Shibuya Subway Station, by Tadao Ando
The Shibuya Subway Station is famous for a number of reasons. It was designed by world renowned Japanese architect, Tadao Ando. It's design, in not surprising Tokyo cool, is egg shaped and intentionally designed to look like a spaceship. There are locations in the station where the design can se…(469 words)
mikekato
Shibuya Subway Tokyo Shopping Building Anime Arcade Film architecture
Follow the Yellow Brick Road in Tokyo
Have you seen a movie produced by Warner Brother’s call “The Wizard of Oz”？ In one of the parts, munchkins tell Dorothy, the Coward Lion, the Tin Man and the scarecrow to follow the yellow brick road. Well, this is almost like it to help people navigate from point a to b.When I came back to Jap…(394 words)
AustinA
Tokyo Train Yokohama Train station Osaka Nagoya May Movie view Lion
Destination Outside Tokyo? How to Use the Ticket Machines
For English speakers, the easiest way to purchase Shinkansen tickets will be by using the ticket machines. Lining up to purchase the tickets directly from an attendent will be much more time consuming and a pain since it is likely he or she will not speak English. The ticket machines have English g…(101 words)
GenS
Ticket Ticket machine Shinkansen Bullet Train Train
Go to Kamakura Using the Yokosuka Line in Japan
Living in Hodogaya, a stop on the Yokosuka Line, the Yokosuka Line is one of the trains I ride most frequently. The line itself runs between Yokosuka station in Kanagawa prefecture and Tokyo station. Many of its stops overlap with the Tokaido line but there are many points of distinction. First of …(200 words)
GenS
Train Japan Tokyo Yokohama Kamakura Airport Chiba Kanagawa Narita Express
Theft Prevention
Bike crime in Tokyo is certainly present, so locking up your bike is always a good choice. Because so many people ride bikes in Tokyo, the registration system is somewhat strict, and police will enforce the system by checking bike registration at random, to make sure that the bike belongs to you.…(201 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Police Bicycle
Wi-Fi for travelers in Japan: At the airport (1 of 2)
With the ubiquity of smartphones nowadays, the first thing many travelers want to do when reaching their destination is turn on and check in. Whether it is a mail to a loved one or boss, a check in with Facebook or Foursquare or a quick look at the news, flipping on your device and logging on is a…(422 words)
jdlawrence
Airport Internet Mobile Narita International Airport Wi-Fi Kansai Airplane Hotel Region
The Tokaido Line
The Tōkaidō Main Line is the busiest trunk line of the Japan Railways Group, connecting Tokyo and Kōbe stations. It is 589.5 km long, not counting its many freight feeder lines around the major cities. It runs 713.6 km including branch and feeder lines. It is run in cooperation with three railway…(313 words)
jdlawrence
Recline and Relax on the Green Car in Japan
The Green Car facility is offered on selected JR lines including the Shinkansen and the Tokaido and Yokosuka lines in the Tokyo area. Although it requires an extra charge, it is not too expensive and is worth it if you do not want to deal with packed trains and want to relax during rush hours. I us…(228 words)
GenS
Train Shinkansen Bullet Train Narita Express Tokyo
Tokyo's Tropical islands
Tokyo's outer islands are very diverse. Most of them are volcanic and some of them are quite far from the main part of Tokyo. Most of the main islands are accessible from Takeshiba Pier, where you can find Tokyo's main ferry terminal. Many of the main islands are also accessible by plane, from C…(302 words)
mikekato
Tokyo Beaches Airport Kanagawa Okinawa World Heritage Site Atami Shizuoka
Packed Trains, Bustling Streets, How to survive as a foreigner in Japan
You may see someone move to another seat when the person next to them starts to nod off as the sleepy passenger might actually accidentally rest their head on the person sitting next to them. Or, you might see someone who has partied too hard, stretched out sound asleep on a station bench. Well, th…(164 words)
Transportation
Japan
Train
Park
Etiquette
Railway platform
Japan Travel: Toukaido Fifty Three Stations
Toukaido was one of the five critical roads in Japan created by Tokugawa Ieyasu who ruled Japan during the Edo period. Specifically, Toukaido was created to connect between Edo (present Tokyo) where the Shogun resided and Kyoto where the Imperial party resided.Along its travel route from Edo to…(498 words)
AustinA
Japan Travel Ukiyoe
The best way to buys bullet train tickets
Although it's possible to purchase bullet train tickets at the automated ticket machines, I prefer to stand in line at the train ticket office (usually located near the shinkansen entrance in stations). Even though this sometimes entails standing in line for a few extra minutes, I prefer being abl…(180 words)
Andrea Miyata
Train Ticket Shinkansen Bullet Train Ticket machine Railway platform Trip
Cheapest and Most Reliable Train Line, Yokosuka Line
If you want to save some money on transportation but don't want to take the bus fearing traffic, you should take the Yokosuka line. The Yokosuka line will only take about 30 minutes longer than the Narita Express but you will only have to pay about half the price. Also, since it is a local train, y…(83 words)
GenS
Train Yokosuka Tokyo Bus Airport Transportation Narita Express
What can you tell me about the Yokosuka Line?
