Bob and Joyce
Adventurers in Japan
 2008

 Trains, Buses, Subways

 

The Shinkansen "Bullet Train" arriving at the station. This train traveled at 166 mph during several of our ten trips inside Japan.
We made extensive use of the public transportation system during our 11 days in Japan.  Before leaving the United States we ordered a Japan Rail Pass which gives use of all Japan Railway lines for 14 days. The up-front cost is high, but the convenience and freedom is extraordinary.

We took 23 rail trips outside of Tokyo. All but one were covered by the rail pass; the other 49 minute trip cost $3.00. The JR Rail Pass covers both the basic fare and seat reservations, which are recommended on the long Shinkansen rides. The retail cost of the trips would have been double our up-front investment. However, we would not have gone to all the places we visited if "we had to pay for them".

In total we spent 24 hours on the trains covering 1700 miles:

Tokyo - Hakone - Tokyo
Tokyo - Nikko - Tokyo
Tokyo - Kyoto
Kyoto - Miyajima
Miyajima - Hiroshima
Hiroshima - Tokyo
Tokyo - Kamakura  - Tokyo
Tokyo - Nagano - Matsumoto - Shinjuku(Tokyo)
In addition to the trains we rode extensively on the Tokyo subways. This is intimidating in the beginning, but after a day or two we were quite comfortable with the process, even at rush hour. We had a smart card which allowed access to the entire system without having to bother with tickets. The fare is deducted from the card after each ride. The system is very convenient. Minimum fares range from $1.60 and up. A ride for 5 stops from Roppongi Station to Tokyo station using two of the lines costs $1.60. We ended up spending about $40 each in the Tokyo subways.

On both trains and subways we found absolute on-time performance. Never did a train or subway get more than 1 minute late.

Later, I will post some photos about "life in the subway".
In Kyoto, Hiroshima, Kamakura, and Nagano we used the bus or tram. On the surface we were able to see the life above the streets. It is interesting but, of course, slow and unpredictable.
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