text:
_How to explore Japan by rail..._

The best way to get around Japan is by train.  On this page you'll find an introduction to train travel in Japan, with advice on times, routes, tickets and passes...

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  An overview of train travel in Japan...

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  How to check train times & fares

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  How to buy tickets

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Maps of Japan's rail network

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Classes & reservations

Japan Rail pass guide

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Japan Rail Pass or point to point tickets?

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  What does a Japan Rail Pass cover?

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  How does a Japan Rail Pass work?

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Making reservations to go with your pass

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  How to buy a Japan Rail Pass

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Regional passes & Seishun 18 Kippu pass

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  A suggested 7-day itinerary in pictures

What are Japanese trains like?

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Shinkansen   _Watch the video guides_

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Limited Express

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Ordinary & Rapid trains

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Sleeper trains

[small bullet point]  Travel tips:  Luggage, WiFi, finding your train

_[small bullet point]  New rules for large suitcases on key shinkansen routes from May 2020_

Airport links & other useful info...

[small bullet point]  Finding your way around Tokyo station

[small bullet point]  Haneda Airport train link

[small bullet point]  Narita Airport train link

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Useful country information: currency, dial code...

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Ryokans, capsule hotels & Tokyo Station Hotel

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Recommended guidebooks

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Tours of Japan by train - organised for you

[small bullet point]  Travel insurance, Curve card & VPN

Ferries to & from Japan...

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Ferries from Japan to Russia

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Ferries from Japan to China

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Ferries from Japan to South Korea

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Flights to Japan

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Europe to Japan by Trans-Siberian Railway

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A quick overview...

-   Japan has an extensive and very efficient rail network, you can pretty much assume that trains go almost everywhere you'd want to visit.  Japanese trains are clean, comfortable and unbelievably punctual.  The average delay to a high-speed shinkansen train is measured in seconds.

-   Train travel in Japan is really easy.  Language is hardly ever a problem, stations have signs & departure boards in English as well as Japanese.  You can see for yourself in the travel tips section below.

-   Most Japanese trains are operated by the Japan Railways (JR) Group, which consists of 6 independent regional companies, JR Central, JR East, JR West, JR Kyushu, JR Hokkaido & JR Shikoku.  Since 2006, JR Central, JR East & JR West have been fully privatised, although the other 3 JR companies remain state-owned.  In addition to the main JR routes, there are various local routes run by private companies - 'private' in this context means 'non-JR' even though 3 of the 6 JR companies are now privately-owned.

How to check train times & fares...

-   To check train times & fares anywhere in Japan on both JR and private companies, simply use www.hyperdia.com.

-   _Tip:_  Japanese train fares for _Shinkansen_, _Express_ & _Limited Express_ trains consist of a basic fare + a reserved seat fee or unreserved seat fee for that type of train.  For example, Tokyo to Kyoto by shinkansen is �8,210 basic fare + �4,870 shinkansen unreserved seat fee = total fare �13,080.  If you wanted a reserved seat, it would be �8,210 + �5,500 = �13,710.  Don't make mistakenly think the fare is only the �8,210!

-   _Tip:_  If you have a Japan Rail Pass you cannot use _Nozomi_ or _Mizuho_ trains or trains run by private non-JR operators - so simply click _More options_ and de-select _Nozomi/Mizuho_ and _Private Railways_ in the search options, to remove these from the search results.  Incidentally, the same option also removes JR East's _Hyabusa_ shinkansen on the route from Tokyo north to Hokkaido, these _can_ now be used by passholders.

-   If you have a smartphone, you can download the Hyperdia app for iPhone or Android to check train times on the go.

How to buy tickets...

-   _How to buy shinkansen & mainline tickets..._  You can order shinkansen tickets online through agency Voyagin, www.govoyagin.com.

    Tickets can be collected from their office in Tokyo's Shibuya district or sent to your hotel.  Although this agency naturally charges a fee, there's no easy alternative as Japanese railways don't offer online sales in English.  Using www.govoyagin.com is therefore the best option if you want to pre-book before you get to Japan.  Feedback would be appreciated if you use them.

    Alternatively, wait until you reach Japan and buy tickets at the station either at the staffed counters or using the relevant ticket machines, which have a touch screen English button.  There are many trains & seats, so buying when you reach Japan is unlikely to be a problem unless you hit one of the busiest national holiday periods - and even then, you can always travel in the unreserved seats cars.

    For advice on airport trains, see the Haneda or Narita sections below.

-   _Consider a Japan Rail Pass..._  As rail fares in Japan are expensive it may be worth buying a 7-day Japan Rail Pass - it can be cheaper that just one round trip at full price between Tokyo & Hiroshima, see the Japan Rail Pass section below.

-   _How to buy local tickets... _ Use the self-service ticket machines.  At any main station you'll find a row of these with a big network map above them near the ticket gates onto the local platforms, see the photo in the Tokyo station section below.  You'll soon get the hang of buying tickets, like this...

    -  Look at the big network map on the wall above the machines.  Find your destination station & note the fare shown next to it.

    -  On the touch screen, press _English_.

    -  Press the side button for the number of adults/children in your party.  For 2 adults & 2 children you'll have to buy as 2 transactions.

    -  You'll now see a screen full of possible one-way fares for one adult.

    -  Touch the fare for your destination.  So if the fare shown on the map against your destination is 350, touch the 350 button.

    -  It'll now show the total cost for the number of adults & children you have selected.

    -  Enter coins or notes, the machine gives change, but they don't take cards.

Maps of the Japanese rail network...

-   See Japan train map here.

-   See alternative map here.

The classic network...

-   Japan's railways were originally built to narrow gauge with the rails 3' 6" apart, and today a comprehensive network of these lines covers the whole country, linking cities, towns and even villages, see a rail map of Japan here.  Trains on the classic network are usually categorised as _local_, _rapid,_ _express_ or _limited express,_ with the latter two categories __ requiring an express or limited express seat fee on top of the basic fare.  Much of the network is electrified, and even on narrow gauge tracks, smart modern limited expresses can travel at over 80mph.

The _shinkansen_ high-speed lines...

-   Key Japanese cities are linked by bullet train, or to use their proper name, _shinkansen_ which simply means _new trunk line_.  Shinkansen are high-speed lines built from 1964 onwards to standard gauge with rails 4' 8�" apart and operating speeds of up to 300km/h (186 mph).  In major cities such as Tokyo or Kyoto you'll find stations with certain platforms handling standard-gauge _shinkansen_ trains and other platforms signposted as _JR LInes_ used by trains on the classic 3' 6" network.

-   Each shinkansen route has its own name, for example the _Tokaido shinkansen_ runs westwards from Tokyo to Kyoto & Osaka, extended further west to Hiroshima & Hakata as the _Sanyo Shinkansen_ and further west to Kagoshima on Kyushu over the _Kyushu Shinkansen_.  The Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata & Akita shinkansen routes all run north and east from Tokyo.

-   Each Shinkansen route has its own train names to indicate all-stations, semi-fast & express services.  For example on the Tokaido & Sanyo shinkansen _Kodama_ means all-stations, _Hikari_ means semi-fast and _Nozomi_ means express.  The equivalent terms on the Kyushu Shinkansen are _Kodama_, _Sakura_ and _Mizuho_.  Japan Rail Pass holders aren't allowed to use Nozomi or Mizuho services, but can use all other Shinkansen trains.

Ordinary class or Green Car?

-   Japanese trains usually have two classes, ordinary class and _green car_ which is the Japanese term for 1st class.  Green cars are indicated by a green clover symbol next to the entrance door.  As you'd expect, green car seating has more leg and elbow room with seats arranged 2+2 across the coach width on shinkansen or 2+1 on the classic network, whereas ordinary class seats are usually arranged 2+3 on shinkansen or 2+2 on the classic network.  You may also find the green car carpeted, ordinary cars have synthetic flooring.  Not all trains have green car seats, of course.  Many local trains and even some all-stations _kodama_ shinkansen only have ordinary class.

-   Travelling in ordinary class is very comfortable, there's absolutely no need to pay extra for green car unless you don't mind the extra cost.  On the other hand, the extra leg & elbow room is nice if you can afford it.  Indeed, although legroom isn't a problem, I find elbow room in the 2+3 ordinary class seating on most shinkansen is a little tight...

-   A few premier trains on the Tohoku & Hokkaido shinkansen also offer a top-of-the-range _Gran Class_ in addition to ordinary and green car seats.  _Gran Class_ features luxurious reclining leather cradle seats arranged 2+1 across the car width and there's personal steward service of food and drink.  Japan Rail Passes cannot be used in Gran Classe at all, so unless you're rich or the Company is paying, I'd forget Gran Class.

Reserved or non-reserved?

-   A typical shinkansen or limited express has ordinary class _reserved_ cars and ordinary class _non-reserved_ cars, plus one or more green __ cars which are always _reserved_.  Tickets are sold for the _non-reserved_ cars in unlimited numbers, they cannot sell out, but no seat is allocated.  You just sit where you like on a first-come, first served basis.  Most of the time finding a seat is not a problem, but at busy times you'll have to stand if you find all the seats taken.  Tickets for the _reserved_ cars cost a little more but come with a allocated seat so you're sure of somewhere to sit.  Green cars are always _reserved_ so tickets always come with an allocated seat.

