Thank youuuuu every video I came across explaining this was either about the suica cards and just that or they have the most soft spoken or most intense accents that’s are basically incoherent and your video was the only one that actually made me understand
I generally don't think about using the Shinkansen within Tokyo, but why not if you happen to have a JR Pass! P.S. You're smart to accommodate to the shortening attention span of the average TH-cam viewer.
Thanks for the comment, Roy. Lots of folks are under the impression that five things are needed when traveling to Japan - flight, hotel, cash on hand, a credit card with lots of room on it and a bullet train pass. As I mentioned in the video, if anyone is planning on traveling to Tokyo (and remaining in Tokyo), a $300 pass is worthless. Spending $300 to travel from Ueno Eki to Tokyo Eki seems a bit spendy. 😄
@@carlrosa1130 It would make sense only if you had a spare day left on a JR Pass that you'd already used for a lot of intercity travel . . . or if you wanted an easy way to make a donation to support Japan Rail!
A bit like train travel in London and the UK. Lots of variations of train. I think the same person designed the plan and they shared it with Sydney, Australia. Ours looks similar!
I have a question I want to travel to 2 amusement parks. One near negoya and one by Mount Fuji I I plan to go to nogya area first right after landing In toyko would that possible?
Thanks for the comment. This is important to know. Nagoya is NO WHERE near Tokyo. If you are landing at Narita airport or Haneda, you will be in the Tokyo region. However, you will need to go to Tokyo station (the main station) and take a bullet train to Nagoya. Tokyo is 340 kilometers away from Nagoya. Even by bullet train, it will take over 2 hours to get there. So, if you want to go to Nagoya first, (1) get to the main Tokyo Station, (2) get on the bullet train (Tokaido Line) and in two hours, you will be at Nagoya Station. 😀
Hi there. Right now, there are still additional COVID restrictions in place that make some key spots unavailable. What I will be doing is going to Japan (possibly at the end of April or May) to see what IS and ISN'T available for visiting/tourism. If things pan out well, I will be announving trips for November. I know for a fact that three cities I adore are on 'semi-lock down'. One example - Utsunomiya...a small city near Nikko, Japan. There's a small hotel that is VERY inexpensive but clean and easy-access to the train station. Across the street from the hotel, there's a great ramen shop. And there's a direct line from Utsunomiya to Nikko (the most beautiful spot in all of Japan). Right now (as of last week), the hotel is only allowing Japanese residents...no foreigners. The ramen shop across the street is limited to only six customers at a time and the Nikko train line is running at 50% occupancy....forcing people to wait for the train(s). This is still no good for group tours. So, I will be going soon to see what is/isn't possible. Hope that explains it. Sometimes I am TERRIBLE at explaining things. :)
The train line itself may change but the train is likely still heading to the appropriate destination. I am not familiar with the Navitime app app, I tend to use Hyperdia. But I would definitely take the advice of 'staying on the same train' unless instructed to do otherwise.
So I’m planning a Tokyo trip in May for 10 days with one of those days in Yokohama during the day and back to my Tokyo hotel in the evening. So do i just need a SUICA card to get around Tokyo and buy a separate ticket to Yokohama using their typical rail? or will a SUICA card work for trip from Tokyo to Yokohama? Thx….btw I’m from Houston too.
@@carlrosa1130 Haneda. Will I be able to buy a SUICA card with my Chase Sapphire credit card once I arrive at Haneda? Or will I need to withdraw cash from an ATM at Haneda to buy one? I was hoping to buy one with credit card. I prefer physical card and one on my phone(android).
@@inquisitvem6723 Okay, Haneda. Gotcha. To the best of my knowledge, you cannot use a credit card to load a Suica. I believe you will have to convert some cash to yen and then load your card with yen. I totally understand your situation but in this case, cash is king. But, I believe you can use the Google Pay app to load the card as well. What are you planning to do in Tokyo for 10 days?
@@carlrosa1130 explore the city, take lots of pics, go t o shows, eat at cool places and soak in the sights and culture. I’m only going to Yokohama for a day trip since it’s close by. 10 days should be enough for Tokyo show right?
@@inquisitvem6723 10 days is MORE than enough time in Tokyo. When I host tours, the maximum time I spent in Tokyo is 3 or 4 days. You'll have all the time to do everything you want. That's guaranteed. Yokohama is a great spot, too.
After city behemoths like New York and Moscow this should be normal. But asian design is so confusing and overwhelming, it becomes a few times harder than it's suppose to be.
