Bullet trains even have telephones and carts selling food and drinks. It's available for ordinary coach class and for the first-class Green Car and is available for travel lasting 1, 2, or 3 weeks. Both carriers offer substantial discounts for advance bookings with an extra discount if the booking is made entirely online. Using public transportation in Japan is the best way to get around any prefecture, as its cheap and reliable. The other JR-West Pass available is the Sanyo Area Pass, which covers a larger area, allows travel via Shinkansen (including the superfast Nozomi) and JR local trains from Osaka as far as Hakata (in the city of Fukuoka on Kyushu), and includes Hiroshima, Okayama, Kurashiki, Himeji, and Kobe. You can also reserve seats on the day of travel up to departure time. The staff may not speak English, but they usually have maps or brochures in English and can point you in the direction of your hotel. Regular one-way fares from Tokyo to Naha, Okinawa, for example, are 40,900 but go as low as 12,800 for a Super Tabiwari or Super Saitoku on selected flights. Again, note that passes can only be issued if youre travelling on a temporary visitor visa; JR staff are very strict about this and youll be asked to show your passport when you present your exchange voucher for the pass or when you buy a pass directly in Japan. Get in the car and enjoy your road trip! Two major domestic airlines are Japan Airlines (JAL; tel. Stations and their open hours are listed in a pamphlet you'll receive with your voucher. It also offers helpful tips on how to get around without a car such as buying a Suica card, downloading transit apps and renting bicycles. Shinjuku Station Itsukushima Shrine, Hatsukaichi, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan . Since youre unlikely to want to drive in any of the cities, the best rental deals are often through Eki Rent-a-Car, which gives a discounted rate by combining the rental with a train ticket to the most convenient station for the area you wish to explore. These shops buy up discount group tickets and sell them on individually, usually at around twenty percent cheaper than the regular prices. Carry a stock of small gifts you can leave as a thank you; postcards, sweets and small cuddly toys are usually popular. Traveling With a Disability | Travel Japan | JNTO Tokyo: around 80,000 yen; Osaka: around 60,000 yen; Fukuoka: around 45,000 yen; Kyoto: around 50,000 yen; Okinawa: around 50,000 yen; Hokkaido: around 40,000; As you can see, when compared with other parts of Japan, the average rent in My Japanese wife and I moved from Osaka to the US a few months ago, but it's really not going well and she's having an extremely hard time adjusting. JR is run as a single company as far as buying tickets is concerned. But this brief discussion on all the available transport modes will clear your confusion. Passes for travel in ordinary coach cars are available for 5 days for 20,000 and 10 days for 32,000; a 4-day flexible pass (valid for any 4 consecutive or nonconsecutive days within a month) costs 20,000. Breakdowns & Assistance -- The Japan Automobile Federation (JAF; www.jaf.or.jp) is one of several road service providers maintaining emergency telephone boxes along Japan's major arteries to assist drivers whose cars have broken down or drivers who need help. The rapid, or kaisoku (), trains are slower still, making more stops than a kyk, but with no surcharge. Youre generally better off both financially and in culinary terms packing your own picnic for the train, but useful fallbacks are the station noodle stands and the ekiben, a contraction of eki (station) and bent (boxed meal). The most efficient way to travel around most of Japan is by train. WebTRAVELLING IN JAPAN: AT A GLANCE Here are the basics about travel to Japan. Japanese addresses are written in reverse order from the Western system. WebSo just how difficult is it to travel around Japan when you don't speak the language? Regular Service -- In addition to bullet trains, there are also two types of long-distance trains that operate on regular tracks. Japan, which stretches about 1,800 miles from end to end, offers a wide variety of transportation options at all price levels, from planes and trains to ferries and buses. Getting around Japan If you buy any of these passes abroad, the cost in your own currency will depend on the exchange rate at the time of purchase you might be able to save a little money by shopping around between agents offering the pass, because they dont all use the same exchange rate. Check if you can save by purchasing a JR pass If youre up for a two-month pedal from Hokkaid