Airplane vs Shinkansen

[NekoMama7]

If you start your travel a bit far from Tokyo station, you may need to leave early to get on the train, you know. And some grooming factor...

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[uchimizu]

I would definitely vote in favour of the Shinkansen for travel from Tokyo to Nagoya and Kyoto . However, domestic flights are also quite efficient in Japan, so you may want to fly for longer trips, for example to Fukuoka. Flying may even turn out to be cheaper.

By the way, you may be interested in this introduction to Tokaido Shinkansen.

 

[manners]

My experience in Japan is that air travel has been cheaper than shinkansen when going longer distances. But given the price of oil now I am not sure.

JR has good hotel shinkansen packages to take advantage of for those who live in Japan.

 

[AJBryant]

If I were traveling anywhere in Japan, and it were possible, I'd take the shink. No problem with airports, no security hassles, you start on the ground and end on the ground at a station, ready to go. Plus the scenery is wicked, and the experience is just great.

One of the most nostalgic things for me is the little bell-tone from the shink announcing arrival at a station.

Tony

 

[ifjames]

Shinkansen every time: no waiting for luggage (it's with you all the time);superefficient and frequent timetables; arrive in the centre of town, not 1.5 hours away; scenery +, and some are even double-deckers which makes the view even better; can move around at any time;and I agree: heaps of legroom....

 

[ArmandV]

The shinkansens also have available for sale pretty good bento lunches for around 800 yen (or pick one up at the train station).

 

[AJBryant]

Oh, heck, yeah. Forgot about the really yummy bento -- especially the regional specialty ones. Also, the shink doesn't mind if you board carrying a metric buttload of "outside-purchased" drinks and munchies, unlike most airlines.

Tony