-   The peak travel periods when reserved seats sell out fast and the unreserved seats get very crowded include _Golden Week_ (late April to early May), _Obon_ (mid-August) & _New Year_ (29 Dec to 3 January).  Indeed, you may want to time your visit to Japan to avoid these times if you can.

-   Although most trains have unreserved cars including all trains on the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima-Hakata-Nagasaki route, there are a few exceptions where trains are all-reserved with no unreserved cars.  These all head northeast from Tokyo, namely _Hayate_ & _Hayabusa_ services on the Tohoku-Hokkaido Shinkansen (Tokyo-Hakodate-Hokuto), Komachi services on the Akita Shinkansen, _Kagayaki_ services on the Hokuriku Shinkansen (Tokyo-Kanazawa).  The _Narita Express_ & _Kesei Skyliner_ airport trains are also all-reserved.

Example journey times & prices...

+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|  JOURNEY: | DISTANCE  | TIME BY   | TIME BY   | ONE-WAY   | TRAIN     |
|           |           | NOZOMI*   | HIKARI**  | FARE:     | FREQUENCY |
|           |           |           |           |           | :         |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|  Tokyo -  | 513km,    | 2 hours   | 2 hours   | �13,710   | Every     |
| Kyoto     | 320 miles | 18 min    | 38 min    |           | 15-30     |
|           |           |           |           |           | minutes   |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|  Tokyo -  | 552km,    | 2 hours   | 2 hours   | �14,250   | Every     |
| Shin-Osak | 345 miles | 33 min    | 53 min    |           | 15-30     |
| a         |           |           |           |           | minutes   |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|  Tokyo -  | 894km,    | 4 hours 1 | 4 hours   | �18,880   | Every     |
| Hiroshima | 559 miles | min       | 49 min    |           | 15-30     |
|           |           |           |           |           | minutes   |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|  Tokyo -  | 1,328km,  | 7 hours   | 8 hours   | �25,850   | Every     |
| Nagasaki  | 830 miles | 14 min    | 21 min    |           | hour,     |
|           |           |           |           |           | change    |
|           |           |           |           |           | Hakata    |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|  Kyoto -  | 380km,    | 1 hour 36 | 1 hour 59 | �11,300   | Every     |
| Hiroshima | 237 miles | min       | min       |           | 15-30     |
|           |           |           |           |           | minutes   |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+
|  Hiroshim | 434km,    | 3 hours   | 3 hours   | �13,690   | Every     |
| a         | 271 miles | 10 min    | 25 min    |           | hour,     |
| -         |           |           |           |           | change    |
| Nagasaki  |           |           |           |           | Hakata    |
+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+-----------+

�1 = 125 yen.  $1 - 103 yen.

* Nozomi = fastest Shinkansen stopping pattern, Japan Rail Passes can't be used.

** Hikari = next fastest train type, Japan Rail Passes can be used.

Check Japanese train times & fares at www.hyperdia.com or www.jorudan.co.jp.

Children aged 0 to 5 travel free, children aged 6 to 11 travel at half fare, children aged 12 and over pay full fare.

Rail fares in Japan are expensive, and if you are an overseas visitor a Japan Rail Pass can be the cheapest way to travel even if you are only planning one return trip from (say) Tokyo to Hiroshima.  See the Japan Rail Pass section.

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Japan Rail Pass or point-to-point tickets?

-   It's highly likely that a Japan Rail Pass _will_ save you money over point to point tickets.

-   Train fares in Japan are very expensive, with no cheap advance-purchase fares just one hefty fixed price for each journey.  Even if you are only planning one round trip, a Japan Rail Pass may well save you money over point-to-point tickets.

-   For example, a 7-day Japan Rail Pass costs �29,110 = �215 or $268.

    A regular round trip ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto with reserved seat is around �27,500 = �212 or $263.  From Tokyo to Hiroshima it's �37,760 = �291 or $361.

    So a 7-day Japan Rail Pass virtually breaks even for one round trip from Tokyo to Kyoto, and saves money for one round trip between Tokyo & Hiroshima.  Indeed, as it also covers the Narita Express between Tokyo & Narita airport, it may even save money on that trip to Kyoto.

-   _How to work out if a pass makes sense for you..._

    First check Japan Rail Pass prices at www.jrailpass.com.  Then use www.hyperdia.com to check point-to-point fares for the journeys you intend to make.  Remember that the total point-to-point price you'd pay = basic fare + the reserved or unreserved seat fee.  A pass would cover both these elements.

-   _Green car or ordinary class?_

    A green class pass is great if you can afford it, but ordinary class on Japanese trains is perfectly adequate, there's no need to pay more if you don't want to.  Green car simply gets you more leg and elbow room, and carpet rather than synthetic flooring, that's all.  Personally, I find shinkansen ordinary class seats a little cramped where they are arranged 2+3 across the car width, the 2+2 seats in the green car are much more spacious.  On the other hand, if you plan to be spontaneous much of the time and not pre-plan everything you'll end up in the unreserved ordinary class cars, so don't fork out for a green car pass if you're not going to use it.

What does a Japan Rail Pass cover?

-   You can buy a Japan Rail Pass for 7, 14 or 21 days in either ordinary class or green car (1st class).

-   _The pass gives unlimited travel on all JR trains across the whole of Japan_, including high-speed shinkansen (bullet trains), the local, rapid, express and limited express trains on the classic network and even the Narita Express between Narita Airport & Tokyo and the monorail to & from Haneda Airport.

    There are just the following exceptions...

-   _You can't use a Japan Rail Pass on the Nozomi or Mizuho shinkansen trains_.  These are the trains with the fewest stops on the Tokaido, Sanyo & Kyushu shinkansen lines, Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka-Hiroshima-Hakata-Kagoshima.

    But this is no big deal as you can use the next fastest category, the _Hikari_ services on the Tokaido Shinkansen and _Sakura_ services on the Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen.  These link exactly the same cities on exactly the same Shinkansen tracks, indeed they often use exactly the same type of N700 train.  A _Hikari_ simply stops at a few more stations than a _Nozomi_ so takes a few minutes longer.

    _Tip:_  When checking train times on www.hyperdia.com or the Hyperdia iPhone or Android app, you can click _More options_ and de-select _Nozomi/Mizuho_ in the search options to see trains you can take with a pass.  Just so you know, the same option also removes JR East's _Hyabusa_ shinkansen on the route from Tokyo north to Hokkaido, although these _can_ now be used by passholders.

-   _You can't use a Japan Rail Pass on lines run by private rail operators_, only lines operated by one of the six JR companies.  For example, it doesn't cover the Tobu Railway from Tokyo to Nikko, or the Tokyo subway trains which aren't run by JR either.

    But it does cover the Narita Express airport train as that's run by JR.  It also covers JR local trains in Tokyo & other cities including the useful Yamanote loop line linking Tokyo main station, Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shimbashi, Ikebukuro every few minutes, which you can use to get around Tokyo.

    _Tip:_  When checking train times on www.hyperdia.com or the Hyperdia iPhone or Android app, you can click _More options_ and de-select _Private Railways_ in the search options to see only JR-run trains.

-   _Sleeper trains:_  There are very few sleeper trains left in Japan, but you can use overnight sleeping-car trains such as the Sunrise Seto or Sunrise Izumo with a Japan Rail Pass if you either pay the hefty sleeper supplement for a private sleeper - we're talking �19,500 per room for a private 2-berth B-type sleeper - or use the open-plan shared _nobinobi_ or 'carpet berths' which are free of charge with a Japan Rail Pass, reservation required.  Indeed, if you're on a budget, saving a hotel bill by taking the Sunrise Seto between Tokyo & (say) Himeji is an interesting option!

-   You'll find more detailed info at www.jrailpass.com.

How does a Japan Rail Pass work?

-   You need to buy the pass before you leave home, you can't buy a Japan Rail Pass in Japan.

-   You order a Japan Rail Pass online at any official pass agency site such as www.jrailpass.com and an exchange voucher is sent to your home address.  You'll also get a free Japan rail map and a Japan railways timetable booklet.

-   When you arrive in Japan, you exchange this voucher for a Japan Rail Pass at any of the JR ticket offices & travel centres designated as a Japan Rail Pass exchange office.  _The voucher can be exchanged for a pass at any time within 3 months of buying the voucher, so there's no need to specify exact travel dates when you order it._

    There are Japan Rail Pass exchange counters at around 50 JR stations, including Tokyo's main station which has Japan Rail Pass exchange counters on both the Marunouchi (west) & Yaesu (east) sides of the station, Tokyo's Ueno, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro stations, Narita Airport, Haneda Airport, Kansai Airport, Shin-Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki and even Sakaiminato where you arrive by ferry from Vladivostok.

    _Tip:_  The Japan Rail Pass exchange counters at Narita and Haneda airports are usually fairly relaxed places to exchange your voucher.  In Tokyo the JR East Service Centre in the historic North Entrance on the quieter Marunouchi (west) side of the station is also a good and relaxed place to exchange your voucher, more relaxed than the Japan Rail Pass counter on the more hectic Yaesu (east) side of the station.

-   When you exchange the voucher, you'll be asked to show your passport and to fill in a simple form with your name and passport number which they incorporate into the pass itself.  You'll be asked on what specific date you want the 7, 14 or 21 days to start, this can be any date within the next 30 days - the pass does not need to start on the same day you exchange the voucher for the pass.

