Getting to YIS

How do I get to school by train?

Take either Minatomirai/Toyoko Line or JR Negishi/Keihin Tohoku Line.
 

Minatomirai/Toyoko Line

The Minatomirai (MM) Line is connected to the Tokyu Toyoko Line, which runs from Shibuya Station in Tokyo via Yokohama Station to Motomachi-Chukagai Station, taking only 30 minutes by Limited Express.  Please be aware that, although most trains are bound for Motomachi-Chukagai Station, some trains are not so make sure to check the train schedule for up to date information.  There are convenient connections from stations on the Toyoko Line to Hiroo and Roppongi, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro and many other Tokyo locations. (See route map here.)

Traveling to school, get off at Motomachi-Chukagai Station (in Japanese 元町・中華街駅). The MM/Toyoko Line is especially convenient for those who live in areas such as Roppongi, Hiroo, Ebisu, Shibuya, Jiyugaoka, Denenchofu, etc.

From Yamashita-cho bus stop near Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Exit 4), take bus #8 or #58 to the Kominato bus stop. See the Bus tab for a map of bus stops close to the school.

 

JR Negishi Line or the Keihin Tohoku (JR Line)

The JR Keihin Tohoku Line runs from Omiya Station via Tokyo Station and Yokohama Station to Ofuna Station. From Yokohama to Ofuna it is also known as the Negishi Line. (See JR route map here.)

From Tokyo, Kawasaki or other points north, you can either switch at Yokohama Station to the Minatomirai/Toyoko line and go to Motomachi-Chukagai Station as described above, or you can continue on to Negishi Station (in Japanese 根岸駅). 

From Negishi Station, take bus #58 or #101 to the Honmoku-Miyabara bus stop. See the Bus tab for a map of bus stops close to the school.

 

How much are the fares?

Single Ride Tickets:

The train fare varies according to the line and the distance you are traveling. Tickets are available from vending machines near the ticket gates and the fare charts are usually above the vending machines. Although you can purchase single ride tickets if you wish, it is much more convenient to use an electronic fare card. See the next sections on the PASMO and SUICA electronic fare cards.

 

Electronic Fare Card (PASMO):

The PASMO card is a rechargeable electronic prepaid card affiliated with the Toyoko Line and other train and bus companies. You can deposit ¥1,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 yen to the card and can pass through the admission gates in an instant by just tapping the card on the gate sensor. The ticket fare for the route traveled will automatically be deducted from the deposit on your card. With this card, you avoid the hassle of having to find out how much your fare will be and no extra time is needed to purchase your ticket. You will be able to recharge the card repeatedly. The PASMO card can also be used when you take JR Lines and many other major public transportation lines, including city buses and the Yokohama and Tokyo subway systems. The card can also be used to buy food, drinks and other items at station KIOSKS or other affiliated shops.

PASMO commuter passes (Teiki-ken): Student discounts are available if you purchase a PASMO electronic commuter pass good for either 1, 3 or 6 months. Fares vary depending on the length of your route, the train lines taken and the student’s grade level.

Sample pass rates for students (from Den-en-chofu to Motomachi Chukagai Station, as of May, 2023)

Middle and High School students:

• approx. ¥8,000 for 1 month
• approx. ¥22,810 for 3 months
• approx. ¥38,680 for 6 months

Elementary students: 

• approx. ¥4,010 for 1 month
• approx. ¥11,410 for 3 months
• approx. ¥19,340 for 6 months

 

Electronic Fare Card (SUICA):

SUICA is another rechargeable electronic prepaid card affiliated with the JR lines. You can deposit ¥1,000, ¥3,000, ¥5,000 or ¥10,000 (+ ¥500 initial cost) to the card and can pass through the admission gates in an instant by just tapping the card on the gate sensor. The ticket fare for the route traveled will automatically be deducted from the deposit on your card. With this card, you avoid the hassle of having to find out how much your fare will be and no extra time is needed to purchase your ticket. You will be able to recharge the card repeatedly. The SUICA card can also be used when you take Minatomirai/Toyoko line trains and many other major public transportation lines, including city buses and the Yokohama and Tokyo subway systems. The card can also be used to buy food, drinks and other items at station KIOSKS or other affiliated shops.

SUICA commuter passes (Teiki-ken): Student discounts are available if you purchase a SUICA commuter pass good for either 1, 3 or 6 months. Fares vary depending on the type the length of your route and students’ grade level.

Sample pass rates for students (from Ofuna station to Negishi station, as of May 2023)

High School students:

• approx. ¥5,140 for 1 month
• approx. ¥14,670 for 3 months
• approx. ¥27,790 for 6 months

Middle School students:

• approx. ¥4,000 for 1 month
• approx. ¥11,410 for 3 months
• approx. ¥21,610 for 6 months

Elementary students: 

• approx. ¥2,000 for 1 month
• approx. ¥5,700 for 3 months
• approx. ¥10,800 for 6 months

 

How and where do I purchase a commuter pass for the train?

To purchase a discount student commuter pass for the train you will first need to obtain an application certificate from the school office. This is a certificate that verifies the commuting route between school and your home. Click here for the certificate request form. Once the certificate is ready, you can take it with your student ID card to the nearest station of the train or subway line you are taking to purchase your pass. There is an office at each station, usually near the ticket gates, where you will be able to purchase your train pass.

