Japanese tour 2023

Count on me.

The flights are already purchased. We are leaving from May 20 to June 3. If someone else wants to sign up, there is still time.

And if someone from zoochat lives in Japan and wants to join us during the route or part of the route, that would be great. Any advice or help is appreciated.

Personally what worries me the most is public transport, if someone can help us with advice on trains, subways or buses that would be great. And if someone offers to do part of the trip by car, it is divided among all of them.
 
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zootografiando said:
Count on me.

The flights are already purchased. We are leaving from May 20 to June 3. If someone else wants to sign up, there is still time.

And if someone from zoochat lives in Japan and wants to join us during the route or part of the route, that would be great. Any advice or help is appreciated.

Personally what worries me the most is public transport, if someone can help us with advice on trains, subways or buses that would be great. And if someone offers to do part of the trip by car, it is divided among all of them.
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Buy a 14 day JR Rail Pass to get around, unless you are trying to do it on the very cheap side (ie buses between cities, rather than the world's best train network). You cannot buy them in Japan - you have to have them sent to you in Spain, so get on it soon.
 
CGSwans said:
Buy a 14 day JR Rail Pass to get around, unless you are trying to do it on the very cheap side (ie buses between cities, rather than the world's best train network). You cannot buy them in Japan - you have to have them sent to you in Spain, so get on it soon.
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Thanks CGSwans,

We're not sure it's worth it. Many days we are in Tokyo and we move by subway and bus. Other days we visit zoos that we go by intercity transport. Long train we take from Tokyo to Osaka. If the pass were used for all types of transport, it would be a good option. But I think it is only valid for trains. Does anyone know if the JR Pass is also valid for subways and buses?
 
zootografiando said:
Thanks CGSwans,

We're not sure it's worth it. Many days we are in Tokyo and we move by subway and bus. Other days we visit zoos that we go by intercity transport. Long train we take from Tokyo to Osaka. If the pass were used for all types of transport, it would be a good option. But I think it is only valid for trains. Does anyone know if the JR Pass is also valid for subways and buses?
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It is valid for certain JR highway buses - I took one once. @Sicarius and I got the 21-day JR pass, and with how expensive shinkansen tickets are, we certainly saved some money in the end. We took a lot of shinkansen and JR trains both local and express, almost every day.
 
zootografiando said:
Thanks CGSwans,

We're not sure it's worth it. Many days we are in Tokyo and we move by subway and bus. Other days we visit zoos that we go by intercity transport. Long train we take from Tokyo to Osaka. If the pass were used for all types of transport, it would be a good option. But I think it is only valid for trains. Does anyone know if the JR Pass is also valid for subways and buses?
Click to expand...
JR is useful for train in the city as well provided they are JR (that sounds obvious but maybe isnt)
so for example in tokyo, the yamonote line will be in reach but the tokyo subway (by another company) wont. I think you should be able to reach most of places with JR, and of course if you have 2 or 3 long intercity travel using shinkansen or other JR rail then it will be worth it. Shinkansen in itself isnt that cheap either.
 
A new question: Do any of the zoos on the list keep asian crested ibis (Nipponia nippon)? I think in Tama they had this specie in the past...
 
aramacao said:
A new question: Do any of the zoos on the list keep asian crested ibis (Nipponia nippon)? I think in Tama they had this specie in the past...
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Do not believe so. Even Tama only have them behind the scenes. Ishikawa Zoo have them if you are really interest. (but not too accessible)
 
Thanks for the tips. No, we don't intend to visit other places in Japan.

Now we are talking about trains and means of transport. This topic seems very difficult...
 
Sicarius said:
JAZA is 9/10 times outdated. Toba is not accurate at all, just to give an example. It's like a Zootierliste that isn't updated for 2-3 years.
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Zootierliste is poorly updated in many countries (like my country, Spain), but the truth is that Zootierliste is a great website if we compare it with other websites in other countries
 
aramacao said:
Zootierliste is poorly updated in many countries (like my country, Spain), but the truth is that Zootierliste is a great website if we compare it with other websites in other countries
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That is true, and for many locations JAZA is just as handy in Japan. But do not expect them to be completely updated on all their small species.
 
Veno said:
The Japanese weasel at Tama Zoological Park has recently passed away, so Toyama City Family Park is the only one left!
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That is so sad! I saw him many times and I didn't realize they were so rare. It's enclosure was pretty small, though.
 
aardvark250 said:
JR is useful for train in the city as well provided they are JR (that sounds obvious but maybe isnt)
so for example in tokyo, the yamonote line will be in reach but the tokyo subway (by another company) wont. I think you should be able to reach most of places with JR, and of course if you have 2 or 3 long intercity travel using shinkansen or other JR rail then it will be worth it. Shinkansen in itself isnt that cheap either.
Click to expand...

If you are spending the majority of your time in Tokyo, then I would not recommend a JR Pass. I’d recommend getting a SUICA or PASMO card, which will give you access to all the trains here. You can get one at the train terminal in the airport, charge it with about ¥2500, and you’ll be good to go. You can also use this card for purchases at most stores and restaurants. You just need to recharge the money on it when you’re getting low. You can also put it on your phone to make it even easier to use.

Be aware that Tama Zoo has been closed due to a bird flu outbreak. They just reopened, but some areas remain closed or species off exhibit. Many of the birds at Ueno are off exhibit for the same reason. Inokashira Park still had most of their birds out, but that could change at any time with any of the zoos.

I spend about 3 months out of the year in Tokyo, and am currently on my last week of a 6 week stay. Also, it will be getting pretty warm to hot here in May/June, so pack accordingly.
 
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solanaskyes said:
If you are spending the majority of your time in Tokyo, then I would not recommend a JR Pass. I’d recommend getting a SUICA or PASMO card, which will give you access to all the trains here. You can get one at the train terminal in the airport, charge it with about ¥2500, and you’ll be good to go. You can also use this card for purchases at most stores and restaurants. You just need to recharge the money on it when you’re getting low. You can also put it on your phone to make it even easier to use.

Be aware that Tama Zoo has been closed due to a bird flu outbreak. They just reopened, but some areas remain closed or species off exhibit. Many of the birds at Ueno are off exhibit for the same reason. Inokashira Park still had most of their birds out, but that could change at any time with any of the zoos.

I spend about 3 months out of the year in Tokyo, and am currently on my last week of a 6 week stay. Also, it will be getting pretty warm to hot here in May/June, so pack accordingly.
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What spaces are closed in Ueno, Inokahira and Tama? Are there rare species that are not visible? For example, the Ueno woodpecker. I'll be here in one month exactly...
 
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