The Yokosuka Line is one of the most widely used train networks for traveling directly south of Tokyo -- it stops at both Yokohama and Kamakura, which are two popular destinations for foreign tourists and Japanese alike. For people living in Tokyo, the Yokosuka line is also very convenient, for it …(61 words)
mark
Tokyo Train Yokohama Kamakura
Can't make the scene if you don't have the green.
The green car is like business class for the bullet train.Personally any seat on the bullet train is fancy enough for me.If you like the feel of VIP I recommend the green car seats.To ride the green for free.If you can collect points if you have a JR credit card every time you buy a Shink…(77 words)
Yuuki I
Train Ticket Shinkansen Bullet Train
What is Japan's Transportation Like?
The answer to this question really depends on where in Tokyo you ant to go to. If you want to get to the Shinagawa area or anywhere on the Keikyu and Asakusa lines, you should take the Keikyu line. It only takes about 15 minutes to Shinagawa. The Tokyo monorail will get you to the Hamamatsu-cho are…(134 words)
GenS
Bus Japan Transportation Tokyo Train Airport Monorail
Enjoy the scenery in a Jinrikisha!
An interesting type of transportation is "Jinrikisha," which is a wooden carriage with two wheels pulled by a person. I have see nthese in areas such as Asakusa and Kamakura. This is one of the oldest forms of transportation in Japan and is a great way for tourists to get to know the area. From the…(110 words)
RieS
Tokyo Etiquette Asakusa Kamakura Transportation Beauty
Are Taking Taxis Affordable in Japan?
In the Tokyo city area, taxis are everywhere. If you are on a main road it would be rare if you couldn't catch one in 5 minutes. Taxis are easy to find and a quick way to get around. The metro and bus system will also take you pretty much anywhere but will usually be more time consuming since buses…(162 words)
GenS
Transportation Taxicab Tokyo City Bus
How to Get to Okinawa, Japan?
Tokyo’s outer islands are good alternatives to flying far to Okinawa for nice beaches. A hydrofoil will carry you quickly to different islands. My favorite is Niijima island, about 1.5 hrs from Tokyo on hydrofoil. The island is small but the beaches are beautiful. They reminded me of Hawaii. Gett…(108 words)
GenS
Japan Okinawa Tokyo Beaches Hydrofoil Boat Trip Hamamatsucho
Best Way to Get to Yokohama, Japan
The Tokaido line covers 700km from Tokyo to Kobe station, the longest distance among all local trains in Japan. However, one train on the line will not take you from Tokyo to Kobe. You will have to transfer many times. In the Tokyo area, the Tokaido line runs from Tokyo station South to Yokohama an…(107 words)
GenS
Yokohama Train Tokyo Beaches Shinkansen Bullet Train Atami Kobe Japan
Train, Limousine bus, cabs are few options to arrive in Tokyo from Narita airport
Trains - Narita airport liner, Keisei liner, Yokosuka line, Keisei line are diff type of train options. Cheapest is the Yokosuka line or keisei line which are regular trains. If you take Narita express or Keisei liner these trains are fast and the tickets are around 3000 JPY. These trains typical…(268 words)
suku
Tokyo Train Bus City Yokohama Shinjuku Ticket Shibuya Airport Ueno
Futuristic Boat Ride
Ride the futuristic "Himiko" which runs from Asakusa to Odaiba Seaside Park, to Toyosu and then back to Asakusa. The boat is designed so you can get a great panoramic view and its a nice change of pace from the trains/buses/taxis.Great day trip: Visit Asakusa then take this boat to Odaiba!h…(62 words)
mkawamura
Tokyo Park Asakusa Odaiba Trip
escalator mannar
When you take an escalator, which side do you stand if you are not in a hurry? To stand right may be the good manner in most parts of the world but it's not in Tokyo. Japanese people stand left when they are not in a rush so the people who are in a hurry can go up on right side!(But when I we…(77 words)
misa
Tokyo Etiquette Osaka Transportation
What can you tell me about the Yokosuka Line?
