bus starts at Toyama and picks up in Kurobe. Many ALTs take the overnight bus. This is the cheapest way to get to Tokyo, but kinda sucks. It’s great for returning from overseas though when you’re all jet-lagged.
The following timetable may change so go to their web pages (Japanese) to check the timetables. Actually, ask someone who reads Japanese to help you with this mess. Or go to Toyama Station. These times oughtta be right though.
| Himi-Takaoka-Tonami Bus | ||
| Himi (D) | 13.10 | 22.05 |
| Takaoka (D) | 13.35 | 22.30 |
| Tonami (D) | 14.00 | 23.00 |
| Ikebukero (A) | 20.40 | 5.35 |
(Adult one way is 7,640 yen)
http://www.seibu-group.co.jp/bus/kousoku/himi/index.html
| Toyama-Kurobe Bus | ||||
| Toyama (D) | 6:00 | 10:30 | 15:30 | 22:50 |
| Kurobe (D) | 6:42 | 11:12 | 16:12 | 23:32 |
| Ikebukero (A) | 12:25 | 16:55 | 21:55 | 5:15 |
(Adult one way from Kurobe is 6,770 yen and from Toyama is 7,340 yen)
http://www.seibu-group.co.jp/bus/kousoku/toyama/index.html
There's also a bus that will take you from Toyama eki to Tokyo eki - worth thinking about if you don't want to cross Tokyo under your own steam.
Timetable and fare info (in English)
The plane
You can also fly from Toyama to Tokyo. It takes roughly an hour and flights usually start from 10,300 yen. You can fly with JAL or ANA to Tokyo so check out their English websites for timetables and costs.
ANA: http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/
Chowari – Special fare flights!!!!
You can get cheap ANA round trip tickets from Toyama to Haneda airport but you have to book on the given dates and reserve within the particular time period. The link is below: http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/dms/fare/bargen/main.html
You can fly one way for 7,300 yen or return for 14,300 yen. You must first call to make a reservation within the time period and travel during the given time period. Then you have to take the reservation number they give you to a ‘Lawson’ convenience store to pay for the ticket in cash.
STEP 2 - Getting to Narita Airport...
Narita Airport (New Tokyo International Airport) is located 60 km east of central Tokyo in Chiba Prefecture. The airport is actually a one-hour train journey from the central Tokyo area. Have a look at: http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/access/index.html From downtown Tokyo to Narita Airport, the main transportation you can use is train, limousine bus, or taxi.
The fastest way into Narita International Airport from Tokyo is one of the frequent Keisei Skyliner trains or JR's Narita Express trains.
The Keisei Skyliner is the cheaper alternative and the journey takes about 1 hour. All seats are reserved. The Keisei Skyliner departs from the Keisei Ueno station, which is a 5-minute walk from the main JR Ueno Station. It stops at Nippori and then at both terminals at Narita.
However, there are actually 2 types of trains. The Skyliner is the fastest train on this line with very few stops between Ueno and Narita. You can also take the limited express. The Skyliner is double the price of the limited express but is only 15 minutes faster. Unless you are in a hurry or have a rail pass, the limited express is the better option.
Buying Tickets
You can buy tickets for the Keisei Skyliner at any of the following places:
Keisei Ueno information office, Keisei Travel offices, Nippori, Narita Airport Building No.2, Narita Airport, Kinki Nippon Tourist, JTB, Nihon Ryoko, CN Play Guide Convenience Store (am-pm, SAVE ON), JAL, Odakyu Travel, Keio Kanko, Tokyu Kanko, Keikyu Kanko, Tobu Travel, Meitetsu Kanko, Hankyu Kotsusha. Zen-nikku Travel and other major travel agencies.
The Narita Express
One of the fastest ways to get to or from Narita airport is to take the Narita Express. This train is operated by Japan Railways, and is the most expensive rail option as well. Major stops include Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama, Ikebukuro and Shinjuku. The Narita Express goes straight to Narita Airport station and this journey takes approximately 1 hour. There are also Narita Express services that go from Shinjuku Station (in around 80 minutes), and less frequent services from Ikebukuro, Shinagawa and Yokohama stations. It costs around 3000 yen (depending on where you depart from) and trains depart once every 30 minutes. Other Services
Cheaper than the Narita Express service is the JR Kaisoku trains which take about 80 minutes and cost 1280 yen.
HANEDA AIRPORT
Haneda Airport to Narita Airport – Limousine Bus
You can catch a bus, which runs directly between Haneda and Narita Airport. It costs 3000 yen and takes about 75 mins. You can buy a ticket in the departure hall when you arrive at Haneda. Then go outside to the bus stops. The Narita Bus leaves from bus stop number 7. Buses run very frequently but see the below link for timetables and further information: http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/timetable/haneda/ naritaair_hanedaair_tokyu_h.html
Haneda Airport – Central Tokyo
If you take a trip to Tokyo you may decide to fly to Haneda Airport from Toyama. If you do I recommend the Tokyo Monorail to get you into central Tokyo. It is comfortable, quick and not too crowded. Tickets are 490 yen from Haneda to Hamamatsucho station. The monorail trains leave every 5 minutes or so. For timetable and fares etc see the webpage: http://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/