JR pass, seats reservation, and other...
 

All destinations and hotels - are more or less planned - and this was the fun part.

Now is the most dreaded part - planning the transportation. I apologize for having so many questions, but hopefully some of them 'yes' or 'no' only.

1. JR pass - can I exchange my pass as soon as I get to Narita airport - but designate the day when it becomes active. Say, I fly in on March, 28, but I want my pass active on Apr, 1 - can I do this in advance? I keep reading some contradicting opinions on it.
I would prefer to do it at Narita, then try to find the right place at Tokyo station.


2. Can I reserve the seats in advance? Do they reserve the seats only on shinkansen, or on all trains?

3. If I have a reserved seat, and missed the train, can I re-reserve?

4. Do I need to worry about reserving seats far in advance? We are traveling during cherry blossom time.

5. I will have my JR pass, so we can do a day trip to Nikko by ourselves. However, for simplicity, I thought of taking a day trip with the Sunrise tours (they cover a waterfall also). What do you recommend? Is it easy to go on our own?

6. We are staying at Villa Fountaine Shiodome in Tokyo which is right near Conrad. So, the LIMO BUS from the airport goes right there. However, it only goes once in hour. The more frequent bus goes to T-CAT. Does it make sense go there, and then take a cab. I can not find it on the map, so I am not sure how far it is.

7. Where is the tourist info office at Kyoto station? The book says it is on the 9th floor of the department store. Is it inside the station?

8. Do I need to reserve a seat on the bus from Takayama -> Shirakawa-go -> Takayama?

Thank you!!!

I can answer a couple of your questions.

> 1. JR pass - can I exchange my pass as soon as I get to Narita airport - but designate the day when it becomes active. Say, I fly in on March, 28, but I want my pass active on Apr, 1 - can I do this in advance? I keep reading some contradicting opinions on it.
I would prefer to do it at Narita, then try to find the right place at Tokyo station.

You can. I do it all the time. If you read anything contrary, sorry those are wrong.

> 2. Can I reserve the seats in advance?

Yes, I'm not sure how far in advance but at least like a month or more? But most people I know(living Japan) reserve only a few days in advance or even the same day since the trains are so frequent. Exception : Your question No4. If you are worried due to the season, reserve as early as possible. As said above, shinkansen are so frequent, if you cannot reserve the train of your 1st choice, you will likely to get seats on 2nd or 3rd choice. JR reservation staff will help you the best they can, no doubt.

> Do they reserve the seats only on shinkansen, or on all trains?

Shinkansen, night trains and some special tourist trains (JR and private) but not all.

3. If I have a reserved seat, and missed the train, can I re-reserve?

> Yes, you go to reservation office and show your JR Pass. No problem. No penalty. You pay nothing extra.

> 4. Do I need to worry about reserving seats far in advance? We are traveling during cherry blossom time.

Answered on 2.

> 7. Where is the tourist info office at Kyoto station? The book says it is on the 9th floor of the department store. Is it inside the station?

9th floor ? Wrong (unless there is a branch but never heard of such). It is located 1 (or 2) floor above ground level inside the station building, close to the front entrance (Karasuma-Guchi Exit), close to Isetan Department Store entrace.

Kappa1, Thank you so much for your response!!! You know, on question #7, the Fodor's book says that the Tourist Info on 2nd floor is for Japanese tourist only. Is says that Westerners are required to use one on the 9th floor of the Isetan dept store. This is not true?

According to jnto and frommers, there is a tourist office on the 9th floor of the Kyoto Station...

KYOTO TOURIST INFORMATION - operated by Kyoto Prefecture
Add: 9th Fl., JR Kyoto Station, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, KYOTO 600-8216 JAPAN
Phone: 075-344-3300
Open: 10:00-18:00 daily.
Closed: 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month and Year-end and New Year Holiday.

re : Tourist Info at Kyoto Station.

