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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?
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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?
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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.
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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!!!
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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.
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The buses also go straight to the main bus station in Lake Chuzenji and stop there first.
You would get off there and the waterfall is a 5 minute or less walk to the right and the lake is a two minute walk on the left. The town is all around you as you are in the middle of it at the main bus station. When you are done with your visit, just hop on the next bus back to Nikko. There is a waiting lounge, rest rooms and information center there with maps, bus schedules and such. If you are hungry there are a myriad of small little ramen-ya, teishoku-ya and izakaya along the streets either right or left of the station. We ate at a little teishoku-ya to the left of the station maybe two blocks away with the soda machine out front. Most do not have English menus but all have the plastic food outside in their windows. It was spring and everyone was also eating an ice cream cone I seem to remember.....funny the things your brain retains,lol Aloha! |
Remembering the ice cream reminded me of the boats they rent on the lake(don't ask me how).
Their are a couple of places along the lake front who rent boats by the hour. The little two people ones that you paddle with your feet are about 1000 yen per hour. They also have the ultra 24 foot speed boats which a driver is provided and you speed your way on a tour of the lake and its bays on the far shore for about 10,000 or so yen per hour We opted for the little boat as it was a beautiful day in cherry blossom season. We got some great pics of the shoreline and surrounding mountains from an on the lake perspective and a workout from all the paddling around, lol |
I hope that after these 2 weeks in Japan, everything will be as easy and clear for me, as it is for you guys! :) So far, I am thinking - I need to take the subway to Tokyo or Ueno station, then shinkansen, then transfer to Nikko line, then take a bus... By the time I figure this all out, it will be time to come back to Tokyo! :)
Also, it looks like it is about half an hour walk to the shrine from the station. So, does it mean after seeing the shrine, I need to come back to the station to take a bus to the lake? |
No. there is a bus stop for Lake Chuzenji and Kegon waterfall near the wooden bridge (Shinkyo), which is at the entrance to the shrine complex, about 10 min walk away.
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Thank you, Alec!
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Hi Helen - here are replies to your posts. I travelled in Japan in April 2008.
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. ANSWER: In April 2008, I had to validate my pass the day you turn the your voucher. If you don't want to validate it on that date, just do it at the Tokyo station. It's not as crazy there as everyone says it is. 2. Can I reserve the seats in advance? Do they reserve the seats only on shinkansen, or on all trains? ANSWER: In April 2008, we reserved all our seats. It is extremely easy to do. 3. If I have a reserved seat, and missed the train, can I re-reserve? ANSWER: Yes 4. Do I need to worry about reserving seats far in advance? We are traveling during cherry blossom time. ANSWER: No, except if you are doing a night train. I travelled during cherry blossom season and reserved the train on the same date that I needed to take the train. I also did it beforehand. 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. ANSWER: I stayed in the Shiodome area last April. It's a little tricky to navigate around there so. Narita airport is quite far from Tokyo, and cab fares are astronomical, so if I were you, I'd take the train from Narita to Tokyo Station and catch a cab from there. There is train that is frequent and affordable (about $15 US) 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? ANSWER: There is a department store attached to the Kyoto station, so it is quite possible the tourist info office is there. 8. Do I need to reserve a seat on the bus from Takayama -> Shirakawa-go -> Takayama? Answer: Don't know |
Hi, Helen -
If you do go to Lake Chuzenji, you might consider stopping first at Akechi-daira - the view of Kegon-no-taki and the lake, with Mount Nantai in the background, is truly remarkable. For directions, see: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3806.html Enjoy! |
helen63,
I think the others had answered most of your questions. I've used the information desk on the 2nd floor of Kyoto station--quite helpful, the man there spoke good if not impeccable English. If you're going to Takayama, it's a good idea to reserve the seats. The trains have fewer cars runs less frequent (maybe one every other hour), I saw people standing in the non-reserved cars. Shiodome--you can take the airport limousine bus to either TCAT/Tokyo Stn/or hotels in Shinagawa areas, and take the taxi. TCAT is the furtherest away, but I don't think the cab ride will cost more than JPY1500-2000 |
I think everything asked has been answered by now but simply wanted to add that we too used the Tourist Office on the 1st floor at Kyoto Station (near the Dept Store) and the person we spoke to had excellent English.
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Hawaii, thank you for posting this link! I have not see this one - very detailed information. It looks like the non-JR Tobu line has a direct train (rapid one). So, is this a preferable way go there? I thought of Shinkansen, and then the Nikko line.
Puttaka, W9London, Shandy, Thank you for all this detailed info! Kja, I will keep in mind your recommendation! Shandy, can not wait to read the rest of your report! |
Hi, Just returned from Japan - the tourist office on the second floor is good and we had english speaking assistance but there is a sign on the wall asking people seeking english assitance to go to the office on the 9th floor - it's bigger and has more info on display. It's a little hard to find at first as it is not in the department store proper but on a "wing" that goes away from the store on the southern side of the building
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AfterDark, thanks a lot for this comment!
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