    _For example, in July I booked a flight to Japan for travel in late October.  I ordered my 7-day Japan Rail Pass in September.  I didn't need to decide in advance exactly what days I would use it, as long as I exchanged the voucher for a pass within 3 months of ordering it.  So I could have delayed my visit until November and still used the same voucher.  Arriving in Japan on 20 October, I exchanged my voucher for a pass at Tokyo station on 21 October, asking for my 7 days of unlimited travel to start on 22 October._

-   Once you have your pass and your 7, 14 or 21 days of unlimited travel have started, you use as many JR trains as you like (other than Nozomi or Mizuho trains, of course), travelling whenever and wherever you like.  There is no limit on the number of trains you can take or the distance you can travel - that's what _unlimited_ means...

Making reservations with your pass...

-   _Local & Rapid trains:_  You don't need a reservation to travel on local or rapid trains on the classic network, indeed such trains don't even have seat reservations.  You just hop on and show your pass when the conductor comes along.  Simple!

-   _Unreserved seat cars: _ Express, limited express and shinkansen trains usually have several _non-reserved_ ordinary class cars, and as the name suggests you don't need a reservation to travel in these.  Platform announcements, departure boards and platform signs in English will tell you which car numbers these are, and where you should stand on the platform for them - it's all very efficient.  If you are happy travelling in the non-reserved cars you can just get on and sit where you like, and show your pass to the conductor when he comes long.  Normally there's little problem finding a seat, indeed you may even be spoilt for choice.  But a seat isn't guaranteed, and at busy times of day or at busy holiday periods you may have to stand or sit on your luggage in the aisle if you find all the seats are taken.

-   _Reserved seat cars:_  To be sure of a seat on a shinkansen, limited express or express train, or to sit in a Green Car seat with a Green Car pass, you can reserve a seat in one of the _reserved_ cars.  You can do this free of charge at any JR ticket office or travel centre where you see the green seat reservation symbol.  Just show your Japan Rail Pass and passport and ask for a reservation in the class you want on the train you want.  You can make reservations at any time right up to a few minutes before the train leaves.

    You are unlikely to have any problem getting the reservations you need, even booking at short notice when you get to Japan, unless you hit a busy holiday period.  And even then, you can always use the unreserved cars so you'll never be stranded, although it may be crowded so you may have to stand.

-   _Seat reservations cannot be made online before you get to Japan_, only at stations when you get there.

    There's just one notable exception:  JR East have set up a website for Japan Railpass holders to make reservations on their high speed trains north & east of Tokyo, including the Narita Express and the Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata & Akita shinkansen, but _not_ the Tokaido, Sanyo or Kyushu shinkansen linking Tokyo, Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata, Kagoshima as obviously these aren't run by JR East, but by JR Central & JR West.

    To make reservations on JR East services, see www.eki-net.com/pc/jreast-shinkansen-reservation/English/wb/common/Menu (if this link stops working, try www.jreast.co.jp/e/eastpass and please let me know).  Seat reservations made using this service must be collected before 21:00 the day before travel or they will be cancelled.

-   Incidentally, green car (1st class) seats on shinkansen and limited express trains are always _reserved_, and if you sit in a green car seat without a reservation you will be charged the hefty green car shinkansen reserved seat fee, even if you have a Green Car Japan Rail Pass.  Therefore, if you have a Green Car Pass, either make a reservation to use the Green Car, or if you want to be spontaneous and hop on a train without a reservation, use the ordinary class unreserved cars.

-   Another tip:  There's no penalty for not using a seat reservation you've made with a Japan Rail Pass.  Bad manners not to cancel it perhaps, but if you had a reservation for (say) the 18:45 and decided to leave earlier, you could hop on the 17:45 and sit in the unreserved cars, no problem...

-   One final tip:  If you know your itinerary, there's no reason why you can't make all the necessary reservations for your trip in one go when you exchange your voucher for the pass.  But do the legwork first.  Look up each of the trains you want using www.hyperdia.com then type out a clear written list of reservations specifying date, journey, train number, departure time, class and number of passengers.  If it's not too busy, the staff at the Japan Rail Pass counter may work through the list for you, issuing a reservation ticket for each reserved seat.  But if it's busy and there's a queue behind you, don't be surprised of they turn you away, asking you to make reservations as you need them at the ticket office.  Staff at the JR East Service Centre did all my reservations for me, no problem.  But a notice at the Haneda Airport travel service centre said they were only prepared to do reservations for today.  Feedback appreciated!

Busy periods to avoid:  _Golden week, Obon, New Year_...

-   The busy periods __ when reserved seats often sell out way in advance and unreserved cars become very crowded are _Golden Week_ between late April & early May, _Obon_ in mid-August and _New Year_ (29 Dec to 3 January).  Generally-speaking, the most crowded trains are ones heading out of the cities into the country at the beginning of the holiday and back into the cities at the end.  If you can, time your visit to Japan to avoid these times.  Incidentally, Christmas itself isn't such a big issue in Japan.

-   If you can't avoid travelling during these busy holiday periods, here are some tips:  Try for seats (reserved or unreserved) on the less popular first or last trains or the day.  Try for seats (reserved or unreserved) on the slower trains such as the Kodama all-stations shinkansen rather then the faster & more popular trains such as Hikari or Sakura services.  Try splitting the booking:  If you can't get reserved seats from Tokyo to Kyoto, ask for Tokyo to Nagoya and Nagoya to Kyoto and that may work.  When using unreserved seats, pick a train that starts at the station you're at, rather than one that comes in from elsewhere already heavily-loaded.

_A suggested 7-day itinerary..._

-   Click here for a suggested itinerary for first-timers using a 7-day Japan Rail Pass, starting in Tokyo and visiting Kyoto for its temples & geisha district, Himeji for its castle, Hiroshima for its museum and Peace Park and Nagasaki for its history as the only point of contact with the outside world from the 17th to 19th centuries.

Buy a Japan Rail Pass ...

When you buy your pass...

[Japan Rail Pass exchange voucher]

1. EXCHANGE VOUCHER...  When you order your pass online, you are sent an Exchange Voucher (above, on left) plus a handy Japan Rail Pass user guide, a Japan rail timetable and a Japan rail map.  The voucher can be exchanged for a Japan Rail Pass at any time in the 3 months after ordering.

[A Japan Rail Pass ]

2.  JAPAN RAIL PASS...  You exchange the voucher for a Japan Rail Pass at any one of 50 designated JR exchange offices in Japan, including Tokyo main station (2 offices), Ueno, Shinjuku, Narita International Airport, Haneda International Airport, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nagasaki...

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Japan East Pass, Sanyo pass, Kansai pass...

-   There are also 3 regional Japan Rail Passes covering smaller areas.

-   _The Japan East Pass_ covers Tokyo, Nagano, Niigata, Sendai, Morioka, Misawa & Akita.

-   _The Sanyo area pass_ covers an area including Osaka, Himeji, Okayama, Hiroshima & Hakata.

-   _The Kansai area rail pass_ covers Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe, Nara & Himeji and costs only around �15 ($23) a day, a pretty good deal.

-   www.japan-rail-pass.com (residents of UK & Europe, Asia, Africa, USA & Canada), www.railplus.com.au/japan-by-rail or www.internationalrail.com.au (residents of Australia & NZ) for more information.

Seishun 18 :  5 days unlimited travel on local trains for $22 per day...

-   The Seishun 18 Kippu (= Youthful 18 Ticket) is sold to both Japanese citizens and overseas visitors, of any age in spite of its name, during specific Spring (March-April), Summer (July-September) & winter (December-January) periods.

-   It gives 5 days unlimited travel on Japan Railways local &  trains and kaisoku (accelerated local) trains for around 11,850 yen.  That's just �67 or $109, about �13 or $22 per day.  It's possible to travel all the way across Japan this way, incredibly cheaply, but only using the narrow-gauge local trains.

-   Rather than explain it here, see this page for full details:  www.japan-guide.com/e/e2362.html or http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seishun_18_Ticket or www.jreast.co.jp/e/pass/seishun18.html

1, 2 & 3-day metro passes for Tokyo...

-   Foreign visitors can buy Tokyo metro 24 hour, 48 hour & 72 hour tickets, see www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/travel.

-   You can buy one-day passes covering the Tokyo metro, or Tokyo metro+Toei Subway+JR local trains (called the Tokyo Combination ticket), see www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day.

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_Shinkansen_ high-speed trains...

Everyone has heard of Japan's bullet train lines, more properly known in Japan as _shinkansen_ which simply means _new trunk line_.  These are high-speed lines, built to European and North American standard gauge with the rails 4' 8�" apart.  The first shinkansen was the Tokaido Shinkansen opened in 1964 between Toyo, Kyoto and Osaka, later extended as the Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima, Kobe and Hakata.  There are now a whole range of shinkansen lines linking all the most important cities in Japan, including Niigata, Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hakata and Kagoshima.

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Watch the video, Tokyo to Hiroshima by shinkansen

[SMALL BULLET POINT]  Watch the video:  Hiroshima to Nagasaki by shinkansen & Limited Express

Tokaido & Sanyo shinkansen, N700A 16-car trains...