When renewing your train pass after the initial period, you will only need to bring your student ID card with your latest pass to the station pass office. For electronic fare passes such as PASMO and SUICA, you will normally be able to renew your passes using the vending machines specialized for issuing train passes. However, some station offices may ask for a new train pass certificate in March or April as the normal school year begins around this timing for most Japanese schools. Should this be the case, please request a new train pass certificate from the school office.

 

Lost and Found

• JR East Infoline (English) 050-2016-1603
• Minato Mirai Motomachi Chukagai Stn. (Japanese only) 045-663-0974
• Toyoko Line Yokohama Station 045-323-0225

*Found items on trains are usually kept at the station where the item was reported and may not be at the station where you get on or get off.

How do I get to school by Public bus?

The following bus routes can be used to access the school.

• From Yamashita-cho bus stop near Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Exit 4): bus #8 or #58 to the Kominato bus stop.
• From Sakuragicho Station or Ishikawacho Station: bus #101, #105 or #106 to the  Kominato-cho bus stop.
• From Negishi Station: bus #58 or #101 to the Honmoku-Miyabara bus stop.

Bus stop locations near the new campus are indicated in the map below.
See the Yokohama City Transportation Department website for further information about busses and routes.

 

 

How much are the fares?

Single rides:

Adult ¥220 per ride

Child (up to age 12) ¥110 per ride

You can pay by coins and change is usually available for ¥1,000 bills. Depending on the bus company, children are sometimes offered a special discount rate of 50 yen during limited periods, such as during the Japanese summer holiday. However, this is usually applicable only when the fare is paid in cash.

You can also pay for the bus fare with the Suica or Pasmo electronic fare cards.

 

Bus passes:

Student discounts are available if you purchase bus passes good for either 1, 3 or 6 months. Fares vary depending on the type and the length of your routes.

Sample pass rates for students (from Yamashita-cho bus stop near Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Exit 4): bus #8 or #58 to the Kominato bus stop)

Middle and High School students: 

• approx. ¥6,920 for 1 month
• approx. ¥19,720 for 3 months
• approx. ¥37,370 for 6 months

Elementary students: 

• approx. ¥2,230 for 1 month
• approx. ¥6,360 for 3 months
• approx. ¥12,040 for 6 months

 

How and where do I acquire a bus pass?

To purchase a discounted student bus pass you need only present your YIS student ID card to the nearest bus office.

When renewing your bus pass after the initial period, present your student ID card with your latest pass to the bus office. You can buy bus passes at one of the following offices (or other offices that may be closer to your residence).

Passes can be purchased at the Yokohama Station East Exit Bus Information Center.
Location: B1 floor of the Sogo Department Store.
Tel: 045-465-2045
Open Mon-Fri 10:00-12:45 & 14:00-19:00; Sat., Sun. & Japanese holidays 10:00-13:00 & 14:00-18:00

 

Lost and Found

• Hodogaya Office (for #101) 045-331-2401
• Maioka Office (for #11) 045-822-6121
• Honmoku-shako Office (for #20,105,106) 045-621-1071

Yokohama and Tokyo School Bus Service

We offer a limited school bus service between YIS and central Tokyo as well as between school and Motomachi/Ishikawacho Train stations. Please see the 2023-24 YIS Bus Rider Handbook for information regarding bus stop locations, schedules, fees, cancellation and other terms and conditions. To register for the bus service, please access the appropriate online registration form link below: 

Tokyo Bus 1 (Roppongi / Azabu-Juban / YIS) Registration Form 
Tokyo Bus 2 (Hiroo / YIS) Registration Form
Yokohama Bus - (Ishikawacho / Motomachi-Chukagai / YIS) Registration Form

Questions regarding the YIS school bus service? Please contact bus@yis.ac.jp.
 

Most YIS students travel to and from school using convenient public transportation, and we encourage YIS community members to minimize automobile travel to/from campus for environmental reasons as well as to help lessen the imposition on our neighbors. 

Driving to school

If driving children to school, parents must use the designated pick-up/drop-off points indicated by the school and must strictly abide by our parking and traffic regulations. 

There is no car parking on campus for parents and no street parking on the road in front of the school. However, the Honmoku Front (Sanwa) shopping complex situated next door to our campus offers multi-level covered parking at very reasonable rates. Parking up to three hours can also be redeemed through the purchase of any item from a retail outlet at Honmoku Front. There is also ample motorcycle/scooter parking available at the Honmoku Front shopping complex.

The Honmoku Front shopping complex has kindly allowed parents to drop-off their children in the parking lot in front of the supermarket between 8:00 am and 8:50 am, before the complex opens. A YIS security guard stationed at the parking lot during drop-off time will assist students and control traffic in the parking lot. Students can then walk safely along the sidewalk to the school, located less than 100 meters away. This video shows the morning drop off location and procedure. ELC children must be accompanied to/from their classroom by an adult.

Cycling to school

To accommodate the many people who cycle to and from school, we have installed over 150 bicycle parking racks for students and staff located on the south side of the South Building (picture below). The bicycle parking entrance is open only during morning arrival and afternoon dismissal. Parents who cycle to school are asked to use one of the many bicycle parking areas at Honmoku Front.