Bon voyage

Narita Express tentative timetable

2011-06-10T15:01:00.007+09:00

Now the Narita Express runs on a limited schedule to save power after it resumed operations in April. JR East provides the timetable only in Japanese, so I added major station names in alphabet as below.
The timetable is as of 10th June 2011, and this will be effective for the time being.

1) Tokyo bound

2) Narita Airport bound

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Series 700 on Hikari and Kodama on Tokaido - Sanyo Shinkansen

2011-05-28T19:51:00.036+09:00

Series 700 train sets on the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen line are used mainly on Hikari between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka / Okayama, and on Kodama between Tokyo and Nagoya / Shin-Osaka apart from on Nozomi between Tokyo and Shin-Osaka, Shin-Osaka and Hakata. The maximum speed of this is 285km/h. Japan Rail Pass holders can use this when it runs as Hikari or Kodama. I’d like to focus on Series 700 as Hikari operations this time.

View Larger Map

Train formations on Hikari
This train set consists of 16 cars. Cars 1 to 5 are non-reserved, cars 6 to 16 are reserved and cars 8 to 10 are green cars. Cars 10 (green car), 15 and 16 (reserved) are smoking. All the non-reserved cars are no smoking. I urge those not smoking to avoid reserving a seat in a smoking car at any cost because it’s very smoky and stinky.

On board facilities
The seat configuration is 2-2 in green cars, and 2-3 in ordinary class. The seat pitch in green car is 1,060mm/41.7’’, 1,160mm/45.7” in ordinary class. He seat width in green car is 475mm/19”, 430mm/17” except seat B (460mm) in ordinary class. You can see how deep the seats in both classes recline on the photos. Front row seats in each car have power outlets in the train sets belonging to JR West, and in the some sets belonging to JR Central. If you have large luggage, you can store it in the space just behind the last row seats. Don’t forget to notify the conductor that you’re leaving it there.

--Green car images--

--Ordinary car images--

There are a set of one western toilet, one Japanese one, one urinal and two wash basins in every odd number car. They are kept clean.

You can find a soft drink vending machine on some cars in each train set. Also an on-board trolley service with lunch boxes (bento), snacks, ice cream, alcohols, soft drinks and souvenirs is available on most trains. Please take a look at the picture to see what kind items are available.

My journey
I travelled from in green car of Series 700 Hakata to Shin-Osaka at night of January. It was JR West’s train set. The first impression of the green car cabin was that it was very elegant thanks to well designed lighting and the carpeted aisle. The attendant provided a disposal wet towel to each passenger of green car soon after the train started running. It was refreshing for a exhausted person like me. The seat was indeed comfortable with more than enough legroom, wide armrest and footrest. Then it is time to eat ice cream. It’s sold at 270 yen. It’s a blissful moment to enjoy very tasty ice cream seeing the world pass by on the Shinkansen. Ice cream fans can’t miss it on the Shinkansen. Train kept running at very high speeds. As you see the beautiful Akashi Straight Bridge on your right, the train soon arrives at Shin-Kobe, then finally pulls into Shin-Osaka. It takes only 2.5 hours from Hakata to Shin-Osaka. I wanted to remain travelling in the cosy seat, and didn’t want to leave the train.
Of course the seat in ordinary class is very comfortable. You just have to share a smaller armrest with someone next to you. On the other hand green car is worth investment when you give first priority to more privacy, more comfort and more serenity.

Akashi Straight Bridge

I wish you enjoy travelling on Series 700.

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2011-03-01T05:18:00.007+09:00

Directions to Sunroute Plaza without steps from Southern Terrace Exit at Shinjuku

2011-02-21T18:53:00.003+09:00

As you clear the ticket gate at Southern Terrace Exit, turn to the right, walk this ramp until you reach the main street, Koshu Kaido, then turn to the left.

Walk down the sidewalk to the first intersection.

Cross the street at the intersection, turn to the left and keep walking.

Finally you'll find Sunroute Plaza on your right.

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Directions to Sunroute Plaza without going up and down stairs all the way from the NEX track at Shinjuku

2011-02-21T17:23:00.006+09:00

This is an image of Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku.
If you are a guest of Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku arriving at Shinjuku by Narita Express (NEX) from Narita Airport, have heavy luggage and want to avoid going through stairs completely from the NEX track to the hotel, follow the directions below.

Check the Shinjuku Station Map. NEX arrives at platform #5 or 6.

First, get off the Narita Express at Shinjuku.

Now you're heading to South Exit. After alighting from the Narita Express, go down by escalator located at the forward end of the track.

Walk down this underground walkway.

Keep walking.

And more...

Then take this elevator to the second floor.

The elevator brings you to this concourse. Head onto South Exit following the overhead signpost.

Clear the ticket gate.

Cross the street, then turn to the right.

The images below are all from Google Street View.

Walk down the sidewalk until you reach the intersection.

Cross the street, turn to the left and walk some more.

Finally you'll find Sunroute Plaza on your right.

Enjoy your stay in Tokyo.

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Hieizan Enryakuji Temple

2008-12-29T20:48:00.003+09:00

It's located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture, and was first founded by a buddhist monk Saicho in 788. It's the headquarters of the Tendai Sect.
Since Saicho opened it, it played a central roll in the Buddhism activities in the Heian Period (794 to 1192) on par with Kongo-Buji Temple on Koyasan.

Enryakuji is a collective name consisting of various towers and sub-temples dotted on Mt Hiei. It has turned out a lot of famous buddhist monks such as Ennin, Shinran, Dojin etc. The temple is on the Unesco's World Heritage list.

As time passes, the derived sects (those in power) came to be polarized so that many monks got armed. The 6th general Yoshinori Ashikaga in the Muromachi Regime got a plot and convened those monks in power to kill them.
Yoshinori controlled over Enryakuji, and the monks in despair committed suicide by burning the temples. It was 1435.

After Yoshinori was killed, Enryakuji had come to get armed with several thousand monks, and it became independent. In 1571, Nobunaga Oda surrounded Enryakuji and fired the whole premises. It was completely burned down.

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Pagoda

Kompo Chudo (I'm not very sure, sorry...)

Shaka-Do

Bell Tower

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Photos taken at the top of Mt. Hiei:

Lake. Biwa

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I first caught the Kyoto Subway Tozai Line from Keijan-Sanjo to Hama-Otsu, then changed to the Keihan Line to Sakamoto. Then I walked to the Sakamoto Cable Car Station for 15 minutes.

Keihan Line train

Sakamoto Cable Hieizan Station

When I returned to Kyoto, I took the bus to Shijo Kawaramachi.
You might consider purchasing the Kansai Thru Pass for this journey. It will pay for itself.

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Skylines in New York City

2008-12-24T22:55:00.002+09:00

The images will show how wonderful the scenery in NYC is. No words necessary.

From Empire State Building

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From Lower Manhattan

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From the Brooklyn Bridge

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Index on items regarding other countries than Japan

2008-12-24T22:37:00.004+09:00

New York City skylines

Shinkansen trip from Qingdao to Shanghai, China

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport arrival guide

Be warned when you take the ex-KCR train in Hong Kong

Ferry trip from Inchon, Korea to Qingdao, China

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The way from Narita Airport to Maihama, Tokyo Disney Resort

2008-12-19T18:49:00.010+09:00

Not a small number of tourists head from Narita Airport to Maihama directly to their hotel, however the last Limousine Bus leaves the airport rather early in the evening, which makes many people flying into Narita late at night inconvenienced.

So I'd show alternative modes of transport to the Limousine Bus here.

(1) Limousine Bus info
This is by far the best option as long as you can catch it.

(2) Taking trains on the Keisei and JR Sobu and Keiyo Lines via Funabashi and Nishi-Funabashi

This way is twice as frequent as the one shown in #3 below, and it will work out cheaper.

(3) Catching the bus to JR Kaihin-Makuhari Station, then changing to the JR Keiyo Line to get to Maihama with only one transfar en route.

