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Going to work in Tokyo (slowly) Goto page 1, 2  Next

Way to Russia Talk Lounge Forum Index -> Trans-Siberian

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nesco Just Starting Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 7	Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 2:49 pm    Post subject: Going to work in Tokyo (slowly) Hi travelers, I am new in the forum and would like to share my next traveling plans. I am going to work for (at least) six months to Tokyo. I have never been there and am a little scared of the "cultural shock" and decided to take the time, get my brain realize the distance and therefore... go by train & ferry! I'll be leaving Berlin on October 4th presumably, take the Rossiya from Moscow on the evening of 7th and arrive in Vladivostok on the 14th. There I'll catch the bisintour.com ferry to Fushiki leaving on the 16th and, after a couple of japanese trains (a propos cultutral shock, let's see if I'll manage) finally get to Tokyo on the 18th ready to start my new job :-D I've been looking around for information and will certainly report how this worked (didn't find many people actually reporting about the ferry), but for now any comment/suggestion/tip is welcome!!! best, baci, .nesco.
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Rick Moderator Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 854 Location: Касабланка	Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:37 pm    Post subject: Have you been in Russia before? If you haven't, the travel to Japan in this way might be a culture shock in itself for you
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nesco Just Starting Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 7	Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 12:58 pm    Post subject: No I haven't been in Russia before and I am sure you are right. That's why I bring my dad with me :-D
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surfguy Lounge Wizard Joined: 13 Apr 2006 Posts: 6979	Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 4:49 pm    Post subject: Japan is a very friendly, polite, and respect for one another society so it won't be a culture shock. It's easy to get around too. But Russian is a easier language to learn so you'll have a easier time in Russia when it comes to reading. Tokyo is very expensive so be prepared.
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Rick Moderator Joined: 04 May 2005 Posts: 854 Location: Касабланка	Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:32 pm    Post subject: I actually heard from a very experienced hitchhiker, that Japan is the perfect place for that mode of travel... People go out of their way to help you...
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SurfaceTravel Just Starting Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 3	Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 1:47 pm    Post subject: Rick wrote: People go out of their way to help you This is true, but you have to ask them. Examples: a packed train and we were forced to stand holding our sleeping 4-year old daughter and no one offers a seat, or you are at a station obviously looking lost and they ignore you. They will not volunteer out of the blue to help you. But the moment you ask or tap someone on the shoulder, they are the most helpful people imaginable. In the previous examples, they not only gave up one seat, but two. I asked a fellow about trains, and he physically lead the way to the platform and after there had been a train change (that we had figured out ourselves), he came all the way back to ensure we caught the right one. We have a dozen examples of this type of behaviour. Very helpful, polite, wonderful people, but don't wait for help - ask.
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pauljaymes Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Location: London, England	Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 3:23 pm    Post subject: Quote: They will not volunteer out of the blue to help you. I've had someone volunteer out of the blue to help me in Japan. As it happens, it was at Fushiki port when I left the train station and was looking for the ship to Vladivostok. For info, the bisintour ship is very soviet-era Russian. It's a bit battered and tatty inside, and, when heading west, every space possible is absolutely loaded with cars. The even put cars in the swimming pool. The included meals aren't going to win any awards but are reasonable, and the food is served up with traditional Russian waitress surlyness. Vegetarians should take plenty of food with them! Once you get to Japan everything will get much easier than in Russia, the culture difference is incredible. Fushiki station isn't too hard to find from the ship - just go straight down the road and it's on your left just after you cross the train tracks. Presumably when the ship arrives it's met by taxis or you can get lifts, I don't know. I had to walk it the other way, taking about 10-15 minutes. Tokyo is about 4 hours away on at least three different trains, depending on which part of Tokyo you want to get to. The trains will all be precisely on time and Japanese stations and trains almost always have at least some signs and displays in English, so getting around is a doddle.
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nesco Just Starting Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 7	Posted: Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:01 pm    Post subject: Thank you pauljaymes, your information helps (and reassures) me a lot! Best, nesco.
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pauljaymes Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Location: London, England	Posted: Tue Sep 26, 2006 3:32 pm    Post subject: By the way, it's best to check beforehand that bisintour are going to sail on the date you want; rumour has it that despite their published timetable they often skip a week. Once you've confirmed they're actually going on that date don't worry too much about getting a ticket in advance, you should just be able to show up (with plenty of time) and get on no problem. If you do find yourself in Vladivostok with no ship and needing to leave Russia (for your visa), there's the ferry to South Korea or a Chinese consulate which can probably do you a Chinese visa in a day!
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pauljaymes Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Location: London, England	Posted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 2:53 pm    Post subject: Two more things; the only thing that is a problem in Japan for international travellers is money. Most Japanese ATMs don't accept foreign cards, and foreign credit cards aren't that widely accepted either. Don't arrive in Fushiki without a good stash of Yen! 20,000 should be enough to get you to Tokyo. You should be able to get Yen pretty easily in Vladivostok, or just get some before you leave home. Second, use http://www.hyperdia.com/ for your Japanese train times. Check the times in English (there's an English button), then type the English place names into the Japanese version of the site - remember the subsequent screens (or keep two browser windows open, one English, one Japanese) and you will get yourself an invaluable itinerary in Japanese to print and take to the station with you.
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nesco Just Starting Joined: 31 Aug 2006 Posts: 7	Posted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 7:37 pm    Post subject: pauljaymes, your information is really useful! I already knew about (and used) hyperdia - very reassuring :-) - but his about yen and credit cards is a very good tip, that even Lonely Planet doesn't really state so clearly I find. My leaving date is really approaching now, I'm quite excited about this new adventure.. Alright, I'll let you know (time to pack ;-) best .nesco.
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pauljaymes Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Location: London, England	Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:05 pm    Post subject: NP BTW - I'll be in Moscow from Monday (2nd) to Friday (6th). If you're around we can meet up for a drink or something, and swap some tips. Email me via my website (address below). P
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johnmcga Just Starting Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 8	Posted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 5:40 pm    Post subject: Hi guys, Long time lurker, very occasional poster here, but I'm just about to start my first Trans-Sib adventure. I'm in Riga at the moment, St. Petersburg on Tuesday, and then heading out from Moscow to Ekaterinburg on the 9th. Just wanted to say thanks - only just picked up on this post but there are a couple of useful tips. I've booked a place on the Fushiki ferry at the end of October, and I'm meeting my girlfriend in Tokyo on 5 November. Can anyone shed any more light on how (un)reliable the ferry service is? I've been wondering about whether to have a backup plan in mind - maybe flying from Vladivostok to Tokyo in the event I couldn't get there by boat by the 5th. Cheers - and good luck nesco!
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pauljaymes Frequent Guest Joined: 13 Mar 2006 Posts: 28 Location: London, England	Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 8:35 am    Post subject: If you've booked a place then I'd hope they'd contact you in advance if they decided not to sail on that day. AFAIK it normally runs when they say, but they just occasionally skip a week, maybe if they dont have enough business. Note that as a passenger you are not their main or even significant source of income, and this is Russia. Don't expect too much in the way of customer service. From what I saw, flights from Vladivostok are expensive. If you're on a budget your best bet for a backup plan might be the ferries via Korea.
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johnmcga Just Starting Joined: 24 Jan 2006 Posts: 8	Posted: Tue Oct 03, 2006 10:16 am    Post subject: Ok, thanks for the info. I'll contact them closer to the sailing date (probably around mid-October time) and see what they say. I've just got to St. Petersburg, so I guess I'm about to find out all about Russian customer service!
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