I have to admit that you're right. I've been in New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, London and China. And I can say that Japan takes time to learn.
1 more piece of advise.. when u arrive at tokyo or any other places in japan or worlds.. Just use google maps.. type your direction select type of vehicles.. then you can get full details... including Train or buss timming, platform numbers, exit door, choosing which routes are cheapest or fastest, etc.... U just need an internet.. plain and simple 😂
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it. The problem with Google Maps is - you require the internet which can be quite spotty at times in Japan (especially underground) and since COVID there have been changes that may not be accurate on-the-spot. Good example - I was in Utsunomiya, Japan last week. I used Google Maps, the Nikko Line train lines were all the wrong times. Thanks again for the comment!
I really don't understand that the train system is so confusing. I am trying to find out the name of the train that takes you from Tokyo to Osaka. The one that is included in JR pass. Shinkansen, but which one since Nazomi abd another one are not included in the pass? Maybe someone can answer this.
Depending on the type of pass you have (JR Ordinary or JR Green Pass), you should use trains named 'Hikari' or 'Kodama' to travel from Tokyo to Osaka. But you will have to stop in Shin-Osaka and take a different train from Shin Osaka to Osaka. The Nozomi is an express train only for people who purchased the JR Green Pass. If you have an 'ordinary pass' and attempt to use the Nozomi, they will insist that you get off the train at the next stop.
@@aayoub1No problem. I'm happy to help. Here's what you will have to do: Step 1: From Tokyo Station, you will either take the Hikari or the Kodama bullet train to Shin-Osaka . 90% of the time, you'll use the Hikari. When you get to Kyoto (which will take about 3 hours), stay on the train for one more stop. The word 'Shin-Osaka' means 'Near Osaka.' So, at Shin-Osaka, get off of the bullet train. Step 2: Walk out of the bullet train area and go to the JR lines section of the train station. You need to take a JR train from Shin-Osaka to Osaka because a bullet train line doesn't go from Shin-Osaka to Osaka. They are too close to each other. The bullet train ride would be about 6 seconds. LOL So, walk out of the bullet train station section and go to the JR Osaka Train lines. You'll see signs everywhere. You'll take an escalator down to the train platforms. I believe (please double check) that platform #15 and/or #16 will take you to Osaka Station. Step 3: It's a short ride from Shin-Osaka to Osaka. Get this - the train ride will be about four minutes. When you get off the train in Osaka, you'll take an escalator up to the main train station. I hope this helps! 😀 Let me know how it goes for you.
This is very helpful. I always get confused how many types of trains Japan has, how to differentiate them or where they're going. I'm saving this video for my first-time solo travel to Japan this autumn. Now that I'm almost near my trip, I equip myself with knowledge regarding JP train system because this is what I dread the most. I've never been to Tokyo so I hope having enough research will somehow take some if my fear and anxiety away. Do most of the station staff speak English? Thank you so much for making this vid and I hope many people also find this helpful.
Sure - give that a try. Walk up to the subway turnstiles and show them your JR pass...and what that doesn't work, tell them Google sent you. Then, when you're trying to take the bullet train, show them your subway ticket. And when that doesn't work, tell them Google Maps, tell them Google maps sent you.
Well then there's great news for you. You never need to see a single one of my videos again. Make your own videos, show me how it's done to your satisfaction and share it with the world.
You can take a shinkansen from Tokyo-eki to Shinagawa-eki. The connection exists. And after the entire video...THAT'S what you come up with? A single criticism? Do your research before you post a comment.
hahahaha! just love the way americans tell a story in a brutally sarcastic yet funny way. it works! subscribed!
Thank youuuuu every video I came across explaining this was either about the suica cards and just that or they have the most soft spoken or most intense accents that’s are basically incoherent and your video was the only one that actually made me understand
I so happy about that! Thank you for commenting!
Thank you a lot for all the information!
動画拝見致しました。
大変素晴らしくまとまっていて、日本人が見ても興味深い内容で素晴らしい動画でした。カールさんの他の日本紹介動画も大変質が高く良くまとめられているので、より多くの方に観ていただきたいと感じております。
素敵な動画をありがとうございました。
ありがとうございました！嬉しいお言葉嬉しいです！
Very interesting! I had no idea!!!
I generally don't think about using the Shinkansen within Tokyo, but why not if you happen to have a JR Pass!
P.S. You're smart to accommodate to the shortening attention span of the average TH-cam viewer.
