First Time To Japan - Kyoto/Tokyo Advice
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 245
If you want to see a bit of traditional Japan, you might consider visiting Kamakura as an alternative to Kyoto - it's a lot easier (and cheaper) to get to, and it can be easily done as a day trip.
Also, as has been mentioned above, karaoke here isn't really "nightlife" in the way you're imagining - it's something you do with your friends or colleagues in a private karaoke room.
Also, as has been mentioned above, karaoke here isn't really "nightlife" in the way you're imagining - it's something you do with your friends or colleagues in a private karaoke room.
Interesting to hear about karaoke. Where/what is a good night life thing to experience while there?
Thanks all for the help thus far.
#17
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Just looking at a quick trip to Kyoto too. Does this look like a good deal?
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK/
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK/
Last edited by DanielW; Jan 19, 2014 at 2:34 am
#18
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,390
Just looking at a quick trip to Kyoto too. Does this look like a good deal?
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK/
http://www.japanican.com/en/tour/detail/VJOPENTK/
It doesn't say whether you can use the Nozomi train but even if it is Hikari only this represents a significant saving on the cost of a return trip (around 26,500yen).
Do factor in the following before you make your decision:
Cost of return trips from your arrival/departure airport to Tokyo.
Cost of transit within Tokyo and how many trips will be made using JR (will depend on location of your hotel)
Cost of other planned day trips/excursions
Subtract this amount from 7,300yen
Then decide if the remaining total is money worth spending on keeping your options open should you wish to make a spontaneous trip somewhere.
A rough example of what I mean is as follows:
An option for many travellers visiting Tokyo via NRT is the Suica & N'EX pass which is 5,500yen return and includes 2,000yen worth of credit for travel within Tokyo. It is similar to the actual value of a JRPass if using it to get to and from Tokyo and make journeys within the city (assuming that your hotel has access to a JR line).
Going on this, and on the assumption that your trip is a short one, by buying a JRpass for 28,300yen you would effectively be paying 1,800yen to keep the option of travelling nearly anywhere on a whim open vs the 21,000yen Japanican tour plus 5,500yen Suica + N'EX return ticket.
Note that the minimum cost of getting to and from NRT is 2,000yen return by bus and one can travel within Tokyo with about 500yen per day. It is cheaper to get into Tokyo from HND. In other words, if you are really frugal and plan carefully, the most the Japanican tour can save you is about 4,500 yen (give or take 500yen).
#19
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Dubai
Posts: 3,301
Thanks, Laplap. Not used to all these options and systems for catching a train! As well as getting to see Kyoto, I want to take the Shinkansen/Bullet Train for the first time. I think the JRpass excludes the fastest Shinkansen though (Nozumi)?
I double checked with Japanican about any restrictions on time/train etc., and from their response there doesn't seem to be(?).
I double checked with Japanican about any restrictions on time/train etc., and from their response there doesn't seem to be(?).
Thank you for contacting us. The E-voucher can be exchanged for train ticket at any time of train (Nozomi, Hikari, and Kodama) as long as it operates at your desired time.
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: London
Posts: 18,390
Thanks, Laplap. Not used to all these options and systems for catching a train! As well as getting to see Kyoto, I want to take the Shinkansen/Bullet Train for the first time. I think the JRpass excludes the fastest Shinkansen though (Nozumi)?
I double checked with Japanican about any restrictions on time/train etc., and from their response there doesn't seem to be(?).
I double checked with Japanican about any restrictions on time/train etc., and from their response there doesn't seem to be(?).
The Nozomi is only about 20 minutes faster than the Hikari, a difference you will be oblivious to when travelling. The other upsides to travelling via Nozomi are more frequent trains (every ten minutes vs every half hour but you may be restricted to a particular train anyway, if so this benefit is negated with the Japanican issued ticket), and potentially less crowded cars, but by booking in advance you would almost certainly have a reserved seat anyway.
Factor in what losing 40 minutes (20 minutes x 2) of travel time really means when weighed up alongside the other factors I mentioned (principally the opportunity to be spontaneous) before you make your decision.
You'll see Nozomi trains on the platform regardless and can take pictures of yourself standing next to them.
I travelled on a series E5 Hayabusa Shinkansen from Sendai to Tokyo not so long ago. The actual seat and carriage used were exactly the same as on the slower E2 Hayate train used to travel North, only the engine at the front was different.
