Japan Master Thread

[Yehoshua]

There is also wifi in most of the train stations. You may need to download something beforehand, but the wifi helps out.

What type of thing do you need to download in advance? Why can't you just connect to the wifi as is? It also seems that Google has station maps so those can be saved to my phone in advance, no?

[Marco Polo]

What type of thing do you need to download in advance? Why can't you just connect to the wifi as is? It also seems that Google has station maps so those can be saved to my phone in advance, no?

Not sure what it is, but google free Japan wifi or something like that.

[Yehoshua]

Got it, thanks.

[shwarmabob]

I was just speaking to the Andaz Tokyo, asking them the best way to get to NRT from their hotel. They said they recommend a limousine bus or the Narita Express over the Keisei Skyliner. They said that if you're not familiar with the station, getting to the Skyliner can be confusing. Has anyone here taken it and did you find it confusing? If I don't take that, is it with it to take a limousine bus (cheaper than the Skyliner) or the Narita Express (more expensive than the Skyliner)?

take Narita Skyaccess to Nihombashi Station (1 hour)
Transfer to the metro - Ginza line towards Shibuya
4 stops to Toranomon Station
5 min walk from there

[Yehoshua]

take Narita Skyaccess to Nihombashi Station (1 hour)
Transfer to the metro - Ginza line towards Shibuya
4 stops to Toranomon Station
5 min walk from there

I assume you mean in reverse, since I'm departing from NRT not landing there. Why didn't you recommend or take the Skyliner?

[shwarmabob]

I assume you mean in reverse, since I'm departing from NRT not landing there.

Yes

Why didn't you recommend or take the Skyliner?

The Narita Skyaccess is cheaper and at least from the airport it seems to be the same 1 hour. However, don't forget to check the schedule.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/

You are arriving at HND?

[Yehoshua]

YesThe Narita Skyaccess is cheaper and at least from the airport it seems to be the same 1 hour. However, don't forget to check the schedule.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/

You are arriving at HND?

I hadn't heard of the Sky access, just the Narita express, Keisei Skyliner and limo busses. I'll look into it.

I'm landing in HND and plan on taking the monorail to the Ginza line one stop to the hotel.

[Yehoshua]

YesThe Narita Skyaccess is cheaper and at least from the airport it seems to be the same 1 hour. However, don't forget to check the schedule.
http://www.keisei.co.jp/keisei/tetudou/skyliner/us/

You are arriving at HND?

So I looked into Sky Access (thanks!). The site says they go to Shimbashi station, which is close to the Andaz (walkable, or you can take the Ginza line 1 stop). The Keisei Skyliner leaves from Ueno station and is 9 stops on the Ginza line away from the Andaz. Keisei's site seems to say it's 1:07 on a direct train. Did you actually take the Sky Access?

[shwarmabob]

So I looked into Sky Access (thanks!). The site says they go to Shimbashi station, which is close to the Andaz (walkable, or you can take the Ginza line 1 stop). The Keisei Skyliner leaves from Ueno station and is 9 stops on the Ginza line away from the Andaz. Keisei's site seems to say it's 1:07 on a direct train. Did you actually take the Sky Access?

We did take Sky Access, however it was from NRT airport to Minato-ku district. You will be fine with either trains, they all run great. Shimbashi seems to be within walking distance to Andaz, I only suggested the metro for those few block becasue of the luggage that you may have.
BTW although we did use Suica cards for the few days we were in Tokyo, if you will only be there one day, you may manage without it. You can pay the minimum fare when you get on the metro and then you go over to the metro personnel when you exit the station to pay the difference. It is more cumbersome but you won't be stuck with the Suica card when you are leaving (unless you don't mind, I still have mine in my pocket:)

I also found "Tokyo Subway Navigation for Tourists" app (on android) very useful while there. There is WIFI on many/most stations and by entering your departure and destination station, the app tells you where to transfer and much much the fare will be.

Enjoy! Regards to the rabbi

[Yehoshua]

We did take Sky Access, however it was from NRT airport to Minato-ku district. You will be fine with either trains, they all run great. Shimbashi seems to be within walking distance to Andaz, I only suggested the metro for those few block becasue of the luggage that you may have.
BTW although we did use Suica cards for the few days we were in Tokyo, if you will only be there one day, you may manage without it. You can pay the minimum fare when you get on the metro and then you go over to the metro personnel when you exit the station to pay the difference. It is more cumbersome but you won't be stuck with the Suica card when you are leaving (unless you don't mind, I still have mine in my pocket:)

I also found "Tokyo Subway Navigation for Tourists" app (on android) very useful while there. There is WIFI on many/most stations and by entering your departure and destination station, the app tells you where to transfer and much much the fare will be.

I don't plan on having more than carry ons, but with luggage it makes sense to take the metro. I don't plan on getting the suica card, just the paying the fare. I don't think I'll need it for the 2/3 metro rides I'll take.

Thanks for the tip for the app. I just installed it.

[SLMYRCB]

They claim that Cherry Blossom season in Tokyo is over by the 2nd week of April.
I can connect via NRT/HND at the end of the 2nd or beginning of the 3rd week. Anyone been there right after the claimed "end of season"? Is it worth the stop or is it really over? Its an awfully short season btw.

[Dan]

Take a train north?

[SLMYRCB]

Take a train north?

On a <24hr connection? Does that mean that its really over? Its not like they take them down, right? From what I remember about trees, they aren't so consistent. Def not enough to claim "Behold, on this exact day they will change".

[Feivish]

How early do I need to be at the fish market in February to get in line for the tuna auction?
Has anyone here done the auction? If so is it worth it?

[Feivish]

How early do I need to be at the fish market in February to get in line for the tuna auction?
Has anyone here done the auction? If so is it worth it?

So have none of you guys been to the tuna auction at 5 in the morning? Am I the only meshuginer who wants to do this?

[DMYD]

Am I the only meshuginer?

Yes 

[Hershelsdeals]

Yes 

+1

[Feivish]

So have none of you guys been to the tuna auction at 5 in the morning? Am I the only meshuginer who wants to do this?

Yes 

+1

Thanks all, I'm flattered! 

[Aerial Dag]

So have none of you guys been to the tuna auction at 5 in the morning? Am I the only meshuginer who wants to do this?

I was originally planning on going since I was jetlagged anyway but in the end I watched a video of it on youtube and decided it wasn't worth the time. Having said that, you should definitely make sure to check out the market. I went to the wholesale market before 9am (convinced the guards we wanted to buy fresh salmon) and got to see some real craziness in there.

[Dan]

I've always wanted to, but the dates haven't worked out on my 2 trips to NRT.