JAPAN PRACTICALITIES

ARRIVING AT TOKYO NARITA AIRPORT

Tokyo Narita Airport is located 40 miles from the centre of Tokyo, but getting into the centre need not be difficult.The most economical ways are on the Narita Express Train or the Airport Limousine Bus.

Narita Express - http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex/index.html

Narita Express called "N'EX" provides rapid, frequent, and comfortable service to passengers travelling between Narita International Airport and Tokyo Metropolitan areas. N'EX takes just 53 minutes to cover the distance between Narita Airport and Tokyo Station. Please note you can get the train directly to/from Shinagawa Station where the hotel is located. This service is available on the JR Rail Pass or a single journey costs from Y2950 (£15)

Timetable from Shinagawa to Narita Airport http://www.jreast.co.jp/nex/timetable/to_narita/yokohama/index.html

Timetable from Narita Airport to Shinagawa

http://www.jreast.co.jp/nex/timetable/from_narita/yokohama/index.html

Airport Limousine - http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/e/rosenbus/rosen_untin_n.html

Click on the link above for timetable and fare information. This is our recommended way to get from the airport. The bus will drop you at our recommended hotel - the Shinagawa Prince Hotel. The journey time depends on traffic obviously but will be roughly 1½ hrs. We can book this for you and arrange to have someone meet you on arrival at Tokyo to hand over your tickets.

GETTING AROUND TOKYO

Despite Tokyo’s size, it’s a remarkably easy city to get around – thanks to one of the most comprehensive and efficient train and subway systems in the world. It is also a great walking city, exploring on foot along main thoroughfares and down tiny local streets, is the best way to get a feel for the distinctive character of the city’s many and varied areas.

The Yamanote Line gets you around most sites in Tokyo and is the easiest way to navigate Tokyo. The subway system is vast and some stations welcome over 2 million people per day. Shinjuku Subway Station has some corridors that are over 3kms long!

The Yamanote Line is similar to the London Circle Line. Shinagawa Station (opposite the hotel) is on this line. You can get almost everywhere from one of its stations and it’s also a cheap way to travel. Single tickets cost from 90pence – much cheaper than the London Underground!

DAY TOURS

Day tours in Japan work differently than in other Asian countries. You are slightly ‘herded’ around like sheep and most tours will be on a 52-seater coach rather than on an individual basis.

Private tours can be arranged but are vastly expensive, as there is a shortage of specialist English-speaking guides. Basically, the only reason you would take a private tour is if you are royalty or a millionaire!

The most popular day tours from Tokyo are:

Nikko 1 Day Tour

Morning Tokyo City Tour

Full Day City Tour

Mt. Fuji & Hakone – (coach)

Mt. Fuji & Hakone – (train)

You will be picked up from your hotel, but please note that there will be several other hotel pick-ups before you set off on your tour. This can be quite frustrating!

Expect to spend at least 1 hour on the bus before you depart on your tour.

Your tour guide will speak English, but will not expect a tip at the end of the day.

Please note some tours will not drop you off at your hotel but in a centrally located area in Tokyo. The guides will advise you of the best way to get back to your hotel, which will probably include a journey on the public transport system.

Taxis in Tokyo are very expensive due to the amount of traffic.

RYOKANS

Ryokan can vary from traditional wooden structures to modern ones that my look like large hotels from the outside. Large or small, the warm welcome by a kimono-clad mistress or staff will tell you that you are in for a treat.

Ryokan are accommodations, but to Japanese travellers they stand for more. Ryokan bring the best in food, service and traditional atmosphere. These unique Japanese-style inns allow guests to appreciate the traditional culture of Japan in capsular form.

After checking in – you will be guided to your room by a hostess who will continue to look after you during your stay. At the entryway of your room, you remove your shoes and enter the room.

You are encouraged to change into your Yukata or Tanzen robes to enjoy the Ryokan mood. You will be served green tea and will ask you what time you would like dinner.

Rooms are multi-purpose, as they serve as the living room during the day. At dinnertime, your room becomes a dining room. A maid will arrange dishes on your table so you can enjoy your meal in privacy. At bedtime, your room again undergoes a transformation, into a bedroom. The maid will spread your futon mattress out on the tatami floor.

Ryokan Top Tips

Checking in and out

Two meals, breakfast and dinner (excluding alcohol) are usually included. A service charge may also be found in addition to taxes. Tipping is not expected nor encouraged, but a small amount in an envelope or wrapped in a clean tissue may be presented to your maid if you are happy with the service.

Dining

Dinner and breakfast are customarily set ahead of time according to the seasons, with alcoholic beverages added to your bill. Ryokan chefs display their skills and often include local specialities. Breakfast is much simpler than dinner, but will either be Japanese or Western. Unless you like raw fish for breakfast, I would recommend the Western version of orange juice, scrambled eggs and toast!

Bathing

Most Ryokan have one or two large communal baths, and sometimes a roten-buro. Some also have smaller baths and all offer private facilities.

Before entering the bathing area, remove your yukata in the changing area, and then proceed to the bathing area.

Before getting into the bath, you must wash yourself at the showers. This is really important, as it is one of the biggest Taboo’s in Japan to get into the bath and then begin washing – be warned!

Frequently Asked Questiona About Japan

 

Q = How do we change our Japan Rail Pass?

We will send you an Exchange Order for the JR Pass with your final tickets. On arrival in Japan, take this pass together with your passport to any main train station travel agency. There is one in the Shinagawa Train Station, close to our recommended Tokyo hotel. This can also be done on arrival at Tokyo airport.

Hand over the Exchange Order to the agency staff together with your passport. They will then give you a ‘Japan Rail Pass’. You must tell them the date you want it to be valid from and they will issue accordingly.

Q = Can we make seat reservations and book specific trains?

Yes. We can book specific trains for you via our ground operator in Japan or you can reserve seats (free of charge) by taking your JR Pass to the station. The ticket you receive will have the track number, carriage and seat number printed on it. You will need to specify smoking or non-smoking.

Q = Do the station staff speak English, what about platform signs?

After the World Cup was held in Japan a few years ago, almost all stations along the JR network have English signs as well as Japanese and most larger stations in the bigger cities have English speaking staff. It is easy to find your way to the platform you need, you just have to use your common sense. If you ask for directions from passers-by, try to choose the younger generation – it is more likely they will speak English.

Q = If we want to be met on arrival at the platform, is this possible?

Yes. Our ground operator can arrange to have an English-speaking guide to meet you from the train at the platform and accompany them to their hotel. This is obviously a more expensive option costing from £50 upwards. Please ask us if you would like to arrange this.

Q = Is the language barrier generally a problem?

The Japanese people are a very proud nation and may not feel comfortable admitting they speak English in case you ‘laugh at them’. If you ask a Japanese person if they speak English and they say ‘no’, ask them if they speak ‘a little’ they will almost always then say yes.

English is compulsory at school for 6 years, although most Japanese do not speak English after they leave, unless they are in the tourist industry.