JAPAN RAIL PASS - A tourist best friend- 観 光 客 向 け の 特別 JR 全国 パ ス
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N700 Series Shinkansen trains This link Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka on the line Sanyo Tokaido.
The best way to move Japan is On this page you will find an introduction to travel by train in Japan, with tips on schedules, routes, tickets and passes.
Baggage Travel tips, food, WiFi, find your train.
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Europe to Japan by land through Transsiberian.
Japan has an extensive rail network and efficient, you can pretty much assume that trains go almost anywhere you want to visit the Japanese trains are clean, comfortable and incredibly punctual The average time of a Shinkansen bullet train is measured in seconds.
Travel by train in Japan is really easy Language is almost never a problem, the stations of the starting panels signs in English and Japanese you can see for yourself in the section travel tips below.
Most Japanese trains are operated by the railways of Japan JR Group, which consists of 6 independent regional companies, JR Central, JR East, JR West, JR Kyushu JR Hokkaido Shikoku Railway Company since 2006. JR Central, JR JR East West were fully privatized, although three other JR companies remain state property in addition to the main roads JR, there are several local roads managed by private companies - private in this context means that even non-JR although 3 of 6 JR companies are now private.
To check train schedules of prices across Japan on both JR and private companies, just use.
Tip Japanese train tickets for Shinkansen Express Limited Express trains consist of a base price of a reserved seat costs or reserves without seat charge for this type of train, for example, Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen is Ґ4 870 base price Ґ8,210 fees seat without reservations Ґ13,080 Shinkansen total price If you want a reserved seat, it would Ґ8,210 Ґ5,500 Ґ13,710 Don t do mistakenly think the price is only Ґ8,210 .
Tip If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can not use Nozomi or Mizuho trains or trains operated by private non-JR operators - so simply click More Options and uncheck Nozomi Mizuho and private railways search options, remove the search results incidentally, the same option also removes JR East Shinkansen Hyabusa on Tokyo's drive north of Hokkaido, these can now be used by Passholders.
If you have a smartphone, you can download to check the application Hyperdia train schedules for iPhone and Android on the go.
How to buy tickets mainline Shinkansen You can order tickets online by Shinkansen Voyagin agency.
Tickets can be collected from their office in Tokyo's Shibuya neighborhood or sent to your hotel bill While this agency naturally fresh, there's no easy alternative paths that Japanese grant iron t offer online sales English using is the best option if you want to pre-book before arriving in Japan comments would be appreciated if you use them.
Otherwise, wait until you reach Japan and buy tickets at the station or at the counters staffed or using vending concerned notes, which have a touch screen button English There are many train seats to purchase when you reach Japan is unlikely to be a problem unless you touch one of the busiest times of national holidays - and even then you can still travel in unreserved seats cars.
For tips on trains to the airport, see the sections Haneda or Narita below.
Consider the Japan Rail Pass rail tariffs in Japan are expensive, so it may be worth buying one even if all you want Japan Rail Pass is a round trip between Tokyo and Kyoto, Tokyo and Hiroshima certainly, see Japan Rail Pass.
How to buy tickets for local Use the vending self-service ticket in a main station, you will find a row of them with a large network card above them near the gates of the local platforms, see the photo in the Tokyo station section below ll you soon get the hang of buying tickets, like this one.
- Watch the big network adapter on the wall above the machines Find your rating of the destination station the rate next.
- Press the side button for the number of adult children in your group 2 adults 2 children, you have to buy only 2 transactions.
- You will now see a screen full of possible prices one way for an adult.
- Press the price of your destination so if the price indicated on the card against your destination is 350, press 350.
- He'll now shows the total cost for the number of children you have selected adults.
- Enter coins or notes, the machine gives change, but they do take cards t.
Japan Railways were built narrow-gauge rails 3 with 6 to hand, and now a whole network of these lines covers the whole country, connecting cities, towns and even villages, view a railway map Japan Railways here on the conventional network are usually classified as fast express, express or local limited, with the latter two requiring express express headquarters expenses or limited above the base price much of the network is electrified, and even on narrow gauge track smart modern limited expresses can travel at more than 80 mph.
The major Japanese cities are connected by the bullet train, or use their own name, which simply means Shinkansen Shinkansen new trunk line are high-speed lines built from 1964 to standard gauge rails with 4 8Ѕ outside and operating speeds of up to 300 km h 186 mph in major cities like Tokyo or Kyoto you will find resorts with some platforms handling Shinkansen standard gauge and other platforms that signaled JR lines used by trains on the network March 6 classic.
