#4007

Magical Cat Bus Ride to the Airport (1 of 3)

Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT)

In the thirteen plus years that I’ve lived in Japan, I’ve never once taken the bus to the airport. That seemed to me an incredibly peculiar thing to admit, so I took it upon myself to do something about it. Living in Yokohama and very near Yokohama Station, it was a no brainer to finally give the Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT) a go.

Located on the Sogo-side of Yokohama Station, YCAT turned out to be one of the best travel choices I’ve ever made. First, their website (available in English) made it a breeze to find out who and what and where they are, as well as their departure/arrival times and fares:

http://www.ycat.co.jp/en/

Second, their online “Web Bus” system makes booking a reservation a super simple painless process. In less than five clicks, you’re basically ready to go:

http://www.ycatyoyaku.jp/YCATBus/pc/information/

But what I enjoyed most about using YCAT was the ride itself. Their buses are immaculate inside and out; the YCAT staff especially polite, and the 85-minute ride to the airport (only ¥3600 direct to Narita) was so much more pleasant than taking a train. And hey, something I didn’t know before: the buses are WiFi capable!

Comfortable Rides and Peace and Quiet

Imagine yourself on a quiet, spacious, uncongested bus, staring out the window watching the city and ocean pass you by. That’s exactly what it was like, a mini-adventure road trip to Narita. I didn’t have to worry about being subjected to the weirdness one sometimes encounters on the train, nor did I have to face sitting squashed next to, or in between, strangers I’d usually rather not. YCAT’s buses, which happen to be equipped with a very clean bathroom, allowed me to sit back and relax – and even catch a brief nap before my airport arrival. Best of all, the trip from YCAT to the airport is direct, so that meant I also didn’t have to deal with waiting for people to scramble on-and-off the train at multiple stops.

It was a surprisingly welcome refreshing experience, one that I regret not having taking advantage of sooner. But now that you know, I highly recommend you use YCAT the next time you need to make the journey to Haneda or Narita. Don’t worry about luggage, either; they’ve staff to handle all that for you.

In my next two articles, I’ll not only teach you how to purchase your ticket, but also what to do while you’re waiting for your bus to leave!

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

United Kingdom

Former Deep Japan Writer's other advice

Let's Go Swimming in Yokohama! images

Let's Go Swimming in Yokohama!

In my last post, I talked about swimming at Yokohama's International Swimming Pool: http://www.deepjapan.org/a/4437But, of course, there are plenty of other pools in Yokohama where you can go to …

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #14 images

Quick and easy things to do in Yokohama #14

Summer time means trips to the beaches and swims in the ocean, but the Yokohama International Swimming Pool is open all year long. It's also one of the the biggest and most beautiful pool facilities …

Best book-browsing, electronic-buying, time-killing spot in Tokyo images

Best book-browsing, electronic-buying, time-killing spot in Tokyo

Tsutaya Electric store opened its doors on Sunday, May 3rd, 2015 in the Futako-Tamagawa Rise building. Dubbed as a "lifestyle shop", its layout gives a whole new experience to purchasing products suc…

Once Only Space and Survival Foods Now Convenience Store Snacks images

Once Only Space and Survival Foods Now Convenience Store Snacks

According to a well-written article on the subject, "freeze-drying technology was originally developed for the production of medicine and is probably best-known among consumers for its use in instant…

Experience the Edo Period at the Edo-Tokyo Museum images

Experience the Edo Period at the Edo-Tokyo Museum

The Edo-Tokyo Museum was established in 1993, and remains one of Tokyo's most interesting musems, featuring the history of Tokyo during the Edo periodAmong its main permanent exhibition features …

Another Easy and Affordable Way to Beat Tsuyu (the Rainy Season) images

Another Easy and Affordable Way to Beat Tsuyu (the Rainy Season)

Two years ago I wrote about one of my favourite summer dishes: "Hiyashi Chuka" - chilled Chinese noodles. It's a summer staple in Japan because it's tasty, light, and refreshing - a perfect meal to b…

You might also like

Bringing Your Meds To Japan? Study The Laws A Little. images

Bringing Your Meds To Japan? Study The Laws A Little.

For a long time, the ubiquitous sinus medicine Vicks Inhaler was the butt of jokes among resident foreigners in Japan. Signs used to grace airport terminals with the familiar cream-and-green device…

jdlawrence image

jdlawrence

Tokyo Doitsu Mura images

Tokyo Doitsu Mura

I never have figured out why places, that are clearly not in Tokyo, are still designated as "Tokyo" something or other. Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea are in Chiba folks, not Tokyo. That being sai…

Kevin image

Kevin

KOUMEN - Best Egg Tarts in Yokohama Chinatown images

KOUMEN - Best Egg Tarts in Yokohama Chinatown

Egg tarts are my absolute favorite dim sum items, but it's very hard to find them in bakeries in Japan unless I make a trip to Yokohama Chinatown.The egg custard tart (commonly romanized as daan taat…

Suetsumuhana image

Suetsumuhana

Dockyard Garden A stone-built dock constructed at the same time as the Port of Yokohama images

Dockyard Garden A stone-built dock constructed at the same time as the Port of Yokohama

Yokohama Landmark Tower came into existence as the new symbol of Yokohama. At the foot of the tower is the Dockyard Garden. This is a reconstruction of the “No. 2 Dock of the Former Yokohama Dock Com…

Kanagawa P.G.T.D. image

Kanagawa P.G.T.D.

Must Have Japanese Souvenirs: Gachapon images

Must Have Japanese Souvenirs: Gachapon

Spend any amount of time in Japan and you'll inevitably run into one. Whether it's at your local supermarket, drug store, or Yodabashi Camera, gachapon machines are practically everywhere."Gachap…

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer

Today I am in Sakuragicho, Yokohama images

Today I am in Sakuragicho, Yokohama

I often write about Yokohama. It's difficult for me not to. I live here. I work here. And during my time as Creative Director for the Yokohama Seasider Magazine, it was my job (and passion) to learn …

Former Deep Japan Writer image

Former Deep Japan Writer