Heartlander Turbocharged April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 On 4/19/2023 at 3:35 PM, teomingern said: Flying in and out of Fukuoka cos the pricing for SQ plus want to travel whole Japan. Tickets already purchased. My trip is 2 - 30 Dec 2023... 28 days... so must buy a 21 + 7 day pass... Remember to do seats reservation if taking Shinkansen from 28/12 to 20/12 as those fall under 1 of 3 Japan Golden Week holidays period. Normally trains will be jam packed with people. Better to start reserving few days before 28/12 as some will travel earlier to beat the jam. Much like our infamous Singapore-Malaysia custom jams during major holidays haha. ↡ Advertisement 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 Heng AI will never take away my job in planning holidays as the chief digital marketing officer in a Tourism Promotion Organisation. Does AI take account of which is the busiest trains that cannot get a seat and plan in such a way to take the less crowded routes? Does AI take account which is the busiest seasons and school holidays and public holidays where everywhere is so crowded and packed like sardines? Does AI take account of the local festivals to hit the right dates and right places to get the most out of your holidays? Does AI take account of the specialty foods in the different regions and plan your trip so you get the most out of these delicious foods? If going in winter and your love fatty tuna this is time and if your route take you to the fishing port areas then please take full advantage of the local guides on what to eat and where? Does AI recommend the best restaurants and cafes and dining specialties when planing your itinerary? This is true of any holidays and not just Japan. 1 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stratovarius Turbocharged April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 On 4/19/2023 at 3:35 PM, teomingern said: So yup guys... as the header says... I use Japan Guide as my reference for this price hike... hopefully the pricing is correct. https://www.japan-guide.com/news/japan-rail-pass-cost-increase.html Current 21 + 7 day Pass price = 60,450 + 29, 650 = 90,100 yen New Price 21 + 7 day Pass price = 100,000 + 50,000 = 150,000 yen So must pay about $600 more per person... Flying in and out of Fukuoka cos the pricing for SQ plus want to travel whole Japan. Tickets already purchased. My trip is 2 - 30 Dec 2023... 28 days... so must buy a 21 + 7 day pass... My trip itinerary comprise the following Shinkansen trips: Singapore - Fukuoka (SQ) Fukuoka - Hiroshima (Shinkansen) 8570 yen Hiroshima - Osaka (Shinkansen) 9890 yen Osaka - Nagano (Shinkansen) 11,220 yen Nagano - Tokyo (Shinkansen) 8340 yen Tokyo - Aomori (Shinkansen) 17,670 yen Aomori - Hakodate (Shinkansen) 8160 yen Hakodate - Tokyo (Shinkansen) 23, 760 yen Tokyo - Fukuoka (Shinkansen) 22,220 yen Fukuoka - SIngapore (SQ) Plus all the other limited express, express and local JR trains in each area as applicable. Just based on the shinkansen trips above the total is 109,830 yen. I'm still out of pocket by 40, 170 yen. That works out to about $400 right? Still worth it to pay for the JR Pass or not? I mean there are many other parts at each area where I also take JR trains and they are mighty expensive too... The aomori and Hakodate seems out of place. I took from Tokyo to Hakodate before and honestly I will take the plane next time. Or just leave Hokkaido for another trip. I say stick to Jr pass and modify your itinerary to save some money. I used to go Japan for 2 weeks' vacation every year. Every time around 2 to 3 prefectures. Squeezing so many places in one trip will be very tiring. As my trip is usually 10 to 14 days, I will buy Jr pass for 1 week only. So normally I will stay in Tokyo for the first 2 days and last 2 days of the trip. Yours is a much longer trip and you can consider to just buy the 21 day pass. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 11:02 AM, Heartlander said: Before 2020 (I think) only manual entry through manned gates. Just flash and go. Nowadays improved till can use passes to go through normal gantries. Also read that can reserve seats online through app, but never try as never go Japan since Covid. Last time I normally do not reserve seats if travel during non-peak periods like outside the Japan Golden Weeks as find it troublesome to have to look for seats vs just seat where you like. Normally got plenty of seats, and quite a hassle to need to go to ticketing counters to do reservation. If can do through apps I also do not mind as definitely not comfortable to stand for like 2 hours during unforseen times like rushing to beat typhoon arrivals etc haha especially in smoking cabin where you will feel like in Genting. Thanks for the info... I have never taken a train in Japan before... not even the normal subway... Got a few questions: 1. Is it easy to distinguish between the Green & Ordinary cars? Are the Green cars really painted green always? 