Route map
A: Narita Airport
B: Kaihin Makuhari Station
C: Maihama Station

A-1: Narita Airport (NRT) to Maihama on weekdays:

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A-2: Weekend Keiyo Line Tokyo bound timetable from Kaihin Makuhari (The bus timetable is valid on weekends also.):

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B: Bus timetable from Kaihin Makuhari to NRT:

Train schedule finder from Maihama (or somewhere else) to Kaihin-Makuhari

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Shinkansen trip from Qingdao to Shanghai, China

2008-12-17T08:41:00.005+09:00

Mori Tower and Grand Hyatt in Shanghai

This past October I took the bullet train from Qingdao to Shanghai, China. I had intended to take an overnight T train on that segment, yet the train on the day I wanted to travel turned out to be full so that I gave up sightseeing in Qingdao and had to leave the city much earlier. I could barely secured a first class ticket on the bullet train also. Seems the trains between Qingdao and Shanghai are quite busy at that time of year.

The path from Qingdao to Shanghai

Qingdao Station; The style in architecture is apparently influenced by German one.

I had to queue up to purchase the ticket for the following day as soon as I landed at Qingdao by sea from Inchon, Korea. The wait was approx. 30 minutes. That's China, I'd say. Too many people here and there.

Train seat or sleeper vacancy list. The letter '有' in red stands for 'vacant', that is, most trains are fully booked.

Ticket I bought and used for the ride.

Qingdao Station is very modern and magnificent in structure.

Modern and old

As soon as I boarded the train, I realized the carriages are all manufactured in Japan. As I went over in Wikipedia, out of 60 CRH2 units, three were completely finished by Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kobe and imported from Japan, the parts of six units are imported from Japan and assembled in China, and the rest were mabufactured in China under license.

JR East, who operates commuter trains in Tokyo, Tohoku, Joetsu and Nagano Shinkansen Lines offered the technology in the Shinkansen field to the China side.
The seats, signboards, toilets are all the same as the ones in Japan.

Toilet on the Chinese bullet train

Toilet on the train run by JR Central, the operator of Tokaido Shinkansen in Japan.

Other than the toilets, the exterior window frames and the body lines are very similar to each other.

Chinese CRH2

Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen Series 300 used for Hikari and Kodama

I was excited like a schoolboy to ride the Shinkansen in another country, and the first class seat was comfortable, yet that excitement ceased in a couple of hours. It changed to a pain the rest of the journey...It was a ten-hour journey.
The train can as fast as 250km/h, but most of the time it cruised at 150 to 170km/h.
It looks like the capability of the carriage is a little excessive until they upgrade the tracks to meet a higher velocity service.

First Class compartment

Second Class compartment

Finally I arrived at Shanghai Station.

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Basic train schedule search on Hyperdia

2008-12-15T23:25:00.003+09:00

I'd show how to search train schedules between Narita Airport and central Tokyo on Hyperdia this time.

For the Keisei Skyliner schedules, refer to this site

(1) Travelling by JR Narita Express (from Narita Airport to Tokyo)

a.

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b.

c.

(2) Travelling by JR Sobu Line Rapid Service (from Narita Airport to Tokyo)

a.

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b.

c.

(3) Travelling by Keisei Limited express (from Narita Airport to Nippori)

a.

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b.

c.

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How to deal with Hyperdia

2008-12-13T20:40:00.028+09:00

Looking at several online travel forums, I often notice people struggling to get optimal train connections on the Hyperdia site. Apparently the site very often shows whimsical results, I mean useless connections.

So this time I try to make you get the hang of how to cope with and how to obtain optimal connections from it.

(1) If you travel from Nagoya Chubu International Airport (NGO) to JR Nagoya Station, just enter (from) 'Chubu International Airport' (to) 'MeitetsuNagoya' to get a schedule.

1.

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2.

3. Then you get a result.

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(2) If you travel from Fukuoka City to Hiroshima on the Japan Railpass, you should make sure you enter (from) 'Hakata' Station, not 'Fukuoka' Station. Fukuoka Station is located on the Hokuriku Line, totally different a place. Also you need to tick 'Except Nozomi' because you can't take the Nozomi train on the pass.

1.

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2.

3. Then you get a result.

(3) A case where you travel from Osaka Namba to Koyasan.
In the Japanese Language, when the pronounciation 'n' is followed by 'b' in a word, it makes an euphonic change to 'm' as in 'wombat' in English.
However, the programmers of Hyperdia chose 'Nanba' instead of 'Namba' for their system...

Edited on 07.Sep.2009

Hyperdia now uses 'Namba' rather than 'Nanba'. If you search a schedule from Namba on Hyperdia, make sure to enter 'Namba'. Sorry for the confusion.

1.

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2.

3. You get a result.

(4) The case where you're heading from Shimbashi to Narita Airport on Toei Asakusa and Keisei Line via Aoto in the cheapest and in a convenient way (You have to change trains only once, and the transfer can be made on the same platform: In this case, Hyperdia requires you to enter 'ShiMbashi' rather than 'Shinbashi'. Very tricky indeed.

1.

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2.

3. Result

(5) The case you head from Shinjuku to Nikko: If you simply enter 'Shinjuku' and 'Nikko', it only shows a route via Omiya instead of Tokyo. It looks an unnatural way to travel on that segment to me. Tokyo Station is the terminus on the Tohoku Shinkansen.

A. If you have a JR Pass, you might travel by JR all the way. You better take the Chuo Line rapid train from Shinjuku to Tokyo, then change to the Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya. I mean, you should enter 'Tokyo' and 'Nikko' onto Hyperdia to get a connection.

Chuo Line rapid (local) Tokyo bound timetable from Shinjuku:

Larger table

Larger table

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1.

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2.

3. Result

B. If you don't have a JR Pass and want to travel from Shinjuku to Nikko as cheaply as possible, you might head to Asakusa, purchase an unlimited travel pass for the Nikko at Tobu Tourist Center, then catch the Tobu Line train to Nikko.

In order for you to get from Shinjuku to Asakusa, there are two major ways.

a) Take the Chuo Line rapid train to Kanda, then transfer to the Metro Ginza Line to get to Asakusa. This is faster than the other.

b) Take the Metro Marunouchi Line train to Akasakamitsuke, transfer to the Ginza Line train showing up onto the opposite side of the platform to get to Asakusa.
This is less confusing in transfer, but takes more time.

1.

2.

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Then finally search a connection from Asakusa to TobuNikko.

1.

2.

(6) When you search a schedule from 'Temmabashi' in Osaka to 'Gion-Shijo' in Kyoto on the Keihan Line:

1.

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2.

3. Result

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Osechi-Ryori

2008-12-11T00:47:00.003+09:00

Osechi-Ryori is traditional Japanese New Year's food most locals enjoy at home. At department stores and super markets the materials and ready made sets are sold nationwide in the end of December.

Those travelling to Japan might visit a nearby department store to browse the stuff sold or purchase it to experience the traditional local annual custom. It should be eaten on New Year's Day.

Wikipedia info

Pictured in Shinjuku Isetan.

P.S. Other food items which look yummy:

Getting around Kyoto

2008-12-08T02:52:00.005+09:00

It goes without saying Kyoto is one of the most popular destinations in Japan among tourists regardless of nationalities.

The Heian Capital was placed here in the Heian Period between 784 and 967. Including the Kamakura Regime Period, the Edo Period and the Azuchi-Momoyama Period, the palace where the emperors lived was invariably stationed until the palace progressed to Tokyo in the late 1860's.

There are thousands of temples and shrines in Kyoto, and it would take several months to go through all of them.

Personally I would recommend you to visit Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji Temple), Nijo Castle, Kiyomizu Temple, Philosopher's Walk, Nanzenji, Sanju-Sangendo, Ohara Sanzenin, Fushimi-Inari, Arashiyama, and Gion at night. Narrow down the spots you want to visit in accordance with your time.

Kyoto guide 1
Kyoto guide 2
Kyoto guide 3

Ohara Sanzen-In

Entsuji Temple was a good find with much fewer visitors compared with major spots in Kyoto. It boasts a beautiful garden with Mt Hiei standing behind.

Shijo Street is the main area in Kyoto.

Shijo Ohashi Bridge

Kyoto Tower

If you walk around the Gion Area at night, you may be able to find a good Japanese restaurant or a bar. Very atmospheric place.

