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Main idea first images

Main idea first

Using English with non-native speakers has its own general rules to follow, but I have found some decent techniques when needing to be understood in English in Japan. Japanese is a subject-initial language like English, but in many cases, the object of English could very easily be the subject in Ja…(146 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Train Ramen noodles Bus
An honest thank you! images

An honest thank you!

In Japan, it may not be quite as common for strangers to help each other for no reason, but as a traveler, you will find that people in general are willing to help you with this or that, particularly if you express to them that you need help with something. Just asking someone for directions may le…(173 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Train Phrase
SL hiroba images

SL hiroba

Shinbashi is great spot to feel in Japan. It's call salaryman(Japanese business man called salary-man) paradise! There are many inexpensive izakaya(casual Japanese tavern) .Shinbashi station is one of the big station in Tokyo and it's so hard to find a good place to meet.I highly recommend …(95 words)

yukorose image

yukorose

Tokyo Train Park Ginza Izakaya Shinbashi
Train stations, convenient stores and book stores are few places where you can get maps & guidebooks images

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 image

suku

Train Train station Tokyo Subway
Taxi, Business hotels, Manga kissa (Internet comic cafe) are some options where you can spend night images

Taxi, Business hotels, Manga kissa (Internet comic cafe) are some options where you can spend night

If you miss the train - which happens many times then there are couple of options.. 1. If you are closeby your hotel or place of stay then you can take a cab. After 11, the cab will charge an extra 10-15% depending on if it is a company taxi or personal /private taxi (you will find this mark when…(283 words)

suku image

suku

Manga Taxicab Train Hotel Coffee Bicycle Earthquake Comic cafe
The imperial palace gardens; well worth trying! images

The imperial palace gardens; well worth trying!

If you look for ones in the Tokyo Metropolitan area, I'd recommend you should go visit Koukyo if you haven't tried it yet; the imperial palace gardens park in the right front of the Tokyo Station. In spite of its location, there are good amount of nature preserved, and lots of "space" available in …(185 words)

Masa image

Masa

Tokyo Train Park Museum Nature
Turning in lost items images

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 image

Andrea Miyata

Train Police Train station Hair
Business Hotels images

Business Hotels

Business hotels are much cheaper than regular hotels. They tend to be located near stations, convention centers, and facilties where meetings and events are held. The rooms tend to be much smaller and less "plush" than regular hotels. For example, there may be a refrigerator in the room for your…(133 words)

Andrea Miyata image

Andrea Miyata

Train
Try McDonald's and Starubucks images

Try McDonald's and Starubucks

I've seen some McDonald's equipped with free AC outlets. The one in Yoyogi has a counter with ac outlets per seat. Also some Starbucks have free ACs. Newer Shinkansen (bullet train) also has AC outlets per seat so you can use your laptop all throughout your journey to Kyoto!(49 words)

taro image

taro

Tokyo Train Kyoto Shinkansen Bullet Train
Lost without Translation images

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 image

mikekato

Tokyo Train Police Train station
Leave the dog images

Leave the dog

The most popular meeting place in Shibuya is, by far, at the Hachiko statue, the famous dog. But not only is the place crowded, but the odor of tobacco is extremely difficult to bear for a non-smoker. The best place near Hachiko is inside the green train car located in the plaza area. However, t…(71 words)

mikekato image

mikekato

Train Shibuya Museum
Taking the bus in Tokyo images

Taking the bus in Tokyo

With so many buses and bus stations, how can anyone get around Tokyo by bus? Although you can get fairly near anywhere by trains, sometimes the bus is the best way to get around. Sometimes a bus takes a much more direct route between two spots. One clue is if you think two places are pretty clos…(142 words)

mikekato image

mikekato

Tokyo Train Ticket Bus Subway
Back it in images

Back it in

When boarding a really packed train in the morning, it may look like there is absolutely no more space, with people already flush against the entrance way. However, don't be fooled, as there is still space in between each person. They simply maximize the amount of space they have at the moment, so …(135 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Train
In a morning train bound to Shinjuku, or Shibuya Station ! images

In a morning train bound to Shinjuku, or Shibuya Station !

