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Japan Travel |OT| One does simply not visit just once
- Thread starter hwalker84
- Start date
Bad move.Always allow that extra day to recuperate.
Man, I went into work the next day because I woke up at 3am and couldn't go back to sleep.
...
Because I had forgotten that I had taken that extra day off also.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Yeah, figured it was a good way to get to Tokyo station. Are they good?
killertofu
Member
Still waking up at 1AM. Didn't even drive to Atlanta because I was so tired at work ;__;
And to top it off, my copy of Lost in Translation is at work...and its gone from streaming
And to top it off, my copy of Lost in Translation is at work...and its gone from streaming
MikeHattsu
Member
Well, it's the cheapest way to get there. If you're going to Ueno it would have been faster to take the Skyliner though.
ZackieChan
Member
Any of you doing anything fun tonight in Tokyo?
CountBlack
Member
Made it back home.
Loved Japan more than I thought I would lol. Cant wait to go back.
Loved Japan more than I thought I would lol. Cant wait to go back.
ThreePiMatt
Member
Going back to my hotel and sleeping. My ankles are killing me.
Wander around Kabukicho after 10pm wearing a trilby and a Hawaiian shirt. You'll soon find someone that'll offer you a fun time there.
killertofu
Member
Phew, I'm so glad I bought the Asian Kungfu Generation CD from Tower Records. So many feels as a 14 year old and going "I think I'm gonna grow my hair out" thanks to this band.
Hi Everyone,
My wife and I are traveling to Tokyo from May 22nd through May 26th and we're staying in Shinjuku. I know this thread is a treasure trove of info, but I was wondering if someone could answer the following questions for me:
-We're planning on staying only really in the Tokyo area, probably not doing any day trips to any of the other areas 1-2 hours away. What's our best option for buying a train pass that will work within only Tokyo?
-Best reco for airport travel from Narita --> Shinjuku?
-Best wireless sim card to buy to plug into my unlocked Verizon iphone?
My wife and I are traveling to Tokyo from May 22nd through May 26th and we're staying in Shinjuku. I know this thread is a treasure trove of info, but I was wondering if someone could answer the following questions for me:
-We're planning on staying only really in the Tokyo area, probably not doing any day trips to any of the other areas 1-2 hours away. What's our best option for buying a train pass that will work within only Tokyo?
-Best reco for airport travel from Narita --> Shinjuku?
-Best wireless sim card to buy to plug into my unlocked Verizon iphone?
ZackieChan
Member
I was there around 9pm. Oh well.
MikeHattsu
Member
No need to get a train pass if you're only staying in Tokyo. Get a Pasmo/Suica card for easy travel though.
Get the discount NEX round trip tickets for Narita-Shinjuku directly:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html
Make sure to check the time table if you're arriving or departing at odd hours though
What sim card to get depends on what you're planning to do and how much data you need.
cj_iwakura
Member
Or you could just use the standard train, it'll save a fair amount of money. Just takes a bit longer.
MikeHattsu
Member
Well, you'll save 1540 JPY total at most, but you'll also need to do a transfer at Nippori (Keisei+JR Yamanote) instead of just taking one train directly. If you're travelling in the rush hour periods with luggage it's not that comfortable compared to just taking the NEX.
cj_iwakura
Member
That's a big difference if you're on the budget that I was.
TheBryanJZX90
Member
Late but if you are in to cars the Toyota History Garage is pretty cool.
MikeHattsu
Member
You mean Tokyo? What airport are you arriving at and leaving from?
What country is your 3DS and iPhone from?
There is two airports in Tokyo. Narita and Haneda
MikeHattsu
Member
If you're just staying 2 days in Osaka and the rest in Tokyo, then these discount Shinkansen tickets is the best deal:
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTO1
If you're staying 14 days or less in total and you're arriving at Narita, then get the discount NEX return trip tickets as well:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/nex_round.html
You can use your US chargers in Japan for both the 3DS and iPhone.
^ thanks. That is helpful.
