sandgroper

Hi,
Using HyperDia, I think i've been able to work out approximately what our long distance train fares will cost while visiting Japan in May. We won't be travelling in Golden week.

We won't be using a JR pass as the consecutive travel days don't work out for us.
I'm wondering if there is anyone here who has the time, and inclination, to check my approximate costs as i worry i haven't understood HyperDia well enough?

Per adult person:
Hiroshima to Kyoto ----- 11,410
Kyoto to Kanazawa ----- 6,900
Kanazawa to Nikko ----- 17,680
Nikko to Tokyo ----------- 3130

As far as i can understand it, those prices include reserved seats.
Big thanks if anyone can help me with this

thursdaysd

The first is right for a reserved seat on the Nozomi for a random date in May. If that's right the others should be.

sandgroper

Thank you very much

Kavey

Sandgroper, you probably already know but JR Pass cannot be used on Nozomi trains, but rest of shinkansen are covered.

mrwunrfl

Yes, those are the right prices. Yes, that includes reserved seats.

mrwunrfl

Nikko to Tokyo 3130

That means you are planning to use Tobu trains instead of the more expensive JR options using the shinkansen. Which is good.

Your next step is to refine that trip by identifying the actual arrival station in Tokyo that you will use, assuming you are not actually staying near Tokyo station.

For example, if you are staying in Asakusa then you could get a Tobu rapid train for 1360 or a limited express for 2700.

sandgroper

Thank you for your replies thursdaysd, Kavey, and mrwunrfl.
mrwunrfl you are right. I haven't calculated the departure from Nikko correctly.
We're travelling Nikko to Ryogoku. Looking at the timetables i have absolutely no idea which would be the least confusing for first timers like us.
(All i know is it has to be reserved seats because neither one of us can stand for too long)
And not only that, I don't even know how long before departure we should be buying any of the tickets.

mrwunrfl

Your trip from Kanazawa to Nikko will have you make a shinkansen transer. That will be easy.

Then another transfer at Utsunomiya from the shinkansen to a JR local to Nikko. That JR train does not have reserved seats. Travel time is about 45 minutes. I don't know what that train is like, how busy it is, but my guess is that you will be able to find seats. You could ask somebody to move. Excuse me - sumimasen - sue me ma sen - to some young guy and use sign language for the seat.

It might be possible to go from JR Utsunomiya to a Tobu station where you could catch the Tobu limited express train to Nikko. But those limited express trains (the ones with reserved seats) are not frequent.

The Tobu limited express from Nikko to Asakusa runs twice a a day, on May 15 for example it be 9:54 or 11:54.

Where are you going in Nikko and for how long? Are you going to see the main sights of Nikko? or going farther like to Kinugawa Onsen. Am asking to figure out your train options.

For Nikko to Ryogoku you best option is the Tobu limited express train to Asakusa (Tobu). Then you can get a subway and transfer to a JR line to get to Ryogoku. That is one way and it is two short hops (3 min, 4 min to change trains, and 2 min) 9 min total from Asakusa subway station to JR Ryogoku.

There are two railway stations in Nikko, as you may have learned. Nikko on hyperdia means JR Nikko station. Tobu Nikko is the other station.

After youo arrive at Nikko station you can go to the Tobu station to buy your ticket and reserved seats for the train to Asakusa. The walk tine between stations is 6 min according to hyperdia. I think is a bus/shuttle.

A question that I can't answer is: can a travel agent in Kanazawa or Kyoto buy you a ticket on the Tobu limited express train or do they have to be bought at a Tobu station?

sandgroper

Hi mrwunrfl,
Yes looking at the timetable on 15th May we can leave Kanazawa at 9.46 a.m. and arrive in Nikko at 13.49 p.m.

We're not travelling further than Nikko, and will be leaving on the 19th May.

I didn't know there are two railway stations in Nikko, and when i'd entered Nikko - Ryogoku, Askakusa hadn't come up as an option.

I'd really like to take your suggestion as it makes more sense.
I'm now looking at the 9.48 a.m. train on 19th May. Can i catch the train from Tobu Nikko or do i have to go to Nikko station first?
If i've got it right, i could leave Asakusa (Tobu/Ssubway) at 12.24 pm and arrive at Ryogoku station at 12.37 pm.

Really appreciate your help in walking me through what seems to me to be a great big maze.
( I don't want to even think about what all the transfers at stations means lol)
Thank you very much mrwunrfl

mrwunrfl

Now I am curious about what you will be doing in Nikko with 3 full days there.

15th May - you have that right, change shinkanen at Omiya, change to the local train (unreserved) at Utsunomiya, arrive JR Nikko.

Upon arrival at JR Nikko, you could go to the Tobu station to get your reserved seat tickets for the 19th. Or not. Good for you that you are departing on a Friday - better than a Sunday when you might be competing for seats with weekenders from Tokyo.

19th May - you go to Tobu Nikko station for the <b>9:54</b> train to Asakusa

>If i've got it right, 12:24 ... 12:37

You've got it right as far as the route goes: Toei subway to Asakusabashi and then JR Chuo Line to Ryogoku. You just need to know the route because both of those trains are frequent. You don't have to stick to the schedule.

But you might get to Ryogoku sooner, see Route1 here:

http://www.hyperdia.com/cgi/en/searc...d&sum_target=7

mrwunrfl

I hope you know that Ryogoku is home to the Kokugikan, the sumo hall where Grand Sumo Tournaments are held. This year's May tournament runs from the 14th to the 28th.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3022.html

LuisJp

At first, try simple searches.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hiro...n/Kyoto+Japan/
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Kyot...anazawa+Japan/
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Kana...n/Nikko+Japan/
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Nikk...n/Tokyo+Japan/

Then, refine them with more precise end points. Names and addresses both should work.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mits...s+Kyoto+Japan/
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hote...+Castle+Japan/
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Hote...ge+Tobu+Japan/
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Nikk...6+Tokyo+Japan/

If you still love tables...
https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?sub_lang=ja
https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/j...s/?sub_lang=ja
https://world.jorudan.co.jp/mln/en/?...=2&sub_lang=ja

sandgroper

hi mrwunrfl,
Thanks very much for even more help
On the 17th and 18th i'm wanting to see this festival:
https://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/spot/fest...reitaisai.html
I've no doubt booked too long in Nikko so i'll be trying to fill in the 16th with things to do besides reading a book. So far the things that interest me are to see, and maybe even buy from Kousyuuya studio one stroke dragon art, and also go to Toshogu Shrine.
Yes, i'm really looking forward to seeing a grand sumo match. I've never seen a sumo tournament before.

LuisJp more homework for me I've been wondering what google maps are all about and you've pointed me in the right direction. Jordan site looks like something i need to become familiar with too. Thank you!

LuisJp

I take Nikko to be a set of Nikko and Okunikko, just an analog to Hiroshima and Miyajima --- history and nature. Depending on the actual temperatures, either Sakura by Lake Chuzenji or Tsutsuji by Ryuzu-no-Taki (Falls) should be best to see for your dates.
http://nikko-travel.jp/english/attract/oku_nikko.html

And here are some other data.

May 17th
10:00 Reisai
13:00 Yabusame
evening Yoinarisai
May 18th
11:00 Musya-Gyoretsu (by 1200+ persons)
http://www.toshogu.jp/saiten/index.html

Kousyuuya: open 10:00-18:00 (closed on Thursdays, but open on holidays)
http://www.kousyuuya.com/

sandgroper

Thank you LuisJp, your post is very helpful