I don't know a word of Japanese! - A COMPLETED TR!

[jsilvers]

Originally Posted by Kyjin

Suica/Pasmo: [/B]These are rechargeable cards you can use. Costs 500 yen for your first card as a deposit, but you can get the money back if you return it. The best thing is THIS IS ACCEPTED ON ALL LINES.

I think this may need a clarification - Suica is accepted for all lines in the Tokyo area, but for certain trains (notably the Narita Express), a supplemental ticket must be purchased; Suica only covers the base fare.

[battymum]

I am keen to know what you do re the train issue.

I am undecided about the JR pass - although if it were just two of us, I would probably just buy it for convenience, but when buying five, its going to be $2500 just for train fare

What did you pay for the airfare?

The way things are going, I dont have confidence that Qantas will be around in April next year - I am reluctant to book tickets too far out.

[BecBennett]

Bah! I had my reply all typed up before, and now it's gone! I'll try and write it out again...

Originally Posted by Kyjin

Haha, yes it's a bit much to take in. I'll try to explain best I can...

Lines
There are various companies that run through Japan. These are the most common.
JR: Largest train company. Own the shinkansens, as well as the most traveled lines in Tokyo. Can use JR Pass on them.
Tokyo Metro Line: Ie the subway system. A little more complicated, but you can transfer between all their lines without buying separate tickets.
Odakyuu: Smaller line, but can get you to a few harder to reach places.
Tokyuu: In Tokyo, your only experience with them will probably be getting to Yokohama, as they have the most direct route.

Passes
Suica/Pasmo: These are rechargeable cards you can use. Costs 500 yen for your first card as a deposit, but you can get the money back if you return it. The best thing is THIS IS ACCEPTED ON ALL LINES. So if you load 2000 yen on a card and need to switch between JR and Tokyo Metro, you just swipe it at the entrance. No need to figure out separate tickets. (*Note*: The Narita Express/Suica card deal at Narita is really good for this. Will give you a ride from Narita into Tokyo and then your Suica card that you can recharge for the rest of your trip.)
JR Pass: Available in 7 days or 14 days version. Good on all JR Lines (no other lines) and Shinkansen (minus Nozomi). You just wave this to the ticket agent at each station, and you're through. (*Note*: You must order this BEFORE you arrive in Japan. Your passport will be checked when you first exchange it to activate, but otherwise you're good to go.)

If you have any specific questions about the trains, let me know. :D I live in Tokyo right now and switch between several lines most every day in my travels around the area.

Thanks for that, it really helps I'm sure I'll read back over that a few times to try and commit it to memory.

Originally Posted by jsilvers

I think this may need a clarification - Suica is accepted for all lines in the Tokyo area, but for certain trains (notably the Narita Express), a supplemental ticket must be purchased; Suica only covers the base fare.

Thanks, and the supplemental purchase in that case would be the suicaNEX?

Originally Posted by battymum

I am keen to know what you do re the train issue.

I am undecided about the JR pass - although if it were just two of us, I would probably just buy it for convenience, but when buying five, its going to be $2500 just for train fare

What did you pay for the airfare?

The way things are going, I dont have confidence that Qantas will be around in April next year - I am reluctant to book tickets too far out.

We paid $1000 each for our air fares. You can get a lot cheaper with Jetstar, especially if you manage to snag one of their buy one get one free deals, but we don't like flying with Jetstar if we can help it, so Qantas it was.

I don't think Qantas will go bust. I see our government bailing them out before anything happens.

I think we're planning on buying the Suica pass for getting around Tokyo, using the limo bus to get from the air port, and buying a return nozomi ticket for the bullet train. But we'll see, that could easily change between now and then.

[jsilvers]

Originally Posted by BecBennett

Thanks, and the supplemental purchase in that case would be the suicaNEX?

The Suica/NEX package option likely would be the easiest option for the first-time visitor. But if you keep the Suica card when you leave Japan, on a future trip it could be used to cover the base fare (i.e., use it to enter and exit stations), and you could purchase a separate supplemental ticket for the Narita Express (i.e., for a seat assignment and to show the conductor).

[BecBennett]

Looks like we're going to have to do the Suica/NEX pass, our flight arrives at 6:30am, and the first limo bus doesn't head to our hotel until 2:15pm... That's a long wait for the next bus

[BelleBway]

Originally Posted by BecBennett

Looks like we're going to have to do the Suica/NEX pass, our flight arrives at 6:30am, and the first limo bus doesn't head to our hotel until 2:15pm... That's a long wait for the next bus

You could take a limo bus to Shinjuku Station West Exit; from there, it's not far to the hotel. (no further than taking the train would be)

[BecBennett]

I *think* the suicaNEX pass will save us money. The only reason I was going to go with the bus is because it was going to be more convenient. If there's no difference in convenience, then the cheaper option is the way we'll go

[BecBennett]

Holy Dooley! I've just realised that after this week I only have 3 weeks of work left before holiday!