These 16-car N700As owned by JR Central & JR West operate the _Nozomi_ and _Hikari_ services on the Tokaido Shinkansen between Tokyo, Kyoto and Shin-Osaka.  Many _Nozomis_ and a few _Hikaris_ extend to Hiroshima, Kobe & Hakata over the Sanyo Shinkansen.  These trains operate at up to 285 km/h (175 mph) on the Tokaido Shinkansen and up to 300km/h (186 mph) on the Sanyo Shinkansen.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| [N700A train on the Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka Tokaido Shinkansen]             |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| N700A shinkansen at Tokyo main station....                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Green Car seats on   |                       | [Ordinary class seats |
| an N700A shinkansen]  |                       | on an N700A           |
|                       |                       | shinkansen]           |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Green Car seats,      |                       | Ordinary class seats, |
| arranged 2+2 across   |                       | arranged 2+3 across   |
| the car width.        |                       | the car width.        |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

Shinkansen seats are always rotated to face the direction of travel, and all seats come with a drop-down table attached to the seat back in front.  If there are four of you, you can rotate one pair of seats to make a face-to-face group of four.  There are power sockets (Japanese 2-pin) at all seats on these N700s.

+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| [Shinkansen |             | [Shinkansen |             | [Shinkansen |
| urinal]     |             | smoking     |             | refreshment |
|             |             | room]       |             | trolley]    |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| Gent's      |             | Small       |             | Refreshment |
| urinal...   |             | smoking     |             | trolley,    |
|             |             | room...     |             | cash &      |
|             |             |             |             | cards       |
|             |             |             |             | accepted.   |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+

Sanyo & Kyushu shinkansen, N700 8-car trains...

These 8-car N700 shinkansen trains owned by JR West & JR Kyushu operate the _Mizuho_ & _Sakura_ services on the Sanyo & Kyushu shinkansen lines between Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima, Himeji, Hakata and Kagoshima.

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Green Car seats on   |                       | [N700 JR Kyushu       |
| N700 JR Kyushu        |                       | shinkansen]           |
| shinkansen]           |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Green Car seats on an |                       | An 8-car N700 at      |
| N700 8-car            |                       | Shin-Osaka station... |
| shinkansen...         |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Green Car seats on   |                       | [Green Car seats on   |
| N700 JR Kyushu        |                       | N700 JR Kyushu        |
| shinkansen]           |                       | shinkansen]           |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Ordinary class        |                       | Ordinary class        |
| _reserved_ seats on   |                       | _unreserved_ seats on |
| an N700 8-car         |                       | an N700 8-car         |
| shinkansen...         |                       | shinkansen...         |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

On most shinkansen trains, ordinary class seats are the same whether reserved or non-reserved.  But on these particular trains, ordinary class reserved seats (above left) are arranged 2+2 across the car width, much more spacious than the non-reserved cars (above right).  An added benefit of reserving a seat!

Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata & Akita shinkansen...

You'll find a range of exotic trains on the Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido, Yamagata & Akita shinkansen routes heading north & east of Tokyo.

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [E5 sinkansen train]  |                       | [E6 shinkansen train] |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| A JR East E5          |                       | A JR East E6          |
| shinkansen at Tokyo   |                       | shinkansen...         |
| station...            |                       |                       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [E7 shinkansen train] |                       | [Gran Class seats on  |
|                       |                       | an E5 shinkansen      |
|                       |                       | train]                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| A JR East E7          |                       | Gran class (premium   |
| shinkansen at Tokyo   |                       | 1st class) seats on   |
| station...            |                       | an E5 shinkansen...   |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

Limited Expresses on the classic network...

An extensive network of classic 3' 6" narrow-gauge lines covers the whole of Japan taking you to almost every city and town of any size.  The fastest trains on the classic network are classified as _Limited Express_, and these train come in all shapes and sizes...  Nagasaki, for example, is well worth a visit but is not on the Shinkansen network.  You take a Shinkansen high-speed train from Tokyo, Kyoto or Hiroshima to Hakata or Shin-Tosu, then switch to a _Kamome Limited Express_ on the regular narrow-gauge network.  Indeed, the classic network often parallels the shinkansen:  For example, you can travel between Kyoto, Osaka and Himeji by Limited Express on the classic network just as easily as by shinkansen.  Give it a try!

[CLASS 885 TRAIN OPERATING A KAMONE LIMITED EXPRESS FROM NAGASAKI TO HAKATA]

[GREEN CAR SEATS ON THE KAMONE FROM NAGASAKI TO HAKATA]
LIMITED EXPRESS _KAMOME_ FROM HAKATA TO NAGASAKI.  The Green car seats get a great forward view past the driver.  Ordinary class seats are very similar, but arranged 2+2 across the car width.

[ORDINARY CLASS SEATS ON A THUNDERBIRD LIMITED EXPRESS]

[LIMITED EXPRESS THUNDERBIRD AT SHIN-OSAKA.]
LIMITED EXPRESS _THUNDERBIRD_ BETWEEN OSAKA, SHIN-OSAKA, KYOTO & KANAZAWA.  The photo shows how comfortable the ordinary class seats are, and the large picture windows a welcome change for the smaller windows on the shinkansen.  You may well find yourself using such trains between Kyoto & Shin-Osaka, in connection with shinkansen to Tokyo.

Local & rapid trains on the classic network...

Completing the picture, there are many, many _local_ and _rapid_ trains, again of many shapes and sizes...

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Japanese rapid       |                       | [Japanese local       |
| train]                |                       | train]                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Rapid train at        |                       | Local train in        |
| Shin-Osaka...         |                       | Tokyo...              |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

Sleeper trains...     _Watch the Sunrise Express video_

There's now only one sleeping-car train left in Japan, the _Sunrise Express_.  It runs as one combined train from Tokyo to Himeji & Okayama and then splits, the _Sunrise Seto_ heading for Takamatsu on the island of Shikoku and the _Sunrise Izumo_ heading for Izumoshi.

You can use the _Sunrise Express_ at no extra charge with a Japan Rail Pass if you make a reservation for one of the basic nobinobi berths (see the photo below left) or you can pay the room fee to have a private compartment.  Expect a private sleeper compartment for one person to cost around �7,600 for a B-type _single_, around �6,600 for a similar but slightly smaller B-type _solo_, or �14,000 for a more spacious A-type deluxe single-bed sleeper with washbasin.  For two people, it costs around �14,000 per compartment in a B-type _single-twin_ with upper & lower berths or �15,000 per compartment in a B-type _Sunrise twin_ with two lower berths side by side.  Without a pass, you pay the regular fare and limited express extra fare plus these berth costs.

The sleeper train runs on the classic narrow-gauge network, but it can save time compared with daytime shinkansen travel but more importantly it's a unique experience, watch the Sunrise Express video.  It could save a hotel bill too!  See the official Sunrise Express information page, in Japanese, translatable with Google Chrome, to see photo of each accommodation type and check current berth fees.

_Travel tip:_  Himeji is a popular destination, but the Sunrise Express arrives there very early westbound and leaves late at night eastbound.  Remember that with a Japan Rail Pass you can easily double back, leaving or boarding the train an hour away in Okayama at a more attractive time instead.  The useful Tokyo-Nagasaki sleeper train is long gone, and the _Hokutosei_  & _Cassiopeia_ sleeper trains between Tokyo & Sapporo disappeared in late 2015/early 2016 with the expansion of high-speed shinkansen services to Hokkaido.

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Ticket gates...

When accessing (or leaving) the platform area at any principal Japanese station, you'll need to pass through a set of automatic ticket gates like the ones shown here.  To catch a _shinkansen_ train you may need to pass through two sets of gates, the first to access the _JR Lines_ platform area serving the classic network, then another to access the Shinkansen platforms.  The gates are usually open by default, they'll spring shut if you try to pass through without a ticket.  All gate lines have a staffed side-gate, and if you have a Japan Rail Pass you'll need to use this.  Just flash your pass at the side gate and you'll be waved through.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Ticket gates at Hiroshima station]                                   |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Ticket gates at the entrance to the Shinkansen platforms at           |
| Hiroshima.  As you can see, the staffed side gate is on the left.     |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Finding your platform, train & seat...

Many visitors worry about language in Japan, but signs are in both Japanese and English and the system is so efficient and easy to use.  The photos below show how easy it is to find the right platform, stand in the right place for your car when the train comes in, and be sure you're getting on the right train.

[Train departures board at Hiroshima]

_This is the main departures board at Hiroshima._  It alternates between Japanese & English.  To the left of the clock, departures towards Hakata.  To the right of the clock, departures towards Tokyo.  I have a ticket for Sakura 557 leaving at 14:27, I can see it will go from track 11.

Tip:  The board also tells you which cars are unreserved.  If you want to hop on Sakura 557 without a reservation, you can see that cars 1-3 are the non-reserved ones.

+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| [Platform   |             | [Platform   |             | [Destinatio |
| departure   |             | markings    |             | n           |
| board at    |             | show where  |             | & train     |
| Tokyo.]     |             | to stand    |             | number on   |
|             |             | for each    |             | the side of |
|             |             | car number] |             | a           |
|             |             |             |             | shinkansen  |
|             |             |             |             | carriage]   |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+
| _Platform   |             | _Car        |             | _Hikari     |
| indicator   |             | 10_...      |             | 507_...     |
| at Tokyo_.  |             | Platform    |             | Signs on    |
| The train   |             | markings    |             | the side of |
| now at      |             | tell you    |             | a           |
| platform 16 |             | exactly     |             | shinkansen  |
| is Hikari   |             | where to    |             | train       |
| 507         |             | stand for   |             | confirm     |
| departing   |             | the doors   |             | which train |
| 09:33.  The |             | to each     |             | it is.      |
| next train  |             | car.  The   |             | This is     |
| at this     |             | 'clover'    |             | bound for   |
| platform    |             | indicates a |             | Shin-Osaka, |
| will be     |             | green car.  |             | this is a   |
| Kodama 645, |             |             |             | green car,  |
| followed by |             |             |             | and it's    |
| Nozomi 319. |             |             |             | reserved... |
+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+-------------+

Luggage on trains...

