First time to Tokyo and beyond

[bigjobs]

hi folks, first time to Japan coming up in a few weeks. we are flying in on QF from BNE to NRT. We are going to stay in the Ueno area for a couple of nights and then head up to Nozawa Onsen for some boarding and snow action.

I am wondering about the train from NRT to Ueno. Is there a best site to look at to gather information on tickets, location of stations etc.

We will get the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Ueno to Nozawa station and then a 20 min bus ride to Nozawa Onsen itself. Any info on the best site for tickets, times etc would be appreciated.

any other tips welcomed also.

thanks in advance.

 

[Denali]

Can't help you but LOVED Japan, have a great trip!

 

[Denali]

Oh. If you haven't already checked it out, www.hyperdia.com for trains schedules, platforms ect. Fantastic resource, got us around Japan as their rail system works so well.

 

[ashleyn]

I can't help with specific info but my experience with Japan trains is; 1 Never run for a train. Stop, check and check again. There are so many it can be a bit confusing. 2. The operators selling tickets spoke little English but read it well. So have your destination written down to show them. They often typed a platform number, etc on their calculator to make it clear. 3. Without a rail pass, train fares seemed very expensive.

 

[ermen]

hi folks, first time to Japan coming up in a few weeks. we are flying in on QF from BNE to NRT. We are going to stay in the Ueno area for a couple of nights and then head up to Nozawa Onsen for some boarding and snow action.

I am wondering about the train from NRT to Ueno. Is there a best site to look at to gather information on tickets, location of stations etc.

We will get the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Ueno to Nozawa station and then a 20 min bus ride to Nozawa Onsen itself. Any info on the best site for tickets, times etc would be appreciated.

any other tips welcomed also.

thanks in advance.

as denali mentioned upthread - www.hyperdia.com is your friend

From NRT to Ueno - you will probably be better off taking the Keisei Skyliner which drops you off directly at Ueno station (note that you can't use the JR pass on the Keisei trains). You can buy tickets for this online in advance too.

 

[drron]

For trains Hyperpedia is your friend.But remember Japanese trains run on time.They are not going to wait for latecomers.
Another site I have just found seems to be very useful for hotels and restaurants.They give you ones that do understand English and restaurants that have English menus.
Jalan : Japan Hotels & Ryokan Booking Site

 

[Jacques Vert]

If you are considering a Rail Pass, be aware that there are many types; including regional passes that may be better suited to your itinerary.

I haven't used one myself but it would seem that the regional JR east Nagano Niigata area pass may be good value for you. See here: https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/pass-regional/east/jr-east-nagano-niigata-area-pass (Make sure it covers the area and trains you want.)

It covers 5 flexible days over a 14 day period for $A227 versus the full Rail Pass @ $339 for 7 consecutive days, $542 for 14, etc.

Other members of our community may be able to provide more information on this one.

 

[Denali]

We used a Rail Pass for our trip to Japan, splurged and got the Green (first) cabins but we also had quite a few distance trips to make it worth while financially but it was very handy for city/suburban rail trips.

Worth to mention, you cant use the rail pass for the Nozomi trains (faster than bullet) and it doesnt include a number of city subways so just check, eg in Osaka but we bought a 2 day tourist pass for subways.

Unless its changed, you have to purchase the JR rail pass before you arrive in Japan and activate it when you get there.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Unless its changed, you have to purchase the JR rail pass before you arrive in Japan and activate it when you get there.

Yes; still the case that you must buy it before you get to Japan AFAIK.

 

[Matt_01]

Stayed in Ueno a few times, not the flashest part of Tokyo, reasonably priced business hotels. From NRT the easiest is the Keisei Skyliner it will go to Ueno, however this is not the main Ueno station that the JR, Metro and Shankinsen use they next to each other 2-3 minutes walk. Like as others have said Hyperdia is a good app if you are not familiar with the Japanese rail system. If you are only taking a single return shinkansen trip I would check out the pricing on hyperdia fist, it may be cheaper than buying a JR Pass. If to are only in Ueno for a few days you can get a 3 day metro card for around $15. JR passes do not work on the metro lines. Also if your are travelling with check-in sized luggage, skis, snowboards etc, when you get on the shinkansen try to get (or reserve) the last row in any carriage in the direction of travel. You can use the space behind the seat as storage, the Japanese use luggage forwarding services and travel very light on the trains.

Depending what you like doing there are a number of museums and the zoo in Ueno Park and they are worth a look if that interests you. Kappabashi St is about a 10 minute walk from Ueno and is all things cooking related, plates, knives, flatware, pots pans ect. Asakusa is also very close, bit of a tourist hub.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Stayed in Ueno a few times, not the flashest part of Tokyo, reasonably priced business hotels. From NRT the easiest is the Keisei Skyliner it will go to Ueno, however this is not the main Ueno station that the JR, Metro and Shankinsen use they next to each other 2-3 minutes walk. Like as others have said Hyperdia is a good app if you are not familiar with the Japanese rail system. If you are only taking a single return shinkansen trip I would check out the pricing on hyperdia fist, it may be cheaper than buying a JR Pass. If to are only in Ueno for a few days you can get a 3 day metro card for around $15.

