Korean Job Discussion Forums

Alexander · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

I'll be spending some much needed time in Japan over summer break, and am trying to get my transport sorted.

I'll be taking the Beetle to Hakata, and the Shinkansen to Tokyo (JR Pass). This, in istelf, is not a problem.

The difficulty I'm having is in getting to Hakata station from the ferry terminal. I KNOW there are busses, but the schudule seems spotty (4 times an hour or something? Seriously?).

I'm keen to hop a taxi and get there as soon as possible, as the train I WANT to take leaves an hour after the ferry arrives. That's an hour to clear immo, get to the train station, exchange for my JR pass, and HOPEFULLY book a seat. It's going to be tight.

SO, What I'm keen to know is: Has anyone done this, and quickly? Are there taxis waiting at the ferry terminal? If not, how the hell do I get one?

soviet_man · Joined: 23 Apr 2005 Location: Seoul

Between 6am and 6pm the Fukuoka to Tokyo shinkansen departs about every 30 minutes.

The beetle departs Busan in the morning and arrives Fukuoka by lunchtime.

So there is really no mathematical way you could get stranded if you take the morning service.

The catch would be that if you take the afternoon beetle then you would be taking a chance of cutting it fine catching the last direct shinkansen. I would your chances at 50/50.

But there is no way you can guarantee it either way with that afternoon service. I have known of situations where due to bad weather the boat gets cancelled or even turned-back to Korea halfway over.

You could very probably fly Busan to Tokyo one-way for almost a similar price as ferry/taxi/shinkansen if you were in that much of a hurry.

JerBear · Joined: 27 Mar 2008 Location: Seoul, South Korea

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

[quote="Alexander That's an hour to clear immo, get to the train station, exchange for my JR pass, and HOPEFULLY book a seat. It's going to be tight.

[/quote]

Sorry, I can't help with your question but I just wondered about this part.

If you have a JR pass do you still have to book seats? I thought you could just turn up whenever. (Just trying to semi-plan my trip to Japan, and am basically clueless Embarassed

) How does it work?

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

no, you don't have to book a seat. you can just get a seat in the unreserved section. So yes, you can turn up "whenever".

xtchr · Joined: 23 Nov 2004

Excellent, thanks. Very Happy

Alexander · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

I'm regretting not having a chance to get back to this thread until now!

Firstly: there is an hour gap between the two shinkansen at the time I arrive. NORMALLY it is about 30 mins...but not this one. I want to be on that first train. That extra hour is valuable to me, and I'd rather not spend it sitting at the station.

Secondly: I've seen the bus deals, but I couldn't subject myself to a trip of that duration! Check out the times from Fukuoka to Tokyo. Scary! If it were Thailand, and I could afford to hire a masseuse for the duration of my stay afterwards, fine. But I can't. So I won't! (yes, I'm soft Very Happy

)

Finally: You do not NEED a reserved seat. True. The thing is, I arrive in the lead-up (still a few days out...but who knows) to Oban week. If you're going during that time, a seat reservation can save your arse. Otherwise, you can easily end up standing for the duration of the trip. I'm more concerned about this occuring on the trip from Tokyo to Kyoto (my return leg).

The JR site (and a few others) explain how to go about making seat reservations in normal carriages if you're interested.

seoul101 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: Seoul

I'm also doing a trip similar to you up to Tokyo via a few places.. I'm curious where you bought your JR rail pass, and how much it cost you?

I just called Shoestring Travel and was quoted around 300,000KRW for a 7-day pass.

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

rail pass will cost the same no matter where you get it. Priced in yen though, so depends on that day's exchange rate.

Alexander · Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Location: Seoul

oni · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Location: Seoul

So what's the total for the ferry(Busan-Fukuoka) and train to Tokyo round trip???
I want to go at Chusok. I heard it's cheaper to get the JR pass than just a return Fukuoka-Tokyo ticket.
And who's a good agent to book it through?? Kangsan Travel in Busan??

seoul101 · Joined: 13 May 2006 Location: Seoul

You can book the ferry (Beetle) from their website http://www.jrbeetle.co.jp/english/

It cost 26,000Yen for the return trip.

A few years ago I took the Shinkansen from Fukuoka to Tokyo, cost around 200US$ for a single ticket.. get the JR rail pass.

lawnybabe · Joined: 24 Oct 2007 Location: Dobong-Gu

I'm getting the beetle from Busan to Fukuoka, and want to see as much of Japan as possible in the 2 weeks but on a budget. I want to see tokyo (around 3 nights), Hiroshima (1 night), Kyoto, Nara, Osaka (a week for the lot) and maybe Nagasaki.
Should i get the JR rail pass? 7 days or 14 days? I've looked into night buses but I'm never good at sleeping on any transport, but then they save a nights accomodation and you don't waste any daytime when you could be seeing things.
I'd really appreciate people's opinions.
I don't mind spending a bit more money for the sake of convenience, but accommodation and travel prices will build up over the 2 weeks and I don't want this to be too expensive a trip!

bucheon bum · Joined: 16 Jan 2003

If you want to see that much of Japan, yes, it is worth getting the rail pass.