Advice about Train
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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
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
Check out governmental facilities!
There are cooking classes offered at governmental facilities in Tokyo and Yokohama. These governmental facilities are called "chiku center （地区センター） and hold events to train sports clubs to hold cooking lessons. Although the majority of these classes will be in Japanese, it is worth giving a t…(156 words)
RieS
Always check your sound
Personally, when I use headphones in a crowded train, I triple check that the sound is not audible outside the headphones. Noise leakage from people's headphones can be a real pain in the morning on a crowded train, and for some reason, people are just oblivious to their own noise (and no one will …(97 words)
KurtisW
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
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
Surf's up; bring a notebook
If you're a surfer, make note of the best breaks you see while riding with a great view of the seaside. Record what stations you found them between and any landmarks you pass along the way.(36 words)
Hudwa
Stay on the line
When in Tokyo, try and stay either on the same train line or at the very least stay on the same train company's lines (Tokyo Metro, Toei, JR, etc.). You will save yourself from the stress of changing trains at crowded stations, and more importantly will be saving money; routes that include transfer…(67 words)
Hudwa
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
Eating soba noodles- the original Japanese fast food.
There are 3 basic noodle varieties available all year long in Japan: soba, udon or ramen. Also there's a fourth- somen noodles-- thin strands eaten cold with ice in the summer only.Soba are noodles made with buckwheat, slightly healthier than the enriched flour in the other noodles offerings.…(161 words)
slapshot
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
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
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
The Takarazuka theater is located near Yurakucho station and tickets can be purchased at most convenience stores.
Takarazuka is originated in Takarazuka, Hyogo prefecture. You can see shows in Tokyo Takarazuka Theater near Yurakutyo station. It takes five minutes from there.You can buy tickets from online site. However, it does not have English site, so you can simply visit the theater and purchase tickets. …(98 words)
Tsuru
Multifunction Masks only in Japan
Before coming to Japan, in my hometown Colorado I've never used or seen a mask.After coming to Japan I've seen many people using masks.During the Fall season.It's easy to catch a cold on a over packed train to work.Many use masks to reduce inhaling the breath of the person standing next t…(135 words)
Yuuki I
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
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
Travel Travails & Coupons
Actually, travel coupons are few are far between in Tokyo. You can see coupons for hotel discounts if you are signed up for Groupon Japan, or Ponpare (like Groupon), but you'll have to be able to read Japanese or use the Google translate function on your browser to get a fair idea of what the coupo…(180 words)
Joe Peters
Recommendations - How to spend your extended stay in Tokyo
If you are staying by yourself then suggest to sleep over at a local Capsule hotel. Capsule hotels are unique invention of japan namely for the weary office workers ("salarymen") who travel long distances daily or for those looking for a cheaper and cleaner alternative for a good night`s sleep. If …(292 words)
Samir Bodhe
Can Coffee
Coffee, anywhere and everywhere, to get you through another day in Tokyo. It's very rare however to see someone walking around with a coffee cup with a lid, such as one you may get at a coffee shop. There is no shortage however of coffee in small aluminum cans that can be bought at basically an…(132 words)
KurtisW
Myoko Kogen
I recommend Myoko Kogen in Niigata. It is not on a shinkansen (bullet train) line so it is a lot less busy to other more famous ski resorts on the shinkansen lines. You can read more about Myoko Kogen here (http://myokokogen.net/resorts/suginohara/)If you prefer nice powder snow, I recommend …(76 words)
Jase
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
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 Sumo Stable Tours for a Memorable Japan Experience
If you are interested in visiting a Sumo stable and watching the wrestlers train for the day, there a many many opportunities available to do so.Most stable now have their own websites and I am guessing that you the visit may have a particular wrestler that you are fond of a know the name of th…(132 words)
DjMarvin
Looking for a great location outside of Tokyo? Kichijoji is Great!
Staying for more than a few days in Central Tokyo can be a drain, both on the wallet and the mind. There are other cities that don't sleep, but there are few cities in the world that remain as bustling and wide awake 24-7-365 as Tokyo.While both the Imperial Palace grounds - Kokyo - and Yoyogi…(437 words)
mikekato
Snow in the Weather Forecast? Here is a collection of spots for skiing and snowboarding
A friend of mine had a collection of links and reccommended spots.Madarao Sanpatekku and/or Madarao KogenThese are places in Nagano prefecture. The price is reasonable and they have nice ski slopes, hotel and onsens. Distance is around 300km from Tokyo area. The Itinerary with night bus w…(492 words)
Biju Paul