Job Discussion Forums

Mark · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 500 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Hi folks,

Does anybody know a website or information source that provides travel options in English. I live in Tokyo and I'm going to Osaka in a couple weeks, but I'm not sure how to find out about inexpensive travel options there and back. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Longing for Nippon · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 49

There is a nightbus that takes about 8 hours and sometimes you can get cheap Kodama Shinkansen (4hrs) tickets for about 11000 Yen return. You can investigate it through HIS travel. I dont know a website though. The bus is by far the cheapest but uncomfortable.

Li-ka · Joined: 21 Mar 2004 Posts: 52

http://grace.hyperdia.com/cgi-english/hyperd01.cgi

http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/e-norikeyin.html

If the first one doesn't work try the link below:

http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/GA/

and click on 'digital timetable & course and fare search' on the left-hand side.

I just take the shinkansen... it's two and a half hours and not much more expensive than the overnight bus, based on the numbers from the sites above, although I haven't really tried searching much for discounts.

Hope you enjoy Osaka! (c:

Brooks · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1369 Location: Sagamihara

I saw an ad in the Japan Times for a bus to Osaka for about 4,000 yen.
When I go to Osaka, I prefer the shinkansen. I get an unreserved seat and save a little bit. I have had to stand to Nagoya, though.
It can get crowded after 2:30 on Saturday afternoons.
Certain times of year are real crowded, like the end of holiday periods.

Nismo · Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 520

Overnight bus, about 8 hours, is about 8000 yen. Bullet train, 3 hours, is about 12000 yen. I took the bus twice because of my lack of money as a student. I took the bullet train every other time because the bus is the worst mode of transportation and I got no sleep (I'm 6'2" - imagine trying to sleep with virtually no space and no proper head rest - my neck was killing me and I was tired the whole next day).

I think if you go to the JR desk they should have someone there who speaks English. I've only ever spoken Japanese at the bus station, but the ticket agent seemed to know a few words in English that applied to purchasing a ticket.