Tokyo is an amazing city and it’s huge. As you might imagine, there are many options to get around. I think visitors tend to rely on the circular Yamanote Line (JR train line) because it’s part of the Japan Rail pass. Subways are likely a close second. More unusual, unless you seek them out, are the fantastic last remaining streetcar or…
Tokyo’s transportation options can be tamed In the Tokyo area, trains, subways and buses have their own tickets. There are also multiple train companies, two subway companies, different bus lines, plus boats, the monorail, the streetcar and two unmanned trains. Phew! You have to have cash and it can get confusing trying to find the right ticket machines.…
With rivers cutting through and the ocean at its toes, Tokyo has the advantage of water for a slower and softer way of getting around. Two options are the waterbus to cross the Sumida River and a night cruise around Tokyo Bay. Mizube Line My parents and I discovered the Mizube Line by accident. After visiting the thorough Edo Tokyo Museum…
I love taking trains and subways in Tokyo but I initially had trouble with tickets. Buying them, finding discounts and discovering what happens when a train is delayed have been part of my experiences. Buying Tickets – help! The first train ticket I bought was on a stopover in Tokyo. It took me ages to figure out…
arriving at Hakata City Station, Fukuoka If you have a tight budget and/or don’t have a firm itinerary, there are several alternatives to the Japan Rail Pass. In fact, many passes are available in Japan and are valid on most trains including the shinkansen (bullet train), express and local trains. JR East, JR Hokkaido, JR West and JR Kyushu offer passes for…
Four fun features of travelling by shinkansen (bullet train) were featured in Part 1. This post adds five more fabulous qualities. Reserved or unreserved? If you have a Japan Rail Pass, reserved seats are included but you still have to book them. Some trains, like the JR East Komachi, only have reserved seats. Getting a reserved seat means a…
I love the tiny details when planning a trip. This includes looking at different routes, considering alternate forms of transport and figuring out how much it will cost. When I lived in Japan, Hyperdia was my best friend. This fantastic online transportation database helped me check travel times and routes from my apartment to anywhere in…
Updated April 2014 Suica and Pasmo are refillable fare cards that can help make Tokyo’s transportation options less confusing and more convenient. This second post covers neat features using the cards. Green Cars on trains and the cool pass feature Green Cars cost extra and require an additional ticket. The extra ticket can be bought at JR ticket counters,…
Updated May 2014 Tokyo is a transportation dream! This blog has made it obvious how much I adore trains and this post is an ode to driverless trains, the monorail and the last streetcar line. Driverless Trains There are two trains in Tokyo that don’t have a driver. I can sometimes snag a seat in the…
Updated April 2014 The Japan Rail Pass – the basics The Japan Rail Pass is a pass used inside Japan for almost unlimited rail and sometimes bus and boat travel across Japan. A voucher for the pass is available at specific travel agents and online outside Japan. You have to give the exact full name in your…
