Navigation from JR Shinjuku Station to Shinjuku Keio Highway Bus Terminal

Shinjuku Keio Highway Bus Terminal

Quite a few buses operate at Shinjuku Keio Highway Bus Terminal for Mt Fuji etc. This time I'd direct you from JR Shinjuku Station to the bus depot.

Shinjuku Station map

Aerial view

The path on the map

We are heading in the direction of Keio Line Ticket Gate from Central East Ticket Gate area walking the second right underground hallway colored in blue on the map.





Walk down the hallway following the signposts toward Central West Exit.



This is Central West Exit. It might be useful for those who head to Keio Plaza Hotel or Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. But we don't exit from here this time.



Walk toward Keio Shinjuku Station.





Go downstairs and walk down another hallway, then go upstairs.



Then we clear the other Central West Exit.





As soon as you see this signpost, go upstairs to the ground level.



You'll find the bus depot on your left soon after you reach the ground level. The red neon is Yodobashi Camera's, and you see Keio Plaza Hotel over there.

Those who go to Kadoya Hotel, walk down this street, cross the street and turn to the left at the corner with a Lowson. Then you're there.


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The way to Hokkaido from Tokyo part 1

Hokkaido boasts its magnificent nature, tasty seafood and product and heartwarming people. Good seasons to visit there are late spring, whole summer and early autumn. The winter there is very harsh, though the Sapporo Snow Festival is very popular.

1) By train ( Honestly not recommended unless you have the JR Pass.)



a) Connections from Tokyo to Sapporo



Larger table


b) Connections from Sapporo to Tokyo



Larger table

Legend:
Hayate: Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate ( All seats are reserved on this train.)
S.Hakucho, or Hakucho: Limited express Super Hakucho, or Hakucho
Tsugaru: Limited express Tsugaru
S.Hokuto, or Hokuto: Limited express Super Hokuto, or Hokuto
Cassiopeia: Overnight sleeper limited express Cassiopeia ( This train caters to only two persons travelling together.)
Hokutosei: Overnight sleeper limited express Hokutosei
Hamanasu: Overnight express Hamanasu with sleeper carriages attached.


c) Prices

(1) Combination of Hayate, Hakucho and Hokuto in reserved seats

From Tokyo to	Full fare	Japan Rail Pass holders
Hakodate	18,750 yen	Free
Sapporo	22,78o yen	Free

Four bedded B class open compartment on Hamanasu and Hokutosei trains.

(2) Combination of Hayate, Tsugaru and Hamanasu

From Tokyo to	Full fare	Japan Rail Pass holders	Remarks
Hakodate in reserved seats	19,020	Free	Including the carpeted car compartment on Hamanasu
Sapporo in reserved seats	21,650 yen	Free	Including the carpeted car compartment on Hamanasu
Sapporo in reserved seats and berth	27,700 yen	7,560 yen	Sleeper berth on Hamanasu

Guidance of accommodation om Hamanasu ( photo images):

Photos provided by JR Hokkaido

- Sleeper berth: Upper left image in the link.
- Carpeted car semi compartment: Upper right image in the link
- Reserved seat called 'Dream Car': Lower left image in the link

(3) Travelling on Cassiopeia ( The entire train is designed for two persons travelling together.)

From Ueno to	Full fare	JR Pass holders	Remarks
Hakodate on Suite	42,370 yen	31,340yen	Prices are per person
Hakodate on Twin	30,230 yen	19,200yen	Prices are per person
Sapporo on Suite	44,460 yen	31,340yen	Prices are per person
Sapporo on Twin	32,320 yen	19,200yen	Prices are per person

Cassiopeia Suite images / The compartment is equipped with toilet, washing basin and shower.
Cassiopeia Twin images / The compartment is equipped with toilet and washing basin.
Images of Dining Car and Lounge Car

(4) Travelling on Hokutosei

From Ueno to	Full fare	JR Pass holders	Remarks
Sapporo in Royal	36,150 yen	23,030 yen	--
Sapporo in Twin Deluxe	32,320 yen	19,200 yen	Per person
Sapporo in Solo	25,270 yen	12,150 yen	--
Sapporo in Duet	25,270 yen	12,150 yen	Per person

Link to interior images provided by JR East

First photo: Outer image of the train
Second one: Compartment in Royal / Equipped with shower, toilet and wash basin.
Third one: Compartment in Twin Deluxe
Fourth one: Compartment in Duet
Fifth one: Compartment in Solo

The prices in the open compartment sleeper berth ( image above in this page) are same as in Solo.

(4) Discount unlimited travel ticket in Hokkaido with a return trip from Tokyo, named 'Gururi Hokkaido Kippu' or 'Unlimited travel ticket throughout Hokkaido'

This ticket entitles you to travel in the Solo or the open compartment berth on Hokutosei without surcharge, or the Shinkansen and limited express trains to get to Hokkaido from Tokyo. The open compartment berth on Hamanasu is also allowed to use.
Once you are in Hokkaido, you can use this ticket like the JR Pass.