I would definitely recommend you to try taking morning trains which are destined to Shinjuku, or Shibuya station to arrive in between 8:30AM to 9:00AM, at which most of Japanese companies start working, then staffs and employees are most likely to take ones around this time to be able to be at offi…(199 words)

Masa image

Masa

Train Shinjuku Shibuya Tokyo City Kanagawa Saitama
Hakone about 1.5 hours from Shinjuku station images

Hakone about 1.5 hours from Shinjuku station

I recommend that you go to Hakone that has been known for hot springs since the beginning of the Edo period. You can also enjoy lots of kinds of Japanese traditional hotels and restaurants.How to get to Hakone?1.5 hours from shinjuku station by train (Odakyu line)Here is the link about Hako…(57 words)

makiko715 image

makiko715

Tokyo Train Shinjuku Hakone
Start Train-ing! images

Start Train-ing!

There are sooo many trains in the Tokyo Metropolitan area! It is a maze for people who live here; for a visitor, it may seem a huge mess. But getting around by train is often the best way to get around, so start your train-ing early in your visit.I recommend two things to make train riding ea…(241 words)

mikekato image

mikekato

Train Tokyo Bus Railways
Go to Daiso for low-cost solutions! images

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 image

RieS

Train Train station Stationery Daiso 100 yen shop
A store for things you may need on the train images

A store for things you may need on the train

The kiosk is usually a small stall in the middle of the train platform, which sells goods that you may need on a train ride. Common things are drinks, snacks (candy, cookies, gum, etc.), magazines and newspapers. They also sell other small commodities such as masks, tissues and band-aids.(49 words)

RieS image

RieS

Train Railway platform
"Okowa" is a must-eat! images

"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 image

RieS

Tokyo Train Department store Train station Bento (box meal)
The best way to buys bullet train tickets images

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 image

Andrea Miyata

Train Ticket Shinkansen Bullet Train Ticket machine Railway platform Trip
Telepathy or just lost in translation? images

Telepathy or just lost in translation?

Any major city in Japan you'll notice how crowed it can get.People don't yell or fuss.When you want to get through the people in the train.You simply put your hand out in front of the person you want to get by and people will know you want to go through.Amazing!!(54 words)

Yuuki I image

Yuuki I

Train City
Are you allowed to Use Your Cellphone in the Train in Japan? images

Are you allowed to Use Your Cellphone in the Train in Japan?

In Japan, using cellphones in the train is ok. In fact, you will see a lot of people texting on their cellphones in the train. However, there are rules to cellphone use. First of all, using cellphones near the priority seating is a big NoNo. Priority seats are where people with pacemakers sit and c…(125 words)

GenS image

GenS

Train Etiquette Japan Priority Seat cell phone
Try not to eat or drink while walking and riding trains! images

Try not to eat or drink while walking and riding trains!

The generally accepted rule of conduct is to not eat or drink on the train and while walking (taking a sip of water or tea is fine). This is because Japanese people tend to be very considerate for other people on the train and streets. They also want to keep the trains and streets clean by not spil…(86 words)

RieS image

RieS

Train Etiquette Drink Tea
How to Ride Trains in Japan images

How to Ride Trains in Japan

The idea of riding a train in Japan can be intimidating. There really are so many different lines that almost for a web over Tokyo. However, you shouldn't be intimidated. Most signs are also in English and buying a ticket is easy. From personal experience, I think buying a ticket in Japan is easier…(132 words)

GenS image

GenS

Train Japan Tokyo Ticket Ticket machine English
Cheapest and Most Reliable Train Line, Yokosuka Line images

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 image

GenS

Train Yokosuka Tokyo Bus Airport Transportation Narita Express
What can you tell me about the Yokosuka Line? images

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 image

mark

Tokyo Train Yokohama Kamakura
Can't make the scene if you don't have the green. images

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 image

Yuuki I

Train Ticket Shinkansen Bullet Train
Ping Pong and beer images

Ping Pong and beer

Table tennis is quite often played at leisure while drinking, much like billiards and darts. EST Shibuya Takkyuu Club is located close to Shibuya station on the 9th floor of an entertainment center. Open until 4:30AM (Mon-Thu) and 5:30AM (Fri-Sun) it makes for a fun hide-out if you have missed the …(72 words)

iensu image

iensu

Tokyo Train Shibuya Beer Manga Tennis Entertainment Table tennis Darts
Teppanyaki at Seryna! images

Teppanyaki at Seryna!

