Been there | Tips http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. Buy a JR train pass and download the timetables http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18996
The pass works on all national and local trains using the JR lines.

Don't forget to flash the pass as you walk pass the station guards.

I recommend you download the timetables too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18996 The Tokyo Traveler - Subway Guide http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18514 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18514 Tokyo travel http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2780
Look bewildered and hold a map and the locals will be queuing up to help you and to practise their English. We found they were delighted to speak to 'native English speakers' with authentic English accents.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2780 If you are rushing to a station to board a bullet train http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2716 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2716 A Japan Rail Pass http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2658 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2658 Take a train in rush-hour http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2634
My advice would be to take no prisoners and try to manoeuvre yourself into a positon in front of the seats where the crush is not quite so intense, then take in the sheer lunacy of it all (meanwhile sparing a thought for those people who do this every day of their working lives). Discretely take a few photos so you can convey the experience to your friends. If you don't fancy getting up close and personal with dozens of "salarymen" inside the train, then you can always just observe from the platform.

One tip I have is to avoid travelling with bulky luggage during the rush-hour periods, especially the morning, for obvious reasons.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2634 Airport transfer: Train http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/756 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/756