JR Tips
What we learned from our experience in Japan Rail
-Use the vending machine whenever possible, even when buying Airport-City transportation tickets such as Narita Express. This will save lots of time from waiting in long queue especially in airports and train JR Service Centers
-Use the JR Service Center to get children rate. This you cannot avoid the queue. One way to save time is to still buy the adult ticket for the airport transportation when entering the city
-Buy the IC Card or Suica Card for the metro. You will use it a lot and we did. I would not recommend the limited time IC cards being sold at the airport and major train stations. I recommend to just get the regular IC cards that do not expire. You never know when you want to come back again.
-Only buy the JR pass if some type of returning leg is needed. For a one way ride from Tokyo to Osaka or Kyoto is not worth buying the JR pass. You cannot use the fastest train (Nozomi) via the JR pass either.
-Always buy the Ekiben or Eki Bento at the departing station. The selection is so great and the quality is incredible. We will do this over and over again.
-Use all means of public transportation. There are so many varieties of public transportation options and they are all unique in their own ways. The trains would have different color handle rings based on lines. Some trains only have one cart and buses are super easy to navigate. The metro system is a bit of a maze in big cities but also fun to navigate. It's a fun experience all to itself to use all means of public transportation.
-On the Tokaido Shinkansan, on a clear day, you can get a free view of Mount Fuji without taking an extra excursion. There are many view points of Mount Fuji along the Tokaido Shinkansan. For a first time visitor, this is a great chance to see Mount Fuji without spending the time going there.
-The station itself is a great place to explore. We explored Tokyo and Kyoto Stations. These stations are large and are connected to major shopping and food centers. They have lockers for convenient luggage storage and have tons of shopping, restaurant, convenient stores, and specialty food options. The station itself is also a great place to people watch and take in the awe-inspiring architectures (big or small).
-The trains and the stations have their own characters. The different JR lines have different departure melodies. It is a great way to take in the sound of the city when riding the different JR lines. The stations itself albeit big or small have their own characteristics. It's a great way to observe how the Japanese people view the particular location.
-You get to see things that you don't get to see on the ground. The trains are often time elevated. It's a great way to see certain landmarks of the city without actually going there.
-You will need to top up your Suica or IC cards more than you think. Each ride in Tokyo is more expensive than other cities. So expect to top up the IC cards more frequently than other cities.
-The station itself is a great place to explore. We explored Tokyo and Kyoto Stations. These stations are large and are connected to major shopping and food centers. They have lockers for convenient luggage storage and have tons of shopping, restaurant, convenient stores, and specialty food options. The station itself is also a great place to people watch and take in the awe-inspiring architectures (big or small).
-The trains and the stations have their own characters. The different JR lines have different departure melodies. It is a great way to take in the sound of the city when riding the different JR lines. The stations itself albeit big or small have their own characteristics. It's a great way to observe how the Japanese people view the particular location.
-You get to see things that you don't get to see on the ground. The trains are often time elevated. It's a great way to see certain landmarks of the city without actually going there.
-You will need to top up your Suica or IC cards more than you think. Each ride in Tokyo is more expensive than other cities. So expect to top up the IC cards more frequently than other cities.
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