If you're lucky, you may encounter a real maiko like I did.

In the daytime, you may see ladies and girls modeled as a maiko.

When it comes to the spring in Kyoto, I always remember beautiful cherry blossoms, or Sakura.

In Arashiyama

Near Kyoto Univ.

Nijo Castle

Shijo Kawaramachi

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When you get around Kyoto by public transport, purchasing a one-day bus ticket for 500 yen, or one-day bus and subway ticket for 1,200 yen is recommended. The 500-yen one day bus ticket covers a majority of the major spots, though with the combination of the bus and the subway, you may be able to avoid traffic jams.
Kyoto Municipal subway and bus one-day or two-daytickets

Ferry trip from Inchon, Korea to Qingdao, China

2008-11-23T07:00:00.007+09:00

* This ferry runs domestically in Japan, not the aforementioned Korea - China ferry.

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I travelled from Inchon, on the outskirts of the metropolis, Seoul, Korea to Qingdao, China by ferry on 23 Oct, 2008. Even though the cruise was choppy, as I slept the majority of the time, it didn't affect me a lot. The trip took one night.

I took the Seoul Subway Line 1 from Chongro 3-ga to Inchon Stations. The subway cost me 1,700 KRW, and the ride took 1 hour 15 minutes. The subway runs frequently.
Then caught a taxi from the station to Inchon Port. It was 2,000 KRW, and took 5 minutes.

Before the cruise, I made a reservation for the business class cabin accommodating four passengers via phone, though in reality I was only with a Korean man there. Then I paid for the ticket costing 112,300 KRW including the departure tax (currently equivalent to approx. 70 USD) at the Inchon ferry terminal just before boarding.

I wasn't asked to produce an onward ticket out of China at the ticket counter at all, although I possessed an AirAsia eticket receipt out of Hong Kong within 15 days. As a note, I'm a Japanese citizen so that I can enter China on a visa waiver up to 15 days.

Weidong Ferry website

Route guide ( Sorry for the blurry image...)

Inchon Port seen from the vessel.

Passengers on the observatory platform.

Reception Area.
This vessel used to ply in Japan, judging from some signboards and the facilities.

My room ( Business Class )

Bedding

Corridor

Convenience store

Duty free

Breakfast: The soup was lukewarm.

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Upon disembarkation at Qingdao, we were bussed to the terminal to clear immigration and customs. As far as my sight is concerned, there was no ATM in the terminal. You might want to prepare some Chinese Yuan in cash beforehand in case you'd like to catch a taxi etc.

Overall, it was a nice experience.

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Be warned when you take the ex-KCR Line from Lowu, the frontier to East Tsim Sha Tsui in Hong Kong

2008-11-04T12:42:00.006+09:00

On my current trip, I took the Lowu - East Tsim Sha Tsui MTR, ex-KCR train as soon as I cleared the Shenzhen (China) - Lowu (HK) border. Bought a ticket from Lowu to Fortress Hill for 44.5 HKD. As the ex-KCR Line has been mergered into the MTR, I thought I could change trains at (East) Tsim Sha Tsui. That was wrong. I had my ticket to Fortress Hill swallowed by the turnstile at East Tsim Sha Tsui Station.

As I told a station clerk my situation, he told me to purchase another ticket to Fortress Hill for 10.5 HKD. It's not that big an amount, yet I wondered why the ticket machine at Lowu didn't clearly stated that I needed to transfer at Kowloon Tong instead of (East) Tsim Sha Tsui...

On my preious trip three years ago, KCR and MTR were separate operators so that that kind of confusion didn't occur to me.

Therefore those who plan to take the MTR after clearing the China-Hong Kong border, please be reminded this issue.

Hong Kong MTR network

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Discounted Nozomi ticket

2008-10-20T00:04:00.008+09:00

If you don't want to travel on the slower and less frequent Hikari between Tokyo and Kyot or Osaka with a Japan Railpass, or if you're unable to purchase a JR Pass, buying a discunted Shinkansen ticket valid on the Nozomi, sold at ticket shops, or 'Kin-ken-ya' in Japanese would be an optimal solution.

Yet please note that you can't use this kind of discount tickets during the New Year's holiday, the Golden Week and the Obon periods.

After you purchase this type of ticket, you need to have a seat reservation made on it at any JR ticket counter.

As for the convenience of Nozomi train, refer to the Japan Railpass page.

e.g.
Normal Tokyo - Kyoto Nozomi one way reservation ticket: 13,520 yen

1) Discounted ticket for the same conditions sold in Tokyo: 12,600 yen
2) In Kyoto: 12,850 yen

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1) In Tokyo (Ticket prices and whereabouts of the shops)

Daikokuya Yurakucho Branch:

In Shimbashi:

In Shinjuku:

There are a lot of them also in Shibuya, Ikebukuro etc.

2) In Kyoto:

There is a ticket shop 'Tokai' very close to Kyoto Station.

You'll see the Kyoto Tower in front before you cross the street.

Cross the intersection diagonally.

The shop is located on the second floor of this building.

I have seen a lot of ticket shops on the Shijo Street also in Kyoto.

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English - Japanese point it sheet

2008-10-16T00:04:00.005+09:00

When you find yourself difficult to be understood in English in Japan, you might find the following sheet of some help.

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Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport arrival guide

2008-10-06T18:32:00.002+09:00

I've been addicted to visiting Thailand in the last 6 years because of Thai smiles, tasty food, the holiday atmosphere, reasonable prices etc. It never makes me dull.

This time I feature the arrival navigation at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Have flown into there several times myself.

After disembarkation, walk toward immigration via travelators.

Then clear Thai immigration.

You need to be finger-printed, and have your photo taken. Depending on the officer, you may be asked to show the proof of onward air ticket within the 30 day window in case you enter the kingdom on a visa waiver program.

Then collect your luggage.

Then get out of the airside. A kind of a mess.

Get Thai currency via an ATM or a money changer. There are a lot of banks at the arrival area, and the rate is uniform in the airport.

Those who catch a taxi should proceed to outside on the same level to the taxi rank. At the counter, tell the clerk where you're headed, then s/he will give you a paper with the taxi number and your destination. Don't lose the stub of the paper in case you need to make a complaint to the taxi association, e.g. taxi driver not using the meter. Insist the driver use the meter, otherwise get off it and take another one.

Those who plan to take the limousine bus should go dwonstairs to the ground level. You can get to Sukhumvit, Silom, Khao San Road and the main station areas on the bus.
It costs 150 baht each way. Go to the bus counter, tell the clerk where you're going and purchase the ticket and take a seat until the correct bus will show up.

Have a nice stay.

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Mt Koya

2008-10-06T17:32:00.005+09:00

Mt Koya is a generic name of the mountains in Wakayama Prefecture with the altitudes approx. 1,000 meters.

Kukai studied the Tantric Buddhism from Eka, his master, at Senryuji Temple (not sure what this temple is called in Chinese) in Xi'an, China.

After he returned to Japan, he founded the Koyasan-Shingonshu, a Buddhism religeous sect. Its headquarters is the Kongobuji Temple. Mt Koya was donated to Kukai by Emperor Saga in 816. Thereafter monasteries and temples are built for monks to pray so that Buddha would protect general people from diseases etc with his almighty power. Also the monks educated their apparentices there. These establishments were female-free until 1872.

1) Okunoin

It's a cemetery where Kukai, imperial families, feudal lords and business leaders in modern times sleep.

2) Kongobuji Temple
It used to be a name of Mt Koya as a whole, but what is currently called Kongobuji Temple was merged from two temples.

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--Access to Koyasan--

Take the Nankai Koya Line from Osaka Namba to Koyasan with a transfer or two en route. The connection works mostly every 30 minutes, and the whole trip takes 1.5 hours to 2 hours. In case you take the limited express Koya from Namba to Gokurakubashi, it incurs a 760-yen limited express surcharge. The total base fare from Namba to Koyasan is 1,230 yen.

