Insider Tips for Riding High-Speed Trains in Japan

When traveling on the Shinkansen, it's advisable for everyone to make seat reservations. If you find yourself seated in a spot already booked by someone else at later stations, you'll need to stand up and yield the seat to them.

Secrets to Using High-Speed Trains in Japan

To check train schedules and accurately determine ticket prices for your desired route, travelers to Japan often rely on the Hyperdia app on their computers or download it from the App Store or Google Play. The mobile app is only usable for 30 days, so it's best to download it before arriving in Japan.

How to Navigate the Shinkansen System

The Shinkansen is a type of high-speed train with a speed of 320 km/h, primarily used for long-distance travel, such as from Tokyo to Osaka. There are numerous types of Shinkansen trains, including Nozomi, Mizuho, Hikari, Sakura, Kodama, Tsubame, etc. Among them, Nozomi and Mizuho are two trains where JR Pass users must pay additional fees because Nozomi is a special high-speed train (similar to a business class cabin). However, the speed of these two trains does not differ significantly from other trains on the same route.

Insider Tips for Using High-Speed Trains in Japan

When boarding the Shinkansen, it's essential to reserve seats in advance. If you opt for non-reserved seats and someone else has reserved the seat later on, you'll have to stand up and give it to them.

Insights from Experience: Why You Should Opt for Reserved Seats

Upon approaching the JR staff gate at the ticket barrier, present your JR Pass and state your desired destination. For example, if you're heading straight from Narita International Airport, Terminal 1 to Kyoto, simply say: “I want to go to Kyoto.” The staff will then assist you in selecting the most suitable train time based on ticket availability and issue your ticket.

Travelers must carefully keep their JR Pass and passport within the validity period. If the pass is lost, JR cannot resolve the issue unless you precisely recall where you left it. If there are CCTV cameras under JR authority at the location, they may provide assistance. I once left my JR Pass at the airport and only remembered when the train had arrived in Tokyo (the distance from Narita Airport to Tokyo is about 1 hour). The JR staff at Tokyo station were incredibly helpful in contacting Narita station to retrieve my pass. They even provided me with a complimentary return trip from Tokyo to Narita to retrieve the pass (even though it wasn't their fault). From the moment I set foot in Japan, I've been deeply moved by the warmth and hospitality of the locals, despite their limited English proficiency.

You can enjoy food and drinks comfortably on the Shinkansen, as long as you clean up and dispose of waste properly. However, eating and drinking are not permitted on local trains.

Tips for Handling Luggage on Trains

In Tokyo, Japanese people often stand on the left side of the escalator, leaving the right side for those in a hurry. Conversely, in Osaka, people tend to stand on the right side.

When waiting for the elevator or the train, stand aside from both sides of the door and queue up neatly, allowing those inside the elevator/train to exit before entering. Absolutely no pushing.

If you have a cold, please wear a mask to prevent spreading bacteria on the train.

Communication Methods in Japan

Buying a phone SIM card for calls and texts in Japan seems impossible, as Japanese citizens need to register with a permanent address and a Japanese bank account to purchase such a SIM card. Therefore, to meet communication needs in Japan, I have two options:

– Purchase prepaid data SIM card in Vietnam:

You can buy a data SIM card to meet communication needs in Japan. This type of SIM card is not for calls or texts but only for 4G connectivity. You have 3 options for usage duration (7 days, 15 days, or 21 days). The SIM card can connect to 4G with a maximum of 100 MB high-speed data per day.

– Rent mobile Wi-Fi router in Japan:

This is a small Wi-Fi router, about the size of a 6,000 mAh power bank. We need to carry it with us at all times to connect to the Internet. Similar to SIM cards, mobile Wi-Fi routers have various options for speed, usage days, registration locations, etc.

I chose the 75 Mbps Standard Wi-Fi, priced at 990 yen per day for the first 5 days and 300 yen per day from the 6th day onwards. I rented it for 8 days, totaling 5,850 yen, and selected delivery to the Narita airport post office. Upon arrival, simply present your passport at the 4th-floor post office to receive the Wi-Fi router. After the usage period, you can return the router along with the charging cable in the provided packaging, seal the package, and then drop it into any mailbox across Japan. Convenient, isn't it?

According to Zing News

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Reference: Travel Handbook from Mytour