#22
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Dorset
Programs: BAEC Blue, VS Red, IHG Platinum
Posts: 597
Thanks for clarifying, I guess that is some compensation for the excursion round trip tickets dumping the accommodation part of the deal (a Nozomi option used to be available for an extra cost)
The Nozomi is only about 20 minutes faster than the Hikari, a difference you will be oblivious to when travelling. The other upsides to travelling via Nozomi are more frequent trains (every ten minutes vs every half hour but you may be restricted to a particular train anyway, if so this benefit is negated with the Japanican issued ticket), and potentially less crowded cars, but by booking in advance you would almost certainly have a reserved seat anyway.
Factor in what losing 40 minutes (20 minutes x 2) of travel time really means when weighed up alongside the other factors I mentioned (principally the opportunity to be spontaneous) before you make your decision.
You'll see Nozomi trains on the platform regardless and can take pictures of yourself standing next to them.
I travelled on a series E5 Hayabusa Shinkansen from Sendai to Tokyo not so long ago. The actual seat and carriage used were exactly the same as on the slower E2 Hayate train used to travel North, only the engine at the front was different.
The Nozomi is only about 20 minutes faster than the Hikari, a difference you will be oblivious to when travelling. The other upsides to travelling via Nozomi are more frequent trains (every ten minutes vs every half hour but you may be restricted to a particular train anyway, if so this benefit is negated with the Japanican issued ticket), and potentially less crowded cars, but by booking in advance you would almost certainly have a reserved seat anyway.
Factor in what losing 40 minutes (20 minutes x 2) of travel time really means when weighed up alongside the other factors I mentioned (principally the opportunity to be spontaneous) before you make your decision.
You'll see Nozomi trains on the platform regardless and can take pictures of yourself standing next to them.
I travelled on a series E5 Hayabusa Shinkansen from Sendai to Tokyo not so long ago. The actual seat and carriage used were exactly the same as on the slower E2 Hayate train used to travel North, only the engine at the front was different.
#23
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 442
Conrad is within walking distance of Tsukiji. Leave early, expect to be at the market by 430am if you want to get in. Odaiba is a short monorail ride from the hotel. nightlife? depends where you want to go.
#24
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota,USA
Programs: UA, NW
Posts: 3,752
Night life? It's tricky. Since you're with your wife, the hostess bars are probably not the best destination.
There are bars that cater to the expense account crowd, with an emphasis on the expense. There are bars that operate like private clubs and will not let you in unless you're with a regular.
Aside from hotel bars, you'll probably want to check out discos and so-called "live houses," where rock, pop, folk or jazz ensembles play. Larger venues host international acts; Western musicians in all genres from classical to hard rock play Tokyo.
Your guidebook (have you bought it yet?) can provide information on which venues are foreigner-friendly. In addition, the English-language press has listings of what's happening around town.
There are bars that cater to the expense account crowd, with an emphasis on the expense. There are bars that operate like private clubs and will not let you in unless you're with a regular.
Aside from hotel bars, you'll probably want to check out discos and so-called "live houses," where rock, pop, folk or jazz ensembles play. Larger venues host international acts; Western musicians in all genres from classical to hard rock play Tokyo.
Your guidebook (have you bought it yet?) can provide information on which venues are foreigner-friendly. In addition, the English-language press has listings of what's happening around town.
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 245
Thanks a lot for the additional feedback all!
Regardless of time spent in Kyoto, I am still planning on going there right from NRT when we arrive. Problem is, our flight gets in at 5:20pm. Is that enough time make it through customs, get your bags, etc and still catch a bullet train out there that night? A brief attempted search of the train schedules made it look kinda tight...
Regardless of time spent in Kyoto, I am still planning on going there right from NRT when we arrive. Problem is, our flight gets in at 5:20pm. Is that enough time make it through customs, get your bags, etc and still catch a bullet train out there that night? A brief attempted search of the train schedules made it look kinda tight...
#26
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,374
Thanks a lot for the additional feedback all!
Regardless of time spent in Kyoto, I am still planning on going there right from NRT when we arrive. Problem is, our flight gets in at 5:20pm. Is that enough time make it through customs, get your bags, etc and still catch a bullet train out there that night? A brief attempted search of the train schedules made it look kinda tight...
Regardless of time spent in Kyoto, I am still planning on going there right from NRT when we arrive. Problem is, our flight gets in at 5:20pm. Is that enough time make it through customs, get your bags, etc and still catch a bullet train out there that night? A brief attempted search of the train schedules made it look kinda tight...
