Japan Train Enthusiasts Tour

[Martijn Meerts]

Unless they're a member of the forum and spend as much time and money on trains as you do ;)

[mich1409]

Haha, Martijn Meerts-san I'm hoping to have the final itinerary unveiled by the end of Aug and tour would prob depart June 2012. You guys will be the first to find out when its all done!

[Shashinka]

Hi Westfalen-san, Oh yes absolutely. Whenever I travel in Kyushu, I really plan my trip as winging it is not the thing to do over there. Would love to hear what you thought of Miyazaki!

I loved Miyazaki. If it wasn't so hot, I'd live there. The palm trees are great, and Miyazaki Station is so bright and lively. (though it is very small with two platforms serving four tracks)  Direct access to the airport too. The run north through the rice fields toward Takanabe is great. Closest thing Hawaii one gets without going (unless, you consider Okinawa.)

[gmat]

I haven't posted anything on my trip last weekend, but have this comment. If people want to shoot as many trains as possible, then spending more time at a hot spot is better that riding the trains. I rode the local trains from Shinjuku to Bessho Onsen and then back by way of Shinonoi and Matsumoto, from 5:15 AM to 22:30 PM. Last time I went from Shinjuku to Matsumoto and back. I started at 8:00 and rode a 183 to Otsuki and rode a local to Kofu, Kobuchizawa, Okaya and Matsumoto and spent about one or two hours at each spot, more at Matsumoto. Rode the Super Azusa back and arrived at 21:30. I was able to shoot more trains when I was waiting at a station than when constantly riding. Some like the Koumi line run infrequently, so stopping at a station would shorten the amount of lines that you could ride.

Best wishes,
Grant

[bikkuri bahn]

gmat makes a good point- there is a tradeoff that has to be made between getting a lot of mileage on a variety of train services, and taking good quality pictures.  I tend to be over-ambitious in my trip planning, as I can usually get away with it with Japan's reliable railway network.  However, there have been a number of times where I wanted to stay a bit longer at a location but had to leave to catch a critical connecting train.  I do have the luxury of scrapping/modifying plans en route, as I almost always travel alone, and if a location IMO warrants it, I'll visit it again later in the year or the following year (I've done this a couple of times w/Yokkaichi, and this summer I'll get to Yatomi on the Kansai Main Line to photograph an evening tanker train I missed this spring on a visit- I was using the station restroom when it rumbled through ).  With a tour group, of course, such things can't be done.

*another thing: if your tour has a strong emphasis on photographing older stock, and especially stock in danger of retirement, better to schedule the tour before the fall timetable revision (in the beginning of Oct.), as this is the primary time such stock is finally displaced by new stock.

[Martijn Meerts]

I guess you could have days where you go to a certain station, and those who want to stay there to take pictures can do so, while the rest can ride the local trains. Personally, I do like being on a station watching trains, but I prefer riding them. Having the group split into 2 is a good way to accommodate most people. Of course, you'll never be able to satisfy everyone ;)



Mich, will be interesting to hear the details. I've been wanting to go to Japan for a long time, still haven't been there yet :)

[westfalen]

If everyone has a rail pass there would be no problem with some going train riding while others hang around a good photo spot. On the Trainaway tours we often split up into groups depending on our interests and go separate ways.

This trip is starting to sound interesting.

[gmat]

During the summer, Yamadori, a 485 series joyful train with the Japanese style seating runs from Shinjuku to Naganohara-Kusatsuguchi Station on the weekends. That might be an interesting experience. Kusatsu Onsen is a 30 minute ride on JR buses from the station.

Best wishes,
Grant

[clem24]

So can we plan to have this trip around one of the shows? That would basically be my dream trip.

[westfalen]

So can we plan to have this trip around one of the shows? That would basically be my dream trip.

Good thinking, whenever I go to Japan I always see posters for shows that are on the week after I get home.

