Advantages: Very efficient, very courteous
Disadvantages: None

...Constant traveling has permitted me to sample different airlines. So far, Japan Airline (JAL) has been my favourite. I have flown with JAL to Narita, Sydney, New York and San Francisco numerous times, and they have never disappointed me once. The ground crew are extremely efficient and courteous. On one of our frequent trips in and out of Australia, we always have to fly to Sydney because its the main hub for JAL. Our baggage would have been checked all the way to Narita in Japan and in Sydney, there is always a special queue for passengers without check-in baggages. This allowed us to obtain our boarding passes very quickly. On one occasion, they gave us seats in the economy plus section and I must say, it was the best flight I ever had. The seats were like business class seats, we actually had to stand up to take a step in order... Read review

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Advantages: A great way to save money on long distance travel in Japan
Disadvantages: Can only be bought outside of Japan

...If you are planning on travelling to Japan and travelling the country via trains this pas is for you. The pass gives you free travel on all JR trains both long and short distances, JR bus routes, the JR ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima, JR subway lines (this is not all subway lines) and the Narita express from Narita (Tokyo) airport into the centre of Tokyo. They are valid for 7, 14 or 21 days and you can buy for either standard class (ordinary) or first class (green). There are also tickets that cover only parts of the network rather than the full network. An adult 7 day ordinary pass will cost you 28,300 Yen. A return ticket from Tokyo - Kyoto will cost you 27,040 Yen so only a couple more journeys will make the ticket worthwhile. The ticket can be used on all Shinkansen (bullet trains) services without extra cost except... Read review

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Advantages: Location
Disadvantages: Slightly higher air ticket costs

...Kansai is the name for the Western region of Japan encompassing the cities of Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe and the surrounding countryside. For the first-time Japan-bound traveller, the journey is more than likely to involve flying in to Tokyo's Narita airport and then using Tokyo as a base to see the rest of the country. However, for those determined to really get a feel for aprticular country, this is probably not the way to do it. A more practical idea would be to fly into the Kansai International Airport and then base yourself in Kyoto. Another reviewer has made an excellent summary of what should be seen in this beautiful city but, to do it justice, at least 4-5 days could be spent here taking in the various sights, sampling the food and learning about the traditions that still remain from when Kyoto was the capital city hundreds... Read review

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Advantages: Main airport for Japan, helpful staff
Disadvantages: Hard to reach, lack of facilities unless you know Japanese

...Admittedly not the best tourist destination in Japan, the main problem with Narita airport is getting there in the first place - it's about an hour out from Central Tokyo and getting into the city centre can be expensive. I would advise not taking the JR line train but the Keisei line instead as it's much cheaper (unless you are lucky enough to have a JR pass). Driving or taxi would also be possible I suppose, but there is a toll road and Japan is expensive enough without extravagances! As for the airport itself, I found it pretty standard. Better facilities than most US airports, but less than Heathrow. There is a small arcade of shops and restaurants in the Departure lounge before you check in, naturally they're overpriced and fairly limited in what they sell but what do you expect from an airport? The best one is probably... Read review

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Advantages: Sheer courtesy
Disadvantages: Too crowded, cramped seats

...Route flown : Narita - Seoul - Narita --- Check-in and Boarding --- The staff is wonderfully polite. The check-in agent looked at me and asked me if I would like a seat next to the emergency exit since it would provide me with better leg room. I pounced on that idea and thanked her very much for her thoughtfulness. Boarding with no problems. --- Aircraft --- A B747-300 with some 500 seats reminded me that Japanese are rarely as tall as me and that was why the lovely girl at the check-in counter asked me if I would like a seat next to the emergency exit... As though the lenghth restriction wasn't enough, the width (pitch) was awfully narrow too... Anyhow, the lovely stewardess smiling wonderfully to me right accross me in her jumpseat helped me forget it. We had to wait for little while since the pilot only said after all... Read review

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Advantages: Vibrant city that doesn't disappoint
Disadvantages: it's big busy and confusing

...Everyone who visits Japan enevitably passes through Tokyo at some time. Somepeople love it and spend most of their trip there while others find it a confusing nightmare and quickly head on. It is the one place in Japan which completely encapsulates Japanese youth culture and you can find pretty much anything you want here. Getting there- Most people will arrive straight from the airport, most commonly Tokyo Narita. The airport is a bit out of the centre so you have to take about a one hour train journey from the centre. From the centre you can get connections to almost every other major city in Japan. Getting about- Subway and the internal city Japan rail line are definately the way to go. They are quick and regular and go to almost everywhere you could want to go. To buy a ticket look at the map above the ticket machine and press... Read review

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Advantages: Exotic for people from the west, it is a very safe place, toilets :-)
Disadvantages: Expensive accommodation, language barrier can cause problems, a bit crowded

...This trip report has also been posted on my homepage http://gardkarlsen.com. Here it is displayed with pictures, videos and links. So please feel free to visit my site. Millions of men in dark suits, crowded subway trains, sushi, taxi drivers with white gloves, neon lights, earth quakes, capsule hotels, sake, sumo wrestling, samurais, geisha, bullet trains, toilets so advanced that you need an instruction manual to use them, manga, polite people, Lost in Translation….this is our trip report from JAPAN. A short summary The dream team Nikki and Gard on another adventure :-) This time we headed for Japan and we traveled in the period May 15th to May 28th 2005. We started out in Tokyo where we stayed for about a week. We used a Japan Rail Pass to get to Nagoya (the World Expo) and after that we went to Kyoto where we stayed 5 nights and we... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: With a short visit you'll still be gagging for more and you get better value for money than London
Disadvantages: Some may find it impersonal, my feet were so sore by the end and its another long review!

...Originally known as 'Edo', meaning 'Gate of the River', Tokyo first became a significant city in 1603 when Tokogawa Ieyasu based his military government, or shogunate in the then unimpressive little town. Over the following years the city became a base from which the whole of Tokogawa clan ran the country, but only earned the term 'Tokyo' ('Eastern Capital') when the clan was deposed and the Emperor's power was restored towards the end of the 19th century; relocating from Kyoto. Despite two massive tragedies, the earthquake and subsequent fires of 1923 and the Allied bombing of 1944/45, Tokyo has flourished. It is now one of the most modern and impressive capital cities in the world, with little of the old Tokyo or even Edo remaining. My biggest regret in visiting Japan is that I couldn't spend more time in Tokyo. My friend and I... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap as chips, great quality
Disadvantages: Funky bathroom smell

...Well, some of the more observant of you may of noticed that I tend to travel a far bit. In fact, going through my old reviews from 2000 / 01, it appears that I have some review updating to do also! However for now, I'll concentrate on my recent experiences. I'm what you would call a mileage whore. Before you all go off complaining the Ciao that there is a sex pest in your midst, the term is used widely in the US, and means a person that is brand loyal for the benefits you get off the company you are loyal to. I'm certainly very loyal to the Hilton chain, as you may see.... So, I've spent some time in Korea, and, as I was flying Virgin from Tokyo, spent a night at the Hilton Narita.... From the airport..... -------------------------- Well, as with many hotels close the airports, there is a courtesy bus from the airport. Whilst during... Read review

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Advantages: Many, a wonderful, cultural experience
Disadvantages: None I can recall

...I have recently returned from a work related trip to Asia, my first stop on the three-week trip was Tokyo. I have to say this was by far the best place I visited and I hope one day I will return. I had read a Rough Guide travel book and some Ciao ops to prepare me for what I expected to be a daunting stay, but I was very pleasantly surprised and very impressed with Japan. When I arrived at Narita airport I got on an airport bus that took me directly to my hotel in Tokyo. I was staying in Shinagawa, which is a district of Tokyo dominated by hotels and restaurants. It was a great base for a stay in Tokyo. My hotel, Shinagawa Prince was in an ideal place, right by the train station and central to many restaurants. My room was on the 29th floor and I had great views of the skyline. Just through the train station was the business district... Read review

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