JR Rail
Jun 4th, 2009, 07:29 AM
#21
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You should get the JR pass if you use the N'Ex to get to Narita from your hotel, even if you come in by limo because the N'Ex costs 3100Y and the round-trip on the Shinkansen costs 26640 -- that's 29740 compared to 28300. That's $15 times 5 people just to start. Plus the JR pass is good on the Chuo and Yamanote lines in Tokyo and the JR lines in Kyoto. And if you want to go to Nikko (and there's no question you should see it), you can use the JR pass and start your journey from Shinjuku station.
I don't know if anyone has covered this above but you MUST get JR pass vouchers in the US, usually from a travel agent, and then you exchange them at Narita Airport for the passes at the JR East booth. The process is very quick and the JR East employees will speak English. You cannot purchase a JR pass in Japan after arrival.
I don't know if anyone has covered this above but you MUST get JR pass vouchers in the US, usually from a travel agent, and then you exchange them at Narita Airport for the passes at the JR East booth. The process is very quick and the JR East employees will speak English. You cannot purchase a JR pass in Japan after arrival.
Jun 4th, 2009, 10:04 AM
#22
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I agree with BigRuss-using a JR Pass even to go r/t from Tokyo to Kyoto is better than paying full price and you can use it for 7 days. The NEX to Shinjuku is great. I don't know how much leg room you all need but we're short and leg room on the bus for us is uncomfortable and its crowded and noisy. Check the online site of JNTO (Japanese National Tourist Organization) great site that connects to info on JR; hotels;sightseeing.
If you're only in Kyoto for one day and a bit and are not into temples and shrines (like my husband) suggest a great museum that has English section of Japanese crafts. Its the called Fureaikan (Kyoto Museum of tradition Crafts). A great visitors guide to Kyoto is available online at www.kyotoguide.com. I got a copy when we were in Kyoto last week. Has places to go, things going on for the month,etc
If you're only in Kyoto for one day and a bit and are not into temples and shrines (like my husband) suggest a great museum that has English section of Japanese crafts. Its the called Fureaikan (Kyoto Museum of tradition Crafts). A great visitors guide to Kyoto is available online at www.kyotoguide.com. I got a copy when we were in Kyoto last week. Has places to go, things going on for the month,etc
Jun 4th, 2009, 12:37 PM
#23
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Thanks everyone for all your suggestions. Do you still recomend I buy the JR Rail Pass? I understand that I cannot use it on the Nozumi line from Tokyo to Kyoto. The pass can be used on the Hikari train, I believe. I also can use the pass on the Chuo Express from Shinjuku to Tokyo Station. We are planning on using the Limo Service from Narita to the hotels. If I buy a roundtrip ticket I also get 2 day passes on the Metro. As I mentioned there are 5 of us traveling with luggage, and arriving in Narita at commuter hour. We don't want to hassle with lugggage and the crowds not knowing where we are going. With all of this is the JR Rail a better deal for me or am I better just to buy separate tickets. I hate to repeat myself but I am a bit confused. There's a JTB Office near my home so I can buy the JR Rail Pass there. Thanks again.
Jun 4th, 2009, 02:27 PM
#24
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With your itinerary as it is you do not need the JR pass
Cost of 7 day ordinary JR Pass = ¥ 28,300
Cost of round trip Tokyo/Kyoto on Nozomi = ¥ 27,040
Cost of Chuo Express train = ¥ 190 (less than $2)
Total cost = ¥ 27,230
Cost of 7 day ordinary JR Pass = ¥ 28,300
Cost of round trip Tokyo/Kyoto on Nozomi = ¥ 27,040
Cost of Chuo Express train = ¥ 190 (less than $2)
Total cost = ¥ 27,230
Jun 4th, 2009, 03:06 PM
#25
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Thanks again Hawaiiantraveler. Do you advise getting reserved seats on the Nozomi? Is the ordinary compartment fine or do you recommend the green? My main concern is the smoking cars, do they have non-smoking?
Jun 4th, 2009, 03:49 PM
#26
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Yes they have non smoking cars and <b>yes</b> you do need a seat reservation for comforts sake. Express your wishes to the person you buy your tickets from
The one way train fare is broken into two parts
¥ 7980 fare
¥ 5540 seat reservation
¥ 13,520 total on way
No, you do not need to pay the extra for green car imho(don't think they have them on the Kyoto/Tokyo route yet anyway)the second class is just fine.
Have you seen this site for rail questions?
http://www.japanrail.com/index.html
The one way train fare is broken into two parts
¥ 7980 fare
¥ 5540 seat reservation
¥ 13,520 total on way
No, you do not need to pay the extra for green car imho(don't think they have them on the Kyoto/Tokyo route yet anyway)the second class is just fine.
