Going to Japan for the first time, need some help

[Jayern]

Ok got a few questions

1) Can I get a JR pass for like 11 days? I need it to travel from and to Hachioji to the inner part of tokyo and stuff.

2) I've never been to Hachioji, how is it like? i heard a lot of exchange students live there. Is it like the suburb of Tokyo?

3) I have a japanese phone I imported from Japan that has the W-CDMA freq or w/e. so i presume i could use it right. Can I get prepaid on the phone? I heard U need to be 20 to get the plan. Im 19. is it better if I just buy a local sim card and get a local paycard and use it instead? cuz i need to get in touch with my friends

4) Can someone help me look for a hostel/weekly mansion in Hachioji or close to it? I couldnt find anything on google. and all i got was hotels. I need a place to stay for 11 days. My budget is $400-500 for accomodation

 

[nice gaijin]

I wouldn't get a rail pass if you are just going to be traveling between Hachioji and Tokyo proper, it'd be a waste of money. The train only costs about 300-400 yen each way, but it's a pretty long ride. The rail pass is only worth getting if you plan on doing extensive travel throughout the country, or taking the shinkansen more than once.

Hachioji is an outer suburb of Tokyo. It's got a lively area surrounding the station, but my friend from there considers it inaka (boonies), and says there's not much there. From my experience it's a nice place but a far cry from the bustle of Tokyo proper.

I couldn't tell you about the phone, I've heard so many different things I don't know what to believe anymore. I recommend taking a Japanese friend to an electronics store that deals in a variety of services and having them look into it for you, if you can't get anyone to do the research for you online.

I never stayed in Hachioji, so I'm unsure of housing availability.

 

[Glenski]

Can't answer any of your other questions, but about the JR Rail Pass, look at their web site. It is offered for 7, 14, and 21 day use.

 

[Jayern]

ahh ok

but for the JR pass, or w/e I just need it to get to tokyo for shopping and going to all the hotspots. Like going from shinjuku -> shibuya -> etc etc.

if a local one way trip to japan cost about 300-400yen i think thats fine.

 

[nice gaijin]

If you're staying in Tokyo the whole time,you don't need a rail pass, or perhaps you have the term confused. You can easily get a Suica or Pasmo (sort of like a charge-card train ticket, and very convenient if you ride the train a lot) at almost any train or metro station for a 500 yen deposit you get back when you return the card. A rail pass gives you unlimited rides on JR trains (including most shinkansen) for a set amount of time. The cost of the rail pass makes this an imprudent solution if you only plan on traveling locally.

 

[ArmandV]

ahh ok
but for the JR pass, or w/e I just need it to get to tokyo for shopping and going to all the hotspots. Like going from shinjuku -> shibuya -> etc etc.
if a local one way trip to japan cost about 300-400yen i think thats fine.

As everyone else said, getting a JR Rail Pass if you're just staying in Tokyo is throwing way money for nothing. Generally, the Tokyo subways cost on average about 160 yen. It depends upon what station you're going to and how far it is.

Go to JNTO's website to request maps and brochures. Definitely request a Tokyo map. They're all free. Travel Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)

 

[Numark]

To go along with whats been said, you don't need a rail pass if you are just staying in tokyo- but more than that, you don't want one.

They ONLY work for rail- NOT subway, and you need the subways to get to a lot of places the trains don't go.

 

[Dex9278]

I'm traveling to Japan for the 1st time!!

Hi my name is David and i will be traveling to Japan at the end of may and stay until mid august... if there is anyone out there that can help me out with housing i would really appreciate it... if possible join a Japanese Monestary :]
Domo-Arigatou-Gozaimasu!

 

[Jayern]

hachioji is inside of tokyo right? if it is, i wouldnt get the JR Pass then

 

[nice gaijin]

Hachioji is still within 東京都, but it's still almost a 40-50km train ride to Shinjuku (40+ minutes). But even with commuting every day, a train pass would still be a waste.

Dex, considering your question has nothing to do with the original post, you're better off making your own thread to ask them, or do a search for similar threads.

 

[Jayern]

ok thanks, i wouldnt mind a 40+ minutes ride

got another question what other area/district is hachioji close to? because i cant find an affordable accomodation in hachioji. (5000yen and under)

 

[nice gaijin]

40 minutes is a rather low estimate, actually, but I can't remember precisely how long it takes. Hachioji is pretty much the furthest you can get from 東京中心 without going into an adjacent prefecture. Of course, the further you go the longer the commute. There are a lot of suburbs between Hachioji and Shinjuku, but the likelihood of finding cheap accommodations diminishes as you move towards the city. What is your criteria for a place to stay? If you mean a business hotel, you'll be hard pressed to find something in that price range. If you don't mind hostels or guest houses, you might have better luck.

 

[Jayern]

yea i dont mind guest houses or hostels. just need a safe place to sleep during the night without worrying ppl stealing my stuff when im out haha

 

[nice gaijin]

Just do a search for "hostel tokyo" or "guest house tokyo," and look for reviews of the places you find. The names that come most readily to mind are K's House and Sakura House, but I have stayed in either (though know they are a lot closer to Shinjuku than Hachioji)

 

[Dex9278]

Ok thanks for the info gaijin... i will do that :]