I'm arriving at Narita June 17 and staying at my hotel (Hotel Niwa) in Tokyo that night. Then I'm going to Osaka the next morning (18th) and plan on coming back the next night (19th) (yes I realize this is somewhat poor planning). Other than that I'll be in Tokyo the whole time.
I'm arriving at Narita June 17 and staying at my hotel (Hotel Niwa) in Tokyo that night. Then I'm going to Osaka the next morning (18th) and plan on coming back the next night (19th) (yes I realize this is somewhat poor planning). Other than that I'll be in Tokyo the whole time.
MikeHattsu
Member
If you're staying at Hotel Niwa all the time while in Tokyo you could save a bit of money by taking the Keisei Airport Express/SkyAccess from Narita towards Haneda, get off at Mita and then take the subway to Suidobashi. You'd need to change trains anyway if you take the NEX to Tokyo Station since your hotel is not near one of the NEX stops.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Packing now, flying out tomorrow morning. Luckily the flight is less than 10 hours, but I'm still not looking forward to it haha.
Vita status: Charging.
Vita status: Charging.
ZackieChan
Member
I watched 4 movies on the plane and was there. Easy flight.
Star Wars TFA, The Big Short, Room, and Deadpool
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Yeah, I'm just waiting in departure now. Luckily the airport wifi is good enough to stream music and browse Gaf, but YouTube kept dying.
About an hour until takeoff though. I got here 3 hours before my flight just incase lol.
killertofu
Member
Have fun
Just driving home from Atlanta after a music festival. Still missing it badly
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Had a headache during the flight and there were two screaming babies. Got out late from customs because no one infront of me had their shit ready, so when I exchanged my bus ticket I had 4 minutes to get out the front and onto the bus. I barely made it lol.
Other than all that garbage, I'm now on the keisei bus to Tokyo station and the headache is starting to ease. Wheb I get there I'm going to grab dinner and crash at the hotel, no energy to explore tonight
Other than all that garbage, I'm now on the keisei bus to Tokyo station and the headache is starting to ease. Wheb I get there I'm going to grab dinner and crash at the hotel, no energy to explore tonight
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Having a look around akihabara today. The second I left the station I knew where I was going... Is it bad that I have a surprisingly good knowledge of the layout due to akiba's trip?
Edit: 9.30am and everything is closed lol got here too early.
Also some of the signage is a lot more pervy than I expected, and that's from someone who knew Akiba was like that haha
Edit2: half of the things I see make me say "I love Japan" and the other half "Damnit, Japan. Why?!"
Having fun though.
Edit: 9.30am and everything is closed lol got here too early.
Also some of the signage is a lot more pervy than I expected, and that's from someone who knew Akiba was like that haha
Edit2: half of the things I see make me say "I love Japan" and the other half "Damnit, Japan. Why?!"
Having fun though.
MikeHattsu
Member
SiegfriedFM
Member
That's Akihabara alright. Enjoy, the rest of Tokyo isn't that crazy (with some exceptions).
I need to pick up Akiba's next time it's on sale.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Boy the police sure are nice here. They all nod or say hello when they see me and one asked if I was lost when I was looking up maps on my phone near the Skytree.
So far the only real complaint is the people who put their hands on you and try to guide you towards their seedy bars, and that often it feels like the nearest toilet is at a train station. (Which is usually a 5-10 minute walk, so it isn't too bad.)
So far the only real complaint is the people who put their hands on you and try to guide you towards their seedy bars, and that often it feels like the nearest toilet is at a train station. (Which is usually a 5-10 minute walk, so it isn't too bad.)
MikeHattsu
Member
7/11 and Lawson toilets are better
except for the ones in Akiba where there aren't any
Excellent! I was just about to look at buying tickets for September and was going to resort to doing it via a travel agency. Thank goodness for this!
MikeHattsu
Member
Any particular reason why you couldn't do Kyoto and Osaka in 2 days instead of going back and forth?
Edit: Well, anyway... You'd need to get a 2 week JR Pass for such an itinerary, since it's 8 days total from the first day you'll use it (19th) till the last (26th). You will then also cover the NEX from Narita to Tokyo and back + most/all travel within Tokyo and Osaka.