Have you seen this site for rail questions?
http://www.japanrail.com/index.html
Jun 4th, 2009, 09:10 PM
#27
I agree that the green car is not necessary (tho I am pretty sure there is a green car on the Tokaido shinkansen (Tokyo-Osaka), in fact if only one train had a green car it would be Nozomi on that route).
Yes, absolutely get reserved seats. It is very much worth the 500 yen. Actually, not having a JR Pass (even if you do end up paying very slightly more) is going to be a benefit to you. You will have many more trains to choose from since you can ride the Nozomi trains. That means more opportunities for res seats for 5 being together with the schedule you want.
You will, as you said, ask for a ticket from Shinjuku to Kyoto. For the one price you will get a general "Tokyo ward area", or some such designated, coupon to use on the Chuo line (it is unreserved and the departure time is not specified), a second coupon for your shinkansen ticket that will identify the train and departue time, and a third coupon for the reserved seat on the shinkansen. That (or something like it) is what you would expect to get in Shinjuku.
If you wanted to visit Hakone you could take the Odakyu (not JR) train. For Nikko take the non-JR train, Tobu, I think, which is less expensive than JR.
Yes, absolutely get reserved seats. It is very much worth the 500 yen. Actually, not having a JR Pass (even if you do end up paying very slightly more) is going to be a benefit to you. You will have many more trains to choose from since you can ride the Nozomi trains. That means more opportunities for res seats for 5 being together with the schedule you want.
You will, as you said, ask for a ticket from Shinjuku to Kyoto. For the one price you will get a general "Tokyo ward area", or some such designated, coupon to use on the Chuo line (it is unreserved and the departure time is not specified), a second coupon for your shinkansen ticket that will identify the train and departue time, and a third coupon for the reserved seat on the shinkansen. That (or something like it) is what you would expect to get in Shinjuku.
If you wanted to visit Hakone you could take the Odakyu (not JR) train. For Nikko take the non-JR train, Tobu, I think, which is less expensive than JR.
Jun 5th, 2009, 03:38 AM
#28
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FYI: The Tokyo subway system is very easy to use--especially if you've ridden subways in a major metropolitan area before; e.g., Paris, London, New York, etc. Plenty of English translations of signs and vocal announcements as well as ticket machines (we just bought day passes from the machines on days we knew we'd be using the subways a lot). In Kyoto, the bus system is also user friendly for non-Japanese speakers.
Jun 5th, 2009, 11:47 AM
#29
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Jam, your question is still unanswered. Are you going to Nikko? If so, consider the JR Pass. The fare is around 4600Y each way without it on JR trains. That's 9200Y total and about $95 per person who goes to Nikko.
The Nikko shrines cost 1300Y for a day pass.
The SPACIA train on Tobu that hawaiian traveler mentions is more direct than the Tohoku line to Shinkansen to Nikko line route you take from Shinjuku station. WAIT, here come the caveats.
The Tobu terminal in Asakusa is on the other side of Tokyo from where you're staying. The most direct route to it by Tokyo Metro includes either an inconvenient transfer where you leave the station, walk two blocks and go through another station entrance for another train line (it's Kuramae, where you change from the Oedo line to the Asakusa line) or another transfer (Oedo line to Ginza line or Shinjuku line to Asakusa line) that doesn't shorten the journey much at all. It also costs over 5600Y for round trip with a seat on the SPACIA express and entrance to the shrines (the 3600Y price quote on the Tobu website for the World Heritage Pass and RT train ticket deal does not include a charge 1040Y each way for the SPACIA train).
So, whoever goes to Nikko can take a Nozomi RT to Kyoto for 27040, plus Nikko pass for 5600+ = 32600 Y or have a JR pass that costs 28,300 (which DOES allow you on the Hikari trains) plus 1300 for the Nikko admission = 29,600. Multiply that difference by five (because Nikko is a World Heritage Site for good reason) and it's over $150.
In other words, whether the JR pass makes sense at this point depends upon whether you go to Nikko.
And no, you do NOT need the green car on the Shinkansen. Japanese trains have far better leg room than airplane coach class (it's not close).
The Nikko shrines cost 1300Y for a day pass.
The SPACIA train on Tobu that hawaiian traveler mentions is more direct than the Tohoku line to Shinkansen to Nikko line route you take from Shinjuku station. WAIT, here come the caveats.
