From towering skyscrapers to serene temples, vibrant shopping districts, and rich cultural sites, Tokyo offers endless possibilities for things to do and see. But, with so much to see and limited time during your trip, how do you decide which places to visit? If you’re staying at Hotel Tavinos Hamamatsucho, riding the Sky Hop Bus is a great way to make the most of your time in Tokyo.

Make the Most of Your Day Trip in Tokyo with Sky Hop Bus

Most Sky Hop Buses are double-decker buses with open-air top decks, perfect for taking pictures. *The types of buses in service may vary each day.


The Sky Hop Bus is a hop-on hop-off bus that operates in Tokyo, allowing you to get on and off at any stop as many times as you like for one or two days, depending on the ticket you purchase. It's a fantastic way to turn traveling from place to place into a memorable sightseeing experience. Furthermore, since most of the buses are double-decker with open tops, you'll be able to enjoy the sights of Tokyo from a vantage point that is otherwise unavailable.

The Sky Hop Bus service operates on three courses: blue, red and green. Each course covers different parts of the city, and with a total of 19 bus stops, you can hop on and off at your leisure, allowing you to explore the areas that interest you most. And because you can switch freely between courses, you can customize your sightseeing experience according to your interests and schedule.

The timetable for each course is available on the official website .

The Blue Course includes a stop in the Ginza area, home to Kabukiza Theatre, the largest Kabuki theater in Japan.

I suggest starting with the course that piques your interest the most and then switching courses as needed. The Blue course includes stops at iconic locations like Tokyo Tower, the Ginza shopping district, the outer market of the former Tsukiji Fish Market, and also features a drive over the Rainbow Bridge to reach the leisure and entertainment district of Odaiba.

In contrast, the Red course will take you to Tokyo’s sumo hub in Ryogoku, Tokyo Skytree, Senso-ji Temple and the Kaminarimon Gate in Asakusa, Ueno, and the anime and electronics mecca, Akihabara. Meanwhile, the Green course focuses on several stops in Shinjuku and Shibuya, including Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Shibuya Scramble Crossing. It also stops at Tokyo Tower before heading back to Marunouchi.

Major areas covered by each course
Blue course: Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Teleport Station, Tsukiji and Ginza
Red course: Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree
Green course: Shinjuku and Shibuya

💡Tip: The closest bus stop to Hotel Tavinos Hamamatsucho is “Tokyo Prince Hotel, Zojo-ji Temple” (Blue course (B3)), which is a 20-minute walk away. It is also a great idea to enjoy a walk from the hotel to Tokyo Tower to start your day with the bus tour.

Taking Sky Hop Bus with a View of Tokyo Tower, Odaiba and Tokyo Station

Tokyo Tower as seen from the deck of the Sky Hop Bus.

I recently took the Sky Hop Bus for the first time. Completing one loop of the blue course took about 70 minutes. Travel time can vary depending on traffic, so it’s wise to build some buffer time if you have upcoming reservations to keep after taking the Sky Hop Bus.

The blue course offers a fantastic view of the Rainbow Bridge in Odaiba.

One of the Sky Hop Bus highlights is the open-roof, double-decker option, offering unobstructed views of Tokyo’s iconic landmarks, like Tokyo Tower. However, if you choose to sit on the open deck, it’s highly recommended to be prepared for the weather by taking precautions against heatstroke or cold weather, depending on the season.

You can also get a great view of the brick facade of Tokyo Station from the bus.

Get to Know Tokyo with the Sky Hop Bus Audio Guide

The Sky Hop Bus is more than just a convenient way to travel between Tokyo’s top destinations—it’s also a mobile guided tour. With onboard audio guidance available in 7 languages, your journey becomes an informative experience as you learn about Tokyo’s landmarks and uncover fascinating historical facts along the way. You might even discover places that weren’t originally on your itinerary!

Having lived in Japan for twelve years, most of them in Tokyo, I was pleasantly surprised to learn new things about the city through the audio guide, especially regarding the government buildings and theories about the origin of the name of the "Toranomon" (literally "tiger gate") district. Curious to find out more? Then hop on the blue course!

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, the Sky Hop Bus is an excellent way to explore Tokyo’s vibrant streets and historic sites while making the most of your time in the city.

Ticket Prices and Course Details of Sky Hop Bus

The main terminal for the Sky Hop Bus is located at the Marunouchi Mitsubishi Building, conveniently located near Tokyo Station, making it easily accessible from Hotel Tavinos Hamamatsucho via the JR Yamanote Line.
You can purchase your ticket here at the ticket counter, from any Sky Hop Bus staff, or through a travel agency. Tickets are available for one or two days, with the two-day option offering unlimited travel on consecutive days.

Ticket prices
1 day ticket: adults ¥4,500, children ¥2,200
2 day ticket: adults ¥6,500, children ¥3,200
*Prices as of September 2024

Sky Hop Bus

Website: https://skyhopbus.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skyhopbus/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/skyhopbus
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@skyhopbustokyokyoto1468

writer

Rachael Aoki
Originally from the East Coast of the United States, Rachael has called Japan home for over a decade. She enjoys discovering destinations that are popular with locals from quaint cafes to hole-in-the-wall eateries and sharing that information with visitors from overseas. She also loves taking trips to onsen and is always up for a trip to Hakone, Kanagawa.