First Trip To Japan -Tips and advice
Overview
Using a taxi in Japan may cost more than in your country.
It is an expensive way of moving methods.
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| Image : pixabay.com |
Normally, taxis may be unnecessary for travelling in Japan.
Around famous tourist spots are sufficient by other public transportations.
However, taxis are the only way for transporting after trains and buses stop operation around midnight.
Most people in Japan use taxis only on business, when drunk or sometimes when trains stop in sudden accidents.
Good parts of Japanese taxi
- Most drivers are very polite and drive safely.
- All taxis are very clean. Never seen an unclean taxi.
- Smoking is not allowed
Bad parts of Japanese taxi
- Most drivers can’t speak English
- Some drivers(mostly new drivers) only know famous destinations.
How much do taxis cost
Taxi rates are calculated by distance and time.
The costs are a little different for taxi companies.
Here are details of how the rates are calculated
- First 2km costs around JPY650 to JPY780.
- After 2km, JPY90 costs for each 288m.
- If the taxi speed gets under 10km/h, JPY90 costs each 1 Minute and 45 seconds.
How to catch a taxi
Mostly in large cities, you don’t have to worry about catching taxis.
Allots of taxis are waiting for riders around train stops and roads nearby.
- Around train stations, you get in line at the taxi stand.
- By the road, you can simply catch a taxi by raising your hand.
- The colors of taxis are various like Black, Green, Yellow, Red and more.
- Every taxi has symbols on top of the roof.
- I’ve never seen a car with a symbol on top that isn’t a taxi.
Negotiating for Costs
Most of the drivers can’t negotiate rates.
They are being monitored by their navigation systems and fee calculator.
Some of the taxi groups have fees for touring around famous tourist spots.
On the other hand, because of the monitoring, they can’t rip off additional costs.
(Part of the drivers might detour for the destination, but should is less than in other countries)
Bullet train stations
The Shinkansen has types of trains that represent where they stop.
Here are the types.
- Local
- Express
- Super Express
Toukaido-Shinkansen
| Nozomi (Super Express) | Hikari (Express) | Kodama (Local) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | YES | YES | YES |
| Shinagawa | YES | YES | YES |
| Shin Yokohama | YES | YES | YES |
| Odawara | - | Few a day | YES |
| Atami | - | Few a day | YES |
| Mishima | - | Few a day | YES |
| Shin Fuji | - | - | YES |
| Shizuoka | - | Some | YES |
| Kakegawa | - | - | YES |
| Hamamatsu | - | Some | YES |
| Toyohashi | - | Some | YES |
| Mikawa Anjyo | - | - | YES |
| Nagoya | YES | YES | YES |
| Gifu Hashima | - | Some | YES |
| Maibara | - | Some | YES |
| Kyoto | YES | YES | YES |
| Shin Osaka | YES | YES | YES |
Nozomi Super Express
The Nozomi runs more than 300 per day.
It stops at Major Cities like Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Shin Osaka.
You may not have to check the timetable for the train, because it stops at stations more than every 10 minutes.
Hikari Express
The Hikari stops more than Nozomi.
It is a bit complicated for its stops.
Hikari mostly has different stops related to the time and day of the weekend.
You should check before catching a Hikari.
Kodama Local
Kodama stops at every station for the Shinkansen.
Time is required to get to your destination.
Overview of Shinkansen
The bullet train in Japan is called the Shinkansen.
It is operated by JR-Lines groups.
There are 6 companies in the JR-Lines which runs public transportation.
The Shinkansen runs all around major cities in Japan with 5 of the JR-Lines.
Most people in Japan prefer using the Shinkansen more than the Airlines.
It is because really simple to ride and faster than planes.
Max operation speeds
Here is a list of bullet train speeds by each Shinkansen line.
| Shinkansen Line | Max Speed | Major city |
|---|---|---|
| Toukaido | 285km/h | Tokyo to Osaka |
| Sanyo | 300km/h | Osaka to Hakata |
| Touhoku | 320km/h | Tokyo to Aomori |
| Jyoetsu | 240km/h | Takasaki to Niigata |
| Hokuriku | 260km/h | Takasaki to Kanazawa |
| Kyushu | 260km/h | Hakata to Kagoshima |
| Hokkaido | 260km/h | Aomori to Hakodate |
Each line has features like lines that run in cities that have heavy snowfalls and are slower.
Most lines have different types of cars.
Time required and fee
| From | To | Duration | Non Reserved Seat | Reserved Seat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | Kyoto | 2h18min | 13,080JPN | 13,910JPN |
| Tokyo | Osaka | 2h33min | 13,620JPN | 14,450JPN |
| Tokyo | Hiroshima | 3h54min | 18,040JPN | 19,080JPN |
| Tokyo | Nagoya | 1h41min | 10,360JPN | 11,090JPN |
It may be better to fly if you are going far than Hiroshima from Tokyo.
Accidents
In 1995, a 17-year-old student was dragged along the platform.
He was rushing to get on the train before the door closes and got his finger stuck in the door.
No one took notice and was dragged 160 meters after falling off the platform he was run over by the train.
This is the first and only casualty by the Shinkansen in Japan.
(Not counting suicides. Suicides happen about once a year.)
Shinkansen is a safe choice for transportation.
How to ride the Shinkansen
You can buy tickets at the JR Stations.
It is better to avoid Friday and Monday because it is crowded with businessmen.
There are basely three types of tickets that you can get for the Shinkansen.
Non reserved Seat
It is the cheapest ticket but you may not have a seat when it is crowded.
On the other hand, you are free to ride any time for 1 or 2 days after you buy the ticket.
Reserved Seat
You are guaranteed a seat by paying for a reserved set.
Your seat is booked for the date and time of the Shinkansen.
In case you missed the train, you are able to ride the non-reserved seat only for the same day.
Green Seat
It is like the First Class seat on an aeroplane.
All seats are reserved and cost about 30% to 40% more than the non-reserved seat.
The Green Seat is very quiet and mostly only a few people are in the car.
Buying Shinkansen tickets on the Internet
Sad to say but buying tickets online is not available for foreign tourists.
It is not impossible but the service is only in Japanese and a credit card only for Shinkansen specialized is needed.
I hope this service gets better before the Olympics in Tokyo 2020.
conclusion
If you are visiting and want to visit more than one major city, I recommend that you try the Shinkansen.
I see a lot of tourists on the Shinkansen.
It may cost a bit but is safe and comfortable.
Riding the Shinkansen may be a good memory for your trip to Japan.
