Where We Be
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| JAPAN TIPS |
Key Phrases: konichiwa = hello; arigato = thank you.
Transport: Purchase a Suica card when you first arrive in Tokyo
(minimum $10). It allows you to take the trains and subways all around
Tokyo and can be recharged. Ask for help the first time if needed.
Note that there are two transport systems in Tokyo -- a rail system and a
lower-level subway system. Both are useful depending on where you want
to go -- but we relied primarily on the rail system.
If you want to get a Japan Rail Pass for extensive travel around Japan, be
sure to do it while still in the U.S. You cannot buy it once you are in Japan.
An all-day bus pass ($5 pp) is very useful in Kyoto. Distances between
temples are far and the subway system doesn't reach all of them. With a
bus pass you can hop on and off as much as you want. Board the bus
from the back, then, when it's time to get off, head to the front and pay or
show your pass. (There's a change machine on the bus if needed.)
Transport: Purchase a Suica card when you first arrive in Tokyo
(minimum $10). It allows you to take the trains and subways all around
Tokyo and can be recharged. Ask for help the first time if needed.
Note that there are two transport systems in Tokyo -- a rail system and a
lower-level subway system. Both are useful depending on where you want
to go -- but we relied primarily on the rail system.
If you want to get a Japan Rail Pass for extensive travel around Japan, be
sure to do it while still in the U.S. You cannot buy it once you are in Japan.
An all-day bus pass ($5 pp) is very useful in Kyoto. Distances between
temples are far and the subway system doesn't reach all of them. With a
bus pass you can hop on and off as much as you want. Board the bus
from the back, then, when it's time to get off, head to the front and pay or
show your pass. (There's a change machine on the bus if needed.)
Best Time to Go: May is very pleasant, but if you want plum blossoms you
need to go around February, and for cherry blossoms around March. Fall
also looks to be spectacular. We'd love to see Japan in each of these
seasons because the temples and parks look different in each season.
Lodging: We liked the central location of the New Miyako Hotel in Kyoto.
Something near Kyoto Station is helpful since most buses stop here as well
as trains. The tourist information office at Kyoto Station was very helpful in
arranging lodgings. (We have no advice on Tokyo lodgings since we
stayed with Robin's cousin.)
Other Tips: Many signs are in Japanese only, so you may have to ask for
help more than usual. We needed help with getting our first Suica pass, for
instance, as well as getting tickets for our ride at Fuji-Q Park. Not everyone
speaks English, but those who do tend to be polite and helpful. Even those
who don't may be able to help you based on pantomiming your need. Most
of the Japanese we met seemed pleased we were visiting their country and
went out of their way to make our experience a success.
need to go around February, and for cherry blossoms around March. Fall
also looks to be spectacular. We'd love to see Japan in each of these
seasons because the temples and parks look different in each season.
Lodging: We liked the central location of the New Miyako Hotel in Kyoto.
Something near Kyoto Station is helpful since most buses stop here as well
as trains. The tourist information office at Kyoto Station was very helpful in
arranging lodgings. (We have no advice on Tokyo lodgings since we
stayed with Robin's cousin.)
Other Tips: Many signs are in Japanese only, so you may have to ask for
help more than usual. We needed help with getting our first Suica pass, for
instance, as well as getting tickets for our ride at Fuji-Q Park. Not everyone
speaks English, but those who do tend to be polite and helpful. Even those
who don't may be able to help you based on pantomiming your need. Most
of the Japanese we met seemed pleased we were visiting their country and
went out of their way to make our experience a success.