Luggage is no real problem on Japanese trains.  Within reason, you can take what you like, nobody weighs it, measures it or argues about it.  You simply take it with you onto the train and stick it on any suitable luggage rack.  The overhead racks on shinkansen trains take anything up to backpack size.  If you have a huge suitcase or don't want to lift heavy bags to the overhead rack, go to the back of your car and put your bags in the gap between the wall and the rearmost seats, as in the photo below right.

_New rules for very large suitcases from May 2020..._

From May 2020, new 'extra large luggage' rules will apply to the Tokaido, Kyushu & Sanyo shinkansen lines.  Passengers with very large suitcases over 160 linear centimetres (linear cm = length + width + depth) will have to reserve a place for their suitcase at the same time they reserve their shinkansen seat.  This is free of charge.  But if they don't reserve, they face a 1,000 yen fine (about $9) on the train.  It will no longer be possible to travel in an unreserved seats car with very large suitcases.  The suitcases will go in behind the rear row of seats, or (when modifications are completed) in a new lockable luggage area which will replace some of the washbasins in designated cars.  Obviously, the 160cm cut-off means this won't affect backpacks or normal-sized luggage, just over-sized cases.  For more details see www.tsunagujapan.com/large-suitcases-shinkansen-policy.

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Luggage racks on     |                       | [Larger luggage can   |
| Shinkansen train]     |                       | go here...]           |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Most items fit on the |                       | Room for large items  |
| overhead racks...     |                       | at the rear of the    |
|                       |                       | car.                  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

Luggage lockers at stations...

All principal stations have luggage lockers in various sizes in various locations.  Expect a small locker to start at around �300 or �400, and you'll need coins.  It's not usually difficult to find vacant lockers at any time of day.  Below right, arriving in Himeji at lunchtime it was no problem to find a vacant large locker which took two backpacks and a holdall for �700.  There's also a small staffed left luggage office at Tokyo station, inside the Marunouchi central entrance inside the JR Lines gated area.

[Left luggage lockers at Himeji]

[Large locker]
Luggage lockers in Himeji, useful when stopping there to visit the famous castle.

Food on board:  _Eki-ben_...

First the bad news.  Japanese trains don't have restaurant car or even a bar car, just vending machines and in some cases a refreshment trolley.  The trolley on premier shinkansen trains such as Nozomi, Hikari, Mizuho or Sakura services sells tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine, beer, sake, snacks, small tubs of ice cream.  The trolley accepts both cash and credit cards.

Now the good news.  You can of course take your own food and drink onto Japanese trains, and one of the joys of Japanese train travel is the _ekiben_ - _eki_ meaning _station,_ _ben_ short for _bento_, meaning traditional Japanese packed lunch.  Ekiben is sold at ekiben shops found at all main stations, and also from the refreshment trolley on principal shinkansen services.  Ekiben comes in all sizes, shapes and qualities, but expect a decent large box to cost perhaps �800 bought at the station or �1,000 bought from the trolley on board a train.  The ekiben boxes include chopsticks and finger wipes.

If you want to buy ekiben from the shinkansen refreshment trolley, just ask the trolley lady - she'll show you pictures of the what she has available in a little laminated menu booklet, just point to the one you want.  You'll soon be a Black Belt in the ancient and honourable Japanese martial art of Eki-ben...

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Ekiben shop at Tokyo |                       | [Ekiben & sake bought |
| station]              |                       | from the trolley]     |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| One of many ekiben    |                       | Ekiben & sake bought  |
| shops at Tokyo        |                       | from the shinkansen   |
| station...            |                       | refreshment trolley.  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Ekiben with octopus, |                       | [Selection of ekiben  |
| bought on a train]    |                       | at a station shop]    |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| An ekiben with        |                       | A selection of        |
| octopus, bought on    |                       | mouthwatering ekiben  |
| the train...          |                       | at a station...       |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

Power sockets & WiFi on Japanese trains...

You can reckon on finding power sockets for standard Japanese plugs at seats on almost all shinkansen and most limited expresses.  Free WiFi is now available on most shinkansen routes including the Tokaido, Sanyo & Tohoku lines.  Check your mobile provider for a data package for Japan, there is good mobile data reception along most shinkansen routes.  You'll also find JR Free WiFi at a key stations including Tokyo, Shinagawa, Nagoya, Kyoto & Shin-Osaka.

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Finding your way around Tokyo station...    _Map of Tokyo showing station_

Unlike most main stations worldwide, Tokyo station lacks a main entrance and main concourse.  It's something of a rabbit warren, but as most visitors end up there sooner or later, here are some tips.  You can read more about the station and its history at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokyo_Station.  It's the busiest station in Japan in terms of trains, though not in terms of passenger numbers.

-   _The tracks run north-south through the city on a raised viaduct_.  So at Tokyo station, most platforms are one level up from street level, above the ticket offices, passageways and shops.  However, platforms for the Sōbu & Keiyo Lines are underground several floors below street level.

-   _The west side of the station is called the Marunouchi side_, and it features the historic station building built in 1915 and now beautifully restored, it's upper floors occupied by the Tokyo Station Hotel.  It's the quieter side of the station, close to the Imperial Palace.

    There are Marunouchi North, Central & South entrances, each with a row of ticket gates to access the JR lines (classic network) platforms 1-10.  If you are catching a shinkansen, you'll need to pass through one of these gatelines and cross the JR Lines area to another set of ticket gates at the entrance to either the _Tokaido/Sanyo_ shinkansen platforms 14-19 or the _Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido/Yamagata & Akita shinkansen_ platforms 20-23.  It's all well-signed in English.

-   _The east side of the station is called the Yaesu side_, it's modern and very busy and has what passes for a concourse - broad passageways with various JR & shinkansen ticket offices, shops & food outlets.  The Yaesu side also has a North, Central and South entrance.  On the Yaesu side you'll find a row of ticket gates at the entrance to the JR Lines area (platforms 1-10), another set at the entrance to the _Tokaido/Sanyo_ shinkansen (platforms 14-19) and another at the entrance to the _Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido/Yamagata & Akita shinkansen_ (platforms 20-23).

-   _The north passage_...  A useful passageway connects the Marunouchi North entrance with the Yaesu North entrance, without passing through any ticket barriers - you'll also find lockers and cheap eateries along this passageway.  If you want to get from one side of the station to the other without a Japan Rail Pass or other ticket, you'll need to use this North Passage.

Which platform?

-   The platforms are numbered 1 to 23, with platform 1 on the Marunouchi side of the station, platform 23 on the Yaesu side.

-   Platforms 1-10:  JR Lines, the classic network.  The useful _Yamanote loop line_ around Tokyo leaves from platform 4 northbound to Ueno & Ikebukuro and platform 5 southbound to Shinagawa & Shibuya.

-   Platforms 14-19:  _Tokaido/Sanyo shinkansen_ to Kyoto, Shin-Osaka, Himeji, Hiroshima, Kobe, Hakata.

-   Platforms 20-23:  _Joetsu, Tohoku, Hokuriku, Hokkaido/Yamagata & Akita shinkansen_ heading north & east from Tokyo.

-   _Sōbu Line_ platforms 1-4, several levels underground on the western side of the station.  _Narita Express_ & local trains.

-   _Keiyo Line_ platforms 1-4, also underground, served by local trains.

Tokyo Station, Marunouchi side...

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Tokyo station]                                                       |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| _Tokyo's historic station building on the Marunouchi (west) side_.    |
| The Marunouchi North entrance is beneath the dome on the far left,    |
| the Marunouchi South entrance is beneath the other dome on the far    |
| right.  What appears to be the grand central entrance is sealed off,  |
| the Marunouchi Central entrance is a smaller door to the left.   The  |
| 2nd & 3rd floors (meaning the 1st & 2nd floors for a European) are    |
| occupied by the 5-star Tokyo Station Hotel.                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

[Marunouchi North entrance]

[JR East Travel Service Centre]
_Marunouchi North entrance_, viewed as you walk in from outside, with the North Passage to the Yaesu side ahead, and the row of ticket gates just out of short to the right.

_Japan Rail Pass Exchange office, Marunouchi North entrance:_  The arrow marks the JR East Travel Service Centre, interior pictured above right.  This is the most relaxed place at Tokyo station to exchange a Japan Rail Pass voucher for the actual pass.  Open 07:30-20:30 every day

Tokyo Station, Yaesu side...

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Tokyo station, Yaesu Central entrance]                               |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| _Tokyo stations' Yaesu Central entrance_ on the busy east side of the |
| station...                                                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

[Shinkansen ticket office, Yaesu side.]

[Japan Rail Pass exchange counter, Tokyo Yaesu Central.]
_Japan Rail Pass Exchange office, Yaesu side:_  You can also exchange your Japan Rail Pass voucher at counter 6 in the JR Central Shinkansen ticket office at Yaesu Central, also open 07:30-20:30.  There are several Shinkansen ticket offices on the Yaesu side, all looking very similar, it's the one nearest the Yaesu Central entrance that has the Japan Rail Pass counter.