Each Shinkansen route has its own name, for example, the Tokaido Shinkansen runs westward from Tokyo to Kyoto Osaka extended further west in Hiroshima Sanyo Shinkansen Hakata as more and west of Kagoshima on Kyushu on Kyushu the Shinkansen Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata Shinkansen Akita roads all run north and east of Tokyo.
Each Shinkansen route has its own train names to indicate all stations, semi-fast express services such as on the Kodama Sanyo Tokaido Shinkansen means all stations, Hikari means semi-fast Nozomi means to express the equivalent terms on the Kyushu Shinkansen are Sakura and Mizuho Kodama Japan rail Pass holders aren t allowed to use Nozomi or Mizuho services, but they can use any other Shinkansen trains.
Japanese trains generally have two classes, regular classes and green car which is the Japanese term for the 1st class Green cars are marked with a green clover symbol next to the front door as you would expect, car seats green has more space for the legs and elbow with seats arranged 2 2 of the width of the coach on Shinkansen or 2 1 of the conventional network, while ordinary class seats are generally arranged in 2 3 of Shinkansen or 2 2 on the conventional network as perhaps you'll find the green car carpeted, ordinary cars have a synthetic floor Not all trains have green car seats, of course many local trains and even some Kodama all shinkansen stations have regular classes.
regular class travel is very comfortable, it is absolutely no need to pay extra for green car unless you do not mind t the extra cost For cons, the room elbow leg is fine if you can afford it Indeed, although legroom isn ta problem, I find elbow room in March 2nd class seats on most ordinary Shinkansen is a little tight.
Some major trains on the Tohoku Shinkansen Hokkaido also offer a high-class Gran range and more common and green Gran class car seats includes luxurious reclining leather seats arranged cradle of 2 1 out entire width of the car and there is a steward service of food and beverages in Japan rail Pass can not be used in Gran class at all, so unless you are rich or the Company pays, I'd forgotten Gran class.
A typical express car Shinkansen or limited to the regular class reserved and non-reserved ordinary class cars, plus one or greener cars that are still reserved tickets are sold for non-reserved cars to unlimited, they can not sell but no seat AFFECTED you just sit anywhere on a first come, first served mostly to find a seat is not a problem, but sometimes busy, you have to take if you find all seats taken tickets for reserved cars cost a bit more but come with a seat assigned and you are sure of a place to sit green cars are always reserved if tickets are still with an assigned seat.
The peak travel when reserved seats are selling quickly and non-reserved seats be busy include Golden Week late April to early May, Obon mid-August New 29 year December to January 3 Indeed, you can time your visit Japan to avoid these times if you can.
Nozomi fastest stop model Shinkansen, Japan Rail Pass can t be used.
Hikari Next type the fastest train, the Japan Rail Pass can be used.
Children ages 0-5 free travel, children aged 6 to 11 travel at half price, children under 12 and over pay full price.
railway tariffs in Japan are expensive, and if you are a foreign visitor a Japan Rail Pass may be the best way to travel even if you only plan a return trip from Tokyo to Hiroshima say See Japan Rail Pass section.
1 voucher When you order your package online, we send you a voucher above, left, more convenient user guide Japan Rail Pass, a railway timetable in Japan and a railway map in Japan Coupon can be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass at any time within 3 months after the order.
2 Japan Rail Pass you exchange the voucher for a Japan Rail Pass in one of 50 designated offices Exchange JR in Japan, including Tokyo, Ueno, Shinjuku, the Narita International Airport, Haneda International Airport Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki.
It is very likely that Japan Rail Pass will save money on a cash point.
Train fares are very expensive in Japan, without advance-purchase fares cheap just a heavy fixed price for each trip Even if you are planning a return trip, a Japan Rail Pass might save you money on point to point tickets.
For example, a Japan Rail Pass 7 days costs Ґ29,110 Ј215 or 268.
A regular ticket round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto with reserved seat around Ґ27,500 Ј212 or 263 From Tokyo to Hiroshima is Ґ37,760 Ј291 or 361.
Thus, a Japan Rail Pass 7 days almost breaks even for a round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, and saves money for a round trip between Tokyo Hiroshima because it also covers the Narita Express from the airport Tokyo Narita, it can even save money on this trip to Kyoto.
To find out if a pass is logical for your own journey, first check the Japan Rail Pass prices then use to see prices point to point for trips that you want to remember that the total price to pay base price of reserved seat or fees without reservations.
green car or pass class A ordinary green class is fine if you can afford it, but regular classes on Japanese trains is quite adequate, there is no need to pay more if you do not want the car green you just get more legroom and elbow and carpet instead of synthetic flooring, which is all I personally find Shinkansen regular class seats a bit cramped where they are located throughout March 2 the width of the car, 2 2 seats in the green car are much more spacious on the other hand, if you plan to be spontaneous much time and not all pre-plan you will find yourself in the ordinary class cars unreserved, so do a fork to pass green car if you are going to use.
