KEISEI SKYLINER AND TOKYO METRO PASS
We will most likely get the Y4880 one! About SGD61 for a Roundtrip skyliner ticket, and a two day Tokyo Metro Pass! I went to have a look, and apparently, undiscounted, a roundtrip skyliner ticket would be SGD61, excluding the two day Metro Pass, so I'd say we have to use the Metro pass to its fullest for it to be considered a discount at all!
I've already kinda thought about it, so we will likely take the Skyliner to Ueno, then from Ueno make use of the Metro pass and take the Tokyo Metro to Higashi-Shinjuku, aka the train station closest to our hotel!
Okay so now we have two options:
a) We could buy a PASMO (to be discussed later) and pay to go by the Toei Line, which is much shorter (8 stops). In which case, we do not use the Tokyo Metro at all so as not to waste the free two days. Then we use the PASMO and go from Ueno, take the Ginza line (Orange) toward Shibuya for one stop, to Ueno-Hirokoji Station (上野広小路駅), then go to Ueno-Okachimachi Station (上野御徒町駅 ) to take the Toei Oedo Line (Magenta) in the direction of Tochomae Station (都庁前駅) for 7 stops to Higashi-Shinjuku, and walk to our hotel! A journey which will cost us about SGD3.50 per person O.O
b) We could decide to use (and hence activate our Tokyo Metro Pass), which is about twice the length of time (15 stops), to go to Shinjuku Station, which is further away from our hotel than Higashi-Shinjuku. On the other hand, this journey will be free! From Ueno (上野駅), take the Ginza Line (Orange) toward Shibuya for 7 stops to Ginza Station (銀座駅), then go to the Marunouchi Line (Red) on the same level (B2) and take 8 stops in the Shinjuku direction to Shinjuku Station (新宿駅)! Then walk about 15 mins to our hotel.
So how these affects the plans are as such:
If we go by a), and don't activate the Tokyo Metro Pass, I would probably put off activating it at all till after Mount Fuji (since we will probably go on Wednesday 21 May), i.e. put off Ikebukuro till after Mt Fuji too.
If we go by b), and activate the Tokyo Metro Pass, would most likely want to go to Ikebukuro the next day, and generally do our most travel-heavy things within that day or the next day.
Actually, since it seems the SGD3.50 for a) is actually inevitable (since we have to go back to the Airport, maybe... IDK. YOU KNOW WHAT I SHOULD ASK XIAO GU TO CIRCLE ALL THE PLACES SHE BLOODY WANTS TO GO AND I'LL PLAN FROM THERE. But yeah, two possible routes to-and-fro Ueno, and hence the airport.
Directions as to where to buy the tickets! We have to get them at special Skyliner Ticket counters at Narita, or Ueno, depending on whether we're going to, or from the airport.
I JUST REALISED THERE'S ANOTHER WAY TO GET FROM NARITA TO TOKYO, AS IN, STRAIGHT TO SHINJUKU STATION.
It's a LOAD cheaper, although it takes about ten minutes longer and looks vaguely less comfortable. BUT IT TAKES US STRAIGHT INTO SHINJUKU! No need to worry about getting on crowded subway trains!!
One way ticket is 1500Yen, aka SGD18.75!! Compared to the SGD61 for the Keisei express O.O Idk man. Will research more tmr, ending work soon!!
PASMO
PASMO is essentially the Japanese EZ-Link card, and can be used at most places in Tokyo, from what I gather..
For example, Tokyo Metro and Toei (the two on the map I printed out), as well as JR East (with lines like JR Yamanote wherein stations like Shinjuku, Ueno, and Harajuku are, and JR Chuo, for places like Koenji, etc.). So yeah! Pretty much everywhere!
Tokyo Metro Logo (so I remember where my Metro pass can be used)
The Toei Lines (aka where Higashi-shinjuku is on) is the green fan logo, which is NOT Tokyo Metro. I.e. I'll have to use my PASMO.
This thing.
Here's a non-comprehensive map of places it can be used. I say non-comprehensive because I just can't seem to find some stations. -.- Like Koenji. =.= No idea why.
THERE IS A DEPOSIT OF 500YEN FOR THE CARD, WHICH CAN BE REFUNDED WHEN WE RETURN THE CARD. But I intend to keep the card for memory's sake. :) So the card effectively costs SGD6.25.
Thank you, insanely specific Japanese Railway Website. And that's how we buy a PASMO.
REMINDER TO SELF TO UPDATE ABOUT PASMO
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