The Tobu terminal in Asakusa is on the other side of Tokyo from where you're staying. The most direct route to it by Tokyo Metro includes either an inconvenient transfer where you leave the station, walk two blocks and go through another station entrance for another train line (it's Kuramae, where you change from the Oedo line to the Asakusa line) or another transfer (Oedo line to Ginza line or Shinjuku line to Asakusa line) that doesn't shorten the journey much at all. It also costs over 5600Y for round trip with a seat on the SPACIA express and entrance to the shrines (the 3600Y price quote on the Tobu website for the World Heritage Pass and RT train ticket deal does not include a charge 1040Y each way for the SPACIA train).
So, whoever goes to Nikko can take a Nozomi RT to Kyoto for 27040, plus Nikko pass for 5600+ = 32600 Y or have a JR pass that costs 28,300 (which DOES allow you on the Hikari trains) plus 1300 for the Nikko admission = 29,600. Multiply that difference by five (because Nikko is a World Heritage Site for good reason) and it's over $150.
In other words, whether the JR pass makes sense at this point depends upon whether you go to Nikko.
And no, you do NOT need the green car on the Shinkansen. Japanese trains have far better leg room than airplane coach class (it's not close).
Jun 5th, 2009, 01:08 PM
#30
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Hmmmmmm, no wonder there is so much confusion here. I never mentioned anything regarding the Spacia or Nikko in any of my posts above that I can see or recall.
If one wanted to go to Nikko from Shinjuku station it is not as complicated as mentioned above by BigRuss. You would by your ticket from Tobu which would include the transport from Shinjuku. The Tokyo rail companies although different, do help each other out and have share agreements. See the section that reads in the link below that reads
<i>By limited express from Shinjuku Station:
Direct limited express trains, cooperated by Japan Railways (JR) and Tobu Railways, connect JR Shinjuku Station with Tobu Nikko Station. The one way journey takes two hours and costs 3900 Yen. All seats are reserved. </i>
See here if you are interested in going to Nikko but as I read in your latest posts, you are not going to Nikko so this is a moot point.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3805.html
Aloha!
If one wanted to go to Nikko from Shinjuku station it is not as complicated as mentioned above by BigRuss. You would by your ticket from Tobu which would include the transport from Shinjuku. The Tokyo rail companies although different, do help each other out and have share agreements. See the section that reads in the link below that reads
<i>By limited express from Shinjuku Station:
Direct limited express trains, cooperated by Japan Railways (JR) and Tobu Railways, connect JR Shinjuku Station with Tobu Nikko Station. The one way journey takes two hours and costs 3900 Yen. All seats are reserved. </i>
See here if you are interested in going to Nikko but as I read in your latest posts, you are not going to Nikko so this is a moot point.
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3805.html
Aloha!
Jun 5th, 2009, 03:44 PM
#33
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This is one of the very few times I would recommend one of the Sunrise tours you can book through japanican.com. The Kyoto shinkansen with one night stay would save money I'm sure. http://www.japanican.com/special/shinkansen/index.aspx
Jun 5th, 2009, 05:44 PM
#34
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As of now we have no plans on going to Nikko. Our time is so limited and my adult sons want to browse and visit various sites in the different localities of Tokyo. We will do the usual stops in Asakusa, Harajuku, Akihibara, Fish Mkt.,Ginza etc...I realize there is so much to see in Tokyo and we have so little time. If it were just my husband and I traveling we would definitely plan the trip differently. Hawaiiantraveler there is no need to apologize. You and so many kind fodorites have given me such helpful suggestions and answers to my numerous questions. KimJapan, I checked into Sunrise Tours and although it's a great deal, we have free accommodations in the Executive Club with Westin Miyako in Kyoto. We're using our Starwood points and can save a little money that way. I realize it's location is not the best but we are there only one night and will just take the buses to get around. Paul, thank-you for mentioning that the subway system in Tokyo isn't that bad. I worry about not being able to read nor speak any Japanese. Have gotten around Paris, London and NYC with no problems so we will manage. I was concerned about the Shinkansen and JR Rail and think I have resolved that issue. Thanks to everyone for all your great help.
Jun 5th, 2009, 06:46 PM
#35
Sorry I mentioned Nikko. But, even at a +$150 difference for 5 people, it is still only 10% more and WORTH IT because not having the JR Pass opens up many more options - for a group of 5.
Sounds like you have it worked out, Jam. You wrote that you thought it "best to take the Tokaido shinkansen". I think that you now understand that the answer is yes. It is really your only reasonable option. The Tokaido shinkansen is the name of the shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shin Osaka. They run three types of trains on that line: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama (from fastest to slowest). You absolutely don't want a Kodama train under any circumstances, nor do you want Hikari trains if the trip would involve a change of train enroute (but a through train would be ok). Have a great trip.
