Q. Signs in English at the station?
I don’t speak and read Japanese… I am a little bit worrying that how do I know which train I should take??

Q. Direct train from Shin Osaka to Kumamoto?
Can I use 7day Japan Rail Pass from Shin-Osaka to Kumamoto? I’ve heard there is a direct train?

Q. Mt Fuji view from Shinaknsen?
I want to see Mt Fuji when I travel to Kyoto by train. Do you know whether I can see Mt.Fuji from Shinkansen?

(These will remain the same from Kyoto to Tokyo route during Mount Fuji will appear on your left).
Q. How can I check the train time schedule?

It can be much faster that checking a manual timetable and gets updated as soon as there are any changes to a planned schedule.
http://www.hyperdia.com/en/
or
http://www.jorudan.co.jp/english/norikae/
Q. luggage
Is there a place we can leave our luggage at the station?

Q. Can I buy a single ticket from you?
Is it possible to plan a day return to Kyoto from Tokyo with rail pass? How far?
I wondered if you are able to help with a train booking from
Tokyo to Osaka 29/10/12
Flight lands in Tokyo at 09:15
Osaka to Tokyo 02/11
Return flight leaves at 11:20
Is this something we could book through yourselves and if yes, do you have times and prices?
1st class | 2nd class | |
Tokyo - Shin Osaka | JPY 20,560 | JPY15,460 Nozomi (2.5hrs) |
Shin Osaka –Tokyo | JPY 20,560 | JPY 15,460 |
Handling Fee: GBP30.00
Postage to UK: GBP50.00 (approx.)
I assume that you wanted to travel immediately upon arrival hence, the need to deliver the ticket in the UK. Another option is to be met by a representative at the airport to hand in the train ticket. Cost for meet and assist service is JPY10,000. It will be converted to GBP (GBP1=JPY115).
Q. Meals and drinks on board?
Can I buy meals/drinks on Shinkansen?

Q. Day trip to Kyoto from Tokyo.
Is it possible to plan a day return to Kyoto from Tokyo with rail pass? How far?

Sample train schedule,
Outbound
08:03 | Tokyo |
---|---|
[164min] | Shinkansen HIKARI 463 |
10:47 | Kyoto |
Inbound
19:29 | Kyoto |
---|---|
[164min] | Shinkansen HIKARI 534 |
22:10 | Tokyo |
Q. Is there a restriction on luggage?

If you only have one suitcase you shouldn't have too much of a problem. If it's not much bigger than aircraft "hand-luggage" size, it should fit on the storage rack above the seats. If you can get a seat at the end of the carriage, there is a little space behind the last row of seats where a suitcase will fit.
If you have a reserved seat, it's quite possible that the carriage won't be too full, and you can fit your suitcase on a spare seat next to you or nearby. (Non-reserved ordinary-class carriages are usually too full for you to be able to do this). If you use the Japan Rail Pass, it is very easy to get a reserved seat: just go to the ticket counter and ask for seat reservation.
If you travel in Green car (First class), there should be space between you and the seat in front for your suitacase to stand on the floor.
Because of the recognised difficulty of taking full-size suitcases on the Bullet train, there is a well-developed and efficient Baggage Delivery Service in Japan. You can arrange this at Narita airport (see link on left), or from/to major hotels. It seems amazing, but your suitcase does turn up efficiently at your chosen destination address. If going from a hotel in one city to a hotel in another city, you might send your case off in advance, because it travels by road and doesn't go as fast as you will in the Bullet train!
Q. English sign and announcement at the station?
Do you know if there is an English sign and announcement at the station / on board?
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