Cheap Transport Deals For Tourists In Tokyo and Japan

Above, a shinkansen (bullet train) arrives at Atami Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Besides allowing people from around the world to travel from one country to another, one's passport also opens doors to deals in Japan. All one has to do is just show the passport.

Time Out Tokyo has an article on cheap transport deals one can get in Tokyo and Japan tourists can get by just showing their passports.

The begin with:

Flash your foreign passport and get access to a host of discounted tickets for trains, buses, metro, flights and even the shinkansen 

Everyone keeps telling you how expensive Tokyo is, right? Don't let the naysayers get the better of you. There are means to beat the budget-blowing travel expenses that come with sightseeing around the city and beyond. One of the best money-saving tips is to get a travel pass that gives you unlimited rides on the city’s efficient and extensive public transportation network with just a one-off payment. Here are your options. Some of these will require you to show your passport upon purchase or use.

To read more, go here. 

Time Out Tokyo: Cheap Transport Deals For Tourists

Above, a view of Kyoto from a bullet train window. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Foreign visitors to Japan are a lucky bunch, for they can get many deals on transportation to places in cities and around the country. All one needs is a foreign passport.

Time Out Tokyo has an article list different transportation deals available for tourists in Japan.

They begin with:

Flash your foreign passport and get access to a host of discounted tickets for trains, buses, metro, flights and even the shinkansen 

Everyone keeps telling you how expensive Tokyo is, right? Don't let the naysayers get the better of you. There are means to beat the budget-blowing travel expenses that come with sightseeing around the city and beyond. One of the best money-saving tips is to get a travel pass that gives you unlimited rides on the city’s efficient and extensive public transportation network with just a one-off payment. Here are your options. Some of these will require you to show your passport upon purchase or use.

To read more, go here.

Going To Work On L.A.'s Metro

Well, the 1989 Mustang is in the body shop (H & R Paint and Body), after which, I had to try out Los Angeles's transit system to get to work.

A few years ago, a new busway was built in the San Fernando Valley on what used to be a Santa Fe Railroad right-of-way. The tracks were taken out, and a new roadway with nice landscaping was built exclusively for special buses. This busway is called the Orange Line.

I figured, if I can easily navigate my way around Tokyo, Japan on that city's transit system (trains and subways), I should be able to handle this.

So, about an hour and a half before my work start time, I got to the Orange line station at Reseda Blvd. at Oxnard St. Within 10 minutes, the bus was due to arrive. I purchased my day pass at the station's vending machine ($5.00) and waited for the bus. The bus arrived right on schedule!

I got on and it took me to the North Hollywood Red Line subway station. I've used the Red Line subway before, so I am familiar with its workings.

It was a short walk from the bus station to the subway station. After a 10 minute wait, the subway was there to take me to the mid-Wilshire District of L.A. for the Vermont Ave.-Wilshire Blvd. subway station, which is three short blocks from work.

As it turned out, I got to work with fifteen minutes to spare. I am elated that the transit system worked out just fine. I am at work now on break, so it will be interesting to see how the return trip to Tarzana works out.

So far, so good!

UPDATE (10/3/09): The ride home went smoothly. The only problem was when I got back into Tarzana, I was unsure if the bus lines on Reseda Blvd. were still running at 11:00 PM. I decided to walk home from the busway station (I'd guess it was a half mile walk). As I got about a block away from the station, I noticed a bus had stopped at the Reseda Blvd. bus stop near the station. I guess that answered my question. I was too far away to hurry back to catch the bus and I was loaded down with my work gear. At least I know I can catch a bus next week (just have to be a little patient).