From: jturley@netcom.com (James Turley)
Subject: Re: STUCK IN TOKYO
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services  (408 241-9760 guest) 
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 09:12:32 GMT

A take a look at this thread from the TRAVSIG on CompuServ, Asia section.

You may find it useful.  EMail mail if you want detailed info about Japan.

Please note that you will be there during the busiest season: New Years....
be sure to get reservations BEFORE you arrive. All transporation and 
tourist facilities are very busy until 1/6/93...

If you are in Tokyo on the night of the 31st (New Years eve)...be prepared for
a real treat.  Go to a temple (I'll recommend one later)...an watch the
 the activites---fires, ringing of temple bells.  Young ladies in kimonos.
Just hanging out at the train station is fun.  Just follow a group of 
kimono clad ladies to the nearest temple.  GOod luck.  Jim Turley.,
NOTE THAT JAPAN IS VERY COLD NOW...BUT DRY AND BEAUTIFUL



From 75635.767@compuserve.com Wed Dec 23 00:54:31 1992
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Date: 23 Dec 92 03:48:36 EST
From: Jim Turley <75635.767@CompuServe.COM>
To: <jturley@netcom.com>
Subject: Narita
Message-Id: <921223084835_75635.767_EHJ22-1@CompuServe.COM>
Status: R

 
    23-May-92
Sb: Narita Lodging Problem
Fm: r.w. baker 71571,1541
To: ALL
 
Anybody have advice for an overnight layover at Narita Airport in
Japan?  I arrive at 4pm, and have a continuing flight the next
morning.  Is there anywhere cheap to stay near the airport?
 
 
Fm: James - Vancouver 76702,666
 
   rw - cheap, you would want it cheap!  We spent a night in Narita
(the town is a short distance from the airport) - it is a surprisingly
interesting town, with temples etc.
---Wakamatsu Honten (phone 22-1136),
--- Ogiya (22-1161),
---Umeya (22-0003)
   You could also try the general Narita Lodgings (info) no. (0476).
Inside the terminal bldg is the Narita Airport Rest House.    Sufi
 
 
Fm: James Turley 75635,767
 
   I recommend the Narita Rest House... reasonable.  Also there's a
new Sauna that just opened in the North Wing building (i think)
...great place to freshen up after a long flight.  Great service.  The
Narita Rest House is frequently fully booked however.   James'
suggestion about going into Narita is good too...Be sure to go to
temple (called Narita-san) there.  Lodgings are definitely cheaper in
town too.  You can take the bus or the local train from the station
under the airport.  Easy trip.  Even a taxi is only about 2000 yen.
You'll of course have to pay the Airport Tax again if you leave the
Transit area.
 
 
Fm: Kevin Lum 70431,3604
 
   I spend A LOT of time in Narita, and can tell you there aren't a lot
of cheap places.  Lots of standard airport type places to say - with
the usual high Japanese tariff.
   There is a hotel in Narita called U-City that NW supposedly puts
it's foreign national crews in, and may be cheaper than most.
   As a UA crew person we stay in a number of hotels, but they're
pretty high when just walking in off the street - they are:    Narita
Tokyu, Narita View, the Let's Hotel (located in heart of Narita) and
the Centraza.  There is a very small hotel called the Park Hills which
is unusual in that it supplies breakfast along with the room.
   There are also the usual Holiday Inn, and ANA Hotel.  The hotel on
the airport property is called the Narita Rest House.
   If you've got an AMEX Gold Card - you might want their Travel
Service 800-ENVOY24, to do the calling and price comparison for
you.
 
 
Fm: Robin Garr/NYC 76702,764
 
   Kevin, considering the ample, and reasonably quick, train service
between Narita, wouldn't it make just about as much sense for a
person staying overnight in the area to run in to Ueno or central
Tokyo?  Or would this require more paperwork than leaving the
airport area for someone who's just passing through?
 
 
Fm: Kevin Lum 70431,3604
 
   Robin...you'd think it would...and I suppose it depends on how
much someone just arriving in Japan is going to be "up" for upon
arrival.  The New JR service into Tokyo leaves from NRT and goes
right into the city.  There are at least 4 different destinations,
Shinjuku, Tokyo JR Station, Ikebukuro and the last one escapes me.
The Keisei line goes to Ueno, but requires a bus transfer from the
airport terminal to the train station.
   You're right it's faster than the bus into Tokyo, but still about 1.3
hrs.  With an arrival time of about 2-3pm, that puts you into the city
station at about 4ish, that's already 12am PDT, and a lot later if
you're from some other part of the US.  The departure at 11am the
next morning means checking in around 9am, so that's getting up
and heading for return train at about 6:30am....
   When you add in the higher price of a hotel in Tokyo proper, and
the travel time - I'd still opt for a Narita hotel.  The town is quaint
and has enough to keep you occupied between arrival and passing
out, and is a mere 15 minutes from the airport.  Makes more sense
to save Tokyo for an extended visit instead of an overnight layover.
 
