Hello - Tonight I booked a trip to Tokyo and Kyoto for this October.
We were considering traveling to England and Ireland, but TZ had an offer that was just too good to pass up. (We never considered Japan, since I thought it was out of our price range.)
I've been doing some research online, and have read through a Kyoto Guidebook (Lonely Planet) and a Tokyo Guidebook (Eyewitness Travel) and now I'm here, hoping for wonderful advice and suggestions from you all.
We arrive on 10/7/09 (too late to catch the Limo Bus to the Four Seasons Chinzan-so.) So my first question.
How exactly do we get from Narita Airport to the Four Seasons at Chinzan-so?
I have heard that taxis from the airport are very expensive, and I have little experience with trains, especially the Japanese system! Could someone provide detailed instructions?
We'll be at the FS through Saturday, 10/11, so that gives 3 full days in Tokyo.
On Sunday 10/11, we get on the bullet train at 7:00am and probably will be ready to explore Kyoto by noon.
We'll be in Kyoto for most of Sunday through Tuesday morning
I have heard that taxis from the airport are very expensive, and I have little experience with trains, especially the Japanese system! Could someone provide detailed instructions?
As I remember from my Japanese colleague say it is flat fee for going from Narita, but train is way more efficient. Perhaps you can consider travelling NEX to Tokyo station then change taxi?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gruffydd
On Sunday 10/11, we get on the bullet train at 7:00am and probably will be ready to explore Kyoto by noon.
You may consider grabbing JR pass, make it activate from 8 Oct to cover your Kyoto round trip, Kyoto local train and NEX back to Narita
We arrive on 10/7/09 (too late to catch the Limo Bus to the Four Seasons Chinzan-so.) So my first question.
How exactly do we get from Narita Airport to the Four Seasons at Chinzan-so?
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpatokal
Take the Limousine Bus. Door to door to your hotel, about Y3000/person.
If you can't change to the other more conveniently located FS as jib71 has suggested, then here is one of the best resources on the internet for understanding the Tokyo Rail and Metro system (by our regular contributor - railroadtycoon) http://www.tokyosubway.info/
It will tell you everythig you need to know.
If you're serious about buying real yukata rather than fake ones or the patterned cotton dressing gowns called yukata by hotels and inns, here's a quick guide showing what you'll need: The Kimono / Furisode / Yukata kitsuke thread
(I'll update the video link when I'm back at home in a few days)
The others have started you out with some good suggestions. A few questions to help us help you:
You say you are arriving "too late" to get the limo-bus to the hotel. When are you actually arriving at NRT and on what national passport?
As indicated earlier, the FS Chinzan-so is pretty inconveniently located for travel connections and for touring Tokyo. If you can change to something better located, it might be worth the effort. If not, all is not lost. You'll just have somewhat more challenging travel options.
The two primary options for travel between NRT and Tokyo are the limo-bus and the Narita Express limited airport train. There is a competing train line called Keisei that is less expensive but it does not go to the main Tokyo Station and is probably not a good option for you. If you really cannot make it for the limo-bus, then the best option is probably the Narita Express (N'Ex) from NRT to Tokyo and a moderately pricy cab ride from there to the hotel. There are train connections but if you are inexperienced with trains and Tokyo, it is probably better to avoid that late at night on your first day in the country after a long, tiring travel day. Just pop for the cab from Tokyo Station and leave the subway/rail connection adventures for another day after you are rested and don't have luggage to wrestle.
Since you are in-country for 8 days, the Japan Rail Pass would seem ideal for you. It will cover seat reservations on the shinkansen (bullet train) roundtrip Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo and the train from the airport upon arrival. Since you actually need 8 days, it would not help for both directions on the N'Ex but if you are really going to return to Narita the day before departure, I'd activate the Pass for your arrival day through the day before you depart and use it for the N'Ex upon arrival. That way, you are covered for rail travel from your arrival at NRT through your train connections from Kyoto-Narita. Just pay cash for the short train ride from Narita to NRT or stay at a hotel that has a shuttle.
You can also use the JR Rail Pass for walk-on, unreserved seats on the local JR trains and any other train travel on JR lines - the Yamanote Loop Line around Tokyo, the JR line from Kyoto to Osaka or Nara or even Himeji and so on. The JR Pass can be purchased from large travel agencies in bigger cities or on-line from several sources. You purchase the exchange order prior to arriving in Japan and exchange it for the actual Pass after you process in through Customs and Immigation. If you know your actual travel plans and dates, I'd suggest making your first set of seat reservations Tokyo-Kyoto immediately upon activating the Pass at the JR station at NRT, before heading into the city.
I am assuming your departure from NRT is at 6:45 AM, since there would be little reason to come back the night before if it was PM. Narita City is a sleepy little town but has a nice temple to visit, a pretty nice small-town shopping street and several good restaurants. Frankly, in your place, I'd take another half day in Kyoto and then leave in the afternoon to go on to Narita. The hotel will probably hold onto your luggage until noon or after so you can get in that last 3 or 4 hours of visiting Kyoto. Arriving at Narita at 4:00 pm or after makes more sense to me than 2:00 pm.