How to buy local tickets...

[Self-service ticket machines, Tokyo station]

_Buying local tickets in Tokyo_...  There's a row of ticket machines like this near every entrance to the platform area.

_The yellow & green machines on the left_ sell Shinkansen & Limited Express reserved & unreserved tickets & reservation changes.

_The pink or green machines on the right can sell local tickets in the Tokyo area_.  The map above the machines shows the price to each station on the local network from the station you're at, you simply select that price on the machines, see the How to buy tickets section above for more details.

_One-day metro & local train passes for Tokyo..._  There are 1-day passes you can get to cover either metro trains or metro trains + JR local trains in the Tokyo area.  You need to clock up perhaps 5 or 6 journeys in a day to make one of these worthwhile.  See www.tokyometro.jp/en/ticket/value/1day.

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Any visit to Japan is a cultural experience.  Don't just stay in western hotels and visit the sights.  Make the places you stay part of the experience, by staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan, or even a capsule hotel...

Ryokans...

_Ryokans_ are traditional Japanese inns.  The rooms don't have beds, the floor is covered with tatami matting on which you place a bedroll.  You may be offered a hot cup of green Japanese tea when you first arrive.  You can sometimes find ryokans online on hotel booking sites such as www.booking.com.  The very best and most famous ryokans can be fabulously expensive, but cheaper ones can be a budget option.  Search for Ryokans in Tokyo.  Search for Ryokans in Kyoto.

In Kyoto, the excellent Gion Ryokan Q-Beh (pictured above) is 10-15 minutes walk from the Kyomizu-dera temple, 10 minutes walk from the Gion Geisha district.  It has budget dorm rooms and private rooms, and free WiFi.  The photos above show a family room with shower & toilet.

In Hiroshima, try the Chizuru Ryokan, 10 minutes walk from the Peace Park.

Capsule hotels...

Another classic Japanese experience is to spend a night in a capsule hotel - which coincidentally is also a money-saving option for staying a night in the heart of Tokyo or another big city.  These are more civilised than you might think.

The hotel reception looks like any other hotel reception.  Remember to take your shoes off before you walk in, and place them in one of the lockers in the lobby.  Upstairs, there will probably be several floors of fibreglass sleeping capsules, each floor with its own locker room and shared showers.  You change in the locker room and put your clothes and bags into your locker.  Your capsule has radio, alarm clock and TV, and a screen or curtain pulls over the capsule entrance for privacy.  The main drawback is that the main clientele for these hotels is Japanese businessmen who have missed their last train home, so capsule hotels are usually male-only.  But capsule hotels for women do exist.  The pictures below show end-entry capsules, but some capsule hotels have side-entry types, and you'll now find some capsule hotels with larger, more hotel-style capsules too.

You can usually walk into a capsule hotel and ask for a bed for the night, but if you want to pre-book this unique experience, try the Capsulevalue Kanda in downtown Tokyo near Kanda station, one stop north of Tokyo station, a bed in downtown Tokyo for as little as �3,400 (about �26 or $32) per night.  Men and boys over 10 can stay there, but not women or children.

The Tokyo Station Hotel.  _Check prices & book_...

Another unique place to stay that deserves a special mention is the 5-star Tokyo Station Hotel.  Though in this case it's perhaps not a budget option!  The hotel occupies the 2nd & 3rd floors of the historic and beautifully-restored 1915 station building on the quieter Marunouchi side of Tokyo station.  Given that so many of Tokyo's classic hotels have been destroyed by earthquakes or wartime bombing then rebuilt as modern tower blocks, this has to be one of the most historically-interesting places to stay.  It's a luxurious and well-located choice, too, with a first-rate breakfast buffet served in the Atrium located inside the large central pitched roof above the 3rd floor.  And it's so handy for the trains...

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [En suite bathroom]   |                       | [Breakfast in the     |
|                       |                       | Atrium, Tokyo Station |
|                       |                       | Hotel]                |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| En suite bathroom...  |                       | An excellent buffet   |
|                       |                       | breakfast in the      |
|                       |                       | Atrium...             |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

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How to transfer from Haneda to Tokyo...

-   The cheapest & easiest way from Haneda Airport into Tokyo is to take the monorail from Haneda Airport International Terminal to Hamamatsucho station and change onto the JR Yamanote line to Tokyo station.  The monorail and JR local trains run every few minutes, total journey time from Haneda Airport to Tokyo station is only around 20 minutes.

-   For fares & info see www.tokyo-monorail.co.jp.

-   Emerging into the Haneda Airport International Arrivals hall, follow the signs to the Monorail which is just a few metres straight ahead of you.

    Buy a ticket from the row of machines at the monorail entrance as follows:  First look at the map above the machines and locate your destination station, let's say Tokyo station.  Note the price shown against that station.  On the touch screen, press _English_ then press _JR Transfer_ as you want a combined Monorail + JR local train ticket.  Then select the number of passengers and the relevant price on the screen.  You'll need coins or notes, the machines don't take cards.

-   _Japan Rail Passes_ cover both the Tokyo Monorail and JR local trains, so you can use your pass to travel to and from the airport if you like.  But as the journey doesn't cost very much, don't waste a valuable pass day on such a short journey unless you have pass days spare.  Arriving at Haneda Airport International Terminal, you can exchange your voucher for a Japan Rail Pass at the JR East Travel Service Centre next to the entrance to the monorail platforms, marked by the arrow in the photo below.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| [Monorail station at Haneda International Airport]                    |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| _Haneda Airport Arrivals lobby, monorail entrance... _ From left to   |
| right in the picture above, an ATM (get some cash out!), ticket       |
| machines (buy a JR Transfer ticket for the monorail+train into        |
| Tokyo), the ticket gates onto the monorail platforms and (marked by   |
| the arrow) the JR East Travel Service Centre where you can exchange a |
| voucher for a Japan Rail Pass if you like.                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

[Haneda Airport monorail train]

[On board the Haneda Airport monorail]
_Step 1, the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Airport to Hamamatsucho interchange station_.  Every few minutes, journey time 14 minutes.  It's driverless, so get a seat up front for great forward views as the monorail threads its way at high level through Tokyo's docklands...

[Yamanote Line train]

[Yamanote Line train, Tokyo]
_Step 2, JR Yamanote Line from Hamamatsucho to Tokyo station_.  It's clearly signposted _JR Yamanote Line_ and its trains are colour-coded green as shown above.  The line is a loop around Tokyo, look for the Tokyo direction.  It runs every few minutes.

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The _Narita Express_ from Narita Airport to Tokyo...

-   The _Narita Express_ is a dedicated airport train that runs from Narita Airport Terminal 1 calling at Narita Airport Terminal 2 then non-stop to Tokyo station in the heart of Tokyo.  It runs every half hour or so through the day, journey time 59 minutes.  Just buy a ticket at the station.  The train has ordinary class and green car, all seats are reserved and all tickets come with an allocated seat.

-   For times & prices see www.hyperdia.com or see www.jreast.co.jp/e/nex.

-   Tip:  The Narita Express uses the underground _Sōbu Line_ platforms at Tokyo station.  These are numbered 1-4, but they should not be confused with the regular platforms 1-4 above ground.

-   _Japan Rail Passes_ cover the Narita Express, but when arriving by air at Narita you'll first need to exchange your voucher for the actual Japan Rail Pass.  There are Japan Rail Pass exchange counters at both the ticket office and the Travel Service Centre at both the Narita Terminal 1 station and Narita Terminal 2 station.

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Narita Express       |                       | [Narita Express train |
| ordinary class]       |                       | at Tokyo]             |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Narita express        |                       | A Narita Express      |
| ordinary class...     |                       | train at Tokyo...     |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| [Narita Express       |                       | [Narita Express Green |
| luggage space]        |                       | Car]                  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+
| Luggage space...      |                       | Green Car seating...  |
+-----------------------+-----------------------+-----------------------+

The _Keisei Skyliner_ from Narita to Ueno...

-   Alternatively, the _Keisei Skyliner_ links Narita Terminal 1 & Terminal 2 with Tokyo's Ueno station.  This also runs every half hour or so, also non-stop, journey around 45 minutes to Ueno, it's a fraction cheaper than the Narita Express and also all-reserved.  For times & prices see www.hyperdia.com.  However, the Keisei Railway is a private non-JR railway so Japan Rail Passes cannot be used on it.

-   You can buy Keisei Skyliner tickets online at www.govoyagin.com.  You get an open-date voucher.

Cheaper options...

-   If you are counting every penny, you can more than halve the cost of airport transfers by using local or rapid trains between Narita and Tokyo rather then the Narita Express or Keisei Skyliner, changing at Chiba.  It'll take 30-45 minutes longer than using the Narita Express or Skyliner.  To find train times, use www.hyperdia.com but de-select _Liner,_ _Limited Express_ & _private railways_ in the search options before running the enquiry.

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London to Tokyo in 12-14 days by Trans-Siberian Railway

-   You can reach Japan from London without flying in just two weeks, by Trans-Siberian Railway for roughly �800 in round figures.  First, travel from London to Moscow, see the London to Russia page.  This takes 48 hours using the Paris-Moscow Express.  You then have a choice.

-   Option 1, via Vladivostok...

    - Take the _Rossiya_ from Moscow to Vladivostok, this runs every second day taking 7 days, see the Trans-Siberian page.