 
Fm: Robin Garr/NYC 76702,764
 
   Thanks, Kevin. I was just curious what you thought about that. As
you know, we were so excited about our first trip to Japan that the
matter of a "mere" one-hour bus or train ride wouldn't even have
slowed us down.
   For someone who's only staying over, however, I could see that
getting a bit of rest without hassle could be a major priority.
 
   Changing the subject slightly, do you know if there's been a
change in the Keisei line from Ueno to Narita?  We, too, had heard
that you had to switch from the train to a bus to get to the terminal,
but we took what I *believe* to have been the Keisei train (it left
from the private station across the highway from JR Ueno Station)
straight into Narita airport when we were coming home.
 
 
Fm: James Turley 75635,767
 
   You are right...the transit hotels around Narita are definitely not
good values.  However the low end business hotels in Narita city are
definitely a value.  There are even some really cheap travelers
ryokans near the Temple.  However booking may be difficult
without Japanese, or from the US.
   Robin's suggestion of going to Ueno is a good one too.  Many,
many, low end and nice places to stay near Ueno station. Take the
Skyliner (not JR Narita Express) from the Airport station to Ueno.
The JR Narita Express takes you to Tokyo Station where hotels are
frequently fully booked and tend to be more expensive than Ueno.
   A further note, the JR Narita Express that goes to Tokyo Station
frequently gets sold out so you may be forced go First Class or wait
an hour or so.  I noticed the Skyliner to Ueno (run by a Keisei
private rail company) is rarely booked.  Also if the express trains
are full, you can always take a local...just be sure where you are
going.
 
 
Fm: Hans DeBruyn/YYZ 72300,1426
To: James Turley 75635,767
 
   I can't comment on Narita hotels, but I wanted to voice a
preference for the Airport Limousine buses vs the train if going to a
Tokyo hotel with anything other than hand luggage.  Price is slightly
lower for the bus (2900 Y vs 3200 for the NRT express to Shinjuku),
but the bus takes longer (2hrs vs 1.3) but it is door to door, and you
never have to lug your bags.  Particularly for the first time visitor, it
is less confusing.  The first visit to Tokyo station or Shinjuku is best
left for the day after arrival...Hans
 
 
Fm: James - Vancouver 76702,666
 
   Hans - I beg to differ! I can't say anything about the bus cause I've
never had to take it.  Love the train ride in on the Keisei though
(after a couple of times on the Skyliner we moved on to using the
local train (LE)).  There are a few transit guides to Tokyo (and maps
of station areas) - it really isn't that difficult.
   The connection from Keisei Ueno to the subway line was a bit
much for my 70+ year old mother (I carried her bags as well as my
own).    Sufi
 
 
Fm: Tom Killilea 76340,572
 
   Sufi -   I'd tend to agree with Hans for people staying at hotels
served by the buses and carrying lots of luggage (which fits many
business travellers and tourists).  His timing may be a bit off - while
the scheduled time to Shinjuku is 2hrs by bus, everytime I've done
that it's take 2 1/2 + hours (especially if it's a Friday or Sunday in
the rain - much fun).
   As for cost, Keisei Skyliner (for those of us who don't want local
trains - after 8+ hours on a plane, we want to get home - different
for you visitors, I know) is the best bargain going - what, Y1,800 or
so to Ueno.  Preferences also depend on  where you're going,
experience, fear of crowds (ever try to haul a big suitcase on the
Ginza Line during rush hour? - fun). - TK/Tokyo
 
 
Fm: Raymond Chuang 72441,3652
 
   Tom, I've hauled a full-sized suitcase from the Keisei Skyliner stop
to the Ginza Line subway platform at Ueno Station--a LONG walk and
no fun .
 
 
Fm: Takayuki Karahashi 75165,656
 
   I've never taken the airport bus myself (and just two days ago, I
once more took JR from Narita airport to Yokohama station), but
the airport bus has the absolute virtue of letting you off on the
departures (4th) floor.  This is particularly nice if you have heavy
luggage, since the train station is on B1, and there is no elevator
from B1 to 4.
   Having said that much, I never take the bus myself.  I send off my
heavy luggage through the porter service, so it's always waiting for
me on the 4th floor on departure day.  Then, I just carry it a few
meters to check-in.
   I used to think the Skyliner (or the cheaper limited express) was
the way to go, but with a Yokohama destination, I've come to realize
JR wins for absolute convenience.  Never been able to book the JR
Narita Express from NRT to Yokohama, but the reverse is pretty easy.
And send off luggage through QL Liner for more convenience.
 
 
Fm: Takayuki Karahashi 75165,656
To: James Turley 75635,767
 
>>rush on downstairs as soon as you arrive
   Unfortunately, you arrive on the 1st floor, but the ATM is on the
4th floor and the JR ticket office down on B1.  I guess you have to
bite the bullet and carry some yen from abroad, where you often
don't get a favorable exchange rate.
 
