| During the last 12 years I have visited Japan a total of
sixteen times and have travelled to many parts of the country, from Kitami in the North of
Hokkaido to Okinawa in the South. My last visit was in November when I visited
Tokyo, Yokohama, Kanazawa, Shimonoseki and Hagi City. These pages will offer some
information for the first time traveller to Japan which may prove useful. |
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| Click here for the best
day trip from Tokyo
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Thanks
to a new website, launched recently by, the JR East company, over- seas visitors are now
able to make rail reservations from outside Japan for the first time. The 'eki-net' Travel
Service Website allows users to reserve seats up to one month in advance on all Shinkansen
(Super Express) trains throughout the country, as well as the Narita Express from
Narita into Tokyo. Reserved tickets can he collected at any JR East Reservation ticket
office or View Plaza (Travel Service Center)
within the JR East Service area, which includes Tokyo. Payment
for the tick- et. can he made using a credit card. For further information see
www.world.eki-net.com
Japan By Rail
Written by Ramsey Zarifeh, the book has everything you need to
know about travelling in Japan by rail, including rail-passes and prices,
km-by,-km route guides, route maps, and time tables. As well as where
to stay. |
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- If you wish to drive a car while in Japan, you must obtain an
international driver's license in your home country. However, some countries, such as
Germany and Switzerland, do not have a reciprocal agreement with Japan to honour an
international driving permit. If your international driving permit is issued by a Geneva
Treaty member country, you can use it in Japan.
The Japan Automobile Federation publishes a " Rules of the Road " driving guide
in English. Phone JAF at (03)3436-2811 and ask for the International Affairs Department to
obtain further information. A "Metropolitan Expressway" map in English is
available from the Metropolitan Expressway Public Corporation at (03)3502-7311 in Tokyo.
If you intend travelling long distances in Japan then before leaving
consider buying a JR Rail Pass. This rail pass will give unlimited rail travel for the
period you choose, usually either one or two weeks. If you know where you are going you
can phone the Japan tourist office and they will tell you the fares and the cost of a rail
pass you can then calculate if it is worth buying a rail pass. The rail pass must be
bought before you leave. A leaflet explaining it's use can be obtained from the helpful
staff at Japan Tourist Office.
A one week rail pass will cost you 28,000 yen, this is less than the cost of a round trip
Tokyo / Kyoto.
This is the UK address of The Japan Tourist Organisation.
5th Floor Heathcoat House, 20 Savile Row, London W1X 1AE.
Phone 0171 7349638 Fax 0171 7344290
E-mail: jntolon@dircon.co.uk - URL www.jnto.go.jp
The Narita Express |
On arrival at Narita there is a choice of methods to travel into
central Tokyo. If you have a JR Rail Pass then the best way is the Narita Express (NEX).
If you do not have a rail pass then the cheapest method is an ordinary limited express,
ask at the JR ticket office the staff speak English. The next cheapest is the Skyliner
this goes to Ueno station not Tokyo but it is not far on the subway from Ueno to Tokyo
station. The most expensive apart from a taxi is the bus and is not recommended. All these
services are plainly marked in English in the arrivals hall. |
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