It's still a waste of money compared to doing Kyoto and Osaka in 1 weekend though, or within 7 days total
Any particular reason why you couldn't do Kyoto and Osaka in 2 days instead of going back and forth?
Edit: Well, anyway... You'd need to get a 2 week JR Pass for such an itinerary, since it's 8 days total from the first day you'll use it (19th) till the last (26th). You will then also cover the NEX from Narita to Tokyo and back + most/all travel within Tokyo and Osaka.
It's still a waste of money compared to doing Kyoto and Osaka in 1 weekend though, or within 7 days total
I guess the idea was avoid Tokyo on the weekends when it would be the most crowded. I'm going to Osaka on the first weekend no matter because that part of my trip is based around seeing an NJPW show.
How much money would I stand to save if I did Osaka and Kyoto at the same time? And what rail pass should I get if I decided to go that route?
MikeHattsu
Member
Well, Kyoto gets crowded in the weekends as well
If you're doing Kyoto and Osaka at the same time, then get those discount Shinkansen tickets I linked to earlier:
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTO1
How much you save depends on what you're going to do and how much you're travelling by JR trains and not buses, subway or other railways than JR, but just comparing JR Pass 2 weeks against those discount Shinkansen tickets saves you 24390 JPY.
Hoping to be able to go back next year early spring. If possible 2 weeks. How would you guys divide Tokyo-Osaka/Koyoto-Hokkaido?
If I can't get the full 2 weeks I'm willing to cut out Hokkaido as I would probably only go for 2 days.
What makes the most sense?
Land Tokyo 4 days
JR> Kyoto 1-2 days
Local train> Osaka 2-3days
Fly Domestic> Hokkaido 2 days
Fly or JR> Tokyo? 2 days
Seems like a waste of money going back and forth. Weekends in Tokyo aren't even that bad from my experience unless something special is going on.
If I can't get the full 2 weeks I'm willing to cut out Hokkaido as I would probably only go for 2 days.
What makes the most sense?
Land Tokyo 4 days
JR> Kyoto 1-2 days
Local train> Osaka 2-3days
Fly Domestic> Hokkaido 2 days
Fly or JR> Tokyo? 2 days
Seems like a waste of money going back and forth. Weekends in Tokyo aren't even that bad from my experience unless something special is going on.
MikeHattsu
Member
Just 2 days in Hokkaido seems too little, even if you're just visiting Sapporo.
Subpar Scrub
Banned
Seems like a waste to not go from Osaka to Kyoto. That's pretty much what I'm doing, just train to Nara for the day from Osaka then train to Kyoto.
Currently on the Shinkansen to Osaka from Tokyo. Damn these things go fast.
ZackieChan
Member
"Crowded"? It's a big ass city. Is that a real concern?
Kyoto felt a whole heck of a lot more crowded than Tokyo did to me. People just pouring off the sidewalks there. The main places my wife and I went were Tokyo, Takayama, and Kyoto. Amazing trip. We plan on going back. Here are some pics:
MikeHattsu
Member
Them image links are broken.
Thorwaldsson
Member
One of my techies is moving to Japan for 8 months to live with his girlfried. Do you guys know of anything that might troble him, that a employer could help out with.
I believe there was a really cool former love hotel turned affordable hotel in Osaka. I can't recall the name though
MikeHattsu
Member
1. Check the shipping rates here:
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/cgi-charge/index.php?lang=_en
The post office will have boxes for sale if you need that. Try to fit stuff into a SAL Small Packet if possible, since that's usually the most cost effective way to ship stuff:
http://www.post.japanpost.jp/int/service/small_packing_en.html
If you're sending a game or something smaller like that, then go to Daiso or other 100 yen shops and get padded envelopes there since the post office only got regular envelopes.
2. Yeah, Namba is probably the best area to stay in since it got lots of transport options and it's close to both Dotonbori and Nipponbashi if you're interested in those places.