You can purchase a Japan Rail Pass for 7, 14 or 21 days in both regular classes or green car 1st class.
The pass provides unlimited travel on all JR trains throughout Japan, including high-speed train Shinkansen, local express, fast, fast and limited trains on the conventional network and even the Narita Express between Narita airport in Tokyo and the monorail from Haneda airport.
You can use a t Japan Rail Pass on the Nozomi or Mizuho Shinkansen trains These trains with fewer stops on the Tokaido, Sanyo Shinkansen lines Kyushu, Tokyo-Osaka-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Hakata Kagoshima.
But that's not much that you can use the following category the fastest, the Hikari service on the Tokaido Shinkansen services and Sakura on the Kyushu Shinkansen and Sanyo This link exactly the same cities in the exact same tracks Shinkansen in Indeed, they often use exactly the same type of train N700 Hikari just stop at some stations more than Nozomi therefore takes a few minutes.
Tip When checking the time to train on or Hyperdia iPhone or Android app, you can click More Options and uncheck Nozomi Mizuho in the search options to see the trains that you can take with a pass just so you know, the same option also removes JR East Shinkansen s Hyabusa on Tokyo's drive north of Hokkaido, although these can now be used by Passholders.
You can not use a Japan Rail Pass on lines operated by private rail operators only the routes operated by one of the six JR companies For example, it doesn t cover the Tobu Railway Nikko Tokyo, or trains Tokyo subway that aren t run by JR is.
But it does not cover the Narita Express train from the airport that's run by JR It also covers JR local trains in Tokyo other cities, including the Yamanote loop line linking Tokyo useful to the main station, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shimbashi, Ikebukuro every few minutes, which you can use to move in Tokyo.
Tip When checking train times on the iPhone or Hyperdia or Android app, you can click More Options and uncheck Private railways in the search options to see only the trains run JR.
Sleeper trains There are very few trains left berths in Japan, but you can use the sleeping-car trains at night as the Sunrise Seto and Sunrise Izumo with Japan Rail Pass if you either pay a very heavy sleep supplement sleep private - we speak Ґ19,500 per room for a B-2-type sleeper-berth private - or use the nobinobi shared or open-plan sleeping mats that are free with a Japan rail Pass, reservation because if you are on a budget, savings a hotel bill by taking the Sunrise Seto between Tokyo say Himeji is an interesting option.
You must buy the pass before leaving home, you can buy a t Japan Rail Pass in Japan.
You order a site of Japan Rail Pass password online agency to any officer or such and a voucher is sent to your home You will also get a free rail card in Japan and Japan paths booklet iron calendar.
When you arrive in Japan, you exchange the voucher for a Japan Rail Pass at one of the ticket offices JR travel centers designated as currency exchange Japan Rail Pass The coupon can be redeemed for a pass at any time in 3 months to buy the right, there is no need to specify the exact travel dates when you order.
There Japan Rail Pass exchange counters at about 50 JR stations, including Tokyo's main train station which Japan Rail pass exchange counters on both sides is Yaesu Marunouchi west of the station, Tokyo Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya , Ikebukuro station, Narita airport, Haneda airport, airport, Kansai, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and even Sakaiminato you arrive by ferry from Vladivostok.
Council counters Japan Rail Pass exchange in the Narita and Haneda airports are places generally relaxed enough to redeem your voucher in Tokyo on JR East Service Center in the historic north entrance on the west side quieter Marunouchi station is also a good place and relaxed exchange your voucher, more relaxed than the Japan rail Pass counter on the east side Yaesu most eventful of the station.
When redeeming the voucher, you will be asked to show your passport and fill out a simple form with your name and passport number they integrate into the collar itself, you will be asked what date you want the 7, 14 or 21 days to start, this can be a date in the next 7 days - the pass does not need to start the same day you exchange the voucher for the pass.
For example, in July I booked a flight to Japan for travel in late October I ordered my seven days Japan Rail Pass in September I did not need to decide in advance exactly what day I use , as long as I exchanged the voucher for a pass within 3 months of the order so I could have delayed my visit until November and still used the same good arriving in Japan on October 20, I traded my good for a pass to Tokyo station on October 21, asking my 7 days of unlimited travel for 22 October.