2. How do you know whether the train waiting there is a Nozomi or Mizuho which the Pass doesn't cover? Anyway to tell other than looking at the signboard? I presume there's English on the signboard... 3. How do you tell between reserved & non-reserved cars? I presume a whole car is either reserved or non-reserved right? Got mixed type? 4. Is standing allowed on the shinkansen? 5. I understand off peak usually can get seats. Does this peak & off-peak issue apply mainly to the Tokaido shinkansen only? Would all other shinkansen lines be affected to the same degree as that particularly popular line with tourist? I'm practically using every single shinkansen line save for the Akita and Joetsu... so would be grateful if anyone could help out here. I'm looking to get on between 7 & 8 am every day for the day trips or transfer between cities. 6. Basically my load will be 2 28" suitcases (25 kg each) + 2 travel strollers (5.5 kg each) + 2 backpacks (7 kg each). Backpacks to be stuffed under stroller when outside of trains. Would this be a problem for the shinkansen? I suppose I'm now expected to reserve seats that has space for luggage at the rear of the seats right? 7. From YouTube videos, it seems that eating is allowed on shinkansen right? Cos my kids always need to eat - what are good snacks that are easily available in Japan and filling and relatively healthy, and doesn't make a huge mess in the eating. I thought of rice balls (provided by kids take to those)... any suggestions? 8. Has anyone tried strollers in snow? Got such thing as detachable skis for strollers? Ha ha... cos I think further north, and later in Dec and at higher altitudes with more rural areas, thick snow on the ground would be present and will need to decide whether to bring the strollers along or not... thanks for any advice... Thank you every for all the great suggestions! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 11:11 AM, Heartlander said: Remember to do seats reservation if taking Shinkansen from 28/12 to 20/12 as those fall under 1 of 3 Japan Golden Week holidays period. Normally trains will be jam packed with people. Better to start reserving few days before 28/12 as some will travel earlier to beat the jam. Much like our infamous Singapore-Malaysia custom jams during major holidays haha. Eh 28-30 Dec is it? Oh no... that's when we do our long haul train rides back from Hakodate to Fukuoka... thanks for the tip! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 (edited) On 4/20/2023 at 12:48 PM, Stratovarius said: The aomori and Hakodate seems out of place. I took from Tokyo to Hakodate before and honestly I will take the plane next time. Or just leave Hokkaido for another trip. I say stick to Jr pass and modify your itinerary to save some money. I used to go Japan for 2 weeks' vacation every year. Every time around 2 to 3 prefectures. Squeezing so many places in one trip will be very tiring. As my trip is usually 10 to 14 days, I will buy Jr pass for 1 week only. So normally I will stay in Tokyo for the first 2 days and last 2 days of the trip. Yours is a much longer trip and you can consider to just buy the 21 day pass. And if I am travelling out every day? Then that will leave me with some days without travel coverage right? I think even in late Dec, it's quite worth to make the trek up north... would really like to experience what it is like in really cold winter... anyway my wife says once and never again... she doesn't like to return to the same country... heh heh... so that's that... so 28 days lor... Edited April 20, 2023 by teomingern Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 Save time eating at restaurants when taking the trains. Go to the convenience shop at every station and get an Eki Bento. Every station has a different one and these lunch boxes has the best and freshest speciality food of that area. So same regions maybe famous for the Kurobuta Pork and another place famous for prawns or crab etc etc Made fresh everyday. If you have small kids can get the one in a toy lunch box. Eat already and keep the toy. Eat onboard the train also better as save time and kids wont be board on the long train journey. The best snacks are always at the convenience store at the train station. Bullets trains also have vending with hot drinks, cold drinks and soup. Don't forget to get some desserts for the kids. I love Japanese creme caramel and jellies with fruit cocktail. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 Japanese convenience stores really have the best foods. I love the croquets and the kids all the unhealthy fried stuff. I also love the little seafood snacks of little fishes or prawns or dried squid that go with a refreshing can beverage on the train. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 1:04 PM, teomingern said: our long haul train rides back from Hakodate to Fukuoka... thanks for the tip! This one you should fly. Even flying is a 2.5 hour flight. Train is 1,824 km 26 hour train ride. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 1:03 PM, teomingern said: 8. Has anyone tried strollers in snow? Got such thing as detachable skis for strollers? Ha ha... cos I think further north, and later in Dec and at higher altitudes with more rural areas, thick snow on the ground would be present and will need to decide whether to bring the strollers along or not... thanks for any advice... Thank you every for all the great suggestions! Got Got 4 wheel drive and 3 wheel drive ones. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 1:03 PM, teomingern said: 6. Basically my load will be 2 28" suitcases (25 kg each) + 2 travel strollers (5.5 kg each) + 2 backpacks (7 kg each). Backpacks to be stuffed under stroller when outside of trains. Would this be a problem for the shinkansen? I suppose I'm now expected to reserve seats that has space for luggage at the rear of the seats right? Put here just don't forget when excited and rushing out of the train Chope these seats if can, your bags will be very safe If you do this put above MIL seat for obvious reasons and never above favourite child's seat. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesc Hypersonic April 20, 2023 Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 1:03 PM, teomingern said: 4. Is standing allowed on the shinkansen? Even when the unreserved seats on the Shinkansen are full, you are allowed to stand in the aisles and on the decks in front and behind them. Some types of Shinkansen trains are all reserved seats, but you are still allowed to stand on the deck. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 1:31 PM, Jamesc said: Save time eating at restaurants when taking the trains. Go to the convenience shop at every station and get an Eki Bento. Every station has a different one and these lunch boxes has the best and freshest speciality food of that area. So same regions maybe famous for the Kurobuta Pork and another place famous for prawns or crab etc etc Made fresh everyday. If you have small kids can get the one in a toy lunch box. Eat already and keep the toy. Eat onboard the train also better as save time and kids wont be board on the long train journey. The best snacks are always at the convenience store at the train station. Bullets trains also have vending with hot drinks, cold drinks and soup. Don't forget to get some desserts for the kids. I love Japanese creme caramel and jellies with fruit cocktail. Wow! Make my mouth water... I think my kids will go GaGa at the snacks... faint... my wallet will go ICU after that... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 1:41 PM, Jamesc said: Japanese convenience stores really have the best foods. I love the croquets and the kids all the unhealthy fried stuff. I also love the little seafood snacks of little fishes or prawns or dried squid that go with a refreshing can beverage on the train. Got non-carbonated soft drinks or not? My kids refuse any carbonated drinks... actually fruit juice and fresh milk is the best as that's their diet over here... any brands or issues to look out for? Hokkaido fresh milk in Singapore is crazy expensive... got cheap alternatives that are just as nice or not? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 1:44 PM, Jamesc said: This one you should fly. Even flying is a 2.5 hour flight. Train is 1,824 km 26 hour train ride. Ok can consider... depends on pricing... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 On 4/20/2023 at 1:48 PM, Jamesc said: Got Got 4 wheel drive and 3 wheel drive ones. Is this for real? Can get easily? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 (edited) On 4/20/2023 at 1:53 PM, Jamesc said: Put here just don't forget when excited and rushing out of the train Chope these seats if can, your bags will be very safe If you do this put above MIL seat for obvious reasons and never above favourite child's seat. Oh? So the back seats are meant for oversized luggage... would fully expanded 28" suitcases count as oversized? Must check the JR website for their measurements... Anyway the luggage area looks very much like the Swiss trains that we took before... nice! Edited April 20, 2023 by teomingern Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
teomingern 6th Gear April 20, 2023 Author Share April 20, 2023 One other question... is the seat configuration 3+2 or 3+3 or 2+2? Or it varies with the shinkansen line? ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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