If you are planning to go to Yokosuka city from Tokyo or Yokohama, it is not advisable to use the JR Yokosuka Line. Use the Keikyu (Keihin Kyuko line) as it will be cheaper and much faster (about 20 minutes faster).The Yokosuka station for Keikyu is called Yokosuka Chuo 横須賀中央. Be careful …(117 words)
Peter
Tokyo Train City Yokohama Kamakura Airport Haneda Airport Express train
Although a little bit far from Tokyo actually, I would like to recommend Kamakura City.
Although a little bit far from Tokyo actually, I would like to recommend Kamakura City, Home of Samurai. The City is a very historical place where Japan's first samurai government was established at the end of twelfth century. You will probably enjoy Rickshaws nearby the historical place, Tsuruga…(100 words)
yiino
Tokyo City Music Kamakura Samurai
It is costly, but it is worth while paying.
(Places) I know two places. One is in ASAKUSA in Tokyo and the other is in Yokohama China Town.In front of the main gate of SENSOUJI (famous temple), there are some waiting Rickshaws.In Yokohama Chaina town, near Kaseiro Restaurant located in main street (HONDOURI) is one of the placeses to ca…(152 words)
Suetsumuhana
Tokyo Restaurant Yokohama Asakusa Tera (Temple) Taxicab
Keep a seat for someone later!
You will notice that when you enter a train, in most of the train cars there will be a reserved area for people who need the seat: these are called "priority seats". Of course, you can just leave it up to logic in regard to who actually needs the seat, but there will be some symbols on the window n…(196 words)
KurtisW
Train Etiquette
Taxi Prices in Tokyo
Taxi prices in Japan are controlled. In Tokyo, they all start at 710 yen for the first 2 km. The price rises at a defined amount, either by distance or time. If there is no traffic, the factor that will trigger a price rise is distance traveled. In traffic, the factor is time. Either way, the …(159 words)
mikekato
Tokyo Taxicab
20 to 30% extra in the evening
Although this does not affect every taxi. Most taxis normally charge 20-30% extra in the evening after the 1st meter (710 for 1st 2 km), I think after 8pm for taxi journeys.(30 words)
Steve
Tokyo Taxicab
Change from 10,000 Yen not always possible
Sometimes, taxi drivers will not be able to provide change from a 10,000 Yen note, so either make sure you have smaller notes (1,000 or 5,000 or the 2,000 Yen note to commemorate the Year 2,000), or most taxis will take credit cards with no problem. (Visa, Mastercard etc)(44 words)
Steve
Tokyo Taxicab
Getting a seat on a crowded train & Offering your seat
Generally speaking, Japanese are very oriented on getting a seat on the train, as this is an opportunity to get some much-needed sleep! So, what will more often than not happen is people will generally try to avoid giving up a seat for someone who needs it. Offering a seat although it is done b…(148 words)
Steve
Train Etiquette Transportation
You can move through town quickly!
I regularly ride bike and I see it as one of the fastest transportation methods within central Tokyo. You cannot beat bike unless you are going from a railway station to another station.The only catch is that some places are very strict about parking on the street. Just after 30 minutes' stay, …(107 words)
ToshiA
Tokyo Ticket Transportation Bicycle
Wifi
On the Tokyo Metro lines (Marunouchi, Hibiya, Fukutoshin, Hanzomon, Tozai, Yurakucho, Chiyoda, Nanboku), there is Metro Free Wifi.On the Toei Subways, it is not availableThe service is OK if you happen to be outside the train, as the Wifi access points are generally located at the station thems…(138 words)
Steve
Wi-Fi Tokyo Train Internet
Visiting Tokyo? Haneda Airport Information
Though I travel through Haneda airport less frequently than from Narita Airport, I do travel through Haneda about ½ dozen times per year so I wanted to share the airport information with you as I did for Narita airport.Haneda airport is much closer to the center of Tokyo and it is very convenie…(274 words)
AustinA
Tokyo Airport Haneda Airport
Successfully Navigating Narita Airport
I travel fairly frequently to overseas destinations with my business but when I am on my way to Narita Airport using Narita express, I find myself asking which terminal I have to get off and would I go to the north or south gate to check with the airline I am about to embark. When I came back f…(282 words)
AustinA
Airport Train Hotel Bus English May Business Post office Travel Japan Travel
Japanese local railroad
This train exists in Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa.It's possible to go from Ofuna to Enoshima in 13.5 minutes.The feature is the train of a hung style which is also few in Japan.When I take this train which runs in the town, it seems to be a roller coaster.ENODEN which can see a sea in Kamak…(88 words)
Hocchi
Japan Train Kamakura Japanese Sea style Kanagawa Mountain Enoshima Island Enoden