My family and I enjoy going to Seryna, a teppanyaki (cooking with an iron griddle) Kobe beef restaurant in Kannai, Yokohama. You will get high quality beef with excellent flavoring and service. The chefs have to train for a decade before being able to cook in front of the customers. In this restaur…(118 words)

RieS image

RieS

Tokyo Train Restaurant Yokohama Shinjuku Ginza Roppongi Art Beef Kobe
What is Japan's Transportation Like? images

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 image

GenS

Bus Japan Transportation Tokyo Train Airport Monorail
You can eat and drink in some trains! images

You can eat and drink in some trains!

Shinkansen is OK. Romance Car is OK.Basically, you can eat and drink sitting in box seats, but there are some exception ; Yurikamome is not suitable.Commuter trains are not suitable.When you find a vendor selling Obento by a cargo in train, definitely you can eat there. You need t…(55 words)

Moo Moo image

Moo Moo

Train Etiquette Drink Shinkansen Bullet Train
Smoking is bad for your health, but if you must do it. images

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 image

DjMarvin

Train Etiquette Train station
Just charge it and swipe it images

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 image

KurtisW

Train Convenience store Train station
Try exploring the local area around you images

Try exploring the local area around you

Most people in Tokyo either intend on staying out all night, until the trains begin in the morning, or make it a point to get to the station early, even before the very last train to their respective destination. However, if you're one of the many who with every intention of returning home for the …(147 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Tokyo Train
Enjoy Scenery in Japan Without Having to Walk images

Enjoy Scenery in Japan Without Having to Walk

The seishun 18 ticket is a very cheap way to travel long distance on trains in Japan. The ticket is sold in sets of five and one set costs 11,300yen. The amazing thing is that one ticket will allow you to travel on any JR local train in Japan as many times as you want with in 24 hours. This is amaz…(172 words)

GenS image

GenS

Ticket Japan Tokyo Train Shinkansen Bullet Train Cheap
Best Way to Get to Yokohama, Japan images

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 image

GenS

Yokohama Train Tokyo Beaches Shinkansen Bullet Train Atami Kobe Japan
Packed Train Boarding Tips in Japan images

Packed Train Boarding Tips in Japan

Although a packed train in Japan seems like total chaos, there are a few rules that people follow to keep everyone safe and orderly. First of all, you need to line up properly on the platform before boarding. On the platform, there will be signs showing you how you should line up. Everyone follows …(246 words)

GenS image

GenS

Train Japan Etiquette Railway platform
Tokyo area resorts images

Tokyo area resorts

There are a very wide variety of resorts around Tokyo. Of course, the accessibility varies greatly, when even getting across Tokyo itself by public transportation can take well over an hour.For the resort areas closest to Tokyo, most residents on the west side show a preference for Hakone, whi…(184 words)

mikekato image

mikekato

Tokyo Train Transportation Hakone Lake Hiking Nikko Lake Yamanaka
You should enjoy staying at a Tube Hotel called a Capsule Room Hotel!!! images

You should enjoy staying at a Tube Hotel called a Capsule Room Hotel!!!

It's amazing and you can feel another world to stay a Tube Hotel. It's Cool Japan. The price is around USD40 per night.(23 words)

Shinji image

Shinji

Hotel Train
Check out JR Rail Pass images

Check out JR Rail Pass

If you purchase a JR rail pass before coming to Japan, you can ride all JR trains and most Shinkansen for no additional fee. One week costs around 28,000 yen and 2 weeks costs around 45,000 yen. Typically, a round trip out to Kyoto or Osaka will cover the cost of a week rail pass.(52 words)

KurtisW image

KurtisW

Train Kyoto Osaka Shinkansen Bullet Train Trip