Sky Hop Bus

What it is and where it operates

Sky Hop Bus is an open-top double-decker hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus in Tokyo, Japan. The site calls itself the "Hop-on Hop-off Bus Official site," is run by Skyhop Bus Marketing Japan Co., Ltd., and links to a separate Kyoto site. It says "Tokyo offers a wealth of sights to see, and that's precisely why this double-decker roofless bus is the perfect way to take them in," and that "There are a total of 19 bus stops throughout Tokyo." Riders are "free to get on and off at any of these stops," and "can even transfer between different routes." Prices are in Japanese yen, and the site is offered in languages from Japanese and English to Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian.

All 3 routes start from the Marunouchi Mitsubishi Building near Tokyo Station and the Imperial Palace (stop B1, G1, R1).

The three routes

Red: Asakusa and Tokyo Skytree. The route description reads: "Explore Tokyo's sumo culture in Ryogoku, view the awe-inspiring Tokyo Skytree, and explore Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple, known for its striking Kaminarimon Gate." It continues to Ueno, "with its famous zoo and Ameyoko market," and Akihabara, "the center of anime and electronics." Stops run from Kodenmacho Station (R2) through Ryogoku, Tokyo Skytree Station, Asakusa Hanakawado and Asakusa Tawaramachi, Ueno Station and Ueno Matsuzakaya, Akihabara and Shin Nihonbashi Station (R10). The stop notes list what is near each stop: Senso-ji and Nakamise Shopping Street at Asakusa, Ueno Park and the zoo at Ueno, and anime shops and maid cafes at Akihabara. They add that tickets can also be used on the shuttle bus that goes around Nihonbashi.

Blue: Tokyo Tower, Tsukiji and Ginza. The site describes "a scenic drive overlooking the Rainbow Bridge," from Tokyo Tower to the shopping streets of Ginza, with "the site of the former Tsukiji Fish Market, once the largest of its kind," and Odaiba, "a hub for the latest in leisure and entertainment." Stops are Tokyo Tower (B2), Tokyo Tower Prince Hotel and Zojoji Temple, Fuji Television, Tokyo Teleport Station and Tsukiji Ginza. The stop list pairs Fuji Television with Odaiba's Statue of Liberty and Legoland, Tokyo Teleport with DiverCity Plaza Tokyo, and Tsukiji Ginza with the Tsukiji Outer Market and Kabukiza.

Green: Shinjuku and Shibuya. The site promises "panoramic views from the open-top at the Scramble Crossing, a spectacle of organized chaos unique to the city," the neon of Shinjuku, "Tokyo's largest entertainment district," and Shibuya, "the epicenter of Japan's cutting-edge trends," finishing at Tokyo Tower. Stops include Shinjuku Gyoenmae Station, Shinjuku Station South Exit and the Shinjuku Mitsui Building in Nishi Shinjuku. The stop notes point out the free observation deck on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, 202 meters up, near the Nishi Shinjuku stop, the Basta Shinjuku bus terminal and its Tokyo Tourist Information Center at the South Exit stop, and Meiji Jingu and Takeshita-dori within walking distance of Shinjuku Gyoenmae.

Tickets and prices

The homepage lists a 1 Day Ticket at ¥4,800 for adults and ¥2,400 for children, and a 2 Day Ticket at ¥7,000 and ¥3,500. The site explains the validity plainly: the 1-day ticket is "Valid only on the day of boarding" and is "Not 24 Hour Ticket type," while the 2-day ticket is "Valid for two consecutive days from the start date of boarding" and is "Not 48 Hour Ticket type."

The Sky Hop Bus & Tokyo Skytree Observation Deck Set Ticket combines a 1-day bus pass "(valid for 12 hours)" with Skytree admission, either the Tembo Deck (350m) and Tembo Galleria (450m) or the Tembo Deck only. You pick a Skytree entry time when booking, both parts use QR code vouchers, the bus ticket is valid for 3 months, bookings take up to 8 people, and the deadline is 23:59 the day before. The homepage also promotes a "Discover Ticket" as its best-value option, and the homepage shows no price for either set ticket.

On board

The in-car services page describes GPS-linked audio guidance "in one of the 7 languages of your choice"; the homepage lists them as English, Spanish, French, German, Chinese, Korean and Japanese. You can use free earphones handed out on boarding or bring wired headphones. Free Wi-Fi runs on the network "SkyHopbus_free." Seating is "non-reserved seating only." The site notes that the type of bus can vary by day, and a 2025 notice covers the operation of roofed buses. A free mobile app with real-time bus arrivals is listed as coming soon.

The rules are set out clearly. "Ponchos are provided in case of rain, but operations may be suspended in case of thunderstorms or heavy rain," and umbrellas are not permitted. Seat belts must be worn while the bus is moving, and moving between seats is not allowed. Bottled drinks with lids are fine, but eating and drinking alcohol are prohibited. Large luggage and strollers go in the bus trunk. The site advises sun protection in summer and warm clothing in winter, and posts service notices such as typhoon updates and a heatstroke warning.

Booking and payment

Tickets can be bought online in advance or on board: "Tickets can be purchased from the bus attendant using cash, credit card, or select cashless payment methods," including cards without an IC chip. The site states "Tickets cannot be refunded after being issued" and recommends buying before boarding. It links to a Ticket Refund page, an FAQ, a Contact page, Terms and Conditions and the legally required Notation based on the Specified Commercial Transactions Act.

What the site does not settle

The homepage and route pages link to timetables for each stop but do not state bus frequency or how long a full loop takes. The Ticket Refund page is separate, so the conditions for online bookings cancelled before use need checking there. The homepage and in-car services page do not describe wheelchair access.

Sky Hop Bus suits first-time visitors who want an easy open-top overview of Tokyo's main districts with recorded commentary, and anyone planning to combine the red route with a Skytree visit. The clear rules on weather, strollers and ticket validity make it easy to plan around.