Prices from Tokyo:
45,200 yen ( between July and September)
35,700 yen ( other months than above)

Blackout periods:
27 April to 6 May, 11 August to 20 August and 28 December to 6 January

Validity: 5 days, however if you take the Hokutosei on the 5th day from Sapporo, the ticket is valid until the final stop, Ueno on the 6th day.

Notice in Japanese

(5) Hokkaido and East Japan Pass, valid only on local, rapid trains and in the non-reserved section of the express Hamanasu.

Price: 10,000 yen
Validity: 5 days on local and rapid trains, non-reserved seat in Hamanasu in JR East, Hokkaido, Hokuetsu Kyuko Line, Aoimori Line and IGR Line

Sales periods:
Summer: 27 June to 11 September 2008
Winter: 23 November 2008 to 21 January 2009

Travel periods:
Summer: 11 July to 15 September 2008
Winter: 28 November 2008 to 25 January 2009

Connection search:
Hyperdia
I'd show model connections sometime.

Access to Keio Plaza Hotel from Shinjuku Station

Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku is one of the very reputable hotels in Tokyo. Because of it's huge capacity on top, many tourists stay there. I'll feature the way to there from inside JR Shinjuku Station via West exit.

I covered other people's faces on the images to protect their privacy. I'm sorry for lowering the quality of the photos...

For those who head to Keio Plaza Shinjuku from Narita Airport, I'd also recommend using the limousine bus besides the Narita Express. According to a rep at Limousine Bus company, it's not always the case the duration from NRT to Keio Plaza exceeds 2 hours. The convenience that you can directly get to the hotel from the airport is hard to beat in one hand.

NRT Limousine Bus timetable from and to the hotels in Shinjuku
Limousine and Metropass for 3,100 yen


Link to JR Shinjuku Station map
The west exit is located on the middle right on the map.

Link to Keio Plaza official site



The red line indicates the route from the Shinjuku Station West Exit. The green line indicates the route from the Narita Express platform #5 and 6 to the west exit.
( Google Map )



Walk down the hallway located on the first right on the Shinjuku Station map toward the west gate.



Clear the west exit.



If you're not confident on how to get to the hotel, inquire the police officer of the way. Even though they don't speak English, with only the word of your destination they will understand and assist you.



Follow the signboard directions.



Keep walking on the left side of the roundabout. In case your luggage is heavy, and you don't feel like walking anymore, catch a taxi from the rank on the right of this photo. It's slightly less than 10 minutes walk from here.



Go on walking.



Walk down until you get out of this underground walkway, then you will soon spot Keio Plaza on your left.

Enjoy your stay!


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Transfer between Shinkansen and Yamanote Line at Shinagawa

Now that all the Tokaido Shinkansen trains stop at Shinagawa, connections between Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro have become much more convenient than before.
This time I'd show how to transfer from Shinkansen to Yamanote Line and Narita Express at Shinagawa Station.

Link to Shinagawa Station map


The Shinkansen train arrives on track #21 or 22.
This photo was taken at another station.


Shinkansen Shinagawa south transfer exit ( located on the left side on the map.)


As soon as you exit the Shinkansen premises, turn on the right, and go straight on. Those who catch the Yamanote Line, walk to the end of the hallway.


Those who head to Narita Airport by Narita Express, turn to the right as soon as you see this signpost, and go downstairs. There is a lift on the right on this photo.


The Narita Express leaves from #13 except for the ones originating at this station. They leave from #14, the opposite side on the platform.


Narita Express


When you spot this signboard, go downstairs. The Shibuya, Shinjuku bound train leaves from #2 and Shimbashi bound from #1.

If you'd like use the elevator to the Yamanote Line track, follow the signposts shown below:



First turn to the left, and keep walking.




Turn to the right at the corner.




Then you'll find the lift on your right. A bit of a walk from the Shinkansen track.




Then take the train to your destination.


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Transfer from Narita Express to Shinkansen at Tokyo and Shinagawa Stations

--Index (Link to each item)--

1) Transfer at Tokyo Station

2) Transfer at Shinagawa Station ( to the Tokaido Shinkansen )



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


1) Transfer at Tokyo Station

Link to Tokyo Station map




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


First take the escalator to the besement 4.


Then another one to the basement 1.


Walk to the escalator to get to the ground level.


Go up to the ground level.


Then proceed to the Shinkansen entrance following the signboards.


Head diagonally forward left.


This is the Tokaido Shinkansen central transfer entrance.


This is the Tohoku, Joetsu Shinkansen central transfefr entrance.

The whole process will take 10 to 15 minutes.

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


2) Transfer at Shinagawa Station ( to the Tokaido Shinkansen )

Link to Shinagawa Station map
I took the directory photos via the hallway on the left on the map ( in pink ).


The Narita Express arrives on track #15.


Go upstairs by escalator.


As soon as you leave the escalator, turn on the left.


You can see the signpost directing you to the Shinkansen track immediately.



There is a spacious waiting area on the Shinkansen premises before you clear the turnstile.


Shinkansen entrance turnstiles. The Kyoto, Osaka bound tracks are #23 and 24.

It's much simpler to change trains at Shinagawa than at Tokyo, as you have noticed.


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