Ride The Tokyo Metro Like A Boss With These Apps
To people new to Japan, the Tokyo subway system, stylishly called "Tokyo Metro" is a confusing labyrinth of lines going every which way. Orderly thought and planning, it would appear, seem to be the main ingredients neglected when designing the subway subway system.Once you live here a bit, you …(375 words)
jdlawrence
Tokyo Metro Subway Internet Play Spaghetti Shibuya Train station Smartphone Apps
Japan Travel: Train Information Boards and How to Read Them
When you visit Japan, did you ever wonder how to get from point A to point B? I did many times and I use information boards all the time. There are many information boards in and around train station/platform but unless you study well, it may be challenging to decipher so in hope of assisting y…(1441 words)
AustinA
Train Japan Travel Park Building Visit Ticket Bus Train station Airport English
JR Kyoto Station - Futuristic architecture masterpiece
If you only pass through the platforms of Kyoto Station, you miss out to explore this impressive building, the third largest train station in Japan (Ref: 1st: Tokyo, 2nd: Umeda). The whole building was constructed on the 1200th anniversary of the capital's foundation in Kyoto.If you come by tra…(267 words)
EmiOnishi
Kyoto architecture Train station Train Building Department store view Internet
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
When Waiting for Trains at the Tokyo Train Stations...
I am originally from a small town in Fukuoka prefecture, so when I visited Tokyo for the first time two years ago, I found some surprising “rules”.For example, when waiting for trains at the train station platform, you have to line up where the train doors are expected to open. I did not know a…(133 words)
Natalie
Tokyo Train Train station Railway platform
Discovering Yokohama by Bike
I make no secret about my love and pride for Yokohama. It is beautiful and unique on numerous levels; the city and its people are in a category unto themselves. With a plethora of things to do for every kind of person – from the old-school neighborhoods of Noge and Yoshidamachi to the state-of-the-…(248 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Yokohama Transportation Bicycle Train City Hotel Art Train station Kamakura Yoshidamachi
Eyecity
In Japan you can't purchase prescription contacts without a doctor's visit. Eye exams are fairly simple and the prescription is usually valid for 6 months. There are many places to buy contacts and lots of train stations seem to have a Eyecity nearby. (http://www.eyecity.jp/)Non-prescriptio…(65 words)
mkawamura
Train Train station Beauty
Shomyoji Temple, A Beautiful Place in Yokohama Japan
I am going to introduce you to a temple call Shomyoji Temple, which is located in Kanazawa Bunko, Yokohama. Kanazawa Bunko is located approximately 20 minutes south of Yokohama JR station. To get to Kanazawa Bunko, you must get on a red train call Keikyu line from Yokohama or Tokyo cities and get o…(594 words)
AustinA
Yokohama Tera (Temple) Tokyo Train Park Visit History Train station English Kamakura
What to do with Garbage While Travellng in Japan? Where are all the Trash Cans?!!!
Are you used to having plenty of garbage cans everywhere?When I go home to the US, I am pleasantly surprised with the availability of garbage cans and how we can always find a place to dispose of paper waste, plastic bottles, candy wrappers and lunch leftovers that build up during the day.Hav…(669 words)
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Japan Travel
Touge-no-Kamameshi and Daruma Bento
I would recommend Touge-no-Kamameshi and Daruma Bento from Gunma prefecture. They can be purchased at Nagano Shinkansen stations. They are assortments of traditional Japanese foods in a small ceramic pot (Kamameshi) or Daruma shaped plastic bento box (Daruma Bento). These containers can be reus…(70 words)
Asiantiger
Train Train station Shinkansen Bullet Train Bank Bento (box meal) Nagano Kamameshi Gunma
Japan Train Station “Tachigui Sobaya” (Soba Restaurant)
As you may know, one of the most used modes of transportation in japan is the train. In the midst of your travel, I am fairly confident that you’ve come across a small “Soba” (noodle) shop within the train station. The first thought I had in my mind was how traditional this establishment is for…(552 words)
AustinA
Train Restaurant Train station Tokyo Summer Drink Ticket Kyoto Winter Food
The "Kuji" for prizes
Takarakuji basically means a lottery, with random chances at getting a prize. The most common and commercial one is the national money lottery, and tickets are usually sold at small booths near train stations, or out in front of large grocery stores.However, often called "Kuji" for short, many …(153 words)
KurtisW
Train Ticket Ramen noodles Train station
The Haruka Express: Reaching Osaka & Kyoto from Kansai International Airport (KIX)
The Kansai International Airport (KIX) serves the Japanese cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara. All Japan Rail Pass holders can take advantage of their pass to the fullest, by using it to reach the downtown areas of Kyoto or Osaka, using the Haruka Express, which is the direct connection between …(789 words)
Carlos P.