[clem24]

Seriously a week of riding trains, photographing trains, buying trains, and going to a train show.. I think I can die peacefully after a trip like that LOL. Can be any train show really, though JAM would be my top pick (Aug I think?). Shikzuoka is May I think? What shows are in June?

I've already thrown the idea to the wife of me going by myself (or possibly dragging my then 4 year old toddler with me). So far no out right "NO!". I told her to move in with my parents for a week since they are the ones looking after our kids currently hahaha.

[Shashinka]

Seriously a week of riding trains, photographing trains, buying trains, and going to a train show.. I think I can die peacefully after a trip like that LOL. Can be any train show really, though JAM would be my top pick (Aug I think?). Shikzuoka is May I think? What shows are in June?

I've already thrown the idea to the wife of me going by myself (or possibly dragging my then 4 year old toddler with me). So far no out right "NO!". I told her to move in with my parents for a week since they are the ones looking after our kids currently hahaha.

+1 That's what I plan to do with my lottery winnings if I ever won, or played.

[mich1409]

Wow, lots of comments thank you!
To avoid my continuous comment thread, I'm going to reply in one post, forgive me.

Monorail Cat - san, I totally agree about Miyazaki, you get that resort feel but you're in Japan. What could be better! & I will try to budget the tour so you won't need to touch your lotto winnings haha.


Gmat - san, Thats really important to keep in mind, thank you! That trip from Shinjuku to Bessho Onsen sounds awesome. I guess I would have to factor in spending time at a hot spot versus riding on trains. The tour is going to be planned for June or July 2012 so Yamadori sounds good. Thanks again!

Bikkuri Bahn - san, Good point about Gmat - san's comment. I am getting the feeling that whoever goes on the tour would probably spend an extra week or so in Japan doing their own thing so perhaps thats when people can spend time to take good pictures?

Martijin Meerts - san, Splitting the group in two is a great idea but does bring the cost up as one guide can't handle it. Its definetely something that I can look into though. Thanks!

Westfalen - san, Thats a good point, if people don't mind being left alone while they are taking photos, perhaps the group can split. Haha, its hard to get everything in one trip and I myself find out that I missed out on things like these when I come back. Thanks!

Clem24 - san, Yeah that is something that I was really wanting to do as well. Information for 2012 is not out yet (as far as I can research) so planning makes a little hard. So you were thinking of JAM? Let me look into it. Haha, I can imagine the wife won't be too keen on days of trains lol.

Should have the tentative plan by the end of Aug to show you guys, thanks for all the comments and keep them coming!

[Martijn Meerts]

Mich, the group staying at the station won't need a guide, they're not going anywhere after all. Unless, of course, you have a guide that knows everything about any trains that might pass/stop at the station in question ;)

[Kitayama]

I agree with all the suggestions made so far in this thread. I've travelled over 40% of all lines in Japan so I have some expirence :-)

One more thing:
Which month?

- Avoid June, July, August - at least in Kansai and Kanto. Rain, rain, hot, hot, humid, humid
- Best seasons for rail travel depends on which part of the country that you will cover. For a tour with focus on Kansai (better than Kanto both for railway and for tourism in general), I would recommend late March- late May or late Sept - early Nov.

A really nice combination is to start the tour late March with a tour on Tadami line with all the snow. I've done such a tour - amazing! (and I'm from Sweden where we are used to snow, but not that amount).

[cteno4]

JAM would be nice to attend, but its smack in the middle of summer, worst months for crowds, rain, and temp.

perhaps there is a smaller model show that would be in the shoulder seasons that would still have the biggies at like kato, microace, greenmax, and tomy with the new releases to look at and some more. for those non japanese speaking the show will be fun, but hard to gather much info so maybe a smaller show would be easier. jam always looks really crowded in the pictures ive seen as well.

just a thought.

jeff

[mich1409]

Mich, the group staying at the station won't need a guide, they're not going anywhere after all. Unless, of course, you have a guide that knows everything about any trains that might pass/stop at the station in question ;)

Thanks thats a great advice. desperately trying to find a guide thats also a rail enthusiast as well.