to Kysh, see the website for Bicycling for Everyones Earth (BEE). Japan Travel Restrictions - KAYAK Also, note that if you lose your pass it will not be replaced, so take good care of it. Youll be given an exchange voucher which must be swapped for a pass in Japan within three months. How to Get Around Japan - Away From Origin: Origins Redefined Visitors flying other airlines into Japan can take advantage of JAL's "Welcome to Japan Fare," which provides discounts on JAL's domestic flights regardless of which international airline is used to reach Japan. Upon purchasing your pass, you'll be issued a voucher (called an Exchange Order), which you'll then exchange for the real pass after your arrival in Japan. Finally, JR East (serving the area around Tokyo and north through Tohoku) offers Internet reservation for its trains at http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation.eki-net.com; unfortunately, the reservation system does not apply to lines run by other JR companies, including the popular Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen to Kyoto and beyond. If youre a member of an automobile association at home, the chances are that youll qualify for reciprocal rights with the Japan Auto Federation, which publishes the English-language Rules of the Road book, detailing Japans driving code. Shinkansen (Bullet Train) -- The Shinkansen is probably Japan's best-known train. These are roughly March 1 to April 10 (sold Feb 20March 31), July 20 to September 10 (sold July 1Aug 31) and December 10 to January 20 (sold Dec 1Jan 10). In many ways, Japan is among the safest international destinations. WebIf youre going to be traveling throughout Japan on a bus or train and need to bring your luggage with you, you dont want to bring a large bulky suitcase that is hard to move around. Most bus journeys start and finish next to or near the main train station. Each train also has both reserved, or shitei-seki (), and unreserved, or jiy-seki (), sections. Get a list of English-speaking lawyers around Japan from the Australian Embassy website. There are five basic Shinkansen routes in Japan, plus some offshoots. If you want to book a journey by ferry in Japan, you book the Japan Ferry Pass online. Japan Travel Advice & Safety | Smartraveller By Ferry. WebGetting a grasp of the transportation of another country is tough, and its particularly tougher in Japan because the country has a complex transit system. Driving in cities is even worse: Streets are often hardly wide enough for a rickshaw, let alone a car, and many roads don't have sidewalks so you have to dodge people, bicycles, and telephone poles. Youll barely notice the speed of these smooth-running trains, which on the top-of-the-range E5 series can reach 320kph. The JR East Pass covers all JR East services, including the Shinkansen. The Akita line runs from Tokyo to Akita on the north coast, while the Yamagata line to Shinj, in the middle of the Thoku region, splits off west from the Thoku line at Fukushima. Rough Guides in partnership with Yasuko and Shigeo in Japan organised us our bespoke tour. Travel Bucket List Ideas: Places To Visit Before You Die, 20 seriously weird places around the world, The most beautiful city in the world as voted by you, Go solo: the 20 best places to travel alone, What you need to know about the bars of Golden Gai, Tokyo, 20 most beautiful winter destinations in the world, Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert, Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support, Japan Long Distance Ferry Service Association, Getting around Japan: Transportation Tips, Travel Tips Japan for planning and on the go. September 24, 2022 by Kimota Assuming you would like a travel guide on the best way to see Japan without renting a car, here are a few tips. Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to take off 4. TRAVEL to JAPAN The bilingual Japan Road Atlas (2890) published by Shbunsha includes many helpful notes, such as the dates when some roads close during winter. Smaller rail companies, including Hanky, Kintetsu, Meitetsu, Odaky and Tbu, are based in the major cities and surrounding areas, but in the vast majority of Japan its JR services that youll be using. Individual tickets can be pricey, especially for the fastest trains, but many discount tickets and rail passes are available to cut the cost. If you plan to travel extensively by train, the various Japan Rail Passes provide the best overall deal, while the discount tour packages by the Japan Travel Bureaus Sunrise Tours arm are also excellent value. For more information, contact your nearest JAL office. If you plant to visit at