As I remember from my Japanese colleague say it is flat fee for going from Narita, but train is way more efficient. Perhaps you can consider travelling NEX to Tokyo station then change taxi?
You may consider grabbing JR pass, make it activate from 8 Oct to cover your Kyoto round trip, Kyoto local train and NEX back to Narita
Our Kyoto trip is with another package, bullet train and 2 nights hotel. Would it be worth the JR pass for just around Tokyo for the 4-5 days there?
Take the Limousine Bus. Door to door to your hotel, about Y3000/person.
We arrive in Tokyo at 6:10 on SQ from LAX, and the last limo bus leaves at 6:30 (or maybe, that's the last bus we have been given a coupon for. ) Do they run all the time for Y3000/pp?
The others have started you out with some good suggestions. A few questions to help us help you:
You say you are arriving "too late" to get the limo-bus to the hotel. When are you actually arriving at NRT and on what national passport?
As indicated earlier, the FS Chinzan-so is pretty inconveniently located for travel connections and for touring Tokyo. If you can change to something better located, it might be worth the effort. If not, all is not lost. You'll just have somewhat more challenging travel options.
The two primary options for travel between NRT and Tokyo are the limo-bus and the Narita Express limited airport train. There is a competing train line called Keisei that is less expensive but it does not go to the main Tokyo Station and is probably not a good option for you. If you really cannot make it for the limo-bus, then the best option is probably the Narita Express (N'Ex) from NRT to Tokyo and a moderately pricy cab ride from there to the hotel. There are train connections but if you are inexperienced with trains and Tokyo, it is probably better to avoid that late at night on your first day in the country after a long, tiring travel day. Just pop for the cab from Tokyo Station and leave the subway/rail connection adventures for another day after you are rested and don't have luggage to wrestle.
Since you are in-country for 8 days, the Japan Rail Pass would seem ideal for you. It will cover seat reservations on the shinkansen (bullet train) roundtrip Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo and the train from the airport upon arrival. Since you actually need 8 days, it would not help for both directions on the N'Ex but if you are really going to return to Narita the day before departure, I'd activate the Pass for your arrival day through the day before you depart and use it for the N'Ex upon arrival. That way, you are covered for rail travel from your arrival at NRT through your train connections from Kyoto-Narita. Just pay cash for the short train ride from Narita to NRT or stay at a hotel that has a shuttle.
You can also use the JR Rail Pass for walk-on, unreserved seats on the local JR trains and any other train travel on JR lines - the Yamanote Loop Line around Tokyo, the JR line from Kyoto to Osaka or Nara or even Himeji and so on. The JR Pass can be purchased from large travel agencies in bigger cities or on-line from several sources. You purchase the exchange order prior to arriving in Japan and exchange it for the actual Pass after you process in through Customs and Immigation. If you know your actual travel plans and dates, I'd suggest making your first set of seat reservations Tokyo-Kyoto immediately upon activating the Pass at the JR station at NRT, before heading into the city.
I am assuming your departure from NRT is at 6:45 AM, since there would be little reason to come back the night before if it was PM. Narita City is a sleepy little town but has a nice temple to visit, a pretty nice small-town shopping street and several good restaurants. Frankly, in your place, I'd take another half day in Kyoto and then leave in the afternoon to go on to Narita. The hotel will probably hold onto your luggage until noon or after so you can get in that last 3 or 4 hours of visiting Kyoto. Arriving at Narita at 4:00 pm or after makes more sense to me than 2:00 pm.
-We arrive at 6:10pm on SQ11 from LAX.
-Nationality is U.S.
-FS Chinzan-so is part of the package deal
-The shinkansen + hotel is part of a package deal thru japanican.com. Do you think it is still a good idea to get a JR Rail Pass for our other time in Japan?
- As part of this package, we leave Kyoto at 11:30 am, and our flight doesn't leave until the next day at 6:45pm. We figured we could relax at the hotel, eat/shop in Narita before the 10+ hour flight box.
If you're late, take the Narita Express train to Tokyo Station and get a cab from there (or to save money, take the Tozai line to Waseda station and schlep it or take a cab from there).
-We arrive at 6:10pm on SQ11 from LAX.
-Nationality is U.S.
-FS Chinzan-so is part of the package deal
-The shinkansen + hotel is part of a package deal thru japanican.com. Do you think it is still a good idea to get a JR Rail Pass for our other time in Japan?
- As part of this package, we leave Kyoto at 11:30 am, and our flight doesn't leave until the next day at 6:45pm. We figured we could relax at the hotel, eat/shop in Narita before the 10+ hour flight box.
