Planning a trip to Japan in late November. Will be visiting both Tokyo and Osaka.
Is it possible to book the train tix online? Is there a better deal to be had to purchase the tix when I am there?
Also, any Osaka hotel recommendations? price ~100-150
TIA
Sweet Willie
Jun 15, 03, 3:00 pm
Overview of trains in Japan: http://www.discover-japan.info/japan_trains.htm
Same from Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO): http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/GA/Transportation/trains.html
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Tickets can not be purchased from outside Japan; once in Japan, however, tickets may be reserved at almost any JR train station up to a month before departure. There are three exceptions to this rule. First, the new Eki-Net Internet reservation system operated by East Japan Railway allows certain types of reservations from outside Japan. Second, the Japan Rail Pass, which covers almost all the trains, operated by JRG, and which can only be purchased outside Japan. Third, Japan Air Lines offers a courtesy seat-reservation service for their own customers. </font>
Here is the Eki-Net site: http://www.world.eki-net.com/e_Default.asp
Looking into Japan Rail Pass now as it seems more economical.
Is the Odakyu railway (Tokyo-Hakone) included in the rail pass?
monahos
Jun 15, 03, 4:04 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Is the Odakyu railway (Tokyo-Hakone) included in the rail pass?</font>
No, private railways are not covered by the pass. Cost is a little above Y2,000 O/W. If taking the 'Romance car', try to book well in advance to sit in the nose of the train for a panoramic view.
However, using the JR Rail Pass one can take a Kodama Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara, to transfer to the local Hakone Tozan Tetsudo line to Hakone Yumoto (15 minutes, not covered by pass). The (much slower) JR Tokaido line also goes through Odawara.
[This message has been edited by monahos (edited 06-15-2003).]
Sweet Willie
Jun 15, 03, 9:51 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by monahos:
No, private railways are not covered by the pass. Cost is a little above Y2,000 O/W. If taking the 'Romance car', try to book well in advance to sit in the nose of the train for a panoramic view.</font>
agreed. Romance sells out in advance, so much so we could not take it. As a result we took the much slower JR Tokaido line. Due to its snail pace we used our JR pass for the bullet back to Tokyo from Odawara.
Advice for anyone going during the summer. Don't.. as Mt Fuji (the highlight) most likely will not be visable, like it was not for us http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/frown.gif
We are planning a day trip to Fuji-san late July. Are you suggesting that this will be a waste of time?
<<< another wrench thrown into the trip. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif
Dan
monahos
Jun 15, 03, 10:50 pm
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">We are planning a day trip to Fuji-san late July.</font>
The problem is smog and haze. Fuji-san is easily seen from Tokyo on a clear winter morning, but often fades away in the afternoon.
I personally like the sea vistas from Hakone, especially if you walk through the subtropical vegetation instead of taking the ropeway.
Fuji-san is best seen from a distance. From up close it is but a pile of rocks http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif
meowinkitty
Jun 16, 03, 3:40 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">
Is the Odakyu railway (Tokyo-Hakone) included in the rail pass?
</font>
As already mentioned, use the JR pass for Tokyo to Odawara via Kodama Shinkansen (departs tokyo frequently so don't worry about early seat reservations).
At Odawara, buy the Hakone FreePass. You can buy it from the Odakyu ticket office right before the Odakyu gates. No, despite the name, it's not free, you have to pay 4000 some odd yen for the pass which is good for 3 days of unlimited travel within the hakone area. I already went through the numbers and it pays for itself even for one day: Do the mountain train (goes slow as hell by the way but neat experience), cablecar, then ropeway all the way to Togendai. At that point, you hop on a pirate ship (covered by the pass) to MotoHakone, then take a bus back to wherever you are staying in Hakone for the night (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!). That right there pays for the pass fee, as piecemeal trips on the ropeway and bus are bloody expensive. Not to mention it saves time/confusion as you just flash your pass around the manned stations.
[This message has been edited by meowinkitty (edited 06-16-2003).]
Sweet Willie
Jun 16, 03, 10:45 am
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by dhammer53:
We are planning a day trip to Fuji-san late July. Are you suggesting that this will be a waste of time?</font>
IF the primary goal is to see Mt Fuji, I would say yes, it will be a waste of time most likely.
While we enjoyed our trip through the area and took the numerous "rides" (tram, train, boat) in the area, we were highly disappointed that there was not even a chance of Mt. Fuji appearing.
If you are looking for a different day trip, I would suggest visiting Kamakura from Tokyo.