Kyoto Osaka Airport Japan Train City Trip Japanese Ticket Train station
Japanese Vending Machines: Next Generation
Have you seen the new generation of vending machines in Japan? The new touchscreen ones are smart and connected. They watch people and target them by showing commercials, news, recommendations, and special offers.You can identify these new machines easily, they have a huge touchscreen and a cam…(156 words)
David
Vending Machines Drink Train Train station Camera touchscreen Earthquake advertisement
Tourist Tip #4: The Underground World of Food and DEPACHIKA!
Japanese department stores are famous for many things: elevator girls, first-class customer service, and unparalleled gift wrapping. But venture underneath one (on the basement floor) and you'll discover something else they have to offer: the world of "depachika"."Depachika" is a portmanteau on…(296 words)
Former Deep Japan Writer
Food Tourist Tip Depachika Tokyo Train Shopping Visit Shinjuku Ginza Train station
Train stations, convenient stores and book stores are few places where you can get maps & guidebooks
You can get a subway / train map at any train station. They are kept there - and could be in Japanese. You can ask for a English one.You can also find road maps in any of the convenient stores. But they might be in Japanese. Then there are book stores like Yurindo - Kinokuniya etc where you can c…(135 words)
suku
Train Train station Tokyo Subway
Turning in lost items
If you find a lost item in a train or train station, turn the item in to a station employee or at the lost-and-found / information counter.If you find an item worth any kind of value (monetary or otherwise) on the street, you should take the item to the nearest police station. The officer in c…(216 words)
Andrea Miyata
Train Police Train station Hair
Lost without Translation
Don't worry, in most places in Tokyo, you're not far from someplace easy to navigate. Try asking anyone you meet. Some people may say they can't speak English, but they should be able to direct you to the nearest train station, or "eki." If not, ask for the nearest "koban." The police boxes are…(96 words)
mikekato
Tokyo Train Police Train station
Go to Daiso for low-cost solutions!
The most common and popular 100yen store in Japan is Daiso. They are usually placed close to a train station or in malls and therefore are easily accessible. Although I go to Daiso for stationery goods such as notebooks, binders, folders and erasers, there is so much more available, from food to gl…(100 words)
RieS
Train Train station Stationery Daiso 100 yen shop
"Okowa" is a must-eat!
My favorite Bento place is “Tagosaku,” often found in the basement of big department stores or near the train stations. “Okowa” is Japanese mocha-gome (sticky rice) with various vegetables or beans. I love eating the “gomoku-okowa,” which is the sticky rice with a variety of vegetables and chicken …(91 words)
RieS
Tokyo Train Department store Train station Bento (box meal)
Smoking is bad for your health, but if you must do it.
There are designated smoking areas near most train stations and over locations where people gather. These can be very congested and a bit dirty.But it is where you should smoke. Here is the link to the Japan Tabaco site and they have a series of posters to promote proper smoking mannersLink…(104 words)
DjMarvin
Train Etiquette Train station
Just charge it and swipe it
You can purchase a suica card from most major train stations for a 500 yen deposit. You can then add credit to the card at most train stations. You can swipe it at train station turnstiles, vending machines and many convenience stores until it runs out of credit.(47 words)
KurtisW
Train Convenience store Train station
Ask the Driver
I've lived in Japan for about 4 years, and I'm still very confused about the bus system, mostly because all of the stops listed between the starting and ending point are very small neighborhood areas with names that you really won't know unless you are a regular rider, or you live in the area.T…(149 words)
KurtisW
Tokyo Train Restaurant Museum Train station Bus
Leaving it alone may be best
Finding a lost item is an intersting situation. It all depends on where you "found" it. Seeing a phone, bag, laptop, or other valuable item placed ina train station with the owner clearly absent does not necessarily constitute a lost item in Japan. Although it may be difficult to leave alone, the …(131 words)
KurtisW
Train Train station
Not only for Transport
The Suica IC card is truly the ultimate IC card which makes transportation so much easier, obviating the need to buy a ticket. However, it does so much more. Suica can be used for shopping at most convenient stores, all kiosks at stations, and all vending machines at stations. The number of pla…(267 words)
AustinA
Train Shopping Ticket Train station Bus Transportation
Donate it!!!
In almost every convenience store there are boxes near the cash register for various causes and often you can see NPO groups at major train stations collecting donations for example seeing eye dogs so take that spare change and make a change with it. :-)(45 words)
Career Coach Brent
Train Convenience store Train station
My best recommendation is Oomiya Kokusai Country Club. It takes about one hour from Tokyo either by car or by train.
