All of Tokyo is a pedestrian paradise, with all corners of the metropolis accessible on foot thanks to one of the most intricate public transport systems in the world. But traveling by train and by foot can make it hard to get a handle on the overall geography of the city. Even the locals in Tokyo still get lost from time to time among the colorful shopping avenues of Harajuku or neon-lit streets of Shinjuku. There are a thousand things to do and sights to see on the streets of Tokyo every day, but to really get a handle on how the city moves as a whole, you've got to gain a bit of perspective.

I got a chance to do just that recently, visiting Excel Air Service, which offers helicopter cruises over Tokyo and Yokohama. Operating out of Urayasu directly next to Tokyo Disney Resort(R), the helicopter cruises of Excel Air take guests high above Tokyo's streets for an unforgettable view that shows an entirely new side of the city.

Excel's free shuttle service runs from Maihama Station, and quickly takes passengers to the Urayasu heliport. Arriving 30 minutes prior to my scheduled cruise, the waiting room was decked out in holiday decorations during my visit. The room had a warm atmosphere with plenty of young couples relaxing on the comfortable couches, chatting while enjoying the view of nearby Tokyo DisneySea(R). Checking in was painless, and after a brief wait it was our turn to take off.

Seats were assigned after a safety lecture, and my group proceeded to the helipad. Onboard, at least one person from every couple gets a window seat, making a great excuse to slide close to your partner at the window. I'd never ridden in a helicopter before, but taking off was surprisingly smooth as we quickly climbed above the Tokyo Bay. Flying out over Tokyo Disney Resort on the Diamond Course offered by Excel Air, the theme park lights immediately made for a dazzling view.

Settling in to our cruising altitude of 700 meters, the lights of Tokyo continued to spread out far into the distance. Landmarks like the Tokyo Tower, Rainbow Bridge, and Roppongi Hills, normally divided by multiple train transfers, were all visible in one sweeping view. It really was a completely different way to see Tokyo. On foot, the skyscrapers and department store advertisements tower above train station exits at Ikebukuro and Shibuya. From the air, not only could we see the entire area around these city centers, but also how they connect to one another.

After 20 minutes, our nighttime cruise came to an end and we touched down back at the Urayasu Heliport. My first thoughts upon exiting the helicopter were, "I bet the daytime cruise is just as impressive." Excel Air's Diamond Course was a wonderful, romantic experience that literally let me see Tokyo on an entirely different level.

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If you would like to learn more, visit Excel Air's homepage

Reservation terms and conditions are at the link

Or, contact Excel Air directly:
Excel Air Service, Inc.
TEL: +81-47-380-5555 (outside Japan)
047-380-5555 (within Japan)
Open: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. weekends and holidays
10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. weekdays