Thanks for the comment, Roy. Lots of folks are under the impression that five things are needed when traveling to Japan - flight, hotel, cash on hand, a credit card with lots of room on it and a bullet train pass. As I mentioned in the video, if anyone is planning on traveling to Tokyo (and remaining in Tokyo), a $300 pass is worthless. Spending $300 to travel from Ueno Eki to Tokyo Eki seems a bit spendy. 😄
@@carlrosa1130 It would make sense only if you had a spare day left on a JR Pass that you'd already used for a lot of intercity travel . . . or if you wanted an easy way to make a donation to support Japan Rail!
Great explained, Sir.
Thank you so much!
A bit like train travel in London and the UK. Lots of variations of train. I think the same person designed the plan and they shared it with Sydney, Australia. Ours looks similar!
Jane, thank you for your comment! I appreciate it!
Interesting.
Great video!
Thank you so much. I really appreciate it
thanks
I have a question I want to travel to 2 amusement parks. One near negoya and one by Mount Fuji I I plan to go to nogya area first right after landing In toyko would that possible?
Thanks for the comment. This is important to know. Nagoya is NO WHERE near Tokyo. If you are landing at Narita airport or Haneda, you will be in the Tokyo region. However, you will need to go to Tokyo station (the main station) and take a bullet train to Nagoya. Tokyo is 340 kilometers away from Nagoya. Even by bullet train, it will take over 2 hours to get there. So, if you want to go to Nagoya first, (1) get to the main Tokyo Station, (2) get on the bullet train (Tokaido Line) and in two hours, you will be at Nagoya Station. 😀
Are you currently in Japan? Or are you planning to take a trip over there soon?
Hi there. Right now, there are still additional COVID restrictions in place that make some key spots unavailable. What I will be doing is going to Japan (possibly at the end of April or May) to see what IS and ISN'T available for visiting/tourism. If things pan out well, I will be announving trips for November. I know for a fact that three cities I adore are on 'semi-lock down'. One example - Utsunomiya...a small city near Nikko, Japan. There's a small hotel that is VERY inexpensive but clean and easy-access to the train station. Across the street from the hotel, there's a great ramen shop. And there's a direct line from Utsunomiya to Nikko (the most beautiful spot in all of Japan). Right now (as of last week), the hotel is only allowing Japanese residents...no foreigners. The ramen shop across the street is limited to only six customers at a time and the Nikko train line is running at 50% occupancy....forcing people to wait for the train(s). This is still no good for group tours. So, I will be going soon to see what is/isn't possible. Hope that explains it. Sometimes I am TERRIBLE at explaining things. :)
@@carlrosa1130 Thank you for the info. I previously attended your sushi class and I am looking forwards to visiting Japan with you. 😁
@@letuandat93 Sounds great! As soon as Japan is 'tour friendly' I will be setting up trips.
When it says 'stay on same train' in the Navitime app, that means i do not have to get out of the train right? Eventhough the line changes
The train line itself may change but the train is likely still heading to the appropriate destination. I am not familiar with the Navitime app app, I tend to use Hyperdia. But I would definitely take the advice of 'staying on the same train' unless instructed to do otherwise.
So I’m planning a Tokyo trip in May for 10 days with one of those days in Yokohama during the day and back to my Tokyo hotel in the evening. So do i just need a SUICA card to get around Tokyo and buy a separate ticket to Yokohama using their typical rail? or will a SUICA card work for trip from Tokyo to Yokohama? Thx….btw I’m from Houston too.
10 days? Yes - definitely get a SUICA card. It will make life easy for you. Will you be landing in Narita?
@@carlrosa1130 Haneda. Will I be able to buy a SUICA card with my Chase Sapphire credit card once I arrive at Haneda? Or will I need to withdraw cash from an ATM at Haneda to buy one? I was hoping to buy one with credit card. I prefer physical card and one on my phone(android).
@@inquisitvem6723 Okay, Haneda. Gotcha. To the best of my knowledge, you cannot use a credit card to load a Suica. I believe you will have to convert some cash to yen and then load your card with yen. I totally understand your situation but in this case, cash is king. But, I believe you can use the Google Pay app to load the card as well. What are you planning to do in Tokyo for 10 days?
@@carlrosa1130 explore the city, take lots of pics, go t o shows, eat at cool places and soak in the sights and culture. I’m only going to Yokohama for a day trip since it’s close by. 10 days should be enough for Tokyo show right?
@@inquisitvem6723 10 days is MORE than enough time in Tokyo. When I host tours, the maximum time I spent in Tokyo is 3 or 4 days. You'll have all the time to do everything you want. That's guaranteed. Yokohama is a great spot, too.
