Anyone in Toyko?
 

I'm still in "planning mode" but am trying to make it to Misawa, Japan before the middle of March. Delta flies into Narita and it looks like I can take a bullet train from Tokyo to Misawa. I'm really not interested in seeing Tokyo (big cities scare me - big cities where I can't read/speak the language PETRIFY ME).

Has anyone done this or taken the bullet train elsewhere? I checked a website and this is what was on the first paragraph:

We sincerely pray for the victims of the derailment of the limited express train "Inaho No.14" on December 25th, 2005 near the No.2 Mogamigawa bridge between Sagoshi and Kita-Amarume stations, and apologize to their families. And we would like to apologize deeply for casualties caused by this accident and sincerely hope that all of the injured persons will recover at the earliest possible date.

:helpme :helpme :helpme

Thank you for the help, R - in TWO countries :)

I've been in Japan once but I failed to ride on their bullet train.

I can fly from Tokyo to Misawa, but I thought it might be fun to add a little flavor to the party :) I get HORRIBLE motion sickness, but I have the prescrip patch that's gotten me through some cruises on small boats in Alaska in Hawaii in the last 2 years, so as long as I can face forward, I should be OK :winkwink:

Ya Ive rode it several times. Mostly between Kyoto and Yokohama, not sure if we were able to take the bullet direct from Yokohama, or if we had to shoot into Tokyo, also rode it direct from Narita to Kyoto. Its not a big deal. Less scary than a plane. We go over once a year or so. Im planning on going over so I can make it to the 2007 adult expo thing over there in July. (inlaws live in Yokohama btw)

I have been on that train a few times. It's a trip for sure. Tokyo is a pretty neat city though. And you'll be suprised at how many people speak english. They all speak at least a little. Japan Rox!

Ya I forgot to mention that. Most all signs and whatnot are in English in Tokyo, but once you start getting further away from Tokyo station its all in Japanese, so keep that in mind. Plus be prepared to get odd looks from older people. Especially older Japanese women. That was the first time I ever felt prejudice in my life against me really. My wife and I together on the train holding hands and her prego. The dirty looks we got were crazy. :1orglaugh

I'll be meeting someone in Misawa so I'm OK once I get there with deciphering the Japanese (I hope). Plus I've heard with the military base there, there's a lot of English speakers.

My Dad's been several times to Japan and many times to Tokyo - he knows me and says I'll hate Tokyo, lol. I may spend a night there just because I'm there, but I don't see me spending a few days wandering around sightseeing.

Misawa is a farm town outside the base and is a longggggggg
way from Tokyo.

It's a nice train ride if you take the bullet train.

I would recommend you spend your last night in Tokyo
and all the signs and most menus are in english.

That's probably what I'll do - any hotel recommendations? Something upper scale and not too far from the airport/train station if possible.

Narita is 50 miles from Tokyo but it's only an hour ride on the train.

Just FYI there is nothing around Narita so you have to stay in Tokyo.

As far as hotels all the 4-5 star hotels around the American Embassy
in Akasaka cater to Americans and you can walk to the tokyo tower.

The Tokyo prince is right around the corner from the US embassy but it's
pretty upper scale ?

We always stay in Yokohoma at my inlaws, so dont know the Tokyo hotels, but like spunk says nothing but rice patties around Narita.

In Kyoto we stay at the hotel Granvia here is a pic from our Balcony.

http://www.stickyboxcontent.com/DSCF1994.JPG

I stayed at Hotel Okura. Located in Akasaka area near the US Embassy and it was high class. I went to a wedding at the Hyatt but I'm tying to keep her close to the train that will take her to Narita without changing too much :)

My choice would be Hotel Okura since it's a short walk to Tokyo Tower and
the main part of Tokyo where the foreigners go ?

The top 10 hotels are here:

http://gojapan.about.com/od/accommod...yoexphotel.htm

Misawa this time of year is friggin' cold. My Navy squadron used to fly in there.

Anyway, depending on how long you will be there, and how much traveling you will do, it may be worthwhile to get a Japan Rail Pass.

For example, a 7-day rail pass, which includes the Shinkansen (bullet train), is 37,800 yen (about $320).

This article, dated last Spring, implies that a round trip from Tokyo to Hachinohe (closet station to Misawa) runs about 30,000 yen, so the rail pass may be a good option. You can use it for other trips, etc.

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The New Otani is nice too...

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Yes the Otani is a city itself :)

I have friends there in Okinawa. I already have plans of spending a month-long vacation there next year. :)

Yeah, it was snowing in Feb/March when my son was there.

Thanks for the hotel recommendations. This was just a thought last night and now I have to see if all the pieces will come together :)

Thanks again!!!!

remember to take as many pictures with the chicks there as possible

Oh lord......:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

I'm one of those weirdos who think of all Asian women, Japanese are the least attractive. Just personal preference.

My wife is one of those people who gets motion sickness very easily. When we go to Japan, we buy a rail pass and take the train for all our trips! It's so smooth, you can barely even tell it's in operation. My wife was even able to sleep on the trains.

Just make sure, if you are a non smoker, to get on a non smoking car. Each train has several cars, some smoking and some non smoking. Our first train ride was on a smoking one and it was pretty disgusting. After that we wised up.

The rail pass is a great idea if you are planning on traveling much by train. It's a huge savings.

Awesome, thanks :) I probably WON'T be traveling elsewhere but if it's just a little more extra, I'll probably get the pass just in case. I tend to change my mind frequently ;)

i flew into Tokyo last April and took the bullet to Hiroshima to catch the tail end of cherry blossoms season (everyone was wasted in the streets!), then made my way back to Kyoto via bullet train, then back to Tokyo for several days. You shouldnt be afraid of Tokyo.... its awesome!

you can buy the bullet pass here in the US online... to be honest i think you have to do it that way. I dont know that you can get the 7 day rail pass once you arrive, since it is designed for tourists. check into that... i am having a brain fart.. i dont know what i did LOL

Yes Im pretty sure you can get a long term pass once you get there. At Narita more than likely is the best place to purchase it. Right after you come out of the baggage pickup area there is a ticket purchase area straight ahead.

Well, trip canceled. 2nd trip to Japan canceled in 2 years :( The friend I was going to see is going to be statesite in the next month and I can't get Japan in that period of time so I'll just wait to see him when he gets here.

Thanks for the info though. It's not on one of my "top" places to get to, but if I go, you folks have given me some great advice - thanks :)

i've taken the bullet train from tokyo to hiroshima and back. make sure you get your rail pass a head of time
http://www.japanrailpass.net/