came across this link, because although I knew the JR Pass also includes travel on JR buses, not just trains, I never thought to find out what the routes of these buses were!
however, this is the only English site I can find so far for their routes...am sure the other regions for JR have it also but can't read 'em...
yeah, for buses, the big luggage goes on the side of the bus...
that reminds me John..I've never tried bringing big bags on the JR train, where do you stash them if they can't be beside you or fit on the overhead rack? just a place at the back of the car you are in?
It varies a bit from one type of Shinkansen to another. On some there is a baggage rack (Lockable) at one end of each coach, on others behind the rearmost seats. As there are never many travellers with large amounts there's normally no problems though you may need to leave the case in a different coach to the one you sit in, it has happened to me on the Hokkaido - Tokyo trip. If you ever use the "MAX" - double decked shinkansen, it can be difficult to drag the cases up the rather narrow stairway should your seat be up there.
Actually it never has been a problem for me due to the fact that I travel after or before the rush hours so I often have the case beside me in front of the vacant neighboring seat.
ok, I better travel after 9 am...probably people are in the offices by then...ah...but should not be a problem for me if its outside Tokyo I think as these may be not full..
also, what do you recommend for w/in Tokyo? should I buy a Suica card..I need to jump about not just on the Yamanote line but others too...oh dear, I better download a map of Tokyo station...it was a mad rush the last time though a friend's sister was there w/ me ..
W/in Tokyo ? please explain. I never bother with much in Tokyo as I've been there so many times and watched it grow and develop since 1953. Last time I only spent about three hours there. A map of Tokyo stn.would be a good idea as it can be very confusing.
Tokyo transportation...just like Kyoto, probably the JR pass isn't of much help unless its probably the Yamanote line that I will be going around and around..I may need to transfer to different lines of different companies *urgh* hence I need to buy tickets ...and I heard that we can just buy a card and load it instead of buying a ticket per transfer...
so far, I've marked it that I will be in Asakusa and 1 day at least in Ueno (so I can check the park and the happy zoo!)
also, I've decided to just travel to Nikko and not do an overnight there..so am mostly staying for at least 2 days in Tokyo thereabouts..
coming back to buses, since I've seen they may have buses to Kyoto and Nagoya to Tokyo for instance, it might be nice to see the road where the buses travel...or see any views...
Well the prices on the non JR subways etc, are not high, I used them when I had to. If you settle for either Asakusa or Ueno for 2 days as a place of temp, residence you're well covered for the Park and Zoo plus several other places including Ginza or a one day trip to Nagano or Matsumoto or both. From Tokyo it is a one hour trip to Nagano, Matsumoto is one hour more from Nagano so 2 hours each way with time to see the Black Castle and Zenkoji Temple, so one day more in the same place then on to Nikko.
I will see if I can squeezein Nagano etc. from now tis a bit crazy sked already w/ me trying to squeeze in Kanazawa, Okayama, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Himeji, Matsue in less than 5 days....(no rest for the wicked), I will probably rethink and drop one of them off...in fact I've overshot Tokyo..I was going to leave on Sunday evening (but the night train is out of the question now) for Kanazawa, but I figured might as well give 1 day to Nikko if possible plus some strolling in Ueno..if my energy level is still up.
ah...I now remember there was a couple of episodes on Japan Hour wherein they used local buses in going around to some places (quite a challenge, until one group reached the nothernmost portion of Japan)...maybe thats why, at least there would be views instead of just highways...
came across this link, because although I knew the JR Pass also includes travel on JR buses, not just trains, I never thought to find out what the routes of these buses were!
ReplyDeletehowever, this is the only English site I can find so far for their routes...am sure the other regions for JR have it also but can't read 'em...
for reference..
I've never looked for this as I prefer the rail, far more comfortable and there's room for luggage too.
ReplyDeleteyeah, for buses, the big luggage goes on the side of the bus...
ReplyDeletethat reminds me John..I've never tried bringing big bags on the JR train, where do you stash them if they can't be beside you or fit on the overhead rack? just a place at the back of the car you are in?
It varies a bit from one type of Shinkansen to another. On some there is a baggage rack (Lockable) at one end of each coach, on others behind the rearmost seats. As there are never many travellers with large amounts there's normally no problems though you may need to leave the case in a different coach to the one you sit in, it has happened to me on the Hokkaido - Tokyo trip.
ReplyDeleteIf you ever use the "MAX" - double decked shinkansen, it can be difficult to drag the cases up the rather narrow stairway should your seat be up there.
*grin*
ReplyDeleteI'd have to purchase another JR Pass for my luggage bag so it can sit beside me...mwhaha!
Actually it never has been a problem for me due to the fact that I travel after or before the rush hours so I often have the case beside me in front of the vacant neighboring seat.
ReplyDeleteok, I better travel after 9 am...probably people are in the offices by then...ah...but should not be a problem for me if its outside Tokyo I think as these may be not full..
ReplyDeletealso, what do you recommend for w/in Tokyo? should I buy a Suica card..I need to jump about not just on the Yamanote line but others too...oh dear, I better download a map of Tokyo station...it was a mad rush the last time though a friend's sister was there w/ me ..
W/in Tokyo ? please explain.
ReplyDeleteI never bother with much in Tokyo as I've been there so many times and watched it grow and develop since 1953. Last time I only spent about three hours there.
A map of Tokyo stn.would be a good idea as it can be very confusing.
oh...my bad..sorry, I just write on and on...
ReplyDeleteTokyo transportation...just like Kyoto, probably the JR pass isn't of much help unless its probably the Yamanote line that I will be going around and around..I may need to transfer to different lines of different companies *urgh* hence I need to buy tickets ...and I heard that we can just buy a card and load it instead of buying a ticket per transfer...
so far, I've marked it that I will be in Asakusa and 1 day at least in Ueno (so I can check the park and the happy zoo!)
also, I've decided to just travel to Nikko and not do an overnight there..so am mostly staying for at least 2 days in Tokyo thereabouts..
coming back to buses, since I've seen they may have buses to Kyoto and Nagoya to Tokyo for instance, it might be nice to see the road where the buses travel...or see any views...
ReplyDeleteWell the prices on the non JR subways etc, are not high, I used them when I had to. If you settle for either Asakusa or Ueno for 2 days as a place of temp, residence you're well covered for the Park and Zoo plus several other places including Ginza or a one day trip to Nagano or Matsumoto or both. From Tokyo it is a one hour trip to Nagano, Matsumoto is one hour more from Nagano so 2 hours each way with time to see the Black Castle and Zenkoji Temple, so one day more in the same place then on to Nikko.
ReplyDeleteThey probably use the express ways, most do, so not much to see, at least not slowly.
ReplyDeletehi John,
ReplyDeleteI will see if I can squeezein Nagano etc. from now tis a bit crazy sked already w/ me trying to squeeze in Kanazawa, Okayama, Kurashiki, Hiroshima, Himeji, Matsue in less than 5 days....(no rest for the wicked), I will probably rethink and drop one of them off...in fact I've overshot Tokyo..I was going to leave on Sunday evening (but the night train is out of the question now) for Kanazawa, but I figured might as well give 1 day to Nikko if possible plus some strolling in Ueno..if my energy level is still up.
Thanks John!
ah...I now remember there was a couple of episodes on Japan Hour wherein they used local buses in going around to some places (quite a challenge, until one group reached the nothernmost portion of Japan)...maybe thats why, at least there would be views instead of just highways...
ReplyDeleteOK, I guess so.
ReplyDelete