John B digs Japan :
getting one at Narita if you want to use the N'Ex into the city. The original poster suggests that they will arrive and depart via KIX, not NRT; so a Suica & N'EX package is not their option.
John B digs Japan :
It's less of a hassle but it doesn't afford you any savings whatsoever.
That's right. A Suica Card does not give discount of fares in special, while it can save your time and effort to handle cash because it can be used at machine gates.
You cannot use a Japan Rail Pass to pass through a machine gate; basically you should show a station attendant your Pass when you enter / exit the JR network.
Our question is with the JR pass will I able to cover all these places in train or subway.. The subway network for passengers in and around Tokyo is operated by two non-JR operators; a Japan Rail Pass covers JR lines but it is not valid on the subway network.
Your inn (= Kimi Ryokan in Ikebukuro) is closer
to Entrance C6 of Ikebukuro Station on Tokyo Metro subway Fukutoshin Line
than to West Entrance of Ikebukuro Station of JR-East.
# Tokyo Subway Route Map with station codes
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http://www.tokyometro.jp/station/common/pdf/rosen_eng.pdf[TMG No. 1 Building observatories]
To make a trip to TMG No. 1 Building (which has two observatories), subway Fukutoshin Line sounds better.
You can make a transfer in Higashi-shinjuku (F-12, E-02) to Toei subway Oedo Line.
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http://www.tokyometro.jp/station/higashi-shinjuku/yardmap/pdf/index_pd...: On your way from Ikebukuro, your Fukutoshin Line train uses Track 1 (of F-12) on the B5F and your Oedo Line train uses Track 1 (of E-02).
: On your way back, your Oedo Line train uses Track 2 (of E-02) and your Fukutoshin Line train uses Track 2 (of F-12) on the B6F.
: These transfers are on a long way in Higashi-shinjuku, but you can save effort in Tochomae (E-28), which is the nearest station to the building.
In Tochomae (E-28), Exit A4 is good for TMG No. 1 Building. Details about the observatories are on this page.
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http://www.metro.tokyo.jp/ENGLISH/TMG/observat.htm[Tsukiji Market]
As to Tsukiji Market, please check closed days in advance.
The nearest station is Tsukijishijo (E-18) on Oedo Line.
If you try your lack to see a tuna auction, however, there are no trains which stop there before 5 am.
Please note that Tsukiji Market is a wholesale market, which is a business place and basically not designed for tourism; visitors are demanded to follow some rules and expected to behave in a good manner.
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http://www.shijou.metro.tokyo.jp/pdf/topics/tsukijiguide2.pdf-
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3021.html-
http://www.tsukiji-market.or.jp/etc/calendar/2012.html: In this calendar, a week begins from a Sunday.
: Numbers in red cells show days when the market will be closed.
: Numbers in blue cells show days when the market will be extraordinarily open.
[Shibuya]
If your purposes are to see Hachiko statue and walk along Center Gai street, then Shibuya Station of JR-East sounds better, which has Hachiko Exit; when you choose Fukutoshin Line, you will have to walk via Hanzomon Line's platform to get out to the ground near these spots.
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http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3007.html
