The Auld Traveler : June 2024

Monday, June 17, 2024

Connectivity and security for the traveler

Japanese taxis are a great option for tourists to beat the summer heat

While the Japanese public transport system is amazing and the trains are something that everyone coming to Japan should experience, getting to the train station is hot, the train stations are hot and some of the trains can be quite hot.

I am finding myself using the taxis more and more. For me the average fair is around ¥2000 under $20. That means I am picked up at my hotel door and delivered to the destination in complete and total air-conditioned comfort.

There are two keys to simple and easy use of Japanese taxis. Vast majority of the Japanese taxi drivers I have experienced do not speak English, and my Japanese is growing, but still very weak.

Japanese taxis are affiliated with the GO app. This is a lot like our Uber app in the US but instead of providing an individual and a personal vehicle the GO app links to a Japanese taxi. This app gives the driver your destination and eliminates any of the language barrier concerns, it also links directly back to a credit card that you select, which allows you to keep your cash and eliminate the exchanges.

The other tool in working with taxis is Google maps. If you can at least say hello in Japanese and thank you. You can show the driver your phone with your destination in Google maps and he will figure out where you’re going and show you on his phone so you can agree. My driver from the Kyoto train station actually used my phone as his navigation to my hotel.

The GO app is the best option and I recommend you install it in your home country before you come to Japan.

Wanted to come here for years - Tozando katana

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto

Shinkansen tickets - enter SKS10OFF to get $10 off on your ticket.

Not as easy as expected

When I purchased my Shinkansen tickets, I was dropped off at Tokyo station at the Yaesu side. The driver who brought me back on the day of my departure dropped me off on the Maronouchi side.

This is what led to my difficulty. This could’ve easily been addressed if I had simply looked at this map of Tokyo station before going there.

https://maps-tokyo.com/img/0/tokyo-station-map.jpg

If you’re coming to Tokyo and planning to use the local trains or the Shinkansen, you should take a moment and get familiar with the station layout. It will take away all the confusion and I will help here with the few things that are not shown on this map.

So on approach from the Marinucci gates, here are the steps:

You must use your SUICA (ic card) to enter the terminal
Signage was weak, and there were no information personnel to help me, looking at the map, you simply walk straight ahead and follow the pathway to the Shinkansen gates.
The green Shinkansen gates will take you north. The blue gates will take you south - Kyoto. The steps leading up to the Shinkansen gates are colored blue or green to help you. At this point take your time, especially if you have luggage, do not fight the steps. There are small escalators and even ramps if you simply take a breath, slow down and look. With that in mind, give yourself time on your first attempt at using Tokyo station just so you can slow down and make life easier.
Your Shinkansen ticket has a train number on it, there are massive boards above the ticket Gates showing you which platform your train number will leave from.
When you are going through the ticket gate to reach your platform you will have to enter both Shinkansen tickets into a small receiver. The ticket will pop out the other side, make sure you take it as you will need it to exit at the destination station. You will also need to scan your SUICA or IC card to get through these gates.
Again, if you have luggage, there are escalators to reach the platforms… Do not fight the stairs if you have luggage. On the platform, there are small kiosks with snacks. There is an air-conditioned room with seats where you can wait for your train to arrive.
I recommend you go find your Gate for the car number assigned to your ticket then you can relax and wait for your train to arrive.