[mich1409]

- Avoid June, July, August - at least in Kansai and Kanto. Rain, rain, hot, hot, humid, humid
- Best seasons for rail travel depends on which part of the country that you will cover. For a tour with focus on Kansai (better than Kanto both for railway and for tourism in general), I would recommend late March- late May or late Sept - early Nov.

A really nice combination is to start the tour late March with a tour on Tadami line with all the snow. I've done such a tour - amazing! (and I'm from Sweden where we are used to snow, but not that amount).

Thank you Kitayama san
I was thinking of June actually to keep the cost down, if we do early June, rainy season wouldn't have really hit yet and shouldn't be too bad. I actually really wanted to Nov but the price shoots up because of the autumn leaves and of course March because of the cherry blossoms. Would you prefer to pay the higher price to get those views or keep the costs low?

[mich1409]

JAM would be nice to attend, but its smack in the middle of summer, worst months for crowds, rain, and temp.

perhaps there is a smaller model show that would be in the shoulder seasons that would still have the biggies at like kato, microace, greenmax, and tomy with the new releases to look at and some more. for those non japanese speaking the show will be fun, but hard to gather much info so maybe a smaller show would be easier. jam always looks really crowded in the pictures ive seen as well.

just a thought.

jeff

Thank you Jeff,
My team in Japan are looking into this as well, its a good idea to try smaller show.

[Martijn Meerts]

Mich, personally, I would pay extra to go during the cherry blossom season, but that might be because I've never been to Japan, and this never seen the cherry blossoms. I can imagine others would rather the trip be as cheap as possible so they can go to the hobby store(s) and spend the cash there :)

Of course, if the whole thing turns out to be popular, there's no reason not to offer a cherry blossom trip (Sakura Express :)) and a "regular" trip later in the year.

[gmat]

     One thing that might make your tour more attractive is to provide something that you couldn't do going on your own, and that could be a group tour of a train facility. I would say that one of the more local lines and on a weekend might be the best bet. But considering the number of rail fans in Japan, that might be setting a bad precedent as they would be inundated with requests.
     I just did another weekend pass trip, one to Aizu-Wakamatsu and the other to Naganoharakusatsuguchi and on to Manza-Kazawaguchi and can say that summer travel can be unpredictable. I had hoped to make it to Omae Station, one station past Manza-kazawaguchi, but heavy rainstorms stopped the Agatsuma line, so not only was I at the latter station for an hour or so without going to Omae, when we got back to Naganoharakusatsuguchi, we were bused to Shiokawa Station and if you are making connections, you hardly have time to shoot between connections. I heard that one of the Seibu lines was also stopped due to a lightning strike that day.
     I took the 405 series Resort Kusatsu, which also runs as the Resort Yamadori. The Resort Kusatsu runs from Shinjuku to Naganoharakusatsuguchi and back on weekends, while the Resort Yamadori runs from Takasaki to Manza-Kazawaguchi on Mondays and Fridays. Sorry, but my post earlier was in error, it doesn't have the Japanese style interior.
     If you do take weekend only trains like this, then going contra to the regular flow means it may be easier to get a good seat. Going local to Naganoharakusatsuguchi and returning to Shinjuku on the Resort on Saturday or going on the Resort and returning by local on Sunday might be worth considering. On Friday, the Saturday train was full but the View reservation lady got me seat 1A for Sunday. I hadn't thought to ask for a such nice seat, either. If you do take the Resort, try not to sit behind the driver as he often pulls the shade down blocking your forward view. The better seat would be from seat 1C.
     If you like to stand in front and take pictures out of the front window, then winter may be a better time as in the summer, you have bug smears.

