Korean Job Discussion Forums

[keseki]

gotta bump this thread cause im heading to japan for xmas vacation.

is it possible to use this JR rail pass to take the train from fukuoka to tokyo?

[valkerie]

Lived in Tokyo for 7 years (until a month ago)... happy to give some hints for where to eat/drink cheaply and other money saving tips.

Short of time now but if anyone wants the info just holler and will post later.

Val

[keseki]

yes i would be very interested in that info valkerie!

[just because]

[keseki]

^ cool thanks!

also, is the tokyo subway system run by JR or would i have to buy separate tickets when using the subway in tokyo?

i think i read somewhere that a couple of the lines are JR lines, but not all of them...true?

[bucheon bum]

The Yamanote Line is the main JR metro line in Tokyo. It circles the center of the city. The tokyo metro and subway however are seperate from the JR.

[valkerie]

Eeek, sorry I am really late adding to this thread. I have got a backlog of emails...

If you are gonna use a JR travel pass thing you need to go through the gate with a live human at it, to transfer to subways or provate railways it is worth getting a suica card (which u swipe) or u have to mess about with ticket machines.

If you r using ticket machines the cool thing is you can buy the cheapest fare and then use the 'fare adjuster' machine at your final destination. Saves time messing with trying to figure the cost.

Cheap eateries: if you can take the strip lights go for a feed and booze at BLDY family restaurants. (I only saw them in the less fashionable neighbourhoods.) BLDY is written in English and there will be a sign of a chubby guy in a chef hat (plus a cabinet with plastic food models). REALLY cheap and acceptable quality. The best bit is the 'fruity bar' which (on my last visit) was 600 yen for unlimited serve yourself wine and spirits/mixers.

Other cheap places are the shops where you sit at counters/generally buy a ticket for food from a machine. Matsuya/Yoshinoya are good for gyudon (beef on rice). I know some folks hate this stuff but it is cheap and filling and I miss it soooo much.

For more atmosphere look for an izakaya. Small (family run) shops have short curtains on a pole over the door. Poke your head in and see if you get a good response. Menu will be in Japanese but easy to manage thru miming (or pm me for basic food words.)

Chain izakayas I like include Tengu. (Look for a picture of a red goblin thing with a biiiiggggg nose.) Cheap, noisy and fun.

Promise to post more later.

Apologies to anyone who knows Japan and is offended by my descriptions/advice but have tried to write for a total newbie to things.

OP - forget if you mentioned where you will be staying...that makes it easier to give specific information.

[Vicissitude]

Oh I really like visiting Japan! I can find some very affordable hotels that are in the 30-50 dollar range and they include a good breakfast. I met a lot of really cool expats and interesting tourists there. Food? That was no problem. I did what the locals and expats did: eat at 7-eleven and noodle shops. Japan 7-elevens are the best I've ever seen with quality food! Forget about all the other ones you've been to. Oh, and how could I possibly forget about WENDY's!? It's not much more expensive than back home. Entertainment was very reasonably priced and GREAT!

Now, contrast that with Singapore where it's hard to find a decent hotel under the $200 range and no breakfast . Hospitality costs extra there too!

Japan was very reasonable! Just don't take a taxi there unless you don't mind being legally robbed of all your money.

[keseki]

do the busan - fukuoka ferries run in the winter as well?

[just because]