Once you have your card and 7, 14 or 21 days of unlimited travel began, using as JR trains you like other than the Nozomi or Mizuho trains, of course, travel when and where you want There is no limit to the number of trains or you can take the distance you can travel - that art that means unlimited.
You can reserve a place at a ticket office shown with green seat reservation logo.
Local fast trains You do not need a reservation to travel on local and rapid trains on the conventional network, in fact these trains didn t even seat reservations You hop on and just show your pass when the driver comes easy.
Express unreserved seats of cars, trains and limited express Shinkansen usually have several common class cars not reserved, and as the name indicates don t need a reservation to travel in these platform announcements, starting tips and the platform of English signs tell you which car numbers they are, and where you should stand on the platform for them - it is very effective if you are happy to travel in non-reserved cars, SHIPPING and you can sit where you want, and show your pass to the driver when it comes time Normally, there is little problem finding a seat, in fact you can even be spoiled for choice but isn t seat guaranteed, and sometimes occupied the day or holiday periods you may have to stand or sit on your luggage in the aisle if you find all the seats are taken.
car seats reserved to be sure of a seat on a Shinkansen, limited express or express train, or sitting in a seat with a green car pass green car, you can reserve a seat in one of the reserved car you can do it for free charge at any JR ticket office or travel center where you see the green seat reservation symbol to show your Japan rail Pass and passport and request a reservation in the class you want on the train you want, you can make reservations at any time until a few minutes before the train departs.
It is unlikely to have problems getting reservations you need, reservation, even at the last minute when you arrive in Japan, unless you hit a busy holiday season and even then you can still use cars not reserved so you'll never be blocked, although it can be crowded, so you might have to stand.
Seat reservations can be made online before arriving in Japan than in the resorts when you get there.
It is just one notable exception JR East have set up a website for holders Japan Railpass to make reservations on their high-speed trains northeast of Tokyo, including the Narita Express and Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku Hokkaido, Akita Yamagata Shinkansen, but not Tokaido Shinkansen Sanyo and Kyushu linking Tokyo, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kagoshima as obviously these aren t run by JR East, but by JR JR Central West.
To make a reservation on the JR East services if this link does not work, try and please let me know seat reservations using this service must be received before 21 00 Travel the day before or will be canceled .
Incidentally, green car 1st class seats on Shinkansen and limited express trains are always reserved and if you are sitting in a green car seat reservation will be charged heavy green car Shinkansen reserved seat costs, even if you have a green car Japan Rail pass so if you have a green car pass or book using the green car, or if you want to be spontaneous and hop on a train without a reservation, use the unreserved cars regular classroom.
Another trick There's no penalty for not using a seat reservation you made with Japan Rail Pass Bad Manners not cancel maybe, but if you had a reservation for 45 and 18 say it decided to leave earlier, you could jump on the 17 and 45 sit in the unreserved cars, no problem.
One last tip If you know your route, there is no reason you can not make all the necessary reservations for your trip once when you exchange your voucher for the passage But do the work in the field of Seek first each train you want to use and then type a clear written list of reservations stating the date, travel, train number, departure time, the class and number of passengers If he is not too busy, the staff at the Japan rail Pass can work counter in the list for you, issuing a ticket reservation for each seat booked But if it is occupied and its queue behind you, do not be surprised they distract you, asking you to make reservations that you need at the ticket staff at JR East Service Center has done all my reservations for me, no problem, but a notice to the service center Travel Haneda airport said they were only willing to make reservations for comment today appreciated.
Busy periods to avoid the Golden Week, Obon, New Year.
Busy times when reserved seats often sell well in cars ahead and unreserved become very crowded Golden Week are between late April and early May, Obon in mid-August and New Years Dec 29 to January 3 Generally speaking the busiest trains are the ones out of cities in the country at the beginning of the festival and back in the cities at the end If you can, time your visit to Japan to avoid these times also, Christmas is n is not a big problem in Japan.
If you can t avoid traveling during these times of busy holiday, here are some tips Try searching for reserved and non-reserved seats on the first or last trains less popular or the day Try to seats reserved or unreserved on slower trains as the Kodama all stations Shinkansen rather than the most popular fast trains such as Hikari or Sakura services Try divide the reservation If you can not get seats from Tokyo to Kyoto, asking Tokyo to Nagoya and Nagoya to Kyoto and can function when using open seats, choose a train that starts at the station you are, rather than comes already very busy.
Click here for a suggested route for beginners using a Japan Rail Pass 7-day from Tokyo and visit Kyoto for its temples district Geisha, Himeji castle, Hiroshima museum and the Peace Park and Nagasaki for its history as a single point of contact with the outside world from the 17th to the 19th century.