Best wishes,
Grant

[mich1409]

Mich, personally, I would pay extra to go during the cherry blossom season, but that might be because I've never been to Japan, and this never seen the cherry blossoms. I can imagine others would rather the trip be as cheap as possible so they can go to the hobby store(s) and spend the cash there :)

Of course, if the whole thing turns out to be popular, there's no reason not to offer a cherry blossom trip (Sakura Express :)) and a "regular" trip later in the year.

Thank you, thats really valuable feedback. cherry blossom season would absolutely be better but the pricing really does shoot up and we're talking 1.5 times or at some locations double of low season cost. I'll really have to think hard about this one, thanks again.

[mich1409]

     One thing that might make your tour more attractive is to provide something that you couldn't do going on your own, and that could be a group tour of a train facility. I would say that one of the more local lines and on a weekend might be the best bet. But considering the number of rail fans in Japan, that might be setting a bad precedent as they would be inundated with requests.
     I just did another weekend pass trip, one to Aizu-Wakamatsu and the other to Naganoharakusatsuguchi and on to Manza-Kazawaguchi and can say that summer travel can be unpredictable. I had hoped to make it to Omae Station, one station past Manza-kazawaguchi, but heavy rainstorms stopped the Agatsuma line, so not only was I at the latter station for an hour or so without going to Omae, when we got back to Naganoharakusatsuguchi, we were bused to Shiokawa Station and if you are making connections, you hardly have time to shoot between connections. I heard that one of the Seibu lines was also stopped due to a lightning strike that day.
     I took the 405 series Resort Kusatsu, which also runs as the Resort Yamadori. The Resort Kusatsu runs from Shinjuku to Naganoharakusatsuguchi and back on weekends, while the Resort Yamadori runs from Takasaki to Manza-Kazawaguchi on Mondays and Fridays. Sorry, but my post earlier was in error, it doesn't have the Japanese style interior.
     If you do take weekend only trains like this, then going contra to the regular flow means it may be easier to get a good seat. Going local to Naganoharakusatsuguchi and returning to Shinjuku on the Resort on Saturday or going on the Resort and returning by local on Sunday might be worth considering. On Friday, the Saturday train was full but the View reservation lady got me seat 1A for Sunday. I hadn't thought to ask for a such nice seat, either. If you do take the Resort, try not to sit behind the driver as he often pulls the shade down blocking your forward view. The better seat would be from seat 1C.
     If you like to stand in front and take pictures out of the front window, then winter may be a better time as in the summer, you have bug smears.

Best wishes,
Grant

Thanks Grant, weekend pass trip sounds great & really good info there, thanks again. Kusatsu around this time would be beautiful.

[cteno4]

I would also think that in addition to the high cost, during any festival time it would be hard to do quality train riding and railfanning with standing room only on trains and jammed platforms.

cheers

jeff

[bikkuri bahn]

Obon period (mid-August), crowds, and a big minus for me, fewer freight trains. 

[mich1409]

I agree with Jeff and Bikkuri Bahn san, it would be harder to access during the high season so it would be better and more cost effective to do this tour during the low season.

[mich1409]

Thank you for your patience everyone here's the rough itinerary that we've come up with. Feel free to post any comments! Thanks.

Day 1: Arrive at Tokyo: Coach to Hotel
Day 2: Visit Chiba and experience track cycle on Izumi Rail Line
Day 3: Private use of Arakawa Tram Line, then after lunch, visit the Omiya Railway Museum and visit rail yard which is next to the museum
Day 4: Visit Usuitoge Railway Theme Park
Day 5: Whole day free at leisure in Tokyo (use JR Pass to do your rail trips)
Day 6: Leave to Sumatakyo Onsen area: Highlight is Oigawa SL and Aputo Line
Day 7: Ride on Tenryu Hamanako Line and spend some time at Tenryu Futamata Station where there are railway museum and tumplate
Day 8: Travel to Nagoya: Nagoya Linear Museum and Guideway Bus
Day 9: Travel to Kyoto via Ise: Ise Jingu Shrine and Iga Railway Ninja Train
Day 10: Ride on Torocco Train in Saga Arashiyama, and Randen Line
Day 11: Travel to Takamatsu: Highlight: Umekoji Railway Museum, Seto Ohashi Line
Day 12: Travel back to Takamatsu by riding sleeper train Sunrise Seto
Day 13: Arrive at Tokyo. Rest of the day free at leisure
Day 14: Travel to Airport by Skyliner Train