Express train between Namba and Hashimoto

Local train between Hashimoto and Gokurakubashi

Limited express 'Koya' between Namba and Gokurakubashi

Cable Car between Gokurakubashi and Koyasan

Koyasan Station

You might want to purchase the Kansai Thru Pass for a trip to Koyasan from Osaka. It is very likely to pay for itself.

Kansai Thru Pass info

jorudan, for train schedule and fare search

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Visit to Himeji Castle

2008-10-02T04:23:00.007+09:00

En route to Kyushu, I paid a visit to Himeji Castle. It was a fabulous castle in many respects, as people point out.

Be warned that a renovation work in the castle will start in autumn, 2009, and the tower will be scaffolded from spring, 2010.

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This castle is one of the only remaining 12 ones in Japan that were constructed in and before the Edo Period (1603 - 1867). It's one of the so called 'national treasure four castles', along with Inuyama, Matsumoto and Hikone.
It's often refered to as the best castle in Japan.

The fact that this castle wasn't demolished nor was it attcked in the wars so far at all has enabled many of its large and small towers and turrets to be designated as national treasures. Also it was put on the World helitage list in 1993 because of the aformentioned reason.

The widely accepted theory is that Sadanori Akamatsu had the castle built in 1346, in the Nanbokucho Period, or the South and North courts Period. The current Himeji Municipal Government adopts this theory.

It's definitely a must visit when you come to Japan. You might allow three to four hours to complete this tour from the station.

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You could walk to the castle from Himeji Station, yet the bus is cheap and comfortable mode of transport. The castle is the second stop, and it costs only 100 yen each way.

Take this type of bus.

The Moat in the entrance area.

Admission fee:
Adult: 600 yen
Child: 200 yen

In summer the authrity recommends you to take a bottled drink with you to avoid dehydration. Indeed I drank quite a lot of water while I went up.
Gentle gradients and steep upward stairs continues once you have entered the premises. A Japanese elderly man on a package tour told me that the visit there would definitely be a good memory to the nether world...

The Shinto altar on the top floor.

View from the top floor of the tower.

Overall it was a great visit for me. I felt the magnificence the castle has stepped in the last seven centuries. I'm now motivated to study the Japanese history much more, together with improving my English proficiency (This is currently my first priority.).

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JR Himeji Station is now under renovation, and it's very confusing as to how to get out of the premises correctly. I accidentally exited from the other exit, even though I had used this station several times before.

The structure of Himeji Station may have changed a little since because all the tracks have been elevated since last December.

This isn't the correct exit.

Walk toward the central exit.

This is the correct exit.

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Transfer guide from Keisei to JR Sobu Lines at Funabashi

2008-09-29T02:38:00.009+09:00

This transfer is of use for those heading to Maihama (Tokyo Disneyland, Disneysea), Shinjuku avoiding a Yamanote Line ride, each station on the Metro Tozai Line, JR Sobu, Yokosuka and Chuo Line.

How to catch the Keisei Line train from Narita Airport

It takes the Keisei Limited Express train approx. 48 minutes to get from Narita Airport to (Keisei-)Funabashi and it costs 720 yen each way. The train runs every 20 minutes.

Get off the Skyliner or the limited express at (Keisei-)Funabashi.

Go downstairs via the escalator.

Clear the turnstile and turn to the left to head toward JR Funabashi Station.

Go straight on through the shopping complex until you find a downward escalator to the ground level.

Take the escalator.

As soon as you leave the escalator, turn to the right and then turn to the left to purchase a JR portion ticket. If you have a suica, just head toward the entrance.

Entrance and departure boards. Those who head to Tokyo, Shinagawa, Yokohama or Kamakura, go to track #3. Those heading to Nishi-Funabashi (onto Maihama and Tozai Line), Akihabara and Shinjuku, go to track #1.

Sobu rapid - Yokosuka Line train

Sobu-Chuo local train

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Sobu local Shinjuku bound timetable:

1) Weekdays

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2) Weekends

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Get off the local train at Nishi-Funabashi, the next stop and change to the Keiyo Line Tokyo bound train to get to Maihama.

3) Maihama, Tokyo bound timetable:
a) Weekdays;

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b) Weekends;

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Train connection search: jorudan

Tokyo Disneyland

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Transfer from Keisei Line to JR Lines at Nippori Station

2008-09-28T04:42:00.008+09:00

Information on how to catch the Keisei Line train from Narita Airport

JR Nippori Station has seen a sweeping change in the last couple of few years, and Keisei Station has still been under renovation, maybe until the super fast New Skyliner starts to run in a couple of years.

Nippori Station overall map with transfer directions between Keisei and JR

If you intend to change to the JR Line from Keisei at Nippori, you might want to purchase a connection ticket sold at a ticket machine, or at the counter at Narita Airport Stations.

Skyliner

Limited express (Rapid service)

First, on arriving at Nippori, go upstairs by escalator. They are located at both ends of the track.

Escalator on the Ueno side

Escalator on the Narita side

Then clear the wicket if you have a connection ticket to JR.

Keisei - JR transfer gate area

Then walk diagonally forward right, and keep on walking.

You can see the signposts leading you to the right track before long.

Escalator to the Ueno, Tokyo bound track.

Lift to the Ueno, Tokyo bound track.

Escalator to the Ikebukuro, Shinjuku bound track.

Lift to Ikebukuro, Shinjuku bound track.

Then you're on the correct platform.

Yamanote Line train

Keihin Tohoku Line train (This doesn't stop at this station during the daytime.)

Inside the Yamanote Line train. It was much more crowded between Shinjuku and Ikebukuro.

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Bus connections between Hakone-Yumoto and Gotemba

2008-09-28T03:35:00.009+09:00

Gotemba - Kawaguchiko Bus timetable

1) Hakone-Yumoto to Sengoku:

Larger table

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Larger table

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2) (Hakone-)Sengoku to Gotemba Station (and onto Shinjuku)

Larger table

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3) Gotemba Station to (Hakone-)Sengoku:

Larger table

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4) Sengoku to Hakone-Yumoto Station:

Larger table

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Larger table

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5) Hakone Highway Bus faretable:

Train connections between Narita Airport and Western Japan

2008-09-28T02:47:00.012+09:00

Related topic:
Japan Railpass validation procedures at Narita Airport and Narita Express info

All the data below are updated as of 14th March, 2009.

Connections between Narita Airport and the cities on the Tokaido - Sanyo Shinkansen:

1) Westbound connections:

2) Eastbound connections:

How to transfer between the Narita Express and the Shinkansen at Tokyo and Shinagawa

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Kawaguchiko - Kofu Bus Timetable

2008-09-23T05:58:00.003+09:00

This service is conenient when you head from Kawaguchiko to Matsumoto (Takayama), and from Matsumoto (Takayama) to Kawaguchiko.

1) Kawaguchiko Station to Kofu Station

Larger Version

2) Kofu Station to Kawaguchiko Station

Larger Version

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Mishima - Gotemba - Kawaguchiko bus timetable

2008-09-22T17:21:00.015+09:00

08/Sep/2009
--Notice--

The timetable listed below is now outdated. Seems there was a comprehensive schedule revision recently.
If you need to see the current timetable, go to the link below, though all are written in Japanese.

Fujikyu Bus current timetable

Bus stops
三島駅: Mishima Station
御殿場プレミアムアウトレット: Gotemba Premium Outlet
御殿場駅(着): Gotemba Station (arrivals)
御殿場駅(発): Gotemba Station (departures)
河口湖駅: Kawaguchiko Station

Remarks:
☆: Not in service on weekends and public holidays.
▲: Runs on weekends and public holidays.
◎: Runs on weekends, public holidays and between 18 July and 31 August.
急: Express
ア: Operates at the Outlet Mall.
特予: Limited express / Subject to mandatory reservation / Runs on weekends, in Golden week, summer and year end holidays.

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I managed to upload the bus timetable between Kawaguchiko and Mishima via Gotemba.

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1) Kawaguchiko to Mishima via Gotemba

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2) Mishima to Kawaguchiko via Gotemba

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3) Fare chart

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Please use these charts by adjusting the size, e.g. Imaze Zoom on Firefox.