According to the NRT website schedule, the limobus from NRT to the FS Chinzan-so runs once per hour after 3:00 pm and the last bus leaves at 7:00 pm. I assume they gave you a time of 6:30 to be sure everyone would be at the bus stand in plenty of time. Japanese transportation leaves ON TIME and if you show up at 7:01, you will miss it. Since this is a package, they may have somebody there to shepard you to the bus stop on time. Unless you have problems at C&I, I suspect 50 minutes is enough time to get to the bus stand. If not, it is not the end of the world. As jib71 said, if you do run late and miss it, just take the N'Ex to Tokyo and grab a cab.
If the roundtrip shinkansen Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo is included in your package deal, then the Rail Pass would most likely not be of economic benefit to you. For other train travel, around Tokyo, I'd just suggest paying as you go or buy a Suica Pass for the subways and local trains. For Kyoto and the Kansai area, you can get a 1000 yen or 3000 yen prepaid bus/subway pass around town. There is also a 1-, 2- or 3-day Kansai area Rail Pass that would cover travel from Kyoto to places like Nara, Osaka or Himeji. That would be a good deal for you. http://www.japanrail.com/JR_regionalrailpass.html#west .
Is your last hotel in Narita also part of the deal? For that long of a stay, I'd prefer to stay in Tokyo for one last night and just go straight out to NRT in the afternoon rather than waste almost 24 hours in Narita. Narita-shi is great for a few hours or a last night before a morning departure. A last afternoon, night and most of the next day is a bit much. You will have a lot of "relaxation time."
According to the NRT website schedule, the limobus from NRT to the FS Chinzan-so runs once per hour after 3:00 pm and the last bus leaves at 7:00 pm. I assume they gave you a time of 6:30 to be sure everyone would be at the bus stand in plenty of time. Japanese transportation leaves ON TIME and if you show up at 7:01, you will miss it. Since this is a package, they may have somebody there to shepard you to the bus stop on time. Unless you have problems at C&I, I suspect 50 minutes is enough time to get to the bus stand. If not, it is not the end of the world. As jib71 said, if you do run late and miss it, just take the N'Ex to Tokyo and grab a cab.
If the roundtrip shinkansen Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo is included in your package deal, then the Rail Pass would most likely not be of economic benefit to you. For other train travel, around Tokyo, I'd just suggest paying as you go or buy a Suica Pass for the subways and local trains. For Kyoto and the Kansai area, you can get a 1000 yen or 3000 yen prepaid bus/subway pass around town. There is also a 1-, 2- or 3-day Kansai area Rail Pass that would cover travel from Kyoto to places like Nara, Osaka or Himeji. That would be a good deal for you. http://www.japanrail.com/JR_regionalrailpass.html#west .
Is your last hotel in Narita also part of the deal? For that long of a stay, I'd prefer to stay in Tokyo for one last night and just go straight out to NRT in the afternoon rather than waste almost 24 hours in Narita. Narita-shi is great for a few hours or a last night before a morning departure. A last afternoon, night and most of the next day is a bit much. You will have a lot of "relaxation time."
OK ...you talked me into it
I have cancelled the Narita hotel and booked the Park Hotel in Tokyo for our last night! What time should we leave Tokyo to be at Narita for a 6:45 flight to LAX?
I have cancelled the Narita hotel and booked the Park Hotel in Tokyo for our last night! What time should we leave Tokyo to be at Narita for a 6:45 flight to LAX?
Park hotel is a good enough choice, but I'd suggest a hotel right at Tokyo station, which allows you to step off the Shinkansen from Kyoto and be at the hotel in moments. And the following morning, you can leave your bags at the front desk - just a few steps from the station where you'll catch the N'EX.
Hotels at Tokyo station include The Marunouchi Hotel, The Hotel Metropolitan Marunouchi, The Four Seasons Marunouchi and several other cheaper business hotels. Of these, the first two have the best access to the station.
Most airlines at NRT advise passengers to check in two hours before departure. (I usually aim to reach the airport two hours before departure, which is not quite the same thing, but I've never had a problem with it).
BY THE WAY - If you're replying to a lengthy post, please don't quote the entire post in your reply.
... What time should we leave Tokyo to be at Narita for a 6:45 flight to LAX?
That depends on how you are getting to NRT. The limo-bus takes at least an hour and can be much longer during peak traffic times. The N'Ex takes a bit under an hour from Tokyo Station to NRT - a few minutes longer from Shinagawa or Shinjuku. Check the schedule provided above. I like to leave 2 hours to check in and get settled before a long flight but since I have lounge access at the airport, I often get to the airport even earlier just to be sure. I am a bit obsessive about not being late to anything. For 6:45 pm, you could leave on the 3:33 pm N'Ex and have more than enough time. If you want to explore the shops or have a last meal at NRT, try an earlier train.
All of the above would still leave you a morning to poke around Tokyo before leaving. Just arrange a late check-out with the hotel or check out and have them hold your bags until you are ready to leave. The Imperial Palace is very close to Tokyo Station. An early morning stroll through the East Garden might be a nice way to finish up the trip before heading home.