least two Okinawan islands in addition to Okinawa Island, you can save money by purchasing an Okinawa Island Pass, valid on five specific routes within the Okinawan island chain, including flights from Naha to Kume or Ishigaki, on Japan Transocean Air (a subsidiary of JAL). The Kansai Area Pass, which can be used for travel between Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, and other destinations in the Kansai area, is available as a 1-day pass for 2,000, 2-day pass for 4,000, 3-day pass for 5,000, or 4-day pass for 6,000. Unless stated otherwise, prices in this guide are for adults for nonreserved seats on the fastest train available (except the Nozomi) during regular season. Be careful not to confuse local (; futs) limited express (; tokky ), and semi-express trains (; jyunky )! 800/422-3481; www.kintetsu.com) and JTB USA (tel. You might even find it best to combine several passes to cover your travels in Japan, such as a 1-week standard pass for longer journeys, say, to Kyushu, plus a regional pass just for Kyushu. If youre not in a hurry, this ticket can be the biggest bargain on the whole of Japans rail system, allowing you, for example, to use one of the day tickets (value 2300) to travel from Tokyo to Nagasaki (total journey time 23hr 36min). In addition, stopovers are not permitted when traveling by express and limited express. Australians are eligible for Japan's visa exemption scheme for short-stay tourism and business travel. Here I share quick wins and hacks based on decades of experience travelling in Japan. Children (ages 6-11) pay half fare. The staff in these agencies have access to the jikokuhy timetable, an incredible source of information, updated monthly, on virtually every form of public transport in Japan. If you do intend to drive in Japan, you'll need either an international or a Japanese driving license. There are hundreds of small bus companies operating different routes, so for full details of current services, timetables and costs make enquiries with local tourist information offices. Unfortunately, information in English is hard to come by. Before You Leave Home -- The standard Japan Rail Pass is available only to foreigners visiting Japan as tourists and can be purchased only outside Japan. 050/2016-1603; www.jreast.co.jp/e), available daily 10am to 6pm to answer questions about train schedules, fares, how to buy tickets, and more. WebAt least three people have been killed, including a child, and many have been injured after a shopping centre was hit by Russian missiles in Kramatorsk, eastern Ukraine. Most of Japan's passenger trains are run by six companies (such as JR East and JR Kyushu) that make up the Japan Railways (JR) Group. JAL has the oneworld Yokoso and the Welcome to Japan passes. Rail Pass holders can get a discount, typically around ten percent, at all JR Group Hotels; check the list in the information booklet provided when you buy your pass. Jesse Watters Primetime 6/19/23 HD - Facebook Japan JAL's "Oneworld Yokoso/Visit Japan Fare" ticket, purchased in conjunction with a flight to Japan with JAL or one of its Oneworld fare partners (such as American Airlines) and sold only outside Japan, provides discount fares of 10,000 per flight for domestic travel to 42 cities in Japan served by JAL and its two subsidiaries, JAL Express and Japan Transocean Air (JTA). Japan Rail Pass -- The Japan Rail Pass is without a doubt the most convenient and most economical way to travel around Japan. In addition, you may encounter few signs in English in remote areas. I also like www.hyperdia.com and www.jorudan.co.jp, both of which give routes (including transfers), fares, and timetables for trains and planes in Japan. Is it Safe to Travel to Japan? 2023 Travel Guide | JRailPass It's available from most travel agents, including Kintetsu International (tel. Note: If your destination is a smaller city on the Shinkansen line, make sure the train you take stops there. 1. The stress and loneliness/perceived alienation are taking huge physical, emotional, and mental tolls on her. Though not as popular as western Honshu, eastern Honshu also offers its own JR-East Pass (www.jreast.co.jp), which includes travel from Tokyo to Nagano in the Japan Alps and throughout the Tohoku District, including Sendai, Kakunodate, and Aomori via Shinkansen and local JR lines. What is the cheapest way for getting around in Japan and what are the safest modes of transport? Contact the Japan Long Distance Ferry Service Association for more information; there are links on the website to the sites of major long-distance ferry services; tickets can be booked on some sites. There are several