You have to buy your Japan Rail Pass before you leave your home country you can buy a t usually happens once you are in Japan Here are several good and reliable agencies that sell Japan Rail Pass.
If you live in the UK, Ireland, other European countries, Asia or Africa, buy a Japan Rail Pass online at one or Prices are in various currencies, including euros.
If you live in the US or Canada, you can buy Japanese specialist Railpass Passes can be sent to a US or Canadian address or any address in the world.
If you live in Australia or New Zealand, check the prices of pass purchase a Japan Rail Pass online specialist Australian rail Price in AUD, international rail pass sent in Australia.
1 voucher When you order your package online, we send you a voucher above, left, more convenient user guide Japan Rail Pass, a railway timetable in Japan and a railway map in Japan Coupon can be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass at any time within 3 months after the order.
2 Japan Rail Pass you exchange the voucher for a Japan Rail Pass in one of the 50 exchange offices designated JR in Japan, including the main Tokyo station 2 offices, Ueno, Shinjuku, the Narita International Airport, Haneda International Airport, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki.
There are also 3 regional Japan Rail Pass covering smaller areas.
Japan is Tokyo pass covers, Nagano, Niigata, Sendai, Morioka, Akita Misawa.
The portion of the Sanyo area covers an area including Osaka, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima Hakata.
The rail pass covers Kansai Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara and Himeji costs only 23 Ј15 per day, a very good deal.
Seishun 18 5 days unlimited travel on local trains to 22 a day.
The Seishun 18 Kippu 18 Juvenile Ticket is sold both Japanese citizens and foreign visitors, of all ages, despite its name, the spring special March-April, July-September was winter periods from December to January.
It gives 5 days unlimited travel to Japan Railway local trains and local trains kaisoku accelerated for about 11850 yen It's just Ј67 or 109, about Ј13 or 22 a day, it is possible to travel all the way across Japan in this way, incredibly cheap, but using only local trains narrow gauge.
You can buy a day pass covering the Tokyo subway, or the Tokyo subway JR local trains, see.
Everyone has heard of bullet train lines in Japan, more well-known in Japan as Shinkansen which simply means new trunk line These are high-speed lines, built to Standard and North American spacing with the rails 4 8Ѕ outside the first Shinkansen was Tokaido Shinkansen opened in 1964 between Toyo, Kyoto and Osaka, later extended the Sanyo Shinkansen Hiroshima, Kobe and Hakata There are now a range of Shinkansen lines linking all the major cities Japan, including Niigata, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Fukuoka and Kagoshima.
Watch the video, Tokyo to Hiroshima by Shinkansen.
See video Hiroshima Nagasaki by Shinkansen Express Limited.
Those belonging to JR JR Central West N700As 16 car operate Nozomi and Hikari services on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka Many Nozomis and some Hikari expand in Hiroshima, Kobe Hakata on the Sanyo Shinkansen These trains operate up to 285 km h 175 mph on the Tokaido Shinkansen, and up to 300 km h 186 mph on the Sanyo Shinkansen.
Gran premium class 1st class seats on a Shinkansen E5.
A large traditional network March 6 narrow gauge lines covers all of Japan takes you to almost every city and town of any size The fastest trains on the conventional network are classified as Limited Express and the trains are all forms and Nagasaki sizes, for example, is well worth a visit, but not on the Shinkansen network You take a high-speed train Shinkansen from Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima to Hakata and Shin-Tosu, then switch to a Kamome Express Limited on regular network narrow gauge in fact, the conventional network is often parallel the Shinkansen for instance, you can travel between Kyoto, Osaka and Himeji by Express Limited on the conventional network as easily as by Shinkansen try it.
Limited Express Kamome Hakata to Nagasaki green car seats get a magnificent view of the front in the ordinary pilot class seats are very similar, but willing 2 2 of the width of the car.
luggage lockers in Himeji, useful when stopping there to visit the famous castle.
First the bad news Japanese trains didn car restaurant or even a bar car, just vending machines and in some cases, a refreshment trolley The trolley on the Shinkansen premier trains like Nozomi, Hikari, Mizuho or services Sakura sells tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, sake, snacks, small ice cream pots carriage accepts payment by cash and credit.
Now, the good news course you can take your own food and drink in Japanese trains, and a Japanese train travel is the joys ekiben - meaning eki station, well short for bento meaning traditional Japanese Lunches Ekiben is sold in stores ekiben found in all main railway stations, and also the refreshment trolley on core services shinkansen ekiben comes in all sizes, shapes and qualities, but expect a large decent box costing perhaps Ґ800 bought the station or Ґ1,000 bought the truck on board a train ekiben the boxes include rods and finger wipes.