Hmmm, since I'm Japanese I have never paid particular attention whether 2nd floor one is Japanese only (or mainly Japanese) - but I'm sure I saw non-Japanese visitors receiving infos there. Anyway about the 9th floor info desk, we should wait for non-Japanese to post their experience.

http://www.kyoto.travel/infomation/t...formation.html

It's a bit funny but 2nd floor one is operated by Kyoto City(you are visiting mainly Kyoyto City) - the site doesn't say it's for Japanese only and since it is written in English, I suppose it's for everybody.

9th floor one is operated by Kyoto-Fu (Kyoto prefecture that includes Kyoto City, but also its surroundings such as Uji-city). That's quite confusing. Unless other Fodorites with personal experice post otherwise, I say you should go to the 2nd floor one. That's easier.

I don't disagree with you kappa1. Just pointing out that there is an office on the 9th floor. I think I went to the 2nd floor when I was in Kyoto in '06....

btw, are you the same poster as kappa and are you kappa on japan-guide? I think I've asked this before. ;-)

Thank you Mara and Kappa1!

Kappa1, this link you posted is the most helpful! It says that there is an information desk at each Starbucks. We are staying at Karasuma hotel, and the Starbucks is supposed to be right there , so it means I will have an information desk right next door!(assuming I find a hotel :))

Mara, I AM ex-kappa on this forum. When I had a problem logging in about a week ago (like many others had due to a site problem), I registered myself newly as Kappa1.

On the other hand, I'm not the kappa on Japan-guide. Did you ask this before? Either I missed it or maybe you asked it to Kappa Japan-Guide? ;-)

It's incredible every Starbucks in Kyoto has an info desk. Anybody has experience with it?

Starbucks has an info desk, too funny!

I make it a point never to go to an American chain when I travel. I don't go to Starbucks here in NYC either. I only did at the very beginning when they opened years ago...but then again they always have a public restroom. ;-)

Kappa1, I might have asked myself that question rather than on either board. ;-)

helen63 - The Kyoto Karasuma Hotel? From the photo I saw, it looks like the Starbucks is in the hotel building. That hotel looks very convenient and the price is reasonable as well.
Enjoy!

I have passed in front of the hotel a few times. Yes, Starbucks is right next to the hotel's entrance and looks as if it is part of the hotel. Straight from the Kyoto Station on Karasuma Street, easy to find.

Mara, yes, it is Kyoto Karasuma hotel. I am ashamed to admit, but I am a Starbucks addict :), so for me it is a big plus!

Kappa1, from what you said, it seems like it in walking distance from the station. I thought I still need to take the subway.

I hope someone will chime in for my questions #5 and #6.

Thank you again! You guys are great!

OK, the Simplicity and a Little Patience - seems to be the ANSWER! :)
I will follow your your advice! Thank you!

5) Depends how much it costs. You can do it yourself, but it will take some planning and effort on your part. But it is a vacation and you don't have to squeeze every last drop of juice out of your JR Pass. If the Nikko trip is soon after arrival, then the convenience and simplicity of taking the tour might be worthwhile, depending on the cost.

6) I would go for the limo bus to the hotel, You might get there 15 minutes before departure. Maybe an hour, at worst. You can relax a bit after your flight and getting your JR Pass, before getting on the bus. Keep it simple.

In answer to #5. It is easy to get the JR local train to Nikko and catch the local bus from the JR Nikko station to Lake Chuzenji. It is a spectacular bus ride to and from so don't miss it. Very easy to do just take the bus from the JR train station.

This page will explain how to get the bus from the train station to Lake Chuzenji

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3806.html

In answer to #6, I would catch the limo bus direct if it was an option. Even at 1 bus an hour you wouldn't be able to beat the price of the limo bus compared to the bus and a taxi.....a little patience will save you some coin

Aloha!

Reserved seats are available on limited express trains and on the shinkansen. Reserved seats are not required.

The Narita Express train is all reserved seating.

JR local trains don't have reserved seats.

Thank you so much again!!!

I was just reading about Nikko. Buses from Nikko station go to the main shrine area and also to the waterfall. Looks like it would be easy to do. If I read it correctly then there is a bus stop at the waterfall and another bus stop at Chuzenji lake 5 minutes away. There is an elevator to get to a viewpoint.