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Transfer to Keiyo Line at Tokyo

2008-09-22T04:12:00.013+09:00

JR Keiyo Line conects Tokyo and Maihama, where very popular Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea are located. The thing is that the track location of this line at Tokyo Station is very remote from the other lines. It's at least a 10 minutes' walk to get to the platform. I'd show the way to reach there from the Narita Express (Sobu Rapid) track by using maps and photos.

JR Tokyo Station map

Aerial map and the distance

The path we are going from now.

The Narita Express from NRT arrives on Sobu Rapid track #1.

Go up to B4 via escalator.

Change to another one to B1.

Walk toward the escalators to the ground level (1F).

Go up to the ground level.

Walk down the Central Hallway by following the signpost toward the Keiyo Line.

Chuo Line train

Yamanote Line train

Keihin Tohoku Line train

Tokaido Line train

Transfer from each line.

This is the Shinkansen entrance area. Turn on the right to get to the Keiyo Line platform. It's 520m from here onwards, and you may have walked a few hundred meters so far and spent approx. 10 minutes.

Go downstairs by escalator.

Then take the three travelators (moving walkways).

Go downstairs by escalator again.

At last you're on the Keiyo Line's premises, though there are another two escalators to go...

The scenery after getting off one of the two remaining escalators.

Final one.

You made it!

Tokyo Disneyland

Also refer to the following page to see the overall structure of this station.
Transfer from the Sobu Line rapid track to each JR Line track.

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Seishun 18 Kippu (Youth 18 ticket), and Railway Day Memorial ticket

2008-09-22T02:33:00.015+09:00

Seishun 18 Kippu has become so popular that I may not need to show the details of this ticket.

1) Sales and travel periods:

2010 spring:
Sales period; From 20th February to 31st March, 2010
Travel period; From 1st March to 10th April, 2010

2010 summer:
Sales period; From 1st July to 31st August, 2010
Travel period; From 20th July to 10th September, 2010

2010 to 2011 winter:
Sales period; From 1st December to 31st December, 2010
Travel period; From 10th December 2010 to 10th January 2011

2) Price: 11,500yen

3) Validity: Any five days of your choices, regardless of whether they are consecutive or not during the each usage period

4) Sold at: Major JR stations and travel agencies throughout Japan

5) Validity details:

a. Seishun 18 is sold as a 5-day pass.
b. Each day, its holder is entitled to enjoy one-day *1 unlimited travel on all JR lines *2 (non-reserved seat *3 on ordinary cars. Local and rapid trains only *4) which network covers whole Japan. The holder can also use the Aoimori line on the condition that he/she travels between the designated segments as follows; Hachinohe and Aomori, Hachinohe and Noheji, Noheji and Aomori.
c. Seishun 18's flexibility allows its holder to optimize its 5 days in many ways such as:

i. ) a day trip by the holder on any 5 days during its valid period.
ii. ) a consecutive 5-day trip by the holder.
iii. ) a day trip for a group of 5. (All members of the group must travel on the same train at the same time. Five people traveling on one day is the same as one person traveling for five days.)

*1 "one-day" means between 0:00 (am) and 23:59 of one calendar day.
Exception 1: If the ticket holder is on a midnight - train and it becomes midnight while on board, he / she is permitted to remain on board until the train stops at the first station the following day.
Exception 2: In the Tokyo urban area and Osaka urban area, the definition of "one day" is extended until the completion of area's last train operation.

*2 "all JR lines" means all the railway lines in the area of JR Hokkaido, JR East, JR Central, JR West, JR Shikoku, JR Kyushu, and Miyajima Route (Ferry operated by JR West).

*3 Reserved seat on ordinary cars of local and rapid trains can be used if necessary. In this case, the ticket holder needs to make a reservation and pay required surcharges.

*4 The ticket is invalid for Shinkansen, Limited Express, Express, Green car (1st class), sleeping car and JR buses.

Exception :
* Kikonai and Kanita (Tsugaru-Kaikyo Line)
* Shintoku and Shin-yuubari (Sekisho Line)
* The use of Limited Express with the ticket is strictly limited to above 2 sections (non-reserved seat on ordinary cars only), which means the user of Limited Express with the ticket is not permitted to board other sections on the same Limited Express train.

JR East official site

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--Tetsudo-no-hi Kinen Kippu, or the Railway Day Memorial ticket--

The regulations are all the same as the Seishun 18 Kippu.

1) Sales period: 1 October, 2010 to 17 October, 2010
Travel period: 2 October, 2010 to 17 October, 2010

2) Price: 9,180 yen

3) Validity:
It has three-day portions. It doesn't matter whether it's used consecutively or not.
For further details, refer to the 18 Kippu's ones above.

JR Central's official site in Japanese

Limousine Bus actual duration track records

2008-09-20T16:22:00.022+09:00

I've managed to record the actual durations given online by the Limousine Bus operator since the beginning of this month, and I've been able to obtain a whole week data.

I post the excel data online, and will keep updating it as long as I have time.

Limousine Bus actual durations from NRT to Central Tokyo

First, click the image to enlarge, then scroll to the right end where you could compare the actual duration track records, maximum, minimum and average durations, and the offically announced one.

Limousine Bus current durations from NRT to Central Tokyo

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Transfer from Sobu Line to the other JR Lines at Tokyo Station

2008-09-19T14:22:00.013+09:00

Tokyo Station map

The Narita Express train from the airport arrives on track #1.

Take the escalator to basement level 4.

Next, take the escalator to basement level 1.

Take this one to the ground level.

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Click the line you intend to use:

1) Chuo Line

2) Ueno bound Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Line

3) Shinagawa bound Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Line

4) Tokaido Line

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1) Chuo Line

Finally take this escalator leading to the elevated Chuo Line track.

This is a Chuo Line train.

Chuo Line platform at Tokyo Station. The orange color trains are nearly switched to the new type ones shown above. Only a few old units still run.

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Even though you need to take the escalator 4 times to get to the Chuo Line track, the transfer itself is very simple. Those heading to Shinjuku from Narita Aiport are recommended to change trains to Chuo Line at Tokyo to get to Shinjuku and to avoid 500 meters' walk at very busy Shinjuku Station. The location of the Narita Express platform at Shinjuku is quite isolated and inconvenient.

Narita Express track location at Shinjuku Station

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2) Ueno bound Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Line

Proceed more, then you'll find this signboard. Go upstairs to the platform.

Train

Yamanote Line

Keihin-Tohoku Line

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3) Ueno bound Yamanote and Keihin-Tohoku Line

Signboard

The types of trains are all the same as in #2

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4) Tokaido Line (track # 7 to 10)

Signboard

Train

The traces we have gone through

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Getting around Tokyo

2008-09-16T13:52:00.020+09:00

I'd show a one day stroll course in Tokyo, which will keep you busy for a day:

How about taking the Sumida River boat bus from Asakusa to Odaiba?

First you might go to Kappabashi near Tawaramachi Station on the Metro Ginza Line. You'll enjoy viewing various kinds of professional cooking related items such as utensils, lanterns as a signpost, plastic food model to be presented in the show case in front of reataurants.
Kappabashi info

How plastic food models are used in Japan

Then proceed to Asakusa, visit the Sensoji Temple, and board the river boat to Odaiba.
There are various shopping complexes, ferris wheel etc. The night view from the observation platform is beautiful. There is a small 'Statue of Libety'.

Real Statue of Liberty in NYC

Then return to Shimbashi on Yurikamome, unmanned train and onto Kanda. If possible, take the exact front seat where a driver is supposed to be stationed on Yurikamome.
View from the front seat

Other than these spots, I'd recommend:

-People watching from the Starbucks on the 2nd floor in the Tsutaya Building in Shibuya. The multi-direction crossing at the Hachiko Intersection is amazing in terms of the number of people especially on weekends.

-Enoden ride between kamakura and Fujisawa. It usually consists only of two carriages, and runs along the seashore line. Very atmospheric. As you plan to go to Kamakura as a day trip, this would be a good option.

-Watching tuna auction in Tsukiji Wholesale Market, it's open to public from 5 to quarter past 6 am.

Photos I took in Tsukiji Market

-Night view from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Buidling observatory, free admission

-Viewing the Tokyo Metropolitan Building from below.

