I have three appointments (different locations) all near New Sanno. I have never been anywhere near Tokyo so I am trying to decide what is easier with me and two kids. I plan on getting a room there tomorrow so I dont have to go back for my other appointments Monday but the thought of driving there stresses me out for reasons like getting lost and traffic. On the other hand lugging around two kids with a suitcase and sitting on a train for a hour seems just as annoying. What is your opinion? Is it pretty easy by car to locate New Sanno? Or would you take a train. Im waiting on driving directions from the hotel but if you have some I would appreciate it just to double check. One of the businesses I have an appointment with said they thought the base did bus rides to New Sanno but so far I havent found any info on that and all offices are closed since its the weekend. Thanks so much!

Oh man, I wish you had posted this earlier. The base taxi goes to the New Sanno (I can't remember how much they charge - probably too much) but the office that makes those arrangements is only open on week days. :o(

It's been a while, but if I remember its a fairly simple drive.

http://www.cnic.navy.mil/navycni/gr...233270.pdf

THANK YOU! Those are exactly what I needed. Where did you find those? So darnit again. The other appointment came later today and I was just making one trip as opposed to two. Seems easy-kinda like heading to Costco at first. Well I guess I will find out! Also, its not ITT or FFSC that makes those is it?

I have mad google skills :oD

But yeah, the FFSC does have a boat load of driving directions. The car rental office does as well (or at least they used too). Most of the major ones were posted on the CFAY website before they jacked it all up revamped the site.

We drove there, and then took the train around Tokyo, and left the car at New Sanno. It was easy to get to, the last part was a bit confusing because you're driving in this big circle, but just trust the directions and you'll get there just fine!

Do you have a room yet? They can be booked months in advance, although maybe getting a room on a Monday might be easier. We always take the train to get there but it sounds like for you it might be easier to drive since you have young ones.

With kids I would definitely drive there as opposed to taking the train. Just remember to stay left after you get off the rainbow bridge.

The drive is easy. For on the way back get the directions from the New Sanno back to Yokosuka. They have a nice map to follow. They will have maps to almost anywhere you need to go so you can ask them at the desk for directions.

The train is fairly painless, I don't drive around without a GPS, just plug in the New Sanno and go. Getting a room will be the hard part.

Yokota offers a bus service to the New Sanno, maybe your base does as well?

I agree with most of the others; if you have 2 kids, suitcase & sundries, go ahead & drive. Getting to New Sanno isn't that hard but study & understand the directions thoroughly before starting your trip.

The bigger challenge would be driving around Tokyo for your appointments. I would totally discourage you from doing this. Finding your way through Tokyo streets is bad enough, and parking will set you back a 2nd mortgage on your house. My advise is, for the day of appointments, leave the car in the Sanno garage (it's free), and leave the suitcase in the car. Then take the trains/subways. Allow yourself plenty of time so you're not rushed, and for the kids it will seem like a big adventure/sightseeing thing. You will get lost & confused, but not terribly so; it's all fun.

There is a concierge at the Sanno who is tremendously helpful. If you tell her where your various appointments are, she will map out the entire trip on a subway map & explain exactly how to get place-to-place. They are wonderfully patient with bumpkins like us who don't know our way around. Allow an hour for her research & mapping as there may be other customers ahead of you with questions. Don't do this like 5 minutes before you plan to head out.

At the end of the day, come back for your car & drive home. You could have dinner at the Sanno & drive home after rush hour to avoid the worst traffic.

Finally, try to avoid taking the little ones on the Tokyo subways during rush hour. Sardines doesn't begin to describe how packed the trains are; it transcends "inconvenient" and could actually be frightening to the kids who will suffocate at their low altitude.

Driving is easy. It's easier if you have a navigator, though. There are some places where you might get confused. If you can get someone to go with you, it would be the best. Amazingly enough, mid-day traffic in Tokyo is fairly light. Everyone is at work. And yes, ask the concierge for help. A taxi might be a great option if your appointments aren't too far away. Try to memorize the directions so you aren't constantly looking at them. Or tape them to the dash where you can easily see them.  Be sure to have enough yen for the tolls. There is a Community Bank ATM at the New Sanno if you need to replenish. Good luck!

Thanks for all the helpful information. We made it here and the directions were great. It got a bit confusing at that last toll at rainbow bridge and the traffic was very light. I was walking distance to my appointment today and it took ALL day and needless to say it wasnt what I expected or planned. We were beat and felt like coming back and eating at the expensive Japanese restaurant and headed to our room. Great hotel BTW. Two more appointments to kill tomorrow and they say its walkable. I think sightseeing in Tokyo will have to wait. Our very long appointment went for hours on end crammed in a small builidng with no air in who knows where and that was that :/ my question is how did i miss tokyo tower driving in? i didnt see it and neither did my seven year old. its huge right?