If you want to buy ekiben refresh carriage Shinkansen, just ask the cart lady - she'll show you pictures of what she has available in a booklet laminated menu, just point to that you want, you'll soon be a black belt in the Japanese martial art of ancient and honorable Eki-ben.
You can count on finding outlets for Japanese caps standards to seats on almost all the Shinkansen and expresses the most limited WiFi is another matter, it is available on some shinkansen routes, including the Tokaido Shinkansen Tohoku, but is not free, rather expensive and requires a Japanese complex registration process you're checking your mobile operator for a set of data for Japan, there is a good reception for mobile data along most roads However shinkansen you will find JR free WiFi to a handful of key stations including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Nagoya, Kyoto Shin-Osaka.
To find your way around Tokyo Station Tokyo Map showing the station.
Unlike most of the main resorts in the world, Tokyo Station does not have a main entrance and main hall is something of a rabbit warren but like most visitors end sooner or later, here are some tips you can learn more about the station and its history that s the busiest station in Japan in terms of trains, but not in terms of passenger numbers.
North-south routes through the city on a so elevated viaduct to Tokyo station, most platforms are one level from the street level, above ticket offices, passages and stores However, the platforms for S drunk Keiyo underground lines are several floors below street level.
The west side of the station is called the Marunouchi side and has the historical station building built in 1915 and beautifully restored, it floors occupied by Tokyo Station Hotel is the quiet side of the resort, close to the Palace Imperial.
There Marunouchi north, south central entrance, each with a row of ticket gates to access the rows of classic 1-10 JR network platforms If you catch a Shinkansen, you will need to go through one of these gatelines and cross the JR Rows to another set of ticket gates at the entrance, or shinkansen platforms Sanyo Tokaido 14-19 or Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido Yamagata shinkansen platforms Akita 20-23 It is well signed in English.
The east side of the station is called the Yaesu side it is modern and very busy and what passes for a competition - large passages with different windows JR Shinkansen, grocery stores Yaesu side also North, Central and input South on the Yaesu side you will find a ticket gates at the entrance row platforms from JR Lines 1-10 area, another set at the entrance of the platforms Tokaido shinkansen Sanyo 14-19 and other at the entrance of the Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido Yamagata Shinkansen platforms 20-23 Akita.
The Northwest Passage A useful passageway connects the northern entrance with Marunouchi North Yaesu entrance without going through the ticket barriers - you will also find lockers and inexpensive restaurants along the way if you want to get one side of the station to another without a Japan rail Pass or another ticket, you should use this North pass.
The platforms are numbered from 1 to 23, with the platform 1 on the Marunouchi side of the station, the platform 23 on the Yaesu side.
Platforms 10/01 JR Lines, the conventional network The useful Yamanote loop line around Tokyo from 4 platform heading north in Ueno and Ikebukuro platform 5 south to Shinagawa Shibuya.
Platforms 14-19 Sanyo Tokaido Shinkansen in Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kobe, Hakata.
Platforms 20-23 Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido Yamagata Shinkansen Akita north of Tokyo.
S drank online platforms 1-4, several underground levels on the west side of the station served by local trains Narita Express.
platforms Keiyo line 1-4, also underground, served by local trains.
station building on the west side Marunouchi Tokyo Marunouchi North entrance is under the dome at the far left, the Marunouchi South entrance is on the other dome at the far right what appears to be the large central entrance sealed, the Marunouchi central entrance is a small door on the left, the 2nd 3rd floor means 1 second floor for a European are occupied by the 5-star resort hotel in Tokyo.
Marunouchi north entrance viewed as you walk in from the outside, with the passage of the North Yaesu front side, and the row of wickets just out of short right.
Japan Rail Pass exchange office, Marunouchi north entrance The arrow marks the Travel Service Center JR East, interior pictured above right This is the most relaxed place to Tokyo station to exchange good for the Japan Rail Pass actual changeover open every July 30 to 20, 30 day.
Tokyo Yaesu central entrance stations busy east side of the station.
Japan Rail Pass exchange office, Yaesu side, you can redeem your voucher Japan Rail Pass at the counter 6 in the central ticket JR Shinkansen Yaesu Central, also open 30 to July 20 30 There are several Shinkansen counters the Yaesu side, all very similar research, it is the one closest to the central inlet Yaesu that the Japan rail Pass counter.
Buy local tickets Tokyo There's a row of ATMs like this one near each entrance of the platform area.
Yellow Green Machines on the left selling Shinkansen Express Limited reserved non-reserved tickets reservation changes.