-The street on the image below is really colorful at night. It's located near the south exit of JR Shinjuku Station.

-If you're into photograhy, capturing the Tokyo Tower from the foot of it at night is inriguing. There is nothing to disturb you.

-Ginza is still developing.

- The National Art Center, Tokyo

National Art Center official website

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Metropolis, Tokyo entertainment info

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JR East Pass Special for 10,000 yen

2008-09-16T08:34:00.004+09:00

JR East sells a 'JR East Pass Spacial' for 10,000 yen overseas (voucher) until 20th November, 2009, and in Japan until 1st December, 2009.
The travel period is until the end of this year. It can be used any train run by JR East in the JR East service area for 3 days regardless of whether they are consecutive or not.

The good points of this pass are not only its reasonable price but also its flexibility. You don't need to frantically hurry to get your money's worth from the pass by taking trains all day long even after the validity of the pass kicks in.

Model course:
Narita Airport to Tokyo proper on the Narita Express: This trip should be made with the 'Suica and NEX' combo for 3,500 yen.

Day 1) Travel to Hachinohe from Tokyo by Shinkansen to visit Oirase and Lake Towada.
The normal price is 15,350 yen each way in a reserved seat.

Day 2) Return to Tokyo

Day 3) Return to Narita Airport by Narita Express. Its normal price from Shinjuku to the airport is 3,110 yen.

Total price: 33,810 yen, as opposed to 10,000 yen pass

JR East official site

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Info on Nankai Line to Osaka Namba (Minami) from KIX

2008-09-14T19:03:00.004+09:00

The Nankai Line boasts a good connection between Kansai Airport and Osaka Namba, in the middle of the city. The limited express 'rapi:t' (meaning fast in German) and the express run every 30 minutes between both terminuses in the daytime.

Follow the signpost to the station.

Kansai Airport Station, shared with JR.

Ticket machines: You can purchase the limited express reservation ticket via ticket machine.

Price from Kansai Airport to Namba:
Base fare: 890 yen (valid on local and express trains)
Limited express surcharge for regular seats: 500 yen / 1,390 yen in total
Limited express surcharge for super seats: 700 yen / 1,590 yen in total

Station entrance

Escalator and stairs to the track

Lifts are also available.

Platform

Limited express 'rapi:t'

Super seat

Regular seat

Local/Express train to Namba

Inside the express/local train

Limited express standing at Namba Station.

Nankai Namba bound timetable

Durations from Kansai Airport(from KIX official site)
Namba by limited express: Apporx. 39 min
Namba by express: Apporx. 43 min

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Limousine bus from Kansai Airport

2008-09-14T18:26:00.004+09:00

Compared to Narita, the limousine bus services are very affordable distance-wise. It costs 1,300 yen from KIX to Osaka Umeda by limousine bus each way, and it runs every 20 minutes and takes 1 hour. From Narita, a similar distance service would cost 3,000 yen, I presume. The coach leaves from the international arrival level, so you don't need to mind handling your luggage on stairs etc until you catch it.

After clearing customs and getting Japanese Yen via ATM etc, go outside the terminal by following the signpost to the bus stop.

You can purchase a bus ticket inside the terminal in case you find the counter before leaving the terminal.

Limousine bus network from KIX
Larger image

Ticket counters and ticket machines are concentrated from A to D depending on destinations.

Ticket machines for Osaka Umeda, Kobe Sannomiya and Himeji

Limousine bus information counter: They sell bus tickets.

Bus stop locations
Larger image

KIX official site regarding bus service, including links to each timetable

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Japan Railpass validation procedures at Kansai Airport and limited express Haruka and Osaka bound rapid trains info

2008-09-13T21:19:00.012+09:00

JR West connects KIX and Osaka, Kyoto directly with its train services. The limited express Haruka gets you to Kyoto in 75 minutes in the daytime, and the rapid train gets you to Osaka (Umeda) in 66 minutes for 1,160 yen each way.

If you purchase the JR West Kansai one day pass for 2,000 yen, you can get to Kyoto in a non-reserved seat with the ticket. The normal fare is 2,980 yen each way in a non-reserved seat from KIX to Kyoto.

You can purchase as many vouchers as you like before you come to Japan. It's sales locations are all the same as the Japan Railpass sales agencies. After entering Japan, you can purchase the pass only once.

The JR West Kansai and Sanyo pass are sold at any JR West counter in Kansai Airport, Osaka, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto and other major stations. You can activate the passes from vouchers at the same places.

JR West Pass official site
More details on JR West Kansai Pass

From their brochuer
Page 1 (Front cover)
Page 2 (Prices, terms and conditions)
Page 3 (Must visit places)
Page 4 (Sales locations)

I'd say you might want to choose the Japan Railpass instead of JR West Sanyo Pass unless you're in a hurry.

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Follow the signpost to the station.

Kansai Airport Station (shared with Nankai)

JR ticket counter, where you are supposed to have your JR Pass validated. However, unlike Narita Airport Station operated by JR East, there is no signpost regarding JR Pass validation here, inside or outside.

The entire view of the ticket counter room.

The JR Pass validation point: According to the rep, they usually ask foreign tourists who are validating the pass to wait in a line for the ticket counter. The rep will validate the pass for you. If the line gets longer with those wishing to validate the pass, they open a designated counter for foreign tourists to do so.

I didn't see any blank JR Pass application format on the desk etc at all, so you may need to ask a sales rep for it. I might suggest you to print the format out at home before the trip to Japan to avoid possible trouble.
For JR Pass validation office hours and application form print-out

JR West Railpass as stated above.

JR ticket machines

Departure board

Signpost to each carriage on Haruka train

Lifts are also available.

Haruka train about to leave.

Ordinary class on Haruka

Luggage space next to the exit door

Osaka (Umeda) bound rapid train.

Inside the rapid train

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JR train timetable from KIX

Approx. durations (from KIX official site):
1) Limited express Haruka
Kyoto: 75 min
Shin-Osaka: 50 min
Tennoji: 30 min

2) Rapid
Osaka (Umeda): 65 min
Tennoji: 45 min

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Navigation upon arrival at Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX)

2008-09-13T18:53:00.010+09:00

I happen to be in Osaka the other day, so I took shots for pictorial directions for those who are flying into Osaka Kansai Airport for the first time.

I've never flown into KIX internationally, so please refer to the arrival procedures at Narita.

International arrival south gate on the ground floor

International arrival north gate

Arrival level ( Ground floor )

International arrival info
Larger version

Limousine Bus information counter
KIX limousine bus official info and timetables

Yasaka shuttle service between KIX and Kyoto for 3,500 yen.
http://www.yasaka.jp/taxi/shuttle-e/

MK shuttle service between KIX and Kyoto, Ashiya or Kobe.
http://www.mk-group.co.jp/english/shuttle/

Travel desk: They sell the Kansai Thru Pass, Kintetsu Railpass, etc and arrange tours and accommodation. The Kansai Passport has been discontinued.
Seems this establishment is affiliated with JTB.

KIX official site regarding the travel desk

Kintetsu Railpass, which can be purchased without voucher here.
Larger version

Kintetsu Railpass official site

Kansai Thru Pass
Kansai Thru Pass official site

You can catch the limousine bus on the ground level, just outside the international arrival hall. Domestic flight check-in is conducted on the second floor, and the train stations are located on the second floor outside the terminal.

Go upstairs, then follow the signpost depending on the connecting mode of transport.

You can take a lift as well.

JR train info

Nankai Line info

Limousine Bus info

Now we are heading to the domestic check-in area.

Go straight.

Then head to your airline's check in counter.

ANA, or All Nippon Airways

JAL, or Japan Airlines

StarFlyers

Osaka Kansai International Airport (KIX) official site

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Limousine Bus durations from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo

2008-09-03T16:37:00.017+09:00

Indeed the limousine bus is convenient in that it will take you from the airport to your hotel in Tokyo, still it's very subjuct to possible traffic jams.

The Limousine Bus Company offers a page where current durations to each destination are listed. Unfortunately, the service is only in Japanese, so I'd translate the names of the destinations etc. You can refer to the site at the same time of day and week as you plan to travel before you come to Japan to see how long your trip will likely take.

