Review: Japan’s Shinkansen Kyoto – Tokyo
Review: Japan’s Shinkansen Kyoto – Tokyo
Hello! Today I will write about my experience travelling at up to 186 mph (300 km/h) in Japan’s Shinkansen high-speed train from Kyoto to Tokyo.
Check it out!
Date of the trip: October 6th, 2016
Clique aqui para ler este post em português
1. Foreword
Just about 310 miles (500 km) separate two of Japan’s most visited cities: Tokyo and Kyoto, the country’s former capital.
One of the quickest and most practical ways to travel between those cities is the Shinkansen, the Japanese “Bullet” Train.
In only 2h18, the train travels more than 280 miles approaching, in some moments, the 186 mph mark. A very interesting experience!
2. Purchasing tickets for Japan’s Shinkansen Kyoto – Tokyo
Since JR PASS was not the best choice for me, I bought the Kyoto – Tokyo Shinkansen ticket individually at JR’s Kyoto Station office.
The line was quite long and I had to wait a little bit to buy my ticket. The communication with the ticket seller was easy, although she spoke basic English.
The price of the ticket was: 13.080¥ for a non-reserved ticket = 8.210 ¥ (basic fare) + 4.870 ¥ (special surcharge). For a reserved seat, the ticket would cost 830 ¥ more, because the special surcharge would be replaced by the reserved-seat superexpress surcharge (5.700 ¥ instead of 4.870 ¥).
After the purchase, the ticket seller pointed me the way to the Shinkansen platform.
IMPORTANT: I took the Nozomi Shinkansen. Nozomi is the fastest train service between Kyoto and Tokyo and the JAPAN RAIL PASS is not valid for this train.
3. My experience travelling on Shinkansen from Kyoyo to Tokyo
Finding the platform was easy. Once at the platform, the displays have all the information you need: train name and number, time of departure and non-reserved car numbers.
My train was the Nozomi 28 departing at 2:53pm and the non-reserved cars were 1 to 3.
The train arrived at the platform some minutes before the scheduled departure time and left the platform exactly at 2:53 pm!
I’ve chosen car number 2 and it was almost half empty. Nevetherless, all the left side window seats were occupied. I believe that everybody wanted to observe Mount Fuji.
3.1. Luggage rack
Car number 2 had only overhead luggage racks and it is not pratical if you are travelling with big suitcases (my case).
3.2. Seats
The seats are spacious and comfortable.
The next photo shows a complete view of car number 2:
Next photo shows the seat reclination.
3.3. Toilets
Each odd numbered car has toilets: men, women and disabled.
Next photo: the male toilet.
3.4. Mount Fuji
When we got close to Mount Fuji, I walked to a window, close to the toilets, to observe Mount Fuji and try to take a picture of it.
Unfortunately, it was covered by some clouds.
4. Conclusion
The trip was extremely smooth and my train arrived at Tokyo Station at 5:14 pm!
The train was quiet and the passengers, almost all Japanese on that trip, were very polite. They barely made any noise, do not talk on the phone while in the passenger cabin and are very discreet.
My “bullet train” experience was great!
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