I agree with all of the above.

JR passes do not work on the metro lines.

I presume you are referring to the full JR pass? I have been advised (by email from japan-rail-pass.com) that the regional JR East pass does cover the JR metro lines in Tokyo. Note that I haven't actually done this myself. (But not the Keisei Skyliner as you correctly point out.)

Worth to mention, you cant use the rail pass for the Nozomi trains (faster than bullet)

True, but the regional pass does cover the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Nozawa (again according to japan-rail-pass.com).

 

[kearvaigskewer]

Unless its changed, you have to purchase the JR rail pass before you arrive in Japan and activate it when you get there.

It is possible to buy a JR pass in Japan now but only at limited stations and it is more expensive than buying outside Japan.

Google Maps directions also cover most public transport in Japan now and can be quite useful for planning routes.

 

[Matt_01]

I presume you are referring to the full JR pass? I have been advised (by email from japan-rail-pass.com) that the regional JR East pass does cover the JR metro lines in Tokyo. Note that I haven't actually done this myself. (But not the Keisei Skyliner as you correctly point out.)

Yes I am referring to the full JR pass. The other option you may want to consider is getting a Pasmo or Suica card. They are the same type of card as the opal, metrocard myki etc. but on steroi_s. You can also use these at shops, 7/11, vending machines etc. I have not checked for a while, you can get your unused balance and card fee back free of charge with Pasmo. Suica on the other hand charge (or used to) a small admin fee to process the refund. I have the Suica and just reuse it each time I go back.

A point on Ueno as this is you first visit to Tokyo, Ueno was a trationally a working class area and to an extent still is. Like all major cities Tokyo thas a proportion of homeless people, in most parts parts of Tokyo you do not notice this, Ueno is different you will most likely see large numbers around the railway station. Also some of the western norms are not acceptable in Japan. If you are planning to go to the Onsen (highly recommended) if you happen to have tattoos be prepared to cover them up, most Onsens will not allow entry if you have visible tattoos.

 

[Cynicor]

They mean JR passes do not work on subways. I suggest it's easier to just load up a pasmo or suica card and use that, unless you have run the numbers and will clearly come out ahead on a JR pass. Being able to use any station nearby without worry about getting "value" and sticking to JR lines is really useful.
And agree about not running for trains, the only exception is if travelling at 11pm or so, when making connections becomes critical, or if you are going for one of a few/single trains per day route.

Shinkansen to Hakuba would be relatively straightforward if you don't have much gear, but multiple transfers can be an absolute pain in the cough if you have a bit of luggage. Luckily Nozawa has better connections I believe, and Ueno is a central station itself.

I'd take the Skyliner for the airport trip.

 

[Matt_01]

Worth to mention, you cant use the rail pass for the Nozomi trains (faster than bullet) and it doesnt include a number of city subways so just check, eg in Osaka but we bought a 2 day tourist pass for subways.

The Nozomi trains are exactly the same as the Hikari, i.e N700 series Shinkansen. The only real difference is the number of stops. They are both the same equipment bullet trains that travel at the same top end speed the Nozomi just do not need to slow down and speed up at as many stops (semantics). So point A to B you are correct the Nozomi is faster. I am more of a train nerd than plane nerd.

 

[Cynicor]

So Denali was completely correct at the end of all that?

 

[Fifa]

We have just left Nozawa Onsen...
The shinkansen actually goes to Iiyama Station and from there it is a 600yen local bus to Nozawa. You do not need to pre-purchase the train tickets - a reserved seat is 8,220yen at Ueno station.
An alternative which we did is a highway bus from Shinjuku to Nagano, 11 minute shinkansen to Iiyama then the local bus. This combination was half the cost of the shinkansen/bus combination (the highway bus company we used was WIller Express and tickets were 3,000yen purchased online)

 

[offshore171]

The other option you may want to consider is getting a Pasmo or Suica card. They are the same type of card as the opal, metrocard myki etc. but on steroi_s. You can also use these at shops, 7/11, vending machines etc.

Absolutely. If there's only one piece of advice for going to Tokyo, it's to get a Suica card. As you say, it means you can use any station nearby without having to think about it. This makes you so mobile that you just want to get out and explore.

And just as importantly, you can use it for all those small purchases at convenience stores, which means you don't end up with a wallet full of shrapnel.

They are valid for 10 years of inactivity, I'm still using the one I got in 2007.

 

[craven morehead]

Following along just a little late aboard !

 

[bigjobs]

we are in Tokyo for 3 nights. might look at the Suica card.

Keisei Skyliner is sorted.

we are making a return trip from Ueno to Iiyama Station (to get to Nozawa Onsen). it seems like a JR Pass is not for us due to making the one single return trip. From what I have found, we can just purchased a round trip ticket at the station in Ueno where the Hokuriku Shinkansen leaves from on the morning we are leaving for Nozawa Onsen. Does this sound correct to those of you who know?