Getting to YIS
YIS is conveniently located for public transportation access by train or bus.
The nearest train stations are Motomachi-Chukagai (Minato Mirai / Toyoko lines), Ishikawacho and Yamate (JR Keihin Tohoku / Negishi lines). Yokohama City bus #20 and Kanachu bus #11 stop a few steps from the school. Find us via Google Maps and see the tabs below for more information about train and bus tickets and commuting passes.
Please click on the tabs below for information on routes, commuter passes and more. See the Driving to School tab for important information regarding traffic and parking regulations.
Train
How do I get to school by train?
Take either Minato Mirai/Toyoko Line or JR Negishi/Keihin Tohoku Line.
Minato Mirai/Toyoko Line
The Minato Mirai Line is connected to the Tokyu Toyoko Line, which runs from Shibuya Station in Tokyo via Yokohama Station to Motomachi-Chukagai Station, taking only 35 minutes by limited express. 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). From the front of the platform, head for Exit #6 (Motomachi, Yamate Area). After exiting the ticket gate, turn right and take a series of escalators (or an elevator) up to Americayama Park, from where you can walk along the upper boundary of the Foreign Cemetery to the school. It takes less than five minutes to walk from the ticket gates to the school's playground entrance.
The MM/Toyoko Line is especially convenient for those who live in areas such as Roppongi, Hiroo, Ebisu, Shibuya, Jiyugaoka, Denenchofu, etc.
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 Minato Mirai/Toyoko line and go to Motomachi-Chukagai Station as described above, or you can continue on to Ishikawacho Station (in Japanese 石川町駅). At Ishikawacho Station, head for the South Exit, also known as the Motomachi-side exit. As you come down the steps, go straight out the ticket gates and turn right. Continue straight on the Motomachi main shopping street until you come to Motomachi Chukagai station. Enter the station area and take the escalators up to Americayama Park per above directions. Altogether, it is about a 15-minute walk.
If you are coming from points south (Ofuna, Kamakura, etc.) – or if you don’t want to walk quite so far – you can get off at Yamate Station (in Japanese 山手駅). From Yamate Station, you can take bus #20
Directions from Nearby Train Stations
- From Ishikawacho Station (JR Negishi/Keihin Tohoku Line)
- From Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Minato Mirai/Toyoko Line)
- From Yamate Station (JR Negishi/Keihin Tohoku Line)
From Ishikawacho Station (JR Negishi/Keihin Tohoku Line)
A 15-minute Walk
Exit the South Exit at Ishikawacho Station, turn right out of the station by the taxi stand and walk about 150 meters to a large intersection. Cross over and walk straight along the Motomachi Shopping Street for about 10 minutes. Near the end of the shopping street, you will see a Starbucks on the left. About 50 meters past the Starbucks on the right side of the street is the entrance to Motomachi Chukagai station. Go into the station past the ticket gates and take the elevator/escalator up to the top, to Americayama Park. (See directions from Motomachi-Chukagai Station.) From there, it is a quick three-minute walk through the park and along the edge of the Foreign Cemetery to the Bluff Road across the street from the YIS Modern Languages Building. After you cross the street, walk left towards Harbor View Park and turn right at the traffic light near the public parking lots. Walk for about 50 meters to the main school entrance.
From Motomachi-Chukagai Station (Minato Mirai/Toyoko Line)
A 5-minute Walk
Exit toward the front of the train at the Motomachi end of the platform (follow the signs for Exit 5 and 6 rather than the Chinatown exits). Take the escalators up to street level and after going through the ticket gate, turn right and take either the escalators or elevator all the way up to the top, to Americayama Park. From there, it is a quick three-minute walk through the park and along the edge of the Foreign Cemetery to the Bluff Road across the street from the YIS Modern Languages Building. After you cross the street, walk left towards Harbor View Park and turn right at the traffic light near the public parking lots. Walk for about 50 meters to the main school entrance.
