Getting Around Yokosuka
Yokosuka occupies most of the Miura Peninsula in Kanagawa Prefecture, bordered by the mouth of Tokyo Bay to the east and Sagami Bay to the west. For a visitor, the practical consequence is that the city is spread out along the coast and inland, and getting between its districts is easiest by rail or bus. The good news is that the public transport network is dense, clean, and safe, and the two main rail operators — JR East and Keikyu — give you two different ways into the heart of the city.
Rail: Your Backbone
Two rail operators serve Yokosuka, and understanding the difference between them is the single most useful thing you can do before you arrive.
- Keikyu runs the Main Line and the Kurihama Line through the city. The Main Line stops include Oppama, Keikyū Taura, Anjinzuka, Hemi, Shioiri, Yokosuka-Chūō, Kenritsu Daigaku, Horinouchi, Keikyū Ōtsu, Mabori-Kaigan and Uraga. The Kurihama Line branches off from Horinouchi and continues through Shin-Ōtsu, Kita-Kurihama, Keikyū Kurihama, YRP Nobi, Keikyū Nagasawa and Tsukuihama.
- JR East runs the Yokosuka Line, with stations at Taura, Yokosuka, Kinugasa and Kurihama.
The key practical point is that Yokosuka-Chūō on the Keikyu Line is the more centrally located station, while JR Yokosuka Station sits a couple of kilometres to the northwest. If your destination is the central shopping and dining area, aim for Yokosuka-Chūō. Local buses connect the two stations frequently and cheaply, so switching between them is easy if you arrive on the "wrong" line.
Arriving by Train from Tokyo and Yokohama
Both operators offer direct service from Tokyo, but they differ in speed, price and where they drop you.
- Keikyu limited express trains reach Yokosuka-Chūō from Shinagawa in roughly 50–60 minutes for ¥640. Many trains from the Toei Asakusa subway line continue straight onto the Keikyu Line, so you can ride through from Nihombashi in about 1 hour 15 minutes for ¥930.
- JR Yokosuka Line trains leave from the lower level of Tokyo Station and take about 75 minutes to JR Yokosuka Station for ¥1050. Take a train bound for Yokosuka or Kurihama. Note that on Yokosuka-bound trains the front four cars are removed at Zushi, so ask if you are unsure where to sit.
Buses
Buses are the workhorse of local movement in Yokosuka, and they are the easiest way to fill the gaps between stations and neighbourhoods.
- They run often and until about 23:30, and are safe, clean and modern. Many routes run to or from train stations specifically to connect the network.
- Fares average roughly ¥170–300. The short hop between Yokosuka-Chūō and JR Yokosuka stations costs ¥170.
- At train stations you'll find a master bus map in front of the stops showing routes and bus numbers. Each numbered bus stops at only one of the several stops around the station, and each stop has a large sign listing its buses and schedules.
- Along the road, stops are spaced several blocks apart and marked by a white round or four-sided square sign, sometimes lit. Drivers watch carefully for waiting passengers.
- Stops are announced along the route and shown on an electronic display. Push the "stop" button at your seat to request your stop.
- Board at the door halfway down the bus and exit at the front door. Paying with a Pasmo or Suica contactless smart card is easiest. If paying cash, take the small white ticket from the dispenser as you board, then pay the amount shown on the price screen that matches your ticket number, placing ticket and change in the same slot on top of the machine next to the driver. Buses make change for ¥1000 notes and ¥100 coins, and drivers will often help you.
Taxis
Taxis are plentiful and very clean, and there are taxi stands at all train stations and other strategic spots.
- The meter starts at ¥710 for the first two kilometres, with a higher charge for nighttime rides and an additional ¥300 charge for telephone pick-up requests.
- Taxis with a red LED sign lit on the dashboard are available and can be flagged, though they may not stop if you're near a taxi stand.
- Taxis with a yellow placard on the front grille hold permits to enter the base. At JR Station, drivers will often ask foreigners "base-u?" to make sure a permitted cab is used.
- For longer trips, expect around ¥4,000 to Kurihama or Uraga.
Walkability
Yokosuka is a sprawling coastal city rather than a compact one, so walking works best within individual districts — around a station, along a shopping street, or between nearby sights — rather than as a way to cross the city. Plan to pair walking with rail or bus for anything beyond a single neighbourhood.
Getting In from the Airports
Yokosuka has no airport of its own; visitors arrive via Narita or Haneda.
From Haneda Airport, the simplest route is to take any Keikyu Line local or express train and change at Keikyu-Kamata station to a limited express towards Yokohama. The trip to Yokosuka-Chūō takes 50–60 minutes and costs ¥810.
From Narita Airport, you have several options depending on your budget and patience:
- Fastest but priciest: the Narita Express to Shinagawa, then the Keikyu Line to Yokosuka-Chūō. About 2 hours, ¥3630 (¥2990 JR fare plus ¥640 Keikyu fare). With a Japan Rail Pass, the trip costs only ¥360 for the Keikyu portion if you change in Yokohama.
- One-seat JR option: regular JR commuter trains depart Narita Airport once per hour. Some offer a one-seat ride to JR Yokosuka Station; otherwise change at wherever the train terminates to the next train bound for Yokosuka or Kurihama. About 2 hours 45 minutes, ¥2590. A ¥980 Green Car upgrade buys more comfortable seats and a drink and snack service.
- Cheapest: the Narita Sky Access train, which runs into the subway. Change at Sengakuji to a Keikyu limited express for Yokosuka-Chūō. About 2 hours 30 minutes, ¥1900.
Arriving by Boat
Kurihama Port is served by boat from Kanayako, and also from the Izu Islands and the Ogasawara Islands (the latter in low season only).
Practical Summary
For most visitors, the Keikyu Line to Yokosuka-Chūō is the default arrival point and the most convenient base. Use JR when it suits your origin or your Japan Rail Pass, and remember the two stations are linked by a frequent, inexpensive local bus. Buses handle the last mile almost everywhere and run late into the evening. Taxis are easy to find at stations and useful for longer trips or late nights. Load a Pasmo or Suica card if you can — it works on buses and trains alike and removes the need to calculate fares in cash.