Current limousine bus durations

成田空港路線（ 17:03 現在） / Narita Airport Route ( As of 17:03 hrs on 3 Sep 2008)

出発地 → 目的地 Origin -> Destination	所要時間 Duration (minutes)
成田空港 → 羽田空港 Narita Airport (NRT) -> Haneda Airport	55分 55 minutes
成田空港 → 新宿駅西口 NRT -> Shinjuku Station West Exit	75分 75 minutes
成田空港 → 東京ｼﾃｨｴｱﾀｰﾐﾅﾙ NRT -> Tokyo City Air Terminal (TCAT)	54分 54 minutes
成田空港 → 池袋/ｻﾝｼｬｲﾝﾌﾟﾘﾝｽ NRT -> Ikebukuro / Sunshine Prince	75分 75 minutes
成田空港 → 横浜ｼﾃｨｴｱﾀｰﾐﾅﾙ NRT -> Yokohama City Air Terminal (YCAT)	109分 109 minutes
成田空港 → 赤坂（ANAﾎﾃﾙ） NRT -> Akasaka (ANA Intercontinental)	67分 67 minutes
成田空港 → 渋谷（ｾﾙﾘｱﾝ東急） NRT -> Shibuya (Cerulean Tokyu)	72分 72 minutes
成田空港 → 品川（ﾎﾃﾙﾊﾟｼﾌｨｯｸ） NRT -> Shinagawa (Hotel Pacific)	68分 68 minutes

上記の数値は実績値であり、到着時間をお約束するものではありません。
これからの道路状況により多少の早着・延着の可能性もございますので、目安としてご利用ください。

The figures above are the track records, and the arrival times can't be guaranteed.
The coach may arrive slightly earlier or later than them depending on traffic from now onwards. Please utilize this chart only to get a rough idea on the duration.

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Of course you can ask the ticket sales clerk at Narita Airport how many minutes it will take you to get to your destination when you're about to purchase a ticket. If it sounds too long, you might just as well switch to the train.

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As of 18 Sep, 2008, there is a page stating the current durations of the limousine bus service in English...Sorry for the fact that I've missed it.

Limousine bus current durations in English

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Moonlight Nagara to be discontinued

2008-09-02T21:40:00.007+09:00

According to Asahi Newspaper's article, the overnight rapid Moonlight Nagara running between Tokyo and Ogaki (Gifu Pref.) is very likely to be discontinued at the end of this fiscal year. The train's operators, JR East and JR Central have been kicking around the matter, and the train's service is geared toward discontinuation.

This train is very popular among young generations trying to travel from Tokyo, Yokohama to Western Japan as cheaply as possible during the Seishun 18 Kippu travel periods. However because of the rise of the Shinkansen (Bullet Train), airlines and affordable overnight tour buses, this train is destined to go out of service.

The seasonal Nagara will continue running in summer and New Year's holidays.

Source

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Trip to Yufuin, Oita

2008-08-29T01:39:00.013+09:00

Yufuin is famous for its outstanding mountain, Yufudake and onsen, or hot spring. There are a lot of upmarket ryokans, or Japanese style hotels.

I visited there to bathe in the onsen this spring as a day trip from Oita.

I bathed at Ryokan Musoen as a day use. The view from the outdoor bath was spectacular.

Musoen official website (in Japanese)
Day use admission: between 10 and 15 hrs, bathing allowed until 15:30.
Entrance fee: 700 yen
Bring your own towel.

--Access to Yufuin--

1-1) From Fukuoka by train (limited express):

Train #	Hakata	Yufuin
Yufu DX 1	7:45	10:01
Yufuin-no-Mori 1	9:16	11:28
Yufuin-no-Mori 3	10:17	12:26
Yufu DX 3	12:18	14:41
Yufuin-no-Mori 5	14:34	16:44
Yufu DX 5	17:18	19:35

1-2) To Fukuoka by train (limited express):

Train #	Yufuin	Hakata
Yufu DX 2	9:07	11:15
Yufuin-no-Mori 2	12:02	14:08
Yufu DX 4	14:17	16:32
Yufuin-no-Mori 4	15:48	18:08
Yufuin-no-Mori 6	17:07	19:15
Yufu DX 6	18:41	20:44

Price: 4,400 yen each way (limited express, reserved seat)
JR Pass applicable.

2) From and to Oita by train (JR):

Local trains run at least every hour and takes approx. 1 hour.
Price: 910 yen each way

3-1) From Fukuoka by bus

Hakata Station Transport Center	Tenjin Bus Center	Fukuoka Airport Terminal 1 and 2	Fukuoka Airport Terminal 3	Yufuin Station
8:09	8:25	8:44	8:46	10:28
8:54	9:10	9:29	9:31	11:13
9:36	9:55	10:14	10:16	11:58
10:26	10:45	11:04	11:06	12:48
11:26	11:45	12:04	12:06	13:48
-	12:45	13:04	13:06	14:48
13:26	13:45	14:04	14:06	15:48
-	14:55	15:14	15:16	16:58
15:36	15:55	16:14	16:16	17:58
17:06	17:25	17:44	17:46	19:28
18:36	18:55	19:14	19:16	20:58

3-2) To Fukuoka by bus:

Yufuin Station	Fukuoka Airport Terminal 1, 2	Fukuoka Airport Terminal 3	Tenjin Bus Center	Hakata Station Transport Center
6:30	8:10	8:12	8:32	8:41
7:40	9:20	9:22	9:42	9:53
8:35	10:15	10:17	10:37	10:48
9:50	11:30	11:32	11:52	-
11:15	12:55	12:57	13:17	-
12:20	14:00	14:02	14:22	14:33
13:50	15:30	15:32	15:52	16:03
14:35	16:15	16:17	16:37	16:48
15:20	17:00	17:02	17:22	17:33
16:10	17:50	17:52	18:12	18:23
17:00	18:40	18:42	19:02	19:13

Legend:
- : unavailable

Price: one way; 2,800 yen, return; 5,000 yen

Reservation:
Kyushu Highway Bus Booking Center: 0120-489-939

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Directions to Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu from Shibuya Station

2008-08-29T01:15:00.004+09:00

Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyu official website

JR Shibuya Station map
Walk toward the Tamagawa Exit.

Exit from this gate.

Walk toward Shibuya Mark City (Excel Hotel) by following the signpost.

In the daytime, go up to the third floor by escalator on the left. At night, walk forward as the yellow arrow directs.

Go upstairs to the third floor by this escalator.

Walk ahead, and catch the elevator to the 5th floor where the reception is located.

Reception

The limousine bus from Narita and Haneda Airports stops on the same level as the reception, in front of the hotel.

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Directions to Shibuya Tokyu Inn

2008-08-29T00:36:00.004+09:00

Pictorial directions to Shibuya Tokyu Inn from JR Shibuya Station.

JR Shibuya Station map

Head to the Hachiko Gate after alighting from the train. It's rather far from the Shonan-Shinjuku Line, Saikyo Line, Narita Express platform, maybe the distance is 5 or 600 meters.

Exit at this gate.

Head toward the Miyamasuzaka Intersection.

Miyamasuzaka Intersection: Turn to the left and cross the street.

Go this way. This is the Meiji Street. Subway construction work is going on.

Soon you'll find this signboard.

Tokyu Inn building

Entrance

Reception

Shibuya Tokyu Inn official website

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Puratto Kodama, a discount Shinkansen ticket

2008-08-22T14:51:00.049+09:00

Puratto Kodama is a discount fare only available on the Kodama train on the Tokaido Shinkansen. This ticket must be bought one day before departure at the designated agency. A voucher for a drink valid at JR Central Kiosk outlets or from an on board vendor is attached.

Price comparison from Tokyo to Kyoto each way ( in the normal season ):
Normal fare in an ordinary reserved seat: 13,220 yen
Puratto Kodama ordinary reserved seat: 9,800 yen
Difference: 3,420 yen

Even though it takes another one hour to get to Kyoto from Tokyo on the Kodama compared with the Nozomi and the Hikari, it's a good deal if you can afford time.