    - Take the ferry from Vladivostok to Sakaiminato in Japan, sailing once a week taking 36 hours, see the Vladivostok-Japan ferry section.

-   Option 2, via Beijing & Shanghai...

    - Travel from Moscow to Beijing on one of two weekly Trans-Siberian trains, taking 6 days, see the Trans-Siberian page.

    - Take an overnight or high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai (see the Beijing to Shanghai page).

    - Take one of the two weekly ferries from Shanghai to either Osaka or Kobe in Japan, see the China to Japan ferry section.

-   Going via Vladivostok is simpler to organise as you need fewer visas, but going via Beijing more varied and interesting, and the one I'd recommend.

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Ferries between Japan & China, Korea & Vladivostok.

-   For the weekly ferry from Sakaiminato in Japan to Vladivostok in Russia, see the Trans-Siberian page.

-   For ferries between Japan and Shanghai in China, see the China page.

-   For ferries between Japan and South Korea, see the Korea page.

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[RAILBOOKERS LOGO]TOURS OF JAPAN BY TRAIN, ORGANISED FOR YOU...

If you want a tour agency to organise a tour of Japan for you with train travel, transfers & hotels included as a package, Railbookers specialise in train-based tours and have several suggested tours of Japan by rail, including Best of Japan, Scenic Japan and Golden Route of Japan.  These can be adjusted to your specification.

[UK flag]  UK call 0207 864 4600, _www.railbookers.co.uk_.

[US flag]  US call free 1-888-829-4775, _www.railbookers.com_.

[Canadian flag]  Canada call free 1-855-882-2910, _www.railbookers.com_.

[Australian flag]  Australia call toll-free 1300 971 526, _www.railbookers.com.au_.

[New Zealand flag]  New Zealand call toll-free 0800 000 554 or _see website_.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

_Japan by Rail_ __ & Lonely Planet guides...

In the age of the internet, a printed guidebook seems like an unnecessary expense, but you'll see so much more and know so much more about it if you have a decent pocket guidebook.  The Trailblazer _Japan by Rail_ guide is specifically aimed at train travel around Japan, with both city and train information - highly recommended!  Other than that, for the serious independent traveller, the best guidebooks to take are either the Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide.  I personally prefer the layout of the Lonely Planet, but others prefer the Rough Guides.  Both guidebooks provide excellent levels of both practical information and historical background.

Click the images to buy online at Amazon.co.uk...

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Overland travel around Japan by train is an essential part of the experience, so once there, don't cheat and fly, stay on the ground!  But a long-haul flight might be unavoidable to reach Japan in the first place.

1)  Check flight prices at Opodo, _www.opodo.com_...

2)  Use _Skyscanner_ to compare flight prices & routes worldwide across 600 airlines...

[skyscanner generic 728x90]

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+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|                                   | [Columbus direct travel           |
|                                   | insurance]                        |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|                                   | [Confused.com logo]               |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Always take out travel insurance...

Never travel overseas without travel insurance from a reliable insurer, with at least �1m or preferably �5m medical cover.  It should also cover cancellation and loss of cash and belongings, up to a sensible limit.  An annual multi-trip policy is usually cheaper than several single-trip policies even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy myself.  Here are some suggested insurers.  Seat61 gets a small commission if you buy through these links.

[UK flag]In the UK, reliable insurers include Columbus Direct.

[UK flag]If you have a pre-existing medical condition or are over 65, see www.JustTravelCover.com - 10% discount with code _seat61_.

[UK flag]You can use Confused.com to compare prices & policies from many different insurers.

  [Australian flag] [New Zealand flag]  [Irish flag]    If you live in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland or the EU, try Columbus Direct's other websites.

  [US flag] If you live in the USA try Travel Guard USA.

A Curve card saves on foreign transaction fees...

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|                                   | [Curve card]                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate, then charge you a currency conversion fee.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, �500 per month at time of writing.  The balance goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.

_How it works:_  1. Download the app for iPhone or Android.  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to most European addresses including the UK.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, just like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance onto whichever of your debit or credit cards you choose.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself - I get some commission if you sign up to Curve, but I'm recommending it here because it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card - they'll give you �5 cashback through that link, too.

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
|                                   | [Express VPN]                     |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  _VPNs & why you need one explained..._

When you're travelling you often use free WiFi in public places which may not be secure.  A VPN means your connection to the internet is encrypted & always secure, even using unsecured WiFi.  In countries such as China where access to Twitter & Facebook is restricted, a VPN gets around these restrictions.  And lastly, you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geographic restrictions which some websites apply - for example one booking site charges a booking fee to non-European visitors but none to European visitors, so if you're not located in Europe you can avoid this fee by browsing with a UK IP address using a VPN.  VPNs & why you need one explained.  ExpressVPN is a best buy and I use it myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using the links on this page, you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription, and I get a small commission to help support this site.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

 Back to home page

question: What is the best way to explore Japan and why?

answer: Exploring Japan by train is the best option because the country has an extensive network of clean, comfortable, and punctual trains that go almost anywhere.

question: Where is the best place to buy shinkansen (Japanese high-speed trains) & mainline tickets and why?

answer: The easiest way to buy tickets is to order them online through an agency like Voyagin (www.govoyagin.com) for an extra fee because Japanese railways don't offer English sales. Tickets can also be purchased at the station. All automated ticket machines have a touch screen Engish button.

question: What is the difference between the classic network and the Shinkansen high-speed lines?

answer:
Japan's classic network of trains was originally built to narrow gauge with the rails 3' 6" apart and covers the whole country, linking cities, towns, and even villages. Trains on the classic network are categorized as local, rapid, express, or limited express and can travel at over 80 mph.

Major Japanese cities such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto are linked by Shinkansen or bullet trains, high-speed lines built to standard gauge with rails 4' 8" apart and can reach speeds of up to 186 mph.

question: Define "Ordinary Class" and "Green Car."

answer: Japanese trains usually have two classes: ordinary class (regular) and green car, which is the Japanese term for 1st class. Green cars are indicated by a green clover symbol next to the entrance door and the seats offer more leg and elbow room but are more expensive.

question: Write a ~5 sentence summary.

answer: The best way to explore Japan is by train. The country has an extensive network of fast, clean, punctual, and comfortable trains that go almost everywhere. It's easy to travel by train because tickets can be ordered online via an agency, or bought at the station. English is not a problem as stations have adequate signs and ticket machines have English versions. Most Japanese trains are operated by the Japan Railways (JR) Group.


split: train

text:
_KUNZEA ACUMINATA_ is a flowering plant in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae and is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia where it has a restricted distribution. It is a shrub with a few spindly branches, silky leaves and spherical groups of pink flowers on the ends of the branches.

Description

_Kunzea acuminata_ is a shrub which grows to a height of up to , with a few spindly branches covered with long silky hairs when young. The leaf stalk is long and the leaf blade is linear to lance-shaped, long and about wide. The leaves have long, silky hairs along their margins. The flowers are arranged in roughly spherical heads containing eight to fifteen flowers on the ends of the branches which continue to grow after flowering. The flowers are surrounded by silky bracts and bracteoles long. The five sepals are egg-shaped, about and silky-hairy and the five petals are long and pink. There are about fifty stamens about long. Flowering occurs in September.[1]

Taxonomy and naming

This species was first formally described in 1996 by Hellmut Toelken and the description was published in _Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Garden_.[2] The specific epithet (acuminata) is a Latin word meaning “pointed” or “sharpened”.[3]

Distribution and habitat

This kunzea is only known from an area east of Israelite Bay where it grows in sandy soil over granite.[4][5][6]

Conservation

_Kunzea acuminata_ is classified as “not threatened” by the Western Australian Government Department of Parks and Wildlife.[7]

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

title: Kunzea acuminata

question: Where is Kunzea Acuminata native to?

answer: Western Australia.

question: What family does Kunzea Acuminata belong to?

answer: The myrtle family, or Myrtaceae.

question: What region does the Kunzea grow in?

answer: Only the area east of Israelite Bay.

question: When was the species first described, and by whom?

answer: In 1996 by Helmut Toelken in the Journal of Adelaide Botanic Garden.

question: Write a ~1 sentence summary.

answer: The article is about a plant called Kunzea Acuminata of the myrtle family which is only fond in the east of Israelite Bay in Western Australia.


text:
I am the person you pass on the street without noticing, the person you cross the road to avoid. I am the one you turn your head away from in disgust, as though just looking at me tarnishes your good name.

Oh, don't act like you don't understand. Don't deny it, don't you dare.

You see, to you I might be another piece of trash lying at the side of the road, but to me; to me you are everything.

Think.

Think back to the last time we spoke. Do you remember? I was once like you, a long time ago. I, too, had a job and a family, and friends and a dog that yelped excitedly every night when I came home. Can you see it now? Does my face look familiar?

You don't even stop to look me in the eyes as you drop a penny or two into my outstretched hands. No wonder you don't recognise me. You move on quickly lest I begin to pester you for more change; lest I inquire why a man such as you leaves me only a few pennies when you could obviously spare much more.

I, too, once wore a suit just like yours. I know how the silk feels against skin, and how the polished leather shoes enhance the illusion. Now my shoes are torn and tattered, dirty and battered. And you know what? That doesn't make me any less of a person.

So why won't you look at me?

Tell me, please.

Why won't you recognise me?