Extension plan for people who want to stay longer

Day 14: Spend the day riding Choshi Dentetsu Line and visit the soy sauce museum
Day 15: Visit Matsumoto via Yudanaka and ride on Nagano Dentetsu Train. See the famous snow monkeys
Day 16: Travel to Toyama by Alpen Route
Day 17: Travel to Uozu: Ride on Kurobe Kyokoku Line, sightseeing at Keyakidaira
Day 18: Travel to Nikko via Niigata: Nikko sightseeing
Day 19: Ride on Tobu Line to Asakusa Tokyo. Free at leisure after lunch.
Day 20: Travel to Airport by Skyliner Train

[Martijn Meerts]

As I don't know much about the names of the various lines and such, I haven't much of a clue, but it sure does sound like you'll be seeing a lot of Japan and Japanese trains :)


Something I would personally add considering Kyoto is 1 of the destinations, is a trip to Gion. This could be done in the evening, maybe visit a traditional tea house, or perhaps see some performance if there happens to be one at the time. Of course, this could be done without planning ahead, but it would be nice to at least be able to discuss it with all people on the trip, and see if it's possible to get something going.

Also, the free day in Tokyo, could be nice to have the option of people to sign up for a visit to the Ghibli Museum. Unfortunately this isn't a place you can visit on a whim, as it's almost always sold out. Especially foreigners tend to have to make ticket reservations several months in advance. Doing this as a group would be a lot easier, and I'm fairly certain quite a few people would love to see it. (This could be as easy as asking people if they're interested in seeing the Ghibli museum when they sign up for the trip, and if enough people are interested, tickets could be bought for the whole group.)

Obviously, the cost of the Gion and Ghibli visits would fall outside the base cost, as it's optional :)

[Shashinka]

Hokkaido Trip Days in between reserved for area railfanning

Tokyo-Aizuwakamatsu (3:00)
13 nights Aizuwakamatsu
Narita → Tokyo Station (via N'ex)
Tokyo Station → Koriyama (via Tōhoku Shinkansen: Yamabiko service)
Koriyama → Aizuwakamatsu  (via Ban'etsu West Line)

Aizuwakamatsu - Sendai via Koriyama (2:00)
Rail Connection
Aizuwakamatsu → Koriyama (via Ban'etsu West Line)
Koriyama →  Sendai (via Yamabiko Service)

Sendai - Hachinohe (2:00)
2 night Hachinohe
Sendai → Hachinohe (via Tōhoku Shinkansen: Hayate service)

Hachinohe - Hokodate (3:00)
2 nights Hokodate
Hachinohe → Hokodate (via Super Hakuchō)

Hokodate - Sapporo (4:00)
3 nights Sapporo
Hokodate → Sapporo (via Super Hokuto)

Sapporo - Tokyo (9:00)
1 night Tokyo
Sapporo → Hokodate (via Super Hokuto)
Hokodate → Hachinohe (via Super Hakuchō)
Hachinohe → Tokyo Station (via Tōhoku Shinkansen: Hayate Service)
Tokyo Station → Narita (via N'ex)


Total days of JR Railpass: 12

Aizu-Korriyama Schedule: http://www.aizu.com/train/index-e.html

[westfalen]

Day 1: Arrive at Tokyo: Coach to Hotel
Day 2: Visit Chiba and experience track cycle on Izumi Rail Line
Day 3: Private use of Arakawa Tram Line, then after lunch, visit the Omiya Railway Museum and visit rail yard which is next to the museum
Day 4: Visit Usuitoge Railway Theme Park
Day 5: Whole day free at leisