Keio Plaza Hotel, Tokyo
Apr 9th, 2018, 07:28 AM
#21
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There is food to buy on the Shinkansen but there are places in both Tokyo station and Kyoto to buy bento box meals which would offer more variety. Am not sure about you question about an airport. Are you not taking the train to/from Kyoto?
Apr 9th, 2018, 07:37 AM
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Apr 9th, 2018, 08:13 AM
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[QUOTE=flygirl;16709565]Thanks! I will keep that in mind. Would it be better to arrive a little later? How bad are we talking here, time wise and traffic? How far is the airport from downtown? I don't have tickets yet, and I'd at least like to be checked in and walking to dinner when it's still light out. a little evening exploring...
As for when to arrive into Kyoto, I wouldn't change the time of arrival if you want to arrive around 5PM. Plus, with the short time that you have, I wouldn't arrive any later.
For my summer trip, I plan to be on the Shinkansen at around noon and then get into Kyoto at around 2:30PM and at the hotel at around 3PM which is check-in time.
The Kyoto train station, from downtown, is about 4km and if you are going to stay at the Royal Park Hotel, then it should take about 15 minutes to get there.
Happy Travels!
As for when to arrive into Kyoto, I wouldn't change the time of arrival if you want to arrive around 5PM. Plus, with the short time that you have, I wouldn't arrive any later.
For my summer trip, I plan to be on the Shinkansen at around noon and then get into Kyoto at around 2:30PM and at the hotel at around 3PM which is check-in time.
The Kyoto train station, from downtown, is about 4km and if you are going to stay at the Royal Park Hotel, then it should take about 15 minutes to get there.
Happy Travels!
Apr 9th, 2018, 08:25 AM
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The Marunouchi hotel does not cost 230,000. yen. A standard room at the Aman doesn't even cost that as one there costs around 90,000-100,000 Yen a night. I don't know where you are reading 230,000 yen. Below is the rate of the least expensive room at the Marunouchi Hotel as I just took it directly from its website. It's 20,909.00 yen.
"Small Double Room 24sqm
Small Double Room 24 Square Meter / 258 Square Feet
140cm-width bed (55 inches) X 210 cm length /Sofa, Free WIFI
Maximum Occupancy:2
Free access to Gym/Business Center
Non-smoking/Luxury
Rates from
¥20,909.00 JPY"
Happy Travels!
"Small Double Room 24sqm
Small Double Room 24 Square Meter / 258 Square Feet
140cm-width bed (55 inches) X 210 cm length /Sofa, Free WIFI
Maximum Occupancy:2
Free access to Gym/Business Center
Non-smoking/Luxury
Rates from
¥20,909.00 JPY"
Happy Travels!
Last edited by Guenmai; Apr 9th, 2018 at 08:42 AM. Reason: Typo
Apr 10th, 2018, 03:03 AM
#28
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OK, I went back, not sure what happened the last time but it looked like an extra zero.
it does look very nice and it is close. and cheap. half the price of the ascot.
is it tall, do you have views?
thank you
Apr 10th, 2018, 03:04 AM
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[QUOTE=Guenmai;16709697]
ok! thanks. going to get the JR pass this week.
Thanks! I will keep that in mind. Would it be better to arrive a little later? How bad are we talking here, time wise and traffic? How far is the airport from downtown? I don't have tickets yet, and I'd at least like to be checked in and walking to dinner when it's still light out. a little evening exploring...
As for when to arrive into Kyoto, I wouldn't change the time of arrival if you want to arrive around 5PM. Plus, with the short time that you have, I wouldn't arrive any later.
For my summer trip, I plan to be on the Shinkansen at around noon and then get into Kyoto at around 2:30PM and at the hotel at around 3PM which is check-in time.
The Kyoto train station, from downtown, is about 4km and if you are going to stay at the Royal Park Hotel, then it should take about 15 minutes to get there.
Happy Travels!
As for when to arrive into Kyoto, I wouldn't change the time of arrival if you want to arrive around 5PM. Plus, with the short time that you have, I wouldn't arrive any later.
For my summer trip, I plan to be on the Shinkansen at around noon and then get into Kyoto at around 2:30PM and at the hotel at around 3PM which is check-in time.
The Kyoto train station, from downtown, is about 4km and if you are going to stay at the Royal Park Hotel, then it should take about 15 minutes to get there.
Happy Travels!
ok! thanks. going to get the JR pass this week.
Apr 10th, 2018, 09:25 AM
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Below is the Shinkansen information that I bookmarked last year although I didn't take the Shinkansen then. But, for this coming summer when I do take it, I will be going on the below website and buying my Green tickets to and from Kyoto and will be taking the Nozomi Shinkansen which one can't take with a JR Pass.
I really don't need a JR Pass as when I take trains around Tokyo, I can use my Suica Card to pay for the fares which aren't that much. Plus, the Suica card is good for 5 years, can be reloaded with money, and one can get a refund on it if it's no longer needed. I kept mine for this coming summer.
The Suica card can also be used at various vending machines and when I was in Narita Airport, a couple of months ago on my way home from Singapore, I was able to buy my sushi meal at the sushi restaurant and using my Suica Card from summer 2017. I didn't need to have any paper Yen although I took some along, as I have a lot leftover from the summer 2017 trip. Also, with my Suica card, I bought a bottle of water out of the vending machine located next to my gate at the airport. It comes in handy and some taxis even take the Suica and it can be used at various stores/convenience stores.
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collections/from-tokyo
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collec...nt=16836973761
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html
Happy Travels!
I really don't need a JR Pass as when I take trains around Tokyo, I can use my Suica Card to pay for the fares which aren't that much. Plus, the Suica card is good for 5 years, can be reloaded with money, and one can get a refund on it if it's no longer needed. I kept mine for this coming summer.
The Suica card can also be used at various vending machines and when I was in Narita Airport, a couple of months ago on my way home from Singapore, I was able to buy my sushi meal at the sushi restaurant and using my Suica Card from summer 2017. I didn't need to have any paper Yen although I took some along, as I have a lot leftover from the summer 2017 trip. Also, with my Suica card, I bought a bottle of water out of the vending machine located next to my gate at the airport. It comes in handy and some taxis even take the Suica and it can be used at various stores/convenience stores.
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collections/from-tokyo
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collec...nt=16836973761
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html
Happy Travels!
Last edited by Guenmai; Apr 10th, 2018 at 09:33 AM. Reason: Typo
Apr 11th, 2018, 02:36 AM
#31
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Below is the Shinkansen information that I bookmarked last year although I didn't take the Shinkansen then. But, for this coming summer when I do take it, I will be going on the below website and buying my Green tickets to and from Kyoto and will be taking the Nozomi Shinkansen which one can't take with a JR Pass.
I really don't need a JR Pass as when I take trains around Tokyo, I can use my Suica Card to pay for the fares which aren't that much. Plus, the Suica card is good for 5 years, can be reloaded with money, and one can get a refund on it if it's no longer needed. I kept mine for this coming summer.
The Suica card can also be used at various vending machines and when I was in Narita Airport, a couple of months ago on my way home from Singapore, I was able to buy my sushi meal at the sushi restaurant and using my Suica Card from summer 2017. I didn't need to have any paper Yen although I took some along, as I have a lot leftover from the summer 2017 trip. Also, with my Suica card, I bought a bottle of water out of the vending machine located next to my gate at the airport. It comes in handy and some taxis even take the Suica and it can be used at various stores/convenience stores.
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collections/from-tokyo
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collec...nt=16836973761
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html
Happy Travels!
I really don't need a JR Pass as when I take trains around Tokyo, I can use my Suica Card to pay for the fares which aren't that much. Plus, the Suica card is good for 5 years, can be reloaded with money, and one can get a refund on it if it's no longer needed. I kept mine for this coming summer.
The Suica card can also be used at various vending machines and when I was in Narita Airport, a couple of months ago on my way home from Singapore, I was able to buy my sushi meal at the sushi restaurant and using my Suica Card from summer 2017. I didn't need to have any paper Yen although I took some along, as I have a lot leftover from the summer 2017 trip. Also, with my Suica card, I bought a bottle of water out of the vending machine located next to my gate at the airport. It comes in handy and some taxis even take the Suica and it can be used at various stores/convenience stores.
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collections/from-tokyo
https://shinkansen-ticket.com/collec...nt=16836973761
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html
Happy Travels!
I guess then, if I don't get a JR Pass, will that come in handy other than the Shinkansen. The above shows that just Tokyo-Kyoto RT, I may as well pay extra for the Nozomi and ride faster. BUT, that is it - no other train rides, period, unless I pay each time. Where else would I use the JR Pass? I can't say if I'd leave Kyoto in my short time there, for anything nearby, and ditto Tokyo.
I also see this below although it is non-reserved price.
Japanican offers an E-Voucher for a round trip by Nozomi or Hikari from Tokyo to Kyoto and back plus a Kyoto 1-day Subway & Bus Pass for only 21,000 yen. The return journey has to be done within seven days of the outward journey. The E-Voucher can be used by foreign tourists only.
The Suica card looks useful too. I see I can get it from Japan Rail Pass online, and i see a pocket wifi too - did you get that? I think my Sprint phone will work in Japan but I will check, but perhaps wifi will be faster in some cases? Although isn't Japan already very wired? Other than just wandering outside - where won't I have access to wifi?
Last edited by flygirl; Apr 11th, 2018 at 02:42 AM.
Apr 11th, 2018, 09:10 AM
#32
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* I don't know all of the ins and outs of the JR Pass as I didn't get one. Someone else on your thread mentioned the JR Pass. Since I won't be going anywhere except round trip, from Tokyo to Kyoto by long-distance train, I don't need to be hooked into a pass of any kind. Plus, I plan to buy a green-reserved ticket and one can't use that class with a JR train pass.
* As for the Suica, I didn't buy it before I left home. I bought it while in the Haneda Airport . I had taken the MK Shuttle service from Kyoto to Osaka Itami Airport and then flew from Osaka Itami Airport to Haneda Airport (Tokyo) as that airport is way closer to Tokyo than Narita. I then bought the Suica in Haneda Airport as I needed to get to Tokyo Station.
* There are very obvious machines that sell Suica. Six days later, I also used my Suica card to buy a ticket, at the ticket machine in Tokyo Station, for the Narita Airport Express train from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport. That was on my way home from Japan. I don't know where the Suica machines are located at Narita Airport, but when I get back to Japan this summer, I will be taking the Airport Express train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, so I might need to add some money onto my Suica card.
* When I bought the Suica, in Haneda Airport, I just went to the machine, pressed the English button, followed the instructions and then inserted my money and out it came. I did not get the card with my name printed on it as I didn't find it necessary. I then headed for the monorail train and took it to Hamamatsucho Station where I got off and then went to another area of that train station and got on the JR line that went to Tokyo Station and again, this was from Haneda Airport, not Narita Airport. It's easier from Narita as it's an hour, non-stop train to Tokyo Station. No train changes.
* I remember missing my stop at Tokyo Station as the train was packed like sardines. When I was finally able to peep at the electronic sign, in the train car, to see if Tokyo station was coming up, it happened to be in Kanji and I don't read kanji. It hadn't switched over to English yet. By the time I was able to get a glimpse of the sign in English and was trying to get off the train, the train had taken off and with me in it. So, I went to the next stop and then got out and got back on a train in the other direction to go one stop. It's good I only had a small, carry-on suitcase as I had had the Royal Park Hotel-Kyoto send my big suitcase on to Tokyo and when I arrived at the Four Seasons-Tokyo, I was informed that my suitcase had arrived that morning, way before I had arrived, and that it had been sent to my room. In Japan, one can send luggage on to the next location and not have to drag luggage around. To send one suitcase ahead cost me around the equivalent of US$15.
* As for cell phone usage in Japan, I have no idea as I had no cell phone. I take my MacBook Air and folks can e-mail me if they need to get a hold of me. Plus, I can use it to google and pull up information. I personally don't need a cell phone that works in Japan. I only have my U.S. cell phone as when I get back home to L.A., I need to contact my driver from the car service so that I can get home.
Happy Travels!
* As for the Suica, I didn't buy it before I left home. I bought it while in the Haneda Airport . I had taken the MK Shuttle service from Kyoto to Osaka Itami Airport and then flew from Osaka Itami Airport to Haneda Airport (Tokyo) as that airport is way closer to Tokyo than Narita. I then bought the Suica in Haneda Airport as I needed to get to Tokyo Station.
* There are very obvious machines that sell Suica. Six days later, I also used my Suica card to buy a ticket, at the ticket machine in Tokyo Station, for the Narita Airport Express train from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport. That was on my way home from Japan. I don't know where the Suica machines are located at Narita Airport, but when I get back to Japan this summer, I will be taking the Airport Express train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, so I might need to add some money onto my Suica card.
* When I bought the Suica, in Haneda Airport, I just went to the machine, pressed the English button, followed the instructions and then inserted my money and out it came. I did not get the card with my name printed on it as I didn't find it necessary. I then headed for the monorail train and took it to Hamamatsucho Station where I got off and then went to another area of that train station and got on the JR line that went to Tokyo Station and again, this was from Haneda Airport, not Narita Airport. It's easier from Narita as it's an hour, non-stop train to Tokyo Station. No train changes.
* I remember missing my stop at Tokyo Station as the train was packed like sardines. When I was finally able to peep at the electronic sign, in the train car, to see if Tokyo station was coming up, it happened to be in Kanji and I don't read kanji. It hadn't switched over to English yet. By the time I was able to get a glimpse of the sign in English and was trying to get off the train, the train had taken off and with me in it. So, I went to the next stop and then got out and got back on a train in the other direction to go one stop. It's good I only had a small, carry-on suitcase as I had had the Royal Park Hotel-Kyoto send my big suitcase on to Tokyo and when I arrived at the Four Seasons-Tokyo, I was informed that my suitcase had arrived that morning, way before I had arrived, and that it had been sent to my room. In Japan, one can send luggage on to the next location and not have to drag luggage around. To send one suitcase ahead cost me around the equivalent of US$15.
* As for cell phone usage in Japan, I have no idea as I had no cell phone. I take my MacBook Air and folks can e-mail me if they need to get a hold of me. Plus, I can use it to google and pull up information. I personally don't need a cell phone that works in Japan. I only have my U.S. cell phone as when I get back home to L.A., I need to contact my driver from the car service so that I can get home.
Happy Travels!
Last edited by Guenmai; Apr 11th, 2018 at 09:33 AM.
Apr 11th, 2018, 11:44 AM
#33
>>is it tall, do you have views?<<
Yes, it is semi-tall - the lobby is on the (I think) 7th floor and the rooms are above that up to the 17th floor. I had a corner room with nice city/lights view - if a view is important you can probably request one.
Yes, it is semi-tall - the lobby is on the (I think) 7th floor and the rooms are above that up to the 17th floor. I had a corner room with nice city/lights view - if a view is important you can probably request one.
Apr 21st, 2018, 04:06 AM
#35
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If your are staying only one night consider staying here. https://www.marunouchi-hotel.co.jp/en/
It is just outside Tokyo Station and I really liked it.
It is just outside Tokyo Station and I really liked it.
Apr 21st, 2018, 04:08 AM
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* I don't know all of the ins and outs of the JR Pass as I didn't get one. Someone else on your thread mentioned the JR Pass. Since I won't be going anywhere except round trip, from Tokyo to Kyoto by long-distance train, I don't need to be hooked into a pass of any kind. Plus, I plan to buy a green-reserved ticket and one can't use that class with a JR train pass.
* As for the Suica, I didn't buy it before I left home. I bought it while in the Haneda Airport . I had taken the MK Shuttle service from Kyoto to Osaka Itami Airport and then flew from Osaka Itami Airport to Haneda Airport (Tokyo) as that airport is way closer to Tokyo than Narita. I then bought the Suica in Haneda Airport as I needed to get to Tokyo Station.
* There are very obvious machines that sell Suica. Six days later, I also used my Suica card to buy a ticket, at the ticket machine in Tokyo Station, for the Narita Airport Express train from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport. That was on my way home from Japan. I don't know where the Suica machines are located at Narita Airport, but when I get back to Japan this summer, I will be taking the Airport Express train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, so I might need to add some money onto my Suica card.
* When I bought the Suica, in Haneda Airport, I just went to the machine, pressed the English button, followed the instructions and then inserted my money and out it came. I did not get the card with my name printed on it as I didn't find it necessary. I then headed for the monorail train and took it to Hamamatsucho Station where I got off and then went to another area of that train station and got on the JR line that went to Tokyo Station and again, this was from Haneda Airport, not Narita Airport. It's easier from Narita as it's an hour, non-stop train to Tokyo Station. No train changes.
* I remember missing my stop at Tokyo Station as the train was packed like sardines. When I was finally able to peep at the electronic sign, in the train car, to see if Tokyo station was coming up, it happened to be in Kanji and I don't read kanji. It hadn't switched over to English yet. By the time I was able to get a glimpse of the sign in English and was trying to get off the train, the train had taken off and with me in it. So, I went to the next stop and then got out and got back on a train in the other direction to go one stop. It's good I only had a small, carry-on suitcase as I had had the Royal Park Hotel-Kyoto send my big suitcase on to Tokyo and when I arrived at the Four Seasons-Tokyo, I was informed that my suitcase had arrived that morning, way before I had arrived, and that it had been sent to my room. In Japan, one can send luggage on to the next location and not have to drag luggage around. To send one suitcase ahead cost me around the equivalent of US$15.
* As for cell phone usage in Japan, I have no idea as I had no cell phone. I take my MacBook Air and folks can e-mail me if they need to get a hold of me. Plus, I can use it to google and pull up information. I personally don't need a cell phone that works in Japan. I only have my U.S. cell phone as when I get back home to L.A., I need to contact my driver from the car service so that I can get home.
Happy Travels!
* As for the Suica, I didn't buy it before I left home. I bought it while in the Haneda Airport . I had taken the MK Shuttle service from Kyoto to Osaka Itami Airport and then flew from Osaka Itami Airport to Haneda Airport (Tokyo) as that airport is way closer to Tokyo than Narita. I then bought the Suica in Haneda Airport as I needed to get to Tokyo Station.
* There are very obvious machines that sell Suica. Six days later, I also used my Suica card to buy a ticket, at the ticket machine in Tokyo Station, for the Narita Airport Express train from Tokyo Station to Narita Airport. That was on my way home from Japan. I don't know where the Suica machines are located at Narita Airport, but when I get back to Japan this summer, I will be taking the Airport Express train from Narita Airport to Tokyo Station, so I might need to add some money onto my Suica card.
* When I bought the Suica, in Haneda Airport, I just went to the machine, pressed the English button, followed the instructions and then inserted my money and out it came. I did not get the card with my name printed on it as I didn't find it necessary. I then headed for the monorail train and took it to Hamamatsucho Station where I got off and then went to another area of that train station and got on the JR line that went to Tokyo Station and again, this was from Haneda Airport, not Narita Airport. It's easier from Narita as it's an hour, non-stop train to Tokyo Station. No train changes.
* I remember missing my stop at Tokyo Station as the train was packed like sardines. When I was finally able to peep at the electronic sign, in the train car, to see if Tokyo station was coming up, it happened to be in Kanji and I don't read kanji. It hadn't switched over to English yet. By the time I was able to get a glimpse of the sign in English and was trying to get off the train, the train had taken off and with me in it. So, I went to the next stop and then got out and got back on a train in the other direction to go one stop. It's good I only had a small, carry-on suitcase as I had had the Royal Park Hotel-Kyoto send my big suitcase on to Tokyo and when I arrived at the Four Seasons-Tokyo, I was informed that my suitcase had arrived that morning, way before I had arrived, and that it had been sent to my room. In Japan, one can send luggage on to the next location and not have to drag luggage around. To send one suitcase ahead cost me around the equivalent of US$15.
* As for cell phone usage in Japan, I have no idea as I had no cell phone. I take my MacBook Air and folks can e-mail me if they need to get a hold of me. Plus, I can use it to google and pull up information. I personally don't need a cell phone that works in Japan. I only have my U.S. cell phone as when I get back home to L.A., I need to contact my driver from the car service so that I can get home.
Happy Travels!
