How to get around in Japan

I did a lot of research and planning and made all my decisions prior to our departure.

When I was in Japan for 16 days in May 2009 with my family, we used public transport to get around and everything worked very well for us. Thanks to the Japanese people and their Government for being so... organised and systematic with everything that they have in place and do. Amazing...!

I heard that taxi rides are very expensive in Japan but I wouldn't know how expensive is very expensive, as I didn't get to use it. I only found out during my research before I went to Japan that a taxi charge from Narita Airport to Shinjuku Tokyo would cost around 170,000 yen (around USD170), that is expensive for a 70km taxi ride comparing to 3000 yen per person by a limousine bus.

Although there were 3 of us and it would take longer by the limousine bus, we decided to take the bus, as it still worked out cheaper, very easy to organise, the bus would have been comfortable and was going to take us directly to our hotel that I booked in Shinjuku, Tokyo, as it was one of the major hotels in Shinjuku area called Keio Plaza Hotel, which was a very nice hotel.........

The hotel was only 10 minutes walk from the Shinjuku Train Station, which would be handy for us in the first 3 days of our stay in Japan.

As soon as we arrived at Narita Airport, we could feel that everything in Japan is very organised and systematic. The signs are in both Japanese and English at the Airport, so it was easy to work out where to go.

Because there were a lot of passengers arriving at Narita International Airport, we decided to just follow other passengers to begin with, as we figured out that everyone would have to go through custom.

As we got to the main area of the Airport, there was a shuttle train stopping and everyone jumped on that train. We weren't sure if that was the train for us as well but we jumped on it anyway, as everyone seemed to do the same. We figured out that all trains go to the same direction to the custom area.

When we got to the other end, we just followed the direction to the luggage collection area and our luggage were there ready for collection. We then went through custom which was very efficient. They used electronic passenger identification system by taking our finger prints through this little machine by getting us to place our right and left pointing fingers in these little slots on the machine and then took a picture of our face as well. They worked very efficiently and got people through very quickly. The officer who directed people through each cubicle was very efficient as well, no time wasted at all. Unbelievable..! I really admire the way they work. No matter what they do, they seem to take so much price in what they do.

We used JR train and subway to get around Tokyo and they were fast, cheap, clean and punctual. Incredible..! The stations and the trains were very busy, especially during peak hours but it didn't feel crowded or threatening in anyway what so ever. People were very quiet, considerate and respectful of others, everyone moved at the same pace or speed, they move out of the way when necessary and no body bumped into each other. Sweet..!

We went to Harajuku the next day by JR train and it only cost us 130 yen each each way, as it's only 2 stations away from Shinjuku Station. We didn't know what to expect in Harajuku but it was the busiest day I've ever seen. It turned out that so... many young people from different parts of Tokyo go there on Sundays to do their shopping for fashion. That Sunday was particularly busy as supposedely the following Monday and Tuesday were Public Holidays for them. I've never seen so.. many people in one area at the same time. The weather was beautiful and there were so.. much going on. Most people would probably feel overwhelmed with the situation but we enjoyed it, as it was different and we don't mind hectic moments.

On our third day, we went to Shibuya to find this particular Custom Made Bass Guitar Shop for our daughter. Shibuya is the next station from Harajuku and it cost us 150 yen per person per trip by JR train. We had fun and found the area different again.

On our forth day, we traveled to Kyoto by bullet train which we booked online prior to our departure from Australia. We stayed Kyoto for 3 days and used subway or walked to get around. Kyoto was beautiful and we loved the Nijojo Castle best.

We then went to Hiroshima by bullet train and stayed for 1 night and 2 days and then returned to Tokyo, also by bullet train, which only took 4 hours as the bullet train called Nozomi traveled at 300km per hour. The bullet train was awesome..! Better than traveling by aircraft. The total tour including the bullet train and hotels cost us 172,000.00 yen or around AUD2700.00 for 3 adults which I also booked online in Australia prior to our departure.

I already booked a hotel for the next 3 nights when we got back to Tokyo. We stayed at the Courtyard by Marriott Hotel at Ginza for 3 nights and Ginza is where the top designer fashion shops are. One of the main street is like 5th avenue of New York where the top designer label fashion shops like Louis Vuitton are. It was also a great stay for us.

We then went and stayed in Kanda and Akihabara area where the Musical Instrument Centre and Electrical Centre are. Busy area with lots of shops.

To top up our Japan holiday, we went to Maihama area for 2 nights and 3 days where the Disney Resort was and we stayed at the Sheraton Grande Tokyo which is one of the Tokyo Resort Official Hotels. It was beautiful and we spent a day in Disneyland before we left for the Airport the next day.

We used public transport for the whole time of our holiday in Japan and loved every minute of our journey.