Hato Bus

Hato Bus is a long-established Tokyo sightseeing bus company, whose yellow coaches are a familiar sight around the city. It has more than half a century of experience running tours, and its English-language programme is designed for visitors who want transport, admission and commentary handled for them, whether for a few hours in the city or a full day trip out of Tokyo.

The English range includes half-day tours covering traditional sights for visitors with limited time, full-day tours mixing old and new Tokyo, night tours showing off the city's illuminated skyline, and open-top bus rides through the city centre. Day trips to Mount Fuji and Hakone are a popular way to see the mountain without arranging trains and buses yourself. A themed full-day tour called Dynamic Tokyo runs on a bus decorated with the virtual singer Hatsune Miku. Tours come with English-speaking or Chinese-speaking guides depending on the course.

Hato Bus also offers Tour Tracer, a GPS-based system that plays commentary and information through headphones at the right moment as the bus passes each point of interest. Departure points, inclusions and tour conditions vary by course and are listed on the official website, so check them carefully when booking. Booking ahead is wise in peak seasons such as cherry blossom time, Golden Week and autumn, when popular tours fill up.

A coach tour is not the most intimate way to see Tokyo, but it is efficient if you have limited time, are travelling with older relatives or young children, or want a stress-free day trip to Mount Fuji. The open-top tours are an enjoyable way to see the city centre from a different angle, especially on a fine day. Weather can affect views of Mount Fuji, which is often hidden by cloud, particularly in summer.

Most tours depart from central Tokyo, with the company's main departure points around Tokyo Station, which makes them easy to reach from hotels in Marunouchi, Ginza and Nihonbashi. Bring a jacket for open-top rides in cooler months and a hat in summer. Check the cancellation policy before booking, as terms differ between city tours and day trips.