At Tokyo Sta, you'll transfer to 8.10p Nozomi shinkansen (arrives Kyoto 10.48p) if you're not using JR Pass. If using JR Pass, you'll wait for the 8.40p Hikari shinkansen (arrives Kyoto 11.21p).
EDIT:
Sorry... if you're using the JR Pass, the best thing to do is to do either of the following:
1). 6.48p NEx from NRT to Shinagawa (arrives at 7.58p), then transfer to Hikari leaving Shinagawa 8.10p for Kyoto (arrives at 11.01p).
2). 7.12p NEx from NRT to Tokyo (arrives at 8.13p), then transfer to Hikari leaving Tokyo 8.40p for Kyoto (arrives at 11.21p).
For your peace of mind, I'd just plan on doing the second option. Make sure you recheck that the above trains exist on the day of your travel. Train schedules can sometimes differ a little bit depending on whether it's weekday, weekend or holiday.
Last edited by evergrn; Jan 26, 2014 at 11:58 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
That 8:40 pm Hikari seems to stop service after January of this year. After that, the 8: 03 pm, from Tokyo, or 8:10 pm, from Shinagawa, seems to be the last Hikari. At least the later train is not showing up in Hyperdia.
Last edited by abmj-jr; Jan 27, 2014 at 12:07 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Hilton, Hyatt House, Del Taco
Posts: 5,374
Yeah, you're right. He'd better catch the 6.48pm NEX to Shinagawa then. Or just forget about JR Pass and just go with Nozomi. No shortage of Nozomi to Kyoto, even in that time of the day. NEx+Nozomi(return, Tokyo-Kyoto)+NEx = ~2000yen more than a 1-week JR Pass.
#29
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Central California
Programs: Former UA Premex, now dirt
Posts: 6,531
Yes.
OP, if you get through Customs and Immigration quickly and hustle down to the JR service center to exchange your Rail Pass voucher, you might make it in time to catch the last feasible N'Ex to Shinagawa Station at 6:48 pm. It arrives at 7:58 pm and the last Hikari departs at 8:10, leaving you 12 minutes to connect. That is doable at Shinagawa as it is pretty small and easily navigable. I would NOT try to do a 12 minute connection at Tokyo Station.
If, while you are in line at the JR center, it looks like you will not make it in time for that last set of JR Pass eligible trains, you can always just purchase a ticket on the Nozomi to get to Kyoto. There are a few later N'Ex and Nozomi combinations that will get you to Kyoto without having to rush. In that case, I would just NOT exchange the Rail Pass voucher and plan on returning it for a refund after getting home. There is a 10% restocking fee. You would, of course, have to pay for all of your subsequent rail travel but could continue to use Nozomi for other shinkansen travel.
EDIT: I just noticed that the only rail travel you are planning is NRT-TYO-KYOTO-TYO-NRT. If that is the case, the JR Rail Pass would save you a little money but not a huge amount. In your case, with that late arrival, you might just be better off forgetting about the Rail Pass and just plan on paying as you go and use Nozomis.
OP, if you get through Customs and Immigration quickly and hustle down to the JR service center to exchange your Rail Pass voucher, you might make it in time to catch the last feasible N'Ex to Shinagawa Station at 6:48 pm. It arrives at 7:58 pm and the last Hikari departs at 8:10, leaving you 12 minutes to connect. That is doable at Shinagawa as it is pretty small and easily navigable. I would NOT try to do a 12 minute connection at Tokyo Station.
If, while you are in line at the JR center, it looks like you will not make it in time for that last set of JR Pass eligible trains, you can always just purchase a ticket on the Nozomi to get to Kyoto. There are a few later N'Ex and Nozomi combinations that will get you to Kyoto without having to rush. In that case, I would just NOT exchange the Rail Pass voucher and plan on returning it for a refund after getting home. There is a 10% restocking fee. You would, of course, have to pay for all of your subsequent rail travel but could continue to use Nozomi for other shinkansen travel.
EDIT: I just noticed that the only rail travel you are planning is NRT-TYO-KYOTO-TYO-NRT. If that is the case, the JR Rail Pass would save you a little money but not a huge amount. In your case, with that late arrival, you might just be better off forgetting about the Rail Pass and just plan on paying as you go and use Nozomis.
Last edited by abmj-jr; Jan 27, 2014 at 2:27 am