After city behemoths like New York and Moscow this should be normal. But asian design is so confusing and overwhelming, it becomes a few times harder than it's suppose to be.
I have to admit that you're right. I've been in New York, Washington D.C., Los Angeles, London and China. And I can say that Japan takes time to learn.
@@carlrosa1130 , you should try Moscow metro. It's incredibly easy to use despite being on par with huge asian metros.
1 more piece of advise.. when u arrive at tokyo or any other places in japan or worlds..
Just use google maps.. type your direction select type of vehicles.. then you can get full details... including Train or buss timming, platform numbers, exit door, choosing which routes are cheapest or fastest, etc....
U just need an internet.. plain and simple 😂
Thanks for the comment, I appreciate it. The problem with Google Maps is - you require the internet which can be quite spotty at times in Japan (especially underground) and since COVID there have been changes that may not be accurate on-the-spot. Good example - I was in Utsunomiya, Japan last week. I used Google Maps, the Nikko Line train lines were all the wrong times. Thanks again for the comment!
Pls make a vid about Tokyo Metro pass 🙏🙏🙏 I’m going to Tokyo for the first time
Thanks for the reply. It will take some time to research and create a video but I can help you. When are you going to Japan?
@@carlrosa1130 this August
I really don't understand that the train system is so confusing. I am trying to find out the name of the train that takes you from Tokyo to Osaka. The one that is included in JR pass. Shinkansen, but which one since Nazomi abd another one are not included in the pass? Maybe someone can answer this.
Depending on the type of pass you have (JR Ordinary or JR Green Pass), you should use trains named 'Hikari' or 'Kodama' to travel from Tokyo to Osaka. But you will have to stop in Shin-Osaka and take a different train from Shin Osaka to Osaka. The Nozomi is an express train only for people who purchased the JR Green Pass. If you have an 'ordinary pass' and attempt to use the Nozomi, they will insist that you get off the train at the next stop.
@carlrosa1130 Thank you for responding. So, with JR pass, I should be able to ride Hikari to Osaka out of Tikyo station?
@@aayoub1No problem. I'm happy to help. Here's what you will have to do:
Step 1: From Tokyo Station, you will either take the Hikari or the Kodama bullet train to Shin-Osaka . 90% of the time, you'll use the Hikari. When you get to Kyoto (which will take about 3 hours), stay on the train for one more stop. The word 'Shin-Osaka' means 'Near Osaka.' So, at Shin-Osaka, get off of the bullet train.
Step 2: Walk out of the bullet train area and go to the JR lines section of the train station. You need to take a JR train from Shin-Osaka to Osaka because a bullet train line doesn't go from Shin-Osaka to Osaka. They are too close to each other. The bullet train ride would be about 6 seconds. LOL So, walk out of the bullet train station section and go to the JR Osaka Train lines. You'll see signs everywhere. You'll take an escalator down to the train platforms. I believe (please double check) that platform #15 and/or #16 will take you to Osaka Station.
Step 3: It's a short ride from Shin-Osaka to Osaka. Get this - the train ride will be about four minutes. When you get off the train in Osaka, you'll take an escalator up to the main train station.
I hope this helps! 😀 Let me know how it goes for you.
This is very helpful. I always get confused how many types of trains Japan has, how to differentiate them or where they're going. I'm saving this video for my first-time solo travel to Japan this autumn.
Now that I'm almost near my trip, I equip myself with knowledge regarding JP train system because this is what I dread the most. I've never been to Tokyo so I hope having enough research will somehow take some if my fear and anxiety away. Do most of the station staff speak English?
Thank you so much for making this vid and I hope many people also find this helpful.
My pleasure. Thank YOU for watching the video! 🙂
Couldnt u just google map to find the best train route?
Sure - give that a try. Walk up to the subway turnstiles and show them your JR pass...and what that doesn't work, tell them Google sent you. Then, when you're trying to take the bullet train, show them your subway ticket. And when that doesn't work, tell them Google Maps, tell them Google maps sent you.
You said you would keep it short? Information I don’t need
Well then there's great news for you. You never need to see a single one of my videos again. Make your own videos, show me how it's done to your satisfaction and share it with the world.
bullet train for tokyo to shinagawa? lol -- shinagawa is IN tokyo itself .. use a local train
You can take a shinkansen from Tokyo-eki to Shinagawa-eki. The connection exists. And after the entire video...THAT'S what you come up with? A single criticism? Do your research before you post a comment.