More first-time Tokyo advice needed!
 

Hi all,

Yet another newbie here who took advantage of American's great sale fare to Tokyo - I am heading out there next week with my husband for about three days (first time in Japan, no Japanese knowledge). Thanks to everyone for the great help here! - I have checked out all the previous posts and got some great advice!

I had a couple of other questions that I was hoping you could help me with. We are, if not on a budget, at least cost-concious. We made a priceline bid for a hotel - we got Crowne Plaza Metropolitan in Ikebukuro for a pretty good price (even though we had to give up our Akasaka Prince reservations for Y 16000 per night!)

Right now we are planning to take the limousine bus in from NRT, and then take NEX out to the airport when returning, as we will have some time after checking out from our hotel - our flight back isn't till 7pm. We are only going to be there for 2.5 days, so we are not getting a JR pass.

My first question - We are getting in around 3:10 pm, and I am guessing the roads are going to be packed by the time we get out. Is it advisable to take the bus then? We are worried about traffic snarls during peak rush hours.

When taking the NEX back, when should we start out from Shinjuku station so that we maximise our time in Japan - currently, we are planning to take a train that puts us at the airport around 4:30pm - is that cutting it close for a 7:20pm flight?

Should I buy/reserve the NEX tickets for the return trip at the airport when we get in, or can I buy and reserve the ticket later (from the hotel or station). Also, can I make a reservation on the NEX for the time I want at the time of buying the ticket? - what happens if there is no space left?

My next question is about the daunting subway system - from what I understand, there are multiple companies with seperate lines going out - does that mean we have to get seperate tickets for each section of the ride out? Is there a "day pass" that works for all the subway lines? (I saw one on the web that works on both the JR and Eidan systems for about Y 1580 - can I get this at the station?)

There does not seem to be too many people commenting on or staying in Ikebukuro, at least on the web - has anyone stayed at or been to the Crowne Plaza there? Is there anything we should be careful about while there?

We are also planning a day trip to the Mt. Fuji area. There are some tour guides asking about $160 pp for a bus trip to the 5th station, lunch and a ride on the cable-car, and then back around 8pm . However, I have a hunch we can do this trip pretty easily ourselves. Any advice on how to do this?

Can we do a Shinjuku-Mt. Fuji-Hakone-Shinjuku trip in one day? Also once in that area, can we easily get about (with our lack of knowledge of Japanese?) using public transportation? (I have heard that Mt. Fuji is really not that big of deal, but my husband refuses to go to Japan and not see Mt. Fuji - any comments?)

Thanks a lot - especially if you patiently got through reading all that!

http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif
DG

Welcome to FT!

Some quick answers:

- I recommend taking the limousine bus inbound regardless of traffic. As a first-timer to Japan, you might not enjoy transferring to a Yamanote line train at rush hour!

- for your outbound, it will be quicker, cheaper, more comfortable, and easier to transfer with the Keisei Skyliner from Nippori, after taking the Yamanote line from Ikebukuro to Nippori. The Skyliner starts from Ueno, but the transfer is easier at Nippori.

- I have never seen the Skyliner anywhere near full, so you could buy the tickets just before boarding. If you still prefer the NEX, tickets (which include reserved seating) can be purchased at any major JR station. If a specific NEX is full, a limited number of standing-room only tickets are sold: not recommended.

- there are various passes covering some or all rail/subway lines. The one you are referring to is the Tokyo Free Kippu, which covers JR, Eidan, and Toei lines.

- an alternative is a prepaid SF Metro card, available at subway station vending machines, and useable on most subway lines.

- queues at subway ticket vending machines are usually short and fast-moving, not a major problem. If you cannot find the required fare, buy the cheapest ticket and pay the difference upon exiting.

- a Tokyo Free Kippu would cover your needs. If not planning to use JR much on a specific day, a Y1,000 ichinichi joshaken Eidan+Toei only pass would do, as JR tickets are generally cheaper than subway tickets.

- the Crowne Plaza is fine. Ikebukuro is a lower-middle class office and shopping district without safety issues.

- Shinjuku-Hakone-Shinjuku trip is best done in one day. I doubt most people would find the time or energy to add Mt.Fuji to that excursion. If you have time, soak up in an onsen before your return http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

- Mt.Fuji looks best from afar... from up close it is just another heap of rocks http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif



[This message has been edited by monahos (edited Mar 03, 2004).]