Oomiya Kokusai Country is located in Saitama prefecture. The nearest train station is SASHIOGI of JR-East. ( There is Club shuttle bus running from there.)Play fee is very reasonable. Even if it's the first time you play golf in Japan you can relax and appreciate a help from caddies with pro…(198 words)
Suetsumuhana
Tokyo Train Train station Bus Saitama
The city center and near train stations
The further you get from the city center or a train station, the cheaper the land is likely to be. People want to live near a station and enjoy the convenience of the city center so land prices will be high in these areas. This would be the case for any city but major cities would be more expensive…(65 words)
Kenji
Train City Train station
Try discount ticket shops
If there's a discount ticket shop, called kinken shop, in your neighborhood or near places you go to, try find movie tickets there because they're cheaper. A movie ticket for an adult is 1800 yen, but usually at kinken shop, it's around 1,300 to 1,500 yen. It's a good deal if you're not going to se…(87 words)
Natchan
Train Shopping Shinjuku Ticket Ginza Train station Movie
Local Trucks and shops near stations
Keep your eyes peeled. especially for seasonal items- the little trucks that park around back alleys and side streets usually offer good deals. Also near most train stations you can find fruit and veggie stands- later in the day they often run specials of things that they need to move that are gett…(103 words)
LShannon
Train Park Train station Fruits
Take a risk and emerge yourself in the fine Japanese Art of Ikebana
Okay, well, I have never studied Ikebana (Japanese style flower arrangement) but I love the style and I admire all the work of art I see all around (even in local train stations done by loyal and dedicated Ikebana artists each week). I believe Japan is confident enough in the art and the style it o…(152 words)
Flower
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Suica anywhere everywhere - for transport and shop around cashlessly
Get a suica card from any train stations, charged it from the ticket machines. For train ride or to buy anything, in most places, suica is acceptable. Which means, you dont have to carry your cash around, or avoid those unnecessary heavy coins. Minimise time wasted in queue! lesser frustration?!(50 words)
lucaslim
Train Ticket Train station Ticket machine
Hotel New Grand in Yokohama, Yamashita Cho
You should go to Hotel New Grand. It takes only two minutes from Motomachi-Chukagai Train Station. ( Minatomirai Line, Terminal Station). Or you can walk from Ishikawa Cho Train Station of JA East line. It takes 20 minutes on foot.Why do you have to go? Because you want to have a memorial swe…(189 words)
Suetsumuhana
Yokohama Hotel Tokyo Train Park Shopping Train station Ishikawa
HOTEL OKURA TOKYO BOOK STORE
There is a nice small book shop in Hotel Okura Tokyo. The nearest train station is Kamiyacho of Hibiya Line Metro. I am sorry they do not have much books for all fields; however, If you would like to know Japan and Japanese culture, they have a lot of beautiful and interesting books. Afete…(74 words)
Suetsumuhana
Tokyo Train Shopping Hotel Train station
Tokyo and Shinagawa station, "All that shellfish"
"品川名物貝づくし" ("shinagawa meibutsu kai zukushi")Actually, I never had it, but I can tell it must be good.5 kinds of cooked shellfishes on rice and veges.Sold at Tokyo and Shinagawa Station, 930 yen.(32 words)
Moo Moo
Tokyo Train Train station Bento (box meal)
Many convenient stores carry underwear and other just in case items
You will be surprised to find many convenient stores carry the various just in case items like underwear, shaving goods, shampoo sets and others. If you are in a pinch and have to spend a late night at the office or have checked into a hotel without amenities, a quick trip to the nearby convenient …(148 words)
Tomlin
Train Hotel Convenience store Train station Trip
In Praise of Shadows
Japan has raised lavatory facilities to a palatable topic. Hygiene is very important here, and of course, toilets should reflect your concern. Even if you are in the wildest place of Japan, in a rush, don't worry, you will always find a clean, hygienic, welcoming toilet. If you are in crowded area…(431 words)
Claire
Tokyo Train Train station Hair Public toilet
The Madding Crowds
Now that the sakura blossoms are nearing their end, at least in Tokyo, the next 'season' coming up in Japan is Golden Week. (If you still want to see sakura head north and it's possible to have another couple of weeks or more of sakura blossom viewing.)Golden week this year starts from Tuesday,…(253 words)
Joe Peters
Tokyo Train Visit Cherry blossom Train station Onsen Golden Week
Should I Get The Japan Rail Pass?
One of the first things travelers often bring up when we’re discussing their trip is purchasing the Japan Rail Pass.However, while it’s commonly thought to be *hands-down* the best – and least expensive – way to travel around Japan, in fact it’s not always the best option!JAPAN RAIL PASS “B…(656 words)
Andres Zuleta, Boutique Japan
Japan Rail Pass Train Shinkansen Bullet Train Express train Japan Travel Tokyo Hotel Ticket Trip Train station
Tissue Paper Advertising in Japan
I am sure that you have seen the people around the train stations and other locations throughout many cities passing out small packs of tissue papers to nearby travelers.When offered, I usually take one from them for I feel bad since most people ignore them and will not take one. Especially dur…(258 words)
AustinA
Train Spring Train station Flower Entertainment May Weather advertisement Japan Travel