Originally Posted By Mr X That's pretty much what I thought too, Roger. If it's JUST for one bullet train ticket, it's not worth it. BUT, if you plan to use local trains at all, you should do the math and think about how much you'll use the trains over the course of a week or whatever. Man, if *I* were coming to Japan as a tourist, I'd buy that pass and travel like CRAZY for a week (you could literally get thousands of dollars worth of travel, for the cost that Roger mentioned). How is Osaka, anyway? Having fun? Too bad you weren't there a few days ago, we could've checked out Universal together!
Originally Posted By paulyahoo I've calculated all of our upcoming JR expenses and as I said earlier we would barely break even on the 2 weeks pass (including the Narita express, shinkansens, trips to Maihama etc.) We were forced to go to Osaka earlier to catch the Neverland show in USJ, that's why the one week pass is not worth the hassle (we won't be able to use it for airport transfers.)
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi If a 7-day pass costs $250, that's 30,000 yen. Just checking the Shinkansen trips, it's at least 27,000. Adding the 3,000 for a one-way trip on the Narita Express. You are already even. So I would get it. Like Mr. X said, I would milk that pass and try to sneak a trip to Kyoto. I don't qualify for it either. :-( -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By paulyahoo Is it convenient to go through manned gates on JR stations? Is it difficult for foreigners to get reserved seats? We're just back from France and bullet trains is no wonder for us Though of course TGVs are not so outrageously priced.
Originally Posted By SuperDry <<< Is it convenient to go through manned gates on JR stations? >>> It is very convenient. Just open the pass and show it to the person at the window as you walk by - you don't even need to stop. If you plan to do a lot of shinkansen travel, this can be an unpublished advantage, as if you're willing to go with unreserved seating, you never need to get an actual ticket for each journey - just show your pass at the window as you enter and leave the station, and again to the conductor on the train. <<< Is it difficult for foreigners to get reserved seats? >>> It's not that difficult, although don't expect to carry on a conversation with the ticket agent (unless you speak Japanese of course). Show your pass and know the name of the station where you want to go. If you want the "next train" then it's really simple, otherwise just write down the date and time when you want to leave.
Originally Posted By paulyahoo Thank you for all your suggestions. I still have some time to think while ANA holds my reservation...
Originally Posted By Mr X A flight would certainly be nice (I know a lot of people that have flown, and it seems the easiest way by far since Haneda airport is right in downtown Tokyo). Another couple of things to consider...you will be taking the train to and from the airports right? Even that expense alone will probably be about $10-15 per person (again, that foreigners pass is handy!). And how often do you plan to use the trains while you're exploring Tokyo and Osaka. Like MN said, if you are staying in Osaka for a couple of days it's a GREAT jumping off point to Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe as well. Normally you would take local trains to all those places, but with the shinkansen pass you could have some nice, speedy trips without too much wasted travel time (in fact, you could even stop off in Kyoto for a half day on your way to or from Tokyo...DEFINITELY worth the stopover I think).
Originally Posted By paulyahoo Our itinerary is the following: 4 nights in Tokyo (with 3 full days in TDR,) then 3 nights in Osaka (1 day in USJ,) then 1 night in Kyoto, then back to Tokyo for 4 more nights. It seems Keisei Skyliner is more convenient for us to reach Crowne Plaza in Ikebukuro. We're not in a hurry on the way back to Narita, so we will probably take an ordinary JR train. Since only the one week JR pass is an option for us, we would use it right in the middle of our trip to go to Osaka and Kyoto.
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi You probably know this already, but if you're staying at the Crowne Plaza in Ikebukuro, use Metro Yurakucho Line to go to TDR. Take it to its final stop at Shin-Kiba, and transfer to JR line for Maihama. Very convenient route. From your hotel to TDR gates within 60min. Get yourself a PassNet card to serve your Metro and Disney Resort Line needs. That is, unless you plan to get a 3-day DRL pass. Good luck. -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By paulyahoo Is there any progress in Tokyo for allowing to use Suica cards for metro travel?
Originally Posted By paulyahoo MagicalNezumi, thank you for your tip about the metro. As I see, it's the fastest and cheapest route to go to Maihama.
Originally Posted By MagicalNezumi Glad to help out. JR SUICA cards are still primarily for JR lines only. -- MagicalNezumi
Originally Posted By SuperDry Also, for your situation, I'd recommend that you exchange your voucher for the JR pass at the airport upon arrival. The start date does NOT have to be the day to redeem it. Just tell them what you plan to do and they'll date your pass appropriately. You can also get your reservations and seat assignments for all of the Shinkansen segments at that time. The reason I suggest this is that the JR office at the airport has the best English-speaking staff, so you will have no problems at all if you do it there.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Not everyone needs to be in need of english speaking people in Japan SuperDry... I hardly ever need english help getting around on my own, especially in regards to trains.
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara TDLFAN is right, you don't need to speak Japanese and if you can't find an English speaker you'll be fine. Things are very clearly marked. I just did the Tokyo to Osaka and back one-day run in September for business. It took about 2:50 minutes each way on the bullet train and cost $250 for the ticket (regular class, not first). We caught a train at 9 p.m. to return to Tokyo and I was back at the Universe Hotel by midnight. A very exhausting trip and not one I'd recommend. Didn't even have time to get to Universal in Osaka!
Originally Posted By TDLFAN ^^Sacrilegious!! But when I was at Hotel Universe back in November.. I thought of you!
Originally Posted By Mr X Thought of WHO? Who is this person? Am I supposed to like her, or what (I assume that since she's posting "hello" on the Tokyo section, that this is a cool chick who is definitely an ally?)?
Originally Posted By The Goddess Mara I'm a guy, not a "chick." The Goddess in the temple at Indy is officially neither a man nor woman.
Originally Posted By TDLFAN Goddess, meet X, X..meets Goddess.. Ok that's it. I have no time right now as I am on my way to Paris. Will be back soon. I have some business to attend to at that park. Au resevoir!!!
Originally Posted By Mr X >>>I'm a guy, not a "chick."<<< Well, you threw me off with that "ess" part. Doncha think? ;p