Thank you very much for the quick reply! I have researched all those suggestion - you're right, the Skyliner may make more sense for us going back. But its good to know all the options!

I also found out about the Fuji Hakone pass from Odakyu and visiting that area, and I guess for most things, the Ichinichi Josha Ken will work for us - thanks for the link - that was super helpful!

DG

I don't think Mt. Fuji is open.
Seriously. It isi a toll road up to the 5th station and ina car (a few years ago) we were turned around and told that during that time of year only tour busses were allowed up. I think it was Spring, but definately outside the officeial climbing season.

You'll need to catch some sort of bus if you want to go up the hill. There is no train.

Who want's to drive halfway up a mountain anyway?

Head for hakone and hit a day spa. Maybe find a location that offers a view of Fuji.

If you can swing it, stay a night at the Fujiya hotel. Check out the Hakone open air Museum.

Scho

Since your trip is of very short duration, I assume you would not have more than a wheelie bag. (Heck, given it to me, a backpack would be enough for a trip this short.) with little luggage I would recommend you to take the Skyliner (operated by Keisei Rail) or the slightly slower Keisei limited express, and switch to JR Yamonote at Nippori. It is essentially the same way inbound and outbound. Unless you think stuck in Tokyo traffic for 3 hours, even in a comfortable limousine bus, is an enjoyable experience.
If the arrival time is in the evening, then taking the limousine bus is a good idea because the traffic would have died down already. But in late afternoon ? 3 hours+ is a minimum. Train only takes 90minutes to 110minutes. (NRT to Nippori, then to Ikebukuru).

The rail system in big cities all have "Romanji"(spelling ?) - the English names - that you can easily follow. You could even go to JR East website to download the Station Maps ahead of time, to see how the platform layouts are, and which platform to go to for the train you take ...

The subway systems are all color coded, no more complicated than, say, subway at Washington DC, or Paris, for that matter.

Dont fet about the different companies etc. just buy the lowest fare, and when you get out, pay the difference at the exit - there are machines to calculate the exact fare and you pay the difference.

One more thing, I believe JNTO has an office at airport. Try to get a Tokyo map and subway maps etc at their office before you leave airport.

and dont forget to get your Yen at the airport ATM.

The day passes are generally quite poor value, you need to travel a *lot* (around 10 trips in a single day!) to make a Y1580 pass pay off. The Metro card has now been obsoleted by the Passnet card, which can be used anywhere except JR lines.

My advice: get a Y3000 Passnet card, and if you need to travel JR buy single tickets. The Passnet card can also be used (among other things) to pay for the Odakyu train to Hakone and the Keisei line to Narita Airport, although I'm not entirely sure you can use it on the Skyliner... and if the card runs out, you can top up the fare with cash.

Correct. And even in season (July-August), unless you're planning on climbing the mountain, there is absolutely no reason to go to the 5th station, it's a pretty functional place.

Fact is, from up close Fuji is pretty darn ugly, just an endless jumble of rusty volcanic rock. It looks much, much nicer from a distance, maybe reflected into a lake -- which is how it looks from Hakone.

Jup. But just a caveat: don't get your hopes up too high about seeing Fuji, it's a notoriously bashful mountain and I've once circumnavigated the entire thing without seeing a glimpse... although winter/spring is the best time of year to see it. Try to figure out the best side of the plane to sit on as you approach Tokyo, this often provides a nice view.


[This message has been edited by jpatokal (edited Mar 03, 2004).]

If by bus, what time would you leave Tokyo to arrive at NRT by about 4pm (6pm flight)? Would that be early enough to avoid major traffic?

And one more thing about Fuji...
No matter what you plan to do later in your stay, if you are experiencing a crystal clear day in Tokyo, for heaven's sake, get your butt to the top of the Shinjuku Sumitomo Bldg for free and check out the Fuji Sunset. I used to work on the 46F and watched it every day. Every day that you could see it that is.

Weather needs to be great, blue skies. Even if there is a little haze you can still see the outline. But Sunset is the thing to see from Tokyo.

