Yokohama

Yokohama is located only half an hour away from Tokyo, and effectively forms a part of the giant conurbation.

By plane

Yokohama does not have its own airport. You can reach Yokohama from Tokyo's two main airports.

Some Narita Express trains from Narita Airport go through to Yokohama 1 1/2 hours, ¥4380. Limousine Buses run frequently from Narita to the Yokohama City Air Terminal YCAT 2-3 hours, ¥3500. The cheapest access from Narita Airport is to take a Keisei train to Nippori, then change to a JR Keihin-Tohoku Line train for Yokohama about 2 hours, ¥1540.

From Haneda Airport, take the Keikyu Line's Airport Express エアポート急行 to Yokohama station in 30-35 minutes for ¥470. Note that the Airport Express has several variants: If the train's destination is Shin-Zushi 新逗子 or Kanazawa-Bunko 金沢文庫, then you can stay on the train for the entire trip. If the train goes to another destination, it's likely to continue on into Tokyo so you will need to change at Keikyu-Kamata station to the next main line limited express train 特急/快特 on Platform 2.

By train

The overwhelming majority of visitors to Yokohama arrive from Tokyo by train. A multitude of train lines connect the two cities at roughly equal prices, but some of the more convenient options are:

Tokyu Toyoko Line (東急東横線)

from Shibuya to Yokohama Station. Some trains on the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line run through to the Toyoko Line, which in turn runs through to the Minato Mirai subway line see below. A trip from Shibuya to Yokohama takes as little as 24 minutes on the fastest service; at a cost of ¥260 this is the cheapest trip from metro Tokyo. Chinatown, the terminus of the MM21 line, is another 10 minutes away Motomachi-Chukagai, ¥460. Up to eight kyÅ«kō 急行 and tokkyÅ« 特急 trains per hour. In the year 2012, the Toyoko Line will link to the Tokyo Metro Fukutoshin Line subway, allowing trains to continue north to Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and into Saitama.

JR Shonan Shinjuku Line (湘南新宿ライン)

from Ōmiya, Akabane, Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ebisu and Ōsaki. Established in 2003, this line allows for easy access to Yokohama from west Tokyo. Roughly four trains per hour, reaching Yokohama from Shinjuku in as little as 30 minutes at a cost of ¥540. This line will have no major competition until the Toyoko/Fukutoshin services join together in 2012.

JR Tokaido Main Line (東海道線)

from Tokyo and Shinagawa stations both on the Yamanote Line. Departs every 10 minutes; more trains during rush hour. About 25 minutes from Tokyo to Yokohama. Note that Commuter Rapid Service 通勤快速 and Shonan Liner 湘南ライナー trains do not stop at Yokohama Station.

JR Yokosuka Line (横須賀線)

A less-convenient alternative from Tokyo Station and Shinagawa. However, it is the route of choice if coming from stations east of Tokyo on the Sobu Rapid line, such as Tsudanuma and Chiba, as most of these trains continue onto the Yokosuka line. About 30 minutes from Tokyo to Yokohama; about 75 minutes from Chiba ¥1050. Departs every 15 minutes or so from Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.

JR Keihin Tohoku Line (京浜東北線)

from Nippori, Ueno, Akihabara, Tokyo, and Shinagawa Stations. This train stops at more stations in Yokohama than the Yokosuka Line, including Sakuragicho 桜木町, which is within walking distance of Chinatown. It is also a convenient route from stations north of Tokyo in Saitama prefecture. About 35 minutes from Tokyo Station to Yokohama Station. Departs every 5 minutes from Tokyo; more trains during rush hour.

On the Tokaido, Yokosuka and Keihin Tohoku lines, the trip from Tokyo Station costs ¥450, and from Shinagawa, ¥280.

Keihin Kyuko Main Line (京浜急行線)

or Keikyu for short, from Shinagawa and Haneda Airport. Most trains from the Toei Asakusa subway line continue onto the Keikyu line. Departs every 10 minutes from Shinagawa at a cost of ¥290 more trains during rush hour, with the fastest train reaching Yokohama in only 18 minutes. Note that Keikyu WING 京急ウィング trains, which run on weekday evenings, do not stop at Yokohama.

Sotetsu Line (相鉄線）

from Ebina to Yokohama 30 minutes by express, ¥300 and from Shonan-dai to Yokohama 30 minutes by express, ¥340. A useful connection from the western Tokyo suburbs on the Odakyu Line. This train will go direct to Shibuya in 2019.

Shinkansen trains go to Shin-Yokohama station instead, a few stations away from the main Yokohama station. The two stations are connected via the JR Yokohama line 15 minutes via direct service, ¥160 and the Yokohama Subway Blue Line 10 minutes, ¥230. Alternatively, take the Shinkansen to Shinagawa and change to the Tokaido, Yokosuka or Keihin Tohoku lines. If your final destination is Chinatown or a the harbor area, taking one of the non-Shinkansen trains listed above is likely to be faster.