The pink or green machines right can sell local tickets in the Tokyo area The map above machines shows the price at every station on the local network of the station you are, you simply select the price machines, see How to buy tickets section above for details.
One day the local metro train passes in Tokyo There is 1 day can pass you get to cover either the underground trains or subway trains JR local trains in the Tokyo area You must clock up maybe 5 or 6 trips in a day to see one of this useful.
Any visit to Japan is a cultural experience Don t just stay in the West hotels and visit the sights that make the places you remain part of the experience, staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan, or even a capsule hotel.
Ryokan traditional Japanese inns The donation rooms does have beds, the floor is covered with tatami on which you place a sleeping bag can be offered a cup of Japanese green tea when you arrive, you can sometimes find online ryokan on hotel reservation sites such as the best and most famous ryokans may be fabulously expensive, but cheaper may be an option for the budget ryokan in Tokyo Search Search ryokans in Kyoto.
In Kyoto, the excellent Gion Ryokan Q-Beh above photo is a 10-15 minute walk from Kyomizu-dera Temple, 10 minutes walk from the Gion geisha district It has a budget dormitory rooms and private rooms and Wi-Fi The photos above show a family shower room with WC.
In Hiroshima, Chizuru Ryokan try the 10 minute walk from the Peace Park.
Another classic Japanese experience is to spend a night in a capsule hotel - which is also a money-saving option to stay overnight coincidence the heart of Tokyo or other big city, they are more civilized than you might think.
The lobby of the hotel looks like any other hotel reception Do not forget to take your shoes before you walk in, and place them in one of the lockers in the lobby Upstairs, there will probably be several floors sleeping capsules fiberglass, each floor with its own room locker and showers would you change in the locker room and put your clothes and bags in your locker your capsule radio, alarm clock and TV, and a screen or pull the curtain on the entry of the capsule of privacy the main drawback is that the main clientele these hotels is Japanese business men who missed their last train, so the capsule hotels are usually men only, but the capsule hotels exist for women, capsules below pictures show late entry, but some hotels in the capsule have side entry type, and you'll now find hotels the capsule with larger, more hotel style as capsules.
You can usually get into a capsule hotel and ask for a bed for the night, but if you want to pre-book this unique experience, try the Capsulevalue Kanda in Tokyo's city center near the Kanda Station, one stop north of the station Tokyo, bed central Tokyo for only Ґ3,400 about Ј26 per night or 32 men and boys over 10 can stay there, but not women or children.
The Capsulevalue Kanda is 5 minutes walk from Kanda Station, one stop north of Tokyo Station.
Another unique place that deserves special mention is the Tokyo Station Hotel 5 stars Although in this case it is perhaps not a budget option The hotel occupies the 2nd 3rd floors of the historic 1915 station building and beautifully Marunouchi restored to the quieter side of Tokyo station Since many Tokyo classic hotels were destroyed by earthquakes or bombing during the war and rebuilt as a modern tower blocks, this must be the one of the most historically interesting places to stay He Sá luxurious choices and good, too, with a first class buffet in the Atrium breakfast located inside the large central pitched roof above the third floor and it is very convenient for trains.
The cheapest easiest way to Haneda Airport in Tokyo is to take the monorail from Haneda Airport International Terminal Hamamatsucho Station and change to the JR Yamanote line to Tokyo station monorail and JR local trains depart every few minutes, the total time to ride to the Haneda airport to Tokyo station is about 20 minutes.
Appear in the lobby of the Haneda International Airport Arrivals, follow directions to the monorail which is just a few meters straight ahead.
Buy a ticket from the row of machines the monorail entry as follows First look at the map above the machine and locate your destination station, let's say Tokyo station Note that the price indicated on this station on the touch screen, press English press JR transfer you want a local train ticket combined Monorail JR then select the number of passengers and the price corresponding to the screen you'll need coins or tickets, gift machine t take cards.
Japan Rail Pass cover both local trains Tokyo Monorail and JR, so you can use your pass to get to the airport if you want, but as the trip doesn t cost much, do not waste a day precious pass on a short trip unless you have days pass relief arriving at the international airport Haneda Terminal, you can exchange your voucher for a Japan rail pass, JR East travel Service Center next to the entrance of monorail platforms, marked with the arrow in the picture below.
Haneda Arrivals hall, Left monorail entrance right in the above image, an ATM to get some money out, ATMs JR buy a transfer ticket for the monorail in Tokyo, wickets on monorail platforms and marked by the arrow JR East Travel Service Center where you can exchange a voucher for a Japan rail Pass if you like.