Sounds like you have it worked out, Jam. You wrote that you thought it "best to take the Tokaido shinkansen". I think that you now understand that the answer is yes. It is really your only reasonable option. The Tokaido shinkansen is the name of the shinkansen line between Tokyo and Shin Osaka. They run three types of trains on that line: Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama (from fastest to slowest). You absolutely don't want a Kodama train under any circumstances, nor do you want Hikari trains if the trip would involve a change of train enroute (but a through train would be ok). Have a great trip.
Jun 5th, 2009, 08:12 PM
#36
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hawaii, it is your imagination. I just read the entire thread here and you are nowhere near snooty. And I know snooty when I see it.
This thread makes me long for Japanese transportation. So efficient, so reliable, so clean, so fast, so easy.
Jam, I used to post a url for a GREAT map of all the intertwining subway AND rail systems in and around Tokyo. I laminated it and took it w/me on my two trips and it was priceless- I have never seen any map like it. I will look up the url and post it back here for you.
From my time there, there is no place like Kyoto for old Japan. But with only 5 days, I would stay in and around Tokyo and go to Nikko or Kamakura. Also consider that there is a great walking tour of an old area of Tokyo that has some Edo-style charm- I believe the area is called Yanaka. This area survived the bombing in WWII. Mara on this forum has posted that walking tour of that area, I think, as she stayed in that area on one of her trips. Mara, do you still have that link?
see:
http://www.digi-promotion.com/tokyo-...orhoods/yanaka
/index.html
http://www.digi-promotion.com/tokyo-...tractions.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/r...yo/yanaka.html
http://www.businesstraveller.com/cit...c/tokyo-yanaka
This thread makes me long for Japanese transportation. So efficient, so reliable, so clean, so fast, so easy.
Jam, I used to post a url for a GREAT map of all the intertwining subway AND rail systems in and around Tokyo. I laminated it and took it w/me on my two trips and it was priceless- I have never seen any map like it. I will look up the url and post it back here for you.
From my time there, there is no place like Kyoto for old Japan. But with only 5 days, I would stay in and around Tokyo and go to Nikko or Kamakura. Also consider that there is a great walking tour of an old area of Tokyo that has some Edo-style charm- I believe the area is called Yanaka. This area survived the bombing in WWII. Mara on this forum has posted that walking tour of that area, I think, as she stayed in that area on one of her trips. Mara, do you still have that link?
see:
http://www.digi-promotion.com/tokyo-...orhoods/yanaka
/index.html
http://www.digi-promotion.com/tokyo-...tractions.html
http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/r...yo/yanaka.html
http://www.businesstraveller.com/cit...c/tokyo-yanaka
Jun 5th, 2009, 08:56 PM
#37
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Darn, the "YesTokyo!" map I have of the subway AND railways in and aroudn Tokyo is no longer availabel online. Why do they always mess w/a classic.
The best ones I can find online that are readable are on the JNTO website, but it is still two separate maps, one of the subway and one of the JR lines, so you have to compare them and overlay them on each other.
http://www.jref.com/practical/transp...kyo.shtml#Maps
The best ones I can find online that are readable are on the JNTO website, but it is still two separate maps, one of the subway and one of the JR lines, so you have to compare them and overlay them on each other.
http://www.jref.com/practical/transp...kyo.shtml#Maps
Jun 6th, 2009, 07:24 AM
#39
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I'd have to search through piles of papers and it may take longer than Jam's trip to Japan and back. ;-) However I think I might have used the Walking Tour on the site of the other famous travel book beginning with F - don't think I can post a link but if you type Yanaka walking tour into google, it is the first one to come up....
I agree with emd that staying in Tokyo is a better plan with such limited time. Kamakura is a great day trip and has loads of temples and is a country like area - haven't been to Nikko yet.
There are a few old temples in the area around Yanaka reachable from the Nippori and Uguisudani stations on the Yamanote line as well as nice small museums.
I agree with emd that staying in Tokyo is a better plan with such limited time. Kamakura is a great day trip and has loads of temples and is a country like area - haven't been to Nikko yet.
There are a few old temples in the area around Yanaka reachable from the Nippori and Uguisudani stations on the Yamanote line as well as nice small museums.
Jun 6th, 2009, 11:58 AM
#40
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Yep, Maram you are right- iof you put in "Frommers Yanaka" (there, I said the f word!)on google the walkng tour is the 2st hit to come up. I've always wanted to do that walk, ever since you posted it.
