Traveling around Misawa, Japan: Misawa getting here

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Shinkansen Info

NOTE: Train schedules to and from Misawa and Hachinohe located at the end of this blog entry have been updated because of the new Shinkansen stations and routes to Shichinohe-Towada and Shin-Aomori. Bullet train stops en route to Misawa have not changed.

Please refer to the blog on February 2, 2011 on how to access the most current train schedules.

http://traveling-tengco.blogspot.com/2011/02/shinkansen-update-tofrom-misawa.html

Side note about bullet train rides

An adult may travel with two children ages 3 and under for free of charge, providing they do not occupy a seat. Normally on the bullet train, there is also the option to purchase non-reserved or standing tickets. Non-reserved tickets are limited to special cars, where seats are on the first-come basis. Technically, if a passenger has a non-reserved ticket and a child is sitting on a seat and does not have a non-reserved ticket, s/he may be asked to vacate so an other person with a non-reserved ticket can sit down. Standing tickets are a cheaper way of traveling on the bullet train; passengers may stand in the car designated on their ticket. Unfortunately, all tickets on the Tohoku Shinkansen are for reserved seats; there are no non-reserved or standing tickets available. If you have infants and toddlers and do not buy them a ticket, there is a gamble that they will not have a place to sit.

Click on the map for a larger view.

This Blogger site does not support PDF files so I was not able to upload them. If you would like a copy of the map sent to you in PDF format, please e-mail me. These GIFs are smaller for the internet, but original files are about letter or A4 size.

All-Japan Shinkansen Route Map

JR East Shinkansen Routes

JR East extensive Map of Greater Tokyo Area

Information was taken and scanned from the "Welcome to JR East Supplementary Information for Passengers" booklet.

Take out your handy language book because most tellers do not speak English.

If you are unsure about your tickets, just hand all of them to the clerk and s/he will insert the ones you need.

No refunds for missed trains!

Getting to Tokyo from Misawa

How to read train tickets

http://traveling-tengco.blogspot.com/2011/02/shinkansen-update-tofrom-misawa.html

JR Train Schedule from Tokyo to Misawa

JR Train Schedule from Misawa to Tokyo

Train Schedule from Tokyo to Misawa (courtesy of Misawa ITT)

Train Schedule from Misawa to Tokyo (courtesy of Misawa ITT)

Bus Schedule from Misawa to Tokyo

Friday, August 6, 2010

Getting to Haneda Airport from Narita Airport

Haneda Airport, Terminal 1

Haneda Airport, Terminal 2

Narita Airport Terminal Guide

http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/guide/map/index.html

I know sometimes it's a hassle asking for and collecting maps from different organizations. So, I've compiled and scanned some maps I obtained from different Japan Tourist Information Centers and other on-line sites. All prices listed are approximate.

Click on the map for a larger view.
This Blogger site does not support PDF files so I was not able to upload them. If you would like a copy of the map sent to you in PDF format, please e-mail me.

BY BUS to Haneda Airport or Tokyo Station

A. Narita to Haneda Airport:

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/narita/haneda.html

B. Narita to Tokyo Station:

http://www.limousinebus.co.jp/en/bus_services/narita/tokyo_nihonbashi.html

The website about has info about time tables and where to board from terminal 1 or 2. This is probably the most convenient way because it does not involve changing at any train stations.

Taking the bus (airport limousine) leaves about every 30-60 minutes, costs about 3,000 yen and takes approximately 60-100 minutes depending on traffic.

http://www.tokyuhotelsjapan.com/en/TE/TE_HANED/index.html

In addition, if you have to stay overnight in Tokyo, the Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu is convenient and located right outside terminal two. The drawbacks are it is a little expensive (starting at 21,000 yen for one person or 30,000 yen for two people) and there is not much to see around the hotel. If you stay at another hotel, there will most likely be added transportation costs.

BY TRAIN to Haneda or Tokyo Station

There are different train companies and train lines (identifiable by color) so it is important to take the correct ones.

NEX Train Schedule:

http://jreast-shinkansen-reservation.eki-net.com/pc/english/common/timetable/e_nex_u/index.html

The NEX cost more, but has fewer stops and is quicker than Narita Express or Rapid Service trains. Do not take any trains titled local. It will take you about 2+ hours to get to Tokyo because it will stop at every train station. When you are at Narita, ask if you can buy a train fare to Haneda so you won't have to buy all the separate train tickets.

Train Method 1: Narita-Shinagawa-Haneda: 1 train transfer

1. Take the JR NEX (Narita Express about 3,110 yen non-reserved seat, 4,600 yen reserved seat, 60 minutes) or JR Sobu/Yokosuka Rapid train (identifiable by a blue line, about 1,500 yen, 100 minutes) to Shinagawa Station

2. Shinagawa Station Map:

http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e788.html

At Shinagawa Station, transfer to the Keikyu Airport Lineto Haneda Airport (about 400 yen and 20 minutes)

Train Method 2: Narita-Tokyo-Hamamatsucho-Haneda: 2 train transfers

1. Take the JR NEX (Narita Express about 2940 yen non-reserved seat, 4430 yen reserved seat, 53 minutes) or JR Sobu/Yokosuka Rapid train (identifiable by a orange line, about 1,280 yen, 90 minutes) to Tokyo Station

2. Tokyo Station Map: http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/stations/e1039.html

At Tokyo Station, take the JR Yamanote (identifiable by a green line) OR JR Keihin-Tohoku (identifiable by a blue-green/turquoise line, this line has more stops) to Hamamatsucho

3. Hamamatsucho Station Map:

http://www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp/english/accessguide/pdf/n03e.pdf

Deboard at Hamamatsucho - about 150 yen and 5 minites from Tokyo, listen/read for the train stops: Toyko, Shimbashi, Hamamatsucho (Shinagawa is too far but still ok, see above train method 1)