Step 1, the Tokyo Monorail's Haneda airport to the exchange station Hamamatsucho Every few minutes, the 14 minutes of travel time it is conductive, so get a seat at the front for a magnificent view before the monorail sneaks high level by the docklands of Tokyo.
Step 2, JR Yamanote Hamamatsucho Line Tokyo Station It's clear JR Yamanote Line and its trains are coded green, as shown above line is a loop around Tokyo, to find the direction of Tokyo It passes every few minutes.
The Narita Express is a dedicated airport train from going from Narita Airport Terminal 1 call at Narita Airport Terminal 2, and then non-stop to Tokyo Station in the heart of Tokyo It runs every half hours a day, travel time 59 minutes to buy a ticket at the station the train ordinary class green car, all seats are reserved and all tickets are delivered with an assigned seat.
The Council Narita Express uses the platform of the subway line S drunk at Tokyo Station, numbered 1-4, but they should not be confused with regular platforms 1-4 above ground.
Japan Rail Passes covering the Narita Express, but arriving by plane at Narita you'll first need to exchange your voucher for the actual Japan Rail Pass ago Japan Rail Pass exchange counters at both the ticket and the Travel Service Center both Narita Terminal 1 and Terminal station Narita 2.
You can also links Keisei Skyliner Narita Terminal 1 Terminal 2 with Ueno Station in Tokyo This also goes every half hour, also non-stop, travel about 45 minutes to Ueno, it's cheaper fraction the Narita Express also all reserved for times of prices see However, the Keisei railway is a private non-JR railway rail Pass if Japan can not be used on it.
If you count every penny, you can more than halve the cost of airport transfers using local or express trains between Narita and Tokyo than Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner, changing in Chiba It will take 30-45 minutes longer that use of the Narita express or Skyliner to find train schedules, but the use of select-Liner, private Limited express railways in options before starting the investigation.
London to Tokyo in 12-14 days Transsiberian.
You can reach Japan without flying to London in just two weeks, by Trans-Siberian for about Ј800 in round numbers first, of London Travel to Moscow, see London in Russia It takes 48 hours using the Express Paris- Moscow You can then choose.
- Take the Rossiya Moscow to Vladivostok, it goes every other day taking seven days, see Trans-Siberian page.
- Take the ferry from Vladivostok to Japan Sakaiminato, sailing once a week, taking 36 hours and see Vladivostok ferry-Japan.
- Travel from Moscow to Beijing on one of the two weekly trains Siberian in 6 days to see the Trans-Siberian page.
- Take an overnight train or high-speed Beijing to Shanghai to see the Beijing Shanghai page.
- Take one of the two ferries a week from Shanghai to Osaka or Kobe or Japan, see China ferry to Japan.
Vladivostok pass is easier to organize than you need fewer visas but through Beijing more varied and interesting, and one I recommend? D.
Ferries between Japan China, Korea Vladivostok.
For the weekly ferry Sakaiminato in Japan and Vladivostok in Russia, see Trans-Siberian page.
For ferries between Japan and Shanghai, China, see China page.
For ferries between Japan and South Korea, see Korea page.
In the era of the Internet, a printed guide seems like an unnecessary expense, but you will see so much more and know more about it if you have a decent pocket TrailBlazer Japan guide rail guide is specifically intended to travel by train around Japan, both city and train information - highly recommended Other than that, for the serious independent traveler, the best guides to take are either Lonely Planet or Rough Guide, I prefer the layout Lonely Planet but others prefer the rough guides both guides offer excellent levels of both practical information and historical context.
Never travel abroad without travel insurance from a reliable insurer with at least Ј1m or preferably medical coverage Ј5m It should also cover the cancellation and loss of money and property, up to a reasonable limit A annual multi-trip policy is generally more than one cheaper travel policies, even for only 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy I are here offered some insurers Seat61 receives a small commission if you buy these links .
In the UK, try Columbus Direct or use to compare pricing policies of different insurers.
If you have a pre-existing condition or over 65, see - 10 discount with code Seat61.
If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and the EU try other Columbus Direct sites.
Get a spare credit card, designed to travel without charging low currency or toll-free ATMs.
It costs nothing to take an extra credit card If you keep in another part of your luggage if you are not left stranded if your wallet is stolen, it is a form of insurance supplementary Travel itself Furthermore, some credit cards are much better for travel abroad as other Martin Lewis explains that s credit cards in the UK have the lowest exchange commission charges when you buy something abroad, and the lowest fees of cash withdrawal when using an ATM abroad Take this advice can save you on every trip over the use of your credit normal high street credit card.
TRAIN TRAVEL IN JAPAN How to buy using a Japan Rail Pass, train, travel, Japan rail.