 
Fm: James Turley 75635,767
 
   Confirmed...both Keisea AND JR lines run out of Narita AIRPORT
Station...as opposed to the NARITA CITY Station.  Work of caution:
The JR Narita Express is frequently fully booked...so if you're
planning on using it from NRT to Tokyo station, rush on downstairs
as soon as you arrive.
 
 
Fm: Tom Killilea 76340,572
 
   Usually going OUT to Narita isn't a big problem (accept in big
travel times, of course). The real problem is getting from Narita by
NEX without waiting an hour or so (especially after flying 10+ hours
- we usually ending up taking Skyliner because they are usually
available {bigger trains and no single-seat Green Cars eating up
space ...cheaper, too}).
       - TK/Tokyo
 
 
Fm: george n wells 73060,3137
 
   I do have a recommendation for Narita.  There is a ryokan Ogiya
that is across the street from a 7-11 and a side entrance to Narita-
san temple.  The question is relative expense.  A room with private
bath and meals is 15,000 yen.  Considering the fact that the meals
are enormous by Japanese standards and a private bath is a luxury,
it is quite reasonable They are at 474 saiwaicho, Narita shi  Tel: 22-
1161.  BTW - they also have less private rooms and meals are extra.
It can be cheaper.  The inn keepers are quite nice and do speak
some english.  They also accept AMEX and a few other cards.  We
will be staying there again this October on our vacation.
   Do spend some time in Narita, it is an interesting place. BTW - last
time there I dropped 100 yen at the temple and got an upgrade to
first on my return flight.  Who said a prayer doesn't work?
Have a great stay.  -  GNW
 
 
Fm: Takayuki Karahashi 75165,656
To: James Turley 7563    5,767 (X)
 
   I've heard that you need to be constantly on the go (ie, travel
hundreds of kilometers every day of your stay) just to break even,
versus buying JR tickets as your needs arise.  Is this not necessarily
the case?
 
 
Fm: James Turley 75635,767
 
   Takayuki , that is a good question..with no easy answer...The JR
Pass becomes cost effective if you plan to use the super express and
shinkansen frequently.  Especially the Shinkansen for there are three
charges (you sometimes get three tickets):. The basic charge, the
superexpress charge, and the Shinkansen charge. There is also a
reserved seat charge.
   Also, another thing to remember is that the in many areas, JR is
not the dominant train company, especially in the south.  There
aren't just that many JR Routes in the the Osaka (Kansai) area.  The
JR Pass can't be used on non-JR routes.
   If you're traveling with Japanese friends who alas must pay full
freight, they wont be able to ride the often cheaper non-JR trains
with you.
 
 
Fm: David Blatner 72647,3302
 
   I was in Tokyo last week and I wished that I had a table that would
list the subways and rail stops in English next to the Kanji/Kana.  Too
often, I would look at a map, see where I was (marked in red), but
couldn't read any of the other stations' names to find out where to
go and, especially, how much money to put in the ticket machines...
   My tip is to make reservations on JR trains that travel at popular
times (any weekend, morning, evening) or popular places. I have not
travelled extensively in Japan, but I've stood in crowded cars too
often already!
 
 
Fm: James Turley 75635,767
 
   The subways are somewhat easier than trains.  Go to a manned
window in almost any bigger subway station and they can give you a
subway map with English characters.  Just say "English map" or RO-
MA-JI.  Also most of those weekly English language tourist mags
(Tokyo Today, etc.) have maps with roman characters.  Each subway
line will be a different color. Be sure to use the maps that have
BOTH romaji and kanji.
   If you don't know what to pay, just pay the minimum fare, and the
conductor at your destination station (at the wicket) will tell you
how much you owe.  You can do this for trains too.  No prob getting
on trains WITHOUT a ticket in Japan (in other countries like the US,
they'd arrest you!).  The conductor on the train whips out his little
laptop and punches out your ticket in seconds!
   I love getting on trains without tickets and whipping out my JR
Pass.  Such looks of envy from my fellow Japanese travelers who
cant get JR Passes!
 
 
Fm: george n wells 73060,3137
 
   My wife and I used a JR pass in March of 1990, and will be using
one again in October 1992.  We have traveled to Shikoku (well off
the beaten path but well worth the trip) and had no troubles with
the JR pass or other JR services.  One thing to note is that patience
IS rewarded.  We presented our JR coupons and our planned
itinerary at the Narita airport JR booth, got some coffee at the
coffee shop and 45 minutes later got the pass with reservations
and times for the trains we needed to use to get to our planned
destinations.
   The key word with all Japanese people is patience. act impatient
and you will get exactly what you want - nothing more.  I'll send you
some more info our experiences in October.  PS: it is not impossible
to learn hiragana to read station names.  Let's  call an end to English
speaking arrogance! - GNW
 
 
Fm: Raymond Chuang 72441,3652
 
   If you plan a LONG stay in Japan a JR Rail Pass is a MUST.  I
especially found it useful especially since I don't have to shell out
serious amounts of yen just to get onto a Shinkansen train.
 
 
-30-
 
 
Uploaded by Jerry Schneiderman
 
 
This information is from Library 7, Asia, of The Travel Forum, on
Compuserve.



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