SL (steam locomotive) services across the country, which run from spring through to autumn, mainly on weekends and holidays. However, when written in English, they usually follow the Western order; this is the system we adopt in the guide. Once in the neighbourhood, start asking; local police boxes (kban) are a good bet and have detailed maps of their own areas. For more information on local and long-distance bus service, refer to individual cities covered in this guide, contact the Tourist Information Center in Tokyo or the local tourist office, or check the websites www.bus.or.jp, www.jrbuskanto.co.jp, and http://willerexpress.com. The simple answer to that question is yes. Jun 6, 2023 9 min read. The above categories of train and surcharges apply to all JR services, and to some, but not all, private rail routes. For 5,700, you can purchase the Kintetsu Rail Pass Wide, which adds a trip from Centrair or Kansai Airport, Mie Kotsu buses, and discount coupons for sightseeing spots. From the fastest travel options to the most scenic, here's how to get around in Japan blanscape / Getty Images. You can buy JR tickets and obtain information about JR trains traveling throughout Japan at any Japan Railways station (in Tokyo this includes major stations along the Yamanote Line, which loops around Tokyo). The main Japanese companies include Mazda Rent-a-car; Nippon Rent-a-car; Nissan Rent-a-car and Toyota Rent-a-car. It is against the law to drink alcohol and drive, and you must wear seat belts at all times. Travel is restricted to JR rapid and local trains, as well as unreserved seating in limited express trains that operate only between Kansai Airport, Shin-Osaka, and Kyoto (that is, Shinkansen are not included in the pass). The larger stations have a special reservation counter called Midori-no-madoguchi (Ticket Reservation Office) or View Plaza (Travel Service Center), easily recognizable by their green signs with RESERVATION TICKETS written on them. Best time to visit Japan WebTraveling in a country where you don't speak the language can be both challenging and rewarding. There are plans to extend this line from Nagano to Kanazawa by 2014. Getting around Japan Japan Visa Requirements | Japan Travel Visa Information | JNTO Japan It's a good idea to reserve your seats for your entire trip through Japan as soon as you know your itinerary if you'll be traveling during peak times; however, you can only reserve 1 month in advance. Cycle touring is a very popular activity with students over the long summer vacation. There are also regional tickets good for sightseeing. Weve compiled the following data on many travelers foremost concerns so you can rest easy and enjoy your Japan vacation. The four exceptions are Tokyo-to (metropolis), Kyoto-fu and saka-fu (urban prefectures), and Hokkaid all independent administrative areas at the same level as the ken, also followed by a seven-digit code. Input the telephone number for a location (say the number of the hotel youre staying at or a museum you want to visit) and the GPS system will plot the course for you. Japan has an extensive transport system, the most convenient segment of which is the nation's excellent rail service. Even if you pay extra for a bed in a shared or private berth, its still cheaper than the train and youll have a very comfortable cruise as part of the bargain; see sunflower.co.jp for details. All the prices quoted below are for ordinary rail passes (green car passes cost more) and note that you will have to be travelling on a tourist visa to buy any of these passes. These tickets are not available during peak travelling seasons such as July and August and the New Year and Golden Week holidays. Driving in Japan Tipping is not necessary 3. Domestic travel agencies, such as JTB, can book all types of transport and are also useful sources for checking travel schedules. WebThe typical speed limits are 80 to 100 km/h on expressways, 40 km/h in urban areas, 30 km/h in side streets and 50 to 60 km/h elsewhere; however, drivers tend to go a little over the posted speed limits. You can buy a brand-new bike in Japan for under 20,000 but you wouldnt want to use it for anything more than getting around town; for sturdy touring and mountain bikes, hunt out a specialist bike shop or bring your own. A once in a lifetime experience. Trains run so frequently -- as often as four times an hour during peak times not including the Nozomi -- that it's almost like catching the local subway. WebHow hard actually are Japan's University entrance exams? Russia-Ukraine war latest: People 'screaming under rubble' after
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