From Yamate Station (JR Negishi/Keihin Tohoku Line)
A 10-minute Bus Ride
There is only one exit at Yamate Station. Just across the street from the ticket gate you will see the bus stop. Take bus No. 20. Buses depart every 10 or 15 minutes. The bus ride takes approximately 8 minutes to the Harbor View Park (Minato no Mieruoka Koen-mae) bus stop, which is located just a few meters from the front entrance of 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 yen, 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen 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)
Middle and High School students:
- approx. 7,920 yen for 1 month
- approx. 22,580 yen for 3 months
- approx. 38,310 yen for 6 months
Elementary students:
- approx. 3,970 yen for 1 month
- approx. 11,300 yen for 3 months
- approx. 19,160 yen for 6 months
Electronic Fare Card (SUICA):
SUICA is another rechargeable electronic prepaid card affiliated with the JR lines. You can deposit 1,000 yen, 3,000 yen, 5,000 yen or 10,000 yen (+500 yen 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 Minato Mirai/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 Yamate station)
High School students:
- approx. 6,340 yen for 1 month
- approx. 18,060 yen for 3 months
- approx. 34,240 yen for 6 months
Middle School students:
- approx. 4,930 yen for 1 month
- approx. 14,040 yen for 3 months
- approx. 26,630 yen for 6 months
Elementary students:
- approx. 2,460 yen for 1 month
- approx. 7,020 yen for 3 months
- approx. 13,310 yen 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 at the school office, 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.
Bus
How do I get to school by Public bus?
Take either Yokohama City bus #20 or Kanachu bus #11.
Bus #20 runs between JR Yamate Station and Sakuragicho Station (or Yamashita Futo Iriguchi). Get off at off at Minato-no-Mieru Oka-Koen-Mae, or in Japanese 港の見える丘公園前, which is practically in front of the school’s Main Building. It takes approximately 10 minutes from either Yamate Station or Sakuragicho Station.
Bus #11 runs from Sakuragicho Station to Hodogaya Station East Exit. Get off at Minato-no-Mieru-Oka-Koen-Mae. The stop for bus #11 is just around the corner from the Main Building. It takes approximately 10 minutes from Sakuragicho Station and 25 minutes from Hodogaya Station.
Links
Yokohama City Transportation Department
Kanachu Bus Company (Japanese only)
How much are the fares?
Bus #20 and #11 have the same fares.
Single rides:
Adult 220 yen per ride
Child (up to age 12) 110 yen per ride
You can pay by coins and change is usually available for 1,000 yen 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.
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 Yamate Station to Minato-no-Mieru Oka-Koen-Mae)
Middle and High School students:
- approx. 6,740 yen for 1 month
- approx. 19,210 yen for 3 months
- approx. 36,400 yen for 6 months
Elementary students:
- approx. 2,170 yen for 1 month
- approx. 6,180 yen for 3 months
- approx. 11,720 yen for 6 months
Suica and Pasmo Cards:
You can also pay for the bus fare with the Suica or Pasmo electronic fare cards.
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. However if you need assistance in Japanese, we can help complete a purchase form for you (click here for the form to request assistance), which you can take along with the student ID card to the nearest bus office. (Student ID cards will be issued to all new students who have had their photo taken digitally at the School Office. A home address will also be needed.)
When renewing your bus pass after the initial period, you need only bring 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).
Yokohama Station East Exit Terminal
Both offices are on B1 floor of the Sogo Department Store.
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
Driving to School
Most YIS students travel to and from school using convenient public transportation, or on foot or bicycle if they live nearby. We are situated in the midst of a residential neighborhood, and so 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. Please also note that there is no on-campus or street parking at YIS.
Nevertheless, we recognize that some families, particularly those with young children, prefer to commute to/from school by car. We do allow drop-off and pick-up only at the playground gate and subject to strict adherence to parking and traffic regulations, which have been developed in consultation with neighbors and local police and fire representatives and are intended to ensure the safety of the students and others in the community.
If you are planning to drive to/from school, please carefully review our Parking and Traffic Regulations.