-- Normal season one way faretable --

Green car

Stations	Tokyo	ShinYokohama	Shizuoka	Hamamatsu	Nagoya	Kyoto	ShinOsaka
Tokyo	Tokyo	-	6,400	8,300	8,900	11,300	11,500
ShinYokohama	-	ShinYokohama	5,700	7,900	8,700	11,100	11,400
Shizuoka	4,500	4,400	Sizuoka	-	6,400	10,200	10,800
Hamamatsu	6,300	6,100	-	Hamamatsu	5,000	8,300	8,900
Nagoya	7,900	7,700	4,500	3,500	Nagoya	5,700	6,400
Kyoto	9,800	9,600	7,400	6,300	4,100	Kyoto	-
ShinOsaka	10,000	9,900	7,900	6,800	4,200	-	ShinOsaka

Ordinary car

Legend:
- : Unavailable

-- Peak season one way faretable --

This fare consists only of the combinations of the stations above. If you alight en route using this ticket, you'll be charged the full fare at that station.
Also the ticket is valid only on the designated train.

Green car image

Ordinary car image

1) Westbound Kodama trains available on this fare:

Kodama train #	Tokyo	Shinagawa	ShinYokohama	Shizuoka	Hamamatsu	Nagoya	Kyoto	ShinOsaka
697	-	-	-	7:17	7:49	8:47	9:39	9:53
631	6:33	6:40	6:52	7:58	8:30	9:16	-	-
635	7:26	7:34	7:46	8:58	9:30	10:16	-	-
Thereafter the Kodama for Nagoya leaves Tokyo 26 past the hour until 18:26, running in the same manner as #635.
637	7:56	8:04	8:16	9:27	9:57	10:47	11:38	11:53
Thereafter the Kodama for ShinOsaka leaves Tokyo 56 past the hour until 15:56, running in the same manner as #637.
673	16:56	17:04	17:16	18:27	18:57	19:46	-	-
677	17:56	18:04	18:16	19:27	19:57	20:46	-	-
681	18:56	19:04	19:16	20:27	20:57	21:46	-	-
683	19:26	19:34	19:46	20:58	21:30	22:17	23:11	23:26
685	19:56	20:04	20:16	21:27	21:55	22:38	-	-
687	20:26	20:34	20:46	21:58	22:30	23:11	-	-

2) Eastbound Kodama trains available on this fare:

Kodama train#	ShinOsaka	Kyoto	Nagoya	Hamamatsu	Shizuoka	ShinYokohama	Shinagawa	Tokyo
632	-	-	7:27	8:20	8:48	9:57	10:09	10:17
634	-	-	7:58	8:48	9:19	10:27	10:39	10:47
636	-	-	8:28	9:20	9:48	10:57	11:09	11:17
Then the Kodama leaves Nagoya 27 past the hour for Tokyo until 20:28, running nearly in the same manner as #636
638	7:50	8:05	8:58	9:50	10:18	11:27	11:39	11:47
Then the Kodama leaves ShinOsaka 50 past the hour for Tokyo until 18:50, running nearly in the same manner as #638
690	19:50	20:05	20:56	21:36	22:14	-	-	-

3) Where to purchase this ticket:

- JR Central (Tokai) Tours, located in major stations on the Tokaido Shinkansen.
- JTB and JTB Traveland branches in the prefectures below ( There are some exceptions.)

Tokyo, Kanagawa, Saitama, Chiba, Tochigi, Gumma, Ibaragi, Niigata, Yamanashi
Shizuoka, Aichi, Gifu, Mie, Nagano, Toyama, Ishikawa, Fukui
Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Shiga, Hyogo, Wakayama

JR Tokai Tours at Kyoto Station

JR Central Shinkansen Timetable

Puratto Kodama official site in Japanese

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Access to Oakwood Shinjuku from Shinjuku Station

2008-08-20T17:45:00.020+09:00

7th March, 2011
This establishment seems to have been closed.

Oakwood Shinjuku mainly caters to those staying for a long time. It's a reputable establishment. There are a lot of shops and restaurants in the vicinity.

In case you head to Shinjuku from Narita Airport by Narita Express, you might want to change to a Chuo-Sobu local train to Okubo and walk there.

Distance from Shinjuku and Okubo Stations

Index on this page (link to each item)

1) Access info from the Shinjuku Station Narita Express platform via Okubo Station

2) Access info from JR Shinjuku Station West Exit

3) Access info from the limousine bus stop from Narita Airport

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

1) Access from the Shinjuku Station Narita Express platform via Okubo Station

Link to the Shinjuku Station Map. NEX will arrive on platform #5 or 6

First, get off the Narita Express at Shinjuku.

Stairs with signboard: Then go upstairs to the southernmost, Shibuya side overhead hallway by escalator.

Hallway: Walk toward platform #16 to catch the Sobu-Chuo Local train.

Go down to platform #16 by escalator.

Sobu-Chuo Line local train: You are supposed to take one of them to Okubo, next stop.

Next stop Okubo is shown on this LED just above the doors.

After getting off the train, head toward the south exit.

Go downstairs to clear the turnstile.
Then turn on the right and soon turn left, then walk diagonally.

Map directions from Okubo Station to Oakwood

Keep walking until you encounter the Odakibashi-Dori.

This is the Odakibashi-Dori. Head straight toward Shinjuku on the left side walkway.
Then you'll find the Oakwood soon on your left.

Oakwood entrance

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

2) Access from JR Shinjuku Station West Exit

Link to the navigation from the Narita Express platform to the West Exit

Clear the West Exit turnstile.

Walk through the crowds to find this signpost. ( Stairs #1 )

Go up to the ground level.

Then start to walk down the curbside on the right all the way.

Keep walking.

Go on walking. Then cross the intersection ahead.

The view from the intersection

Then you pass this book store. You are now very close to Oakwood.

Oakwood entrance.

----- ----- ----- ----- -----

3) Access from the limousine bus stop from Narita Airport

The coach arrives at bus stop #23. Walk backward for awhile, then follow this navigation.

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Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen fare table on Hikari and Kodama

2008-08-19T20:58:00.013+09:00

The chart below is a shoulder season one way fare table in the reserved section of Hikari and Kodama on Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen. The prices include both the base fare and the reservation fees. The non-reserved section prices are 510 yen cheaper, and they don't fluctuate all year round.

The prices in the reserved section vary depending on the season.
Off peak: -200
On peak: +200

Distance	Stations	Tokyo	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
6.8	Shinagawa	*1,000	Shinagawa	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
28:8	S.Yoko*2	*1,320	*1,240	S.Yoko	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
83.9	Odawara	3,640	3,470	*1,900	Odawara	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
366.0	Nagoya	10,580	10,580	9,950	8,700	Nagoya	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
445.9	Maibara	12,060	12,060	11,540	10,580	3,470	Maibara	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
513.6	Kyoto	13,220	13,220	12,590	11,750	5,440	*2,060	Kyoto	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
552.6	Shin-Osaka	13,750	13,750	13,430	12,270	6,180	4,810	*1,380	Shin-Osaka	-	-	-	-	-	-
589.5	Shin-Kobe	14,270	14,270	13,960	13,220	7,650	5,440	3,240	*1,450	Shin-Kobe	-	-	-	-	-
644.3	Himeji	15,210	15,210	15,000	13,960	8,380	6,180	5,130	3,640	3,140	Himeji	-	-	-	-
732.9	Okayama	16,360	16,360	16,040	15,210	10,580	8,700	7,330	5,860	5,440	3,640	Okayama	-	-	-
894.2	Hiroshima	18,050	18,050	17,740	17,530	13,430	12,060	10,790	9,950	9,740	8,070	5,860	Hiroshima	-	-
1107.7	Kokura	21,090	21,090	20,570	20,050	16,360	15,210	14,270	13,750	13,430	12,270	10,580	7,330	Kokura	-
1174.9	Hakata	21,720	21,720	21,410	20,570	17,530	16,360	15,210	14,590	14,270	13,430	12,060	8,700	*2,050	Hakata

Legend:
* = Prices in non-reserved section
*2 = Shin-Yokohama

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