Do you still have the picture we took, the one where we're fishing? You caught so many fish and I caught nothing, only a dirty old boot that you threw back into the water. As an act of kindness you shared yours with me; I had been grateful because we hadn't brought anything else to eat. Life gave you fish, and me it gave a dirty old boot. Unlucky, I guess.

Now the only fishing I do is in old trashcans.

I live with the night, and go where it takes me. Everyday is a new day - a day with a start, middle and end. The days dont flow into each other anymore, that is one thing I am thankful for. You're still stuck in your endless cycles.

Wake up, go to work, come home at night, go to sleep. Repeat. Over and over, day in and day out.

Now, I don't understand you. How can you stand it, the monotony, the boredom? As children life was exciting and fun. Somehow the innocence mutated, became something else, something so much worse.

So.

I don't envy you. Can you understand that?

I rage, but I don't envy you at all.

Oh, do I see a spark of recognition in your eyes?

Do you know who I am now, finally?

Brother?

title: Hey guys! I'm new to reddit, this is my first post (of many hopefully!). I'm getting into writing short stories and am interested in any opinions you might have. Enjoy!

question: Who is the narrator talking to?

answer: It appears he is talking to his brother.

question: How did the narrator move from grace to grass and start begging on the streets?

answer: It is not stated.

question: What happened to the narrator's family?

answer: That information isn't known.

question: What's the relationship between the narrator and whom he's talking to?

answer: It appears they are brothers.

question: Why doesn't the narrator envy the lifestyle of the person he's talking to?

answer: Because he found his life to be monotonous and boring.

question: Write a ~3 sentence summary.

answer: The narrator was a man who once had everything- a job, a house, a family, friends and a dog, but lost it all and became a street beggar. Every day, his brother, who didn't recognize the narrator, would pass by and drop a penny in his collection bag. The narrator tried to remind him of their life together and how he, too, once had what he had, even though he didn't envy his monotonous and boring lifestyle.


text:
_ANACITHARA NANA_ is an extinct species of sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Horaiclavidae.[1]

Description

Distribution

This extinct marine species occurred off New Zealand in Lower and Middle Miocene strata.

[1] Marshall, B. (2015). Anacithara nana Powell, 1942 †. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=831539 on 2016-12-22

title: Anacithara nana

question: What is Anacithara nana?

answer: an extinct species of sea snail

question: What family does Anacithara nana belong to?

answer: Horaiclavidae

question: Where did Anacithara nana occur?

answer: off the coast of New Zealand in Lower and Middle Miocene strata

question: What is a sea snail?

answer: the article does not answer this question

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Anacithara nana is an extinct species of sea snail from the family Horaiclavidae. It occurred off the coast of New Zealand in Lower and Middle Miocene strata.


text:
[Dogecoin Price Technical Analysis – Failed to Gain Traction.]

[Arbismart Logo]

DOGECOIN PRICE KEY HIGHLIGHTS

-   Dogecoin price created a minor new low of 51.0 Satoshis, and managed to correct higher in the short term.
-   As mentioned in the previous week’s analysis, there is a significant resistance around the 100 hourly simple moving average.
-   A break above it might ignite an upside reaction, taking the price higher moving ahead.

_Dogecoin price might trade higher if buyers manage to clear the 100 hourly MA and a bearish trend line._

BREAK FEASIBLE?

There was a continuous rejection around the last swing low of 51.0 Satoshis, where sellers struggled to clear the mentioned level. The price is currently attempting to trade higher, and facing a lot of resistance on the upside in the near term. There is a bearish trend line on the hourly chart, which might act as a barrier moving ahead. Moreover, the 100 hourly simple moving average is aligned with the highlighted trend line and resistance area. So, there is a major hurdle forming around 53.0 Satoshis, which might prevent upside moves in the near term.

[Dogecoin Price Weekly Analysis ]

Moreover, the 38.2% Fib retracement level of the last drop from 58.3 Satoshis to 51.0 Satoshis is above the highlighted trend line and resistance area. So, it won’t be easy for buyers to take the price above 53-54.0 Satoshis in the near term. If buyers manage to take the price above it, then the 50.0% Fib retracement level of the last drop might come into play.

On the downside, the last low of 51.0 Satoshis might continue to prevent losses moving ahead. A break below it could take the price further lower may be towards 50.0 Satoshis.

INTRADAY SUPPORT LEVEL – 51.0 Satoshis

INTRADAY RESISTANCE LEVEL – 53.0 Satoshis

The hourly RSI and MACD are attempting to move in the bullish zone, which is a positive sign.

Charts courtesy of Trading View

[Aayush Jindal]

Aayush is a Senior Forex, Cryptocurrencies and Financial Market Strategist with a background in IT and financial markets. He specialises in market strategies and technical analysis, and has spent over a DECADE as a financial markets contributor and observer. He possesses strong technical analytical skills and is well known for his entertaining and informative analysis of the currency, commodities, Bitcoin and Ethereum markets.

question: What is Dogecoin?

answer: An alternative crypto currency that has been described as a "meme coin" because of its popularity-focused fundamentals. Some say it has little inherent value.


text:
RAZOR HOLLOW is a valley in northwest Shannon County in the U.S. state of Missouri.[1] The intermittent stream in the hollow flows northeast and enters the Current River about two miles southeast of Cedargrove and the confluence of Big Creek with the Current.[2]

The source area for the stream is at and the confluence with the Current is at at an elevation of .[3] The ridges on either side of the narrow valley are at in elevation.[4]

Razor Hollow was so named on account of sharp rocks in the valley.[5]

[1]

[2] _Cedargrove, Missouri,_ 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1951 (1985 revision)

[3]

[4]

[5]

title: Razor Hollow

question: What is Razor Hollow?

answer: a valley in northwest Shannon County within Missouri state.

question: Where does the stream in the hollow flow to?

answer: Flows northeast and enters the Current River, two miles southeast of Cedargrove

question: Where does Razor Hollow get its name from?

answer: From the sharp rocks in the valley.

question: What is the elevation of the stream?

answer: This information is not found in the article

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Razor Hollow is a valley in Shannon County, Missouri. The stream in the hollow flows northeast and enters the Current River.


text:
ANTHONIE BLOCKLANDT VAN MONTFOORT, ANTHONIE VAN BLOCKLANDT or ANTHONIE VAN MONTFOORT (1533 or 1534 - 18 October 1583) was a Dutch painter.

Life

[“Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dream” by ANTHONIE VAN MONTFOORT (Centraal Museum)] He was born in Montfoort, where his father was at one time mayor. He went to learn under Hendrick Sweersz. in Delft and Frans Floris in Antwerp. In 1552 he returned to Montfoort, where he married the daughter of the then mayor.

Blocklandt then settled in Delft, where he produced paintings for the Oude Kerk and the Nieuwe Kerk, later lost to the beeldenstorm. Also he painted a work for the Janskerk (Gouda) called _De onthoofding van Saint-Jacob_, now in the museum there. He died in Utrecht.

In 1572, Blocklandt made a trip to Italy, after which he settled for good in Utrecht, joining a guild there in 1577. In 1579, he painted his best known work, the triptych _The Assumption of Mary_ that is now in the Basilica of St. Martin in Bingen am Rhein.

According to Carel van Mander, Blocklandt painted biblical scenes, mythological subjects and portraits. He is early-Mannerist in style and he and Joos de Beer (another pupil of Floris) were responsible for the Mannerist style begun by Utrecht artists around 1590.[1] Van Mander wrote that De Beer had many paintings by Blocklandt in his workshop that his pupil Abraham Bloemaert later copied.[2] Few works can definitely be attributed to him. One of these is “Joseph interpreting Pharaoh's dream”, now in the Centraal Museum in Utrecht.

He was also the teacher of the Delft portrait painter Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt.[3]

Works

  PAINTING   TITLE                                                                                COUNTRY              PLACE             MUSEUM
  ---------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- ----------------- --------------------------------
  []         _Joseph interprets Pharaoh's dream_                                                      [] The Netherlands   Utrecht           Centraal Museum
  []         _De opstanding van Christus_                                                             [] The Netherlands   Utrecht           Centraal Museum
  []         _Aanbidding der herders_                                                                 [] The Netherlands   Amsterdam         Rijksmuseum
  []         _Assumption of Mary_                                                                     [] Germany           Bingen am Rhein   Kerk
  []         _Aphrodite disarms Eros_                                                                 [] Czech Republic    Prague            Nationale Galerie
  []         _Baptism of Jesus_                                                                       [] France            Lille             Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille
  []         _Portrait of a Lady, three quarter length, in a ruff with matching lace cap and cuffs_   [] United States

[1]  Anthonis van Montfoort, gheseyt Blocklandt biography by Van Mander

[2]  Joos de Beer, in Abraham Bloemaert biography by Van Mander

[3]

title: Anthonie Blocklandt van Montfoort

question: Where was Anthonie Blocklandt Van Montfoort born?

answer: Blocklandt was born in Montfoort.

question: What subjects did Blocklandt's paintings cover?

answer: Blocklandt's painted biblical scenes, mythological subjects, and portraits.

question: How many works of Blocklandt's are in museums?

answer: Seven of Blocklandt's works are in museums.

question: How much are Blocklandt's paintings worth?

answer: Not answered.

question: Write a ~2 sentence summary.

answer: Anthonie Blocklandt Van Montfoort was a Dutch painter. He painted biblical scenes, mythological subjects, and portraits.