How To Travel In Japan
- Japan is NOT Expensive -

Many foreners say: "JAPAN is Expensive". but, I don't think so.
If I eat lanch, it costs 6-8 US dollar. Don't you think it is reasonable?

Most foreners don't go such reasonable restruns, but go to expensive "Family Restoran". If you go to Japansese Style "SYOKUDOU"(in Japansese, it means Japanese style restran), you can eat Japanese Food reasonablly.

Transportation

Many foreners want to ride Ballot Train, named "Shinkansen"(in Japanese).
but, you goto Tokyo Station, you have to buy MOST expensive ticket.

Many Japanese don't buy such a expensive ticket in Station.
Many Japanese use "Pack Tour"(Ticket and Hotel and All Included) or "Free Tour"(Ticket only, you can go everyware you want) or "buy ticket in Ticket Shop"(not in station, outside station, selling Coupon.

so, If foreners arrive at NARITA International Airport, you should goto UENO or Shinjuku. UENO have a few ticket office outside the station, called "KINKENYA"(in japanese). and Shinjuku have many ticket office outside the station, it is called same "KINKENYA"(in Japanese).

so, you can go to UENO or Shinjuku by Limousine BUS from NARITA International AIrport. that is about 3,000Yen. but, you can go there also by Train (Express or Not).

If cost effective, you shoulduse "Keikyuu" from Narita Airport. JR (same as Narionai Railway) is mostly expensive than "Keikyuu".

Nikko

Nikko is one of most exciting place for forener.

If you go there, you goto ASAKUSA sation, and ride "TOUBU" train. and you can choose Express or Not. Express is as twice as Normal train. but, speed is not so much difference. If cost effective, you should use normal train, most train that go to nikko is "Kyuukou"(semi express) or "Jyunkyuu"(semi express), this is faster than normal, but, no-EXTRA fee. this is most cost effective.

And you can see Nikko in a Day. Staying Nikko is VERY Expensive. so,you should stay UENO - Asakusa Area or "Utunomiya"(Near Nikko) Area is also second choice.

Youth Hostel(YH)

Japanese Youth Hostel is mostly expensive. but some YH is good.
Nowadays, Normal Hotel (mostry for bussiness) is also reasonable.

so, many Japanese don't stay YH, but stay Normal Hotel.

If you want to stay Japanese Old Style - called "Ryokan", you should not choose this type of Normal Hotel. this reasonable Hotel (mostly 4000yen-8000yen) have NO special Service. Just stay Hotel. but, it is very cost effective.

This style Hotel's problem is:

1. Mostly Japanese Targeted
2. Website is mostly Japanese Only
3. Hotel expect foreners to go to Traditional Japanese Style Hotel(called "Ryokan"). (this is very expensive. 12000yen - 30000yen for one person)

And Another choice. called "Super SENTOU".
This is not familier to foreiners. but, Japanese use this style for emergency sleep area or young people or Truck driver.

this is mostly in the Road. mostly NOT near train station.
and almost Domitory with reclineng chair and Just One Big Towel.

or, you can choose "CAPSEL HOTEL Style" in some "Super SENTOU".

CAPSULE HOTEL

this is like a "Big Locker Room".

most foreners think "What's this??? incrediable!!!".
but, it it very very very cost effective.

most people like Hotel Style. but, sometimes use this style accidently.

Transport in long distance

From Tokyo To Osaka/Kyoto/Nagoya (vice versa)

by Train

You can buy "SEISYUN 18 Ticket" in 3times in a year. this is defined the selling span and using span. and you have to use all ticket(5day in 1ticket). you have to check the "USE Span" before use it. this ticket only buy proper period.

but, this ticket is very cost effective.

you can ride All NORMAL train (include some semi-express, please check. some semi-express need "reserved seat ticket"(mostly reasonable, about 400yen), if you use this ticket effectively. you can goto HAKATA from TOKYO in ONE DAY with 2700YEN !!! (ticket for one day is 2300Yen plus reserved seat ticlet about 400yen)

by bus

you can use Highway bus.
nowadays reasonable bus ticket is sole on INTERNET ONLY. this is for cost savings. and sold out imiddiatly before 2 or 3 weeks. so, you have to book it on Internet.

by car

it it possible, but very expensive.
becouse Japanese Highway is VERY EXPENSIVE.

if you goto Osaka from Tokyo by car, you pay about 12000yen for Highway.
And you need Fuel cost. (also very expensive)

JR (Japanese National Railway) or many campany service "Rent a Car" service. you can choose it.

You should use car in SHORT distance. You shoud NOT in LONG distance.

Many Japanese "Rent a car" service is also arranged such an short distance.

but, sub-urban areas, forexample SHIKOKU or TOHOKU or KYUSYU or HOKKAIDO area is very Huge, so, you may good to use "Rent a car" from Airport for 2 or 3 day.

there are many tours include "Airplane and Rent a Car"(not group. ticket only). so, many Japanese use this style "FREE TOUR". so, you can use it.

Mostly, this type of tour need previously BOOKING. you shoud ask Travel Agencys in Japen by E-mail.

If foreighers buy ticket separately, it costs as TWICE as some tours. (incredible!)

This is why called "Japan is expensive".

I think "Japan is NOT expensive".There are many choices. and various arranges. but, it is unknown to foreners.

Onsen ( Hot Spa )

This is one of most fasinate culture of Japan.

I goto outside of Japan and goto Hot Spa, but I NEVER seen this style of Hot Spa. (I here, there are same style hotel in TAIWAN).

If foreners come to Japan, you shoud goto Onsen(Hot Spa).

If you want not nude with others, you should go to sub-urban areas. there are fewer people in there. but, In Japan, Onsen(Hot Spa) is very popular, so, many people go to there. you can't avoid to nude with others.

but, it is olso CULTURE of Japan. you should try it.

And Feel Japanese.
This is One Of Most Good Culture of Japan.

Fujisan ( Mt. Fuji)

Japanese feel Mt. Fuji. This is connected to YAMATO-DAMASHII.

FEEL GOOD. THINKG GOOD. FAIRLY. PURELY.

Japanese Culture lays in this Mountain.

You can see Mt. Fuji from Shizuoka.
The View of Mt. Fuji from Shizuoka is MOST beautifle.

And you feeel Japanese Immidiately.

Kyoto

You must want to go to Kyoto.

Osaka

This town is also fasinating for that culture.

Ise Jingu

Many Japanese want to go "Ise Jingu" at least one time in life.
One of most secred place in Japan.

You can feel goodess with living.

Japanese culture is not dead. NOT RUIN. This is ALIVE !!!
You can feel existance of god with living vividly.

This secred is same as Greek Aanciant Culture.
But, different is "THIS IS ALIVE".

You can see all of it in Ise Jingu.

Miyajima( in Hiroshima )

Miyajima is also Fasinating place.

Meiji Jingu ( in Tokyo )

If you don't have time to goto Ise Jingu.
And also, sightseeing in Tokyo, You should go Meiji Jingu.

This is exist in Tokyo Urban Area.

You may surprised to see HUGE forests in Tokyo Urban Area.
Many Japansese worship old "Meiji Tenno".

You can also goodess of Japan vividly.

- for your good travel in Japan.