Japan during Golden week
Mar 29th, 2004, 11:40 AM
#1
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Japan during Golden week
We (husband, mom, and myself) will be in Japan during the Golden Week in May. Yes, I know that this is not the best time to go because everyone will be on vacation. But that is exactly why we are going--that's when my brother and his fiance are on vacation and free to travel with us.
That said, I am a bit worried about getting train reservations for that week. We will be arriving on April 29 (4pm) and will be traveling to Miyajima/Hiroshima (May 2-3) and Kyoto (May 4-5). Since we won't be able to activate our JR passes till we arrive in Japan, will we have any problems reserving seats for our train travels???
That said, I am a bit worried about getting train reservations for that week. We will be arriving on April 29 (4pm) and will be traveling to Miyajima/Hiroshima (May 2-3) and Kyoto (May 4-5). Since we won't be able to activate our JR passes till we arrive in Japan, will we have any problems reserving seats for our train travels???
Mar 29th, 2004, 02:09 PM
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You might have trouble making the seat reservations, but that doesn't mean at all that you can't travel on the trains you want. Without reservations, you just wait on line for the non-reserved cars and hope for a seat. If there are no seats, you stand. It's not uncommon for trains to be filled to 150% - 200% capacity during peak travel time...that just means that there are double the number of people on the train than there are seats, and they are all travelling in the non-reserved seat cars or between cars. When you arrive and activate your JR passes, you should certainly try to make your reservations then...and if you can't get any, don't worry, just be prepared to stand in a crowd.
You will have great weather! Enjoy your trip!
Kim
You will have great weather! Enjoy your trip!
Kim
Mar 29th, 2004, 04:07 PM
#3
You can make reservations before you go to Japan. Visit the following website:
http://www.world.eki-net.com/
Mar 30th, 2004, 01:57 AM
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Be careful when reserving seats through world.eki-net with a JR Pass. If you fail to collect your reserved tickets from JR East station (because you've changed your mind or schedule), the full face value (including Limited Express fee) will be charged to your card.
Mar 30th, 2004, 08:17 AM
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mrwunrfl and Alec-
Can I reserve seats at http://www.world.eki-net.com/ when our JR passes have not been activated yet? Our dates/times are pretty set so there shouldn't be any changes... thanks!
Can I reserve seats at http://www.world.eki-net.com/ when our JR passes have not been activated yet? Our dates/times are pretty set so there shouldn't be any changes... thanks!
Mar 30th, 2004, 08:23 AM
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Generally, trains FROM big cities such as Tokyo, Osaka will be crowded at the beginning of Golden Week, and at the end, trains TO such cities will be crowded. trains go opposite direction will be less crowded, sometimes unbelievably vacant.
Of course, trains run early morning or late at night will be less crowded.
Think how people will act and do reverse. That will help you to use trains comfortably even during the Golden Week in Japan.
Of course, trains run early morning or late at night will be less crowded.
Think how people will act and do reverse. That will help you to use trains comfortably even during the Golden Week in Japan.
Mar 30th, 2004, 08:51 AM
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Yes you can. Go to the eki-net site and click 'Using JR Pass'. The reserved tickets will have the full fare printed on them, but by showing your activated pass (you have to do this before you collect your tickets)you will get them free.