I took the week of the 9th off because we're going to Newcastle to see Flight of the Conchords Can't wait to see them! I don't need a week off to go see FOTC, but I booked that time off before we booked our holiday, and then just added more time to it

OK. To fill in time I'm going to do a quick back ground

On this trip will be DH (29) and I (26) We've been married for just over a year now, and were lucky enough to be able to tie the knot while on holiday at WDW in March 2011



My planning journal and TR for that trip is in my siggie below.

We made our first trip to DLR together in 2008 (TR also linked to below), and quickly followed it up with another one in 2009. We then saved our pennies for our 2011 trip so we could get married

After much discussion we decided that we should take our next holiday somewhere other then the states, and always thought Japan was a good idea, but could never really get the motivation to book it, especially while specials for WDW keep appearing in my inbox

Then we managed to get the kick in the pants that we needed to go ahead and book our next holiday. And here we are!

I am a believer that everyone needs a good holiday every year. You need something to go to work for, and I feel that holidays are it. Especially while we're still young and DINKS we really should be taking every chance we get to get out and see the world.

[PrincessInOz]

A year? Congratulations!


Wow...seems like only .... last year ... when I was lurking on your Wedding PTR/TR.


And yes. Take all the opportunities you have to travel and see the world whilst you are young and DINKs. It will set the pattern of behaviour when you're older and TITCH's (two income, two children household)...you'll still travel.

[BecBennett]

Well I did only *just* finish the TR a couple of months ago, so for those reading along it probably feels like it was just a little while ago

We are planning on travelling when we have kids, but there are some places that I'd prefer to go before I have another human being to worry about. Like Japan - I don't want to have to try my first "eastern" style toilet while holding a baby , and I'd love to go to Egypt, but with the current climate I don't know if I'd want to take a kid there

[BelleBway]

Originally Posted by BecBennett

I am a believer that everyone needs a good holiday every year. You need something to go to work for, and I feel that holidays are it. Especially while we're still young and DINKS we really should be taking every chance we get to get out and see the world.

Is it wrong that I believe you need more than 1 good holiday a year? Travel is my favorite thing and it's so addictive. I also believe that while my nieces are still kids (well, tweens and teens), I will borrow into my savings a bit if it means making some travel magic for them. But that's another topic.

If the Narita Express goes straight to Shinjuku, it's probably more convenient; if you have to change trains at Tokyo Station, I'd take the bus.

Enjoying your pre-trip report so far. Love the photo!

[jsilvers]

Originally Posted by BelleBway

If the Narita Express goes straight to Shinjuku, it's probably more convenient; if you have to change trains at Tokyo Station, I'd take the bus.

I believe that most NEX trains "split" at Tokyo Station, with one half going to Shinagawa and points south, and the other half going to Shinjuku. Checking the timetable (http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation...x_u/index.html), it looks like there is a train to Shinjuku departing Narita at 7:44AM and roughly every half-hour thereafter.

[BecBennett]

Originally Posted by BelleBway

Is it wrong that I believe you need more than 1 good holiday a year? Travel is my favorite thing and it's so addictive. I also believe that while my nieces are still kids (well, tweens and teens), I will borrow into my savings a bit if it means making some travel magic for them. But that's another topic.

If the Narita Express goes straight to Shinjuku, it's probably more convenient; if you have to change trains at Tokyo Station, I'd take the bus.

Enjoying your pre-trip report so far. Love the photo!

Thanks.

No I agree, more then one holiday is great, but I see budgeting at least one holiday in as a must.

I didn't think about having to transfer, I think I figured that Shinjuku is one of the busiest train stations in Tokyo, so I just assumed it would be a direct trip... Good thing these boards exist, or I would have gotten lost!

[BecBennett]

Originally Posted by jsilvers

I believe that most NEX trains "split" at Tokyo Station, with one half going to Shinagawa and points south, and the other half going to Shinjuku. Checking the timetable (http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation...x_u/index.html), it looks like there is a train to Shinjuku departing Narita at 7:44AM and roughly every half-hour thereafter.

Thanks for that!

[BecBennett]

1 month to go!!