Trains in Japan

**Phteven** · January 19th, 2013, 05:08 PM

Kind of an obscure question but before I check the rest of the internet I figured I would check with the BB brains trust....

Do I need to book inter-city trains in advance or can I just turn up on the day? How often do the trains run between major cities? (Kyoto - Tokyo/Tokyo - Nagano).

**k4t** · January 19th, 2013, 05:20 PM

It's a few years since we were there but you can just turn up on the day. That's what we did. I think there might be different seat/car options if you book ahead though. I'm not sure about Nagano but there were several trains a day to Kyoto, some are more express than others.

**Beach Mama** · January 19th, 2013, 05:22 PM

We were there 10 years ago but but we just bought tickets on the day, was very simple although we had my japanese MIL with us!!!

Shinkansen runs pretty regularly between the main cities! (Like every 15-20 mins from memory!!!!)

**Phteven** · January 19th, 2013, 05:33 PM

Thanks.
The boys want to ride the bullet train. Is that the Shinkansen?

**Beach Mama** · January 19th, 2013, 05:42 PM

Sure is chick! Ridiculously fast!!!!

**MantaRay** · January 19th, 2013, 08:09 PM

I don't remember booking, I think on the day is fine. Shinkansen is bullet train. But it doesn't seem as fast when you're on it.

**Phteven** · January 19th, 2013, 08:30 PM

Here's an even sillier question.
If we catch the train from Kyoto to Tokyo will we see Mt Fuji out the window.

**Beach Mama** · January 20th, 2013, 05:50 AM

Not silly! Yes you will but its pretty far away and you are travelling fast so it will be a quick snap through the window. Ahhh I'm jealous, DH's grandfather turns 100 in late Feb so he is going with his mum for 2 weeks to Tokyo then visiting his aunts fully restored Samurai house down south. Fully rad - totally green.

**LimeSlice** · January 20th, 2013, 07:33 AM

Just looking at the JP website, and it says you will ned to book as most seats are reserved in advance. I would book if you can.

There is a leg you can see Fuji for a good while (considering your speed lol), and it is a fabulous view, you are far enough away to see the whole mountain and it surrounds perfectly framed in the window. I am sure it is Nagoya to Tokyo - which will be the same route if you are coming from Kyoto.

Make sure you have cash on the train for Pocky. Shinkansen should never been taken without Pocky.

**Freya** · January 20th, 2013, 11:34 AM

We booked the Shinkansen the day before at the station, very easy. You get two sets of tickets, both need to go through the machine. Reserved seats are the best, very roomy. Tokyo to Kyoto took 2.5hrs and we saw mt Fuji out the window as it was a clear day, but very quickly lol it's a great way to travel, kids thought it was awesome!

**Phteven** · January 20th, 2013, 02:23 PM

Thanks everyone

DH suddenly decided that he needs to go to Hiroshima this morning so I got busy shuffling stuff about to fit it in.

Now I might reassess how cost effective a rail pass might be. I figured out before that it wasn't worth it but maybe now it will be. The Shinkansen isn't included in the JRail pass is it?

**LimeSlice** · January 20th, 2013, 02:25 PM

It was 10 years ago....

Hiroshima is worth it, very much so.

**Freya** · January 20th, 2013, 02:26 PM

The Nozomi (fastest Shinkansen) isn't but I think one of the others might........the Hikari maybe?

**LimeSlice** · January 20th, 2013, 02:32 PM

Yep...dug my JR pass out.

Ordinary Shinkansen included, not Nozomi. You can make seat reervations without additional fees with the pass too.

Of coure, this may have changed in 10 years! LOL

**Freya** · January 20th, 2013, 03:22 PM

Try here: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html

**luna moth** · January 20th, 2013, 04:37 PM

The Nozomi (fastest Shinkansen) isn't but I think one of the others might........the Hikari maybe?

Yep, Hikari. Still really fast.

For us the JR pass was worthwhile. If you're based in Osaka or Kyoto and go to Hiroshima, it's pretty much worth it just for tag trip.

You can see Fuji out the window for a decent amount of time, 10 minutes or so?

Shinkansens always put me to sleep.

Oh, the reservation thing - definitely worth doing. You can do it half an hour in advance if you want to though, which is mostly what we dd.

**Phteven** · January 22nd, 2013, 07:41 PM

Bought exchange thingo for the trains today

I only got 14 days because for the last 10 days we're staying in Nozawa Onsen so we don't need it.
Printed out tickets, hotel bookings and insurance certificates - not over excited at all lol