Scho

Mrs Rawhide and myself were in Tokyo at the Crowne Plaza in Nov 2002. Very nice hotel, you will enjoy it. If you are a sushi eater, don't leave Tokyo without seeing the Tsujiki (sp?) fish markets. Get there early (the wife and I got the first Yamonote train out of Ikebukuru at 5am, then transferred at Tokyo station to the Ginza line and caught a cheap cab to catch the tuna auctions. Then treat yourself to some of the freshest sushi you have ever had at one of the sushi restraunts that are abundant in the market areas.

[This message has been edited by Rawhide (edited Mar 06, 2004).]

[This message has been edited by Rawhide (edited Mar 06, 2004).]

I'm also going to Tokyo at the end of this month and staying in the Ikebukuro area. I've asked a lot of my Japanese students about Ikebukuro, and they said it used to be a little seedy, but that it's fine now. They've also recommended going to the Tobu and Seibu department stores there which are some of the largest in the world.

I was researching my travel options from Narita to Ikebukuro too. The JR website shows that certain N'EX trains go directly to Ikebukuro. You just have to make sure you're in the front 3 or 6 cars since the train seems to split off at Tokyo station.
You'll be able to see the schedule if you go to: http://www.jreast.co.jp/nex/e_TimeTa...2_u/index.html

The Tokyo subway/train system really isn't that hard to use. I usually just buy the ticket from the machines (which, I believe, usually have English instructions) right before the trip. There's always a map that shows you how much it costs to get to your destination. Also, I've never found any bargains on Tokyo transportation. None of the day passes seem to be good values.

If you decide not to go to Mount Fuji, I recommend Kamakura. It's famous for its Great Buddha and temples. The city has a nice, peaceful atmosphere which is a good contrast to the hectic pace of Tokyo. But the best part is the Kamakura custard cake, the purple potato ice cream, and the homemade rice crackers (senbei).

Let us know how your trip is.

tmrevolution, problem is oftentimes the subway maps are in Japanese only...! As you say there are no bargains, but the Passnet card eliminates the hassle of figuring out fares because you can just plonk down Y1000 for a card and then let the machines do the math for each trip. (As an engineer my mind boggles at the calculations required for this, but I've never had a mistake in the recorded fare -- which, BTW, are all printed on the back of the card in Japanese.)

And I second the Kamakura recommendation http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...m/thumbsup.gif

I found the subway is not that hard to use as long as you can read the subway map - it is color-coded and you can look at the map ahead of time to find out where you need to change line (and if it also means change carrier).

I have a question about passnet though, is it one passnet per passenger, or you can share a passnet and just let it deducts the fare twice if 2 persons travel together ?

as for the transportation to Ikebukuro, I actually think either the Skyliner by Keisei or the limited express by Keisei is better than N'EX. Skyliner faster too.

You take either Skyliner or limited express (stops more than Skyliner, thus about 15-20 minutes later in arrival) to go to Nippori (the end station is Ueno but Nippori is one stop before) and change to JR Yamanote line (the circular line) to Ikebukuro.

Skyliner costs 2080 yen (1000 + 920-nonstop train + 160-JR Yamanote)
Travelling time 64 minutes.

N'EX costs 3110 yen (1450 + 1660)
Travelling time 89 minutes.

Keisei Limited Express costs 1160 yen (1000 + 160)
Travelling time 89 minutes (same as N'EX

Nippori station is very easy to navigate.
there is an escalator from Keisei side to go up an level, and walk a flight of stairs down to JR side.

you can see most stations maps at this link (JR East), though it is in japanese.

http://www.jreast.co.jp/estation/stations/index.html

they are very handy.

You need one per passenger. The card is slid in like a normal ticket, and once inserted you need to cross the gate to pick it up at the other end.

Passnet is a bearer instrument. As jpatokal says, one card is needed for each person. But you can buy any number of tickets at a ticketing machine using Passnet, in place of cash. (You can even buy a 11 sets of tickets for the price of 10 using Passnet.) But you guys don't want to go that price conscious, right? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

You can also use Passnet for Skyliner's regular fare portion. (Passnet covers 1,000 yen portion of the 1,980 yen Skyliner fare. You need to buy an express service ticket for 980 yen at the ticketing counter at NRT.) If you take a regular Keisei service including limited express, Passnet will suffice.

Passnet is used by those '****etsu' (private railway) services that stretch out from the center of Tokyo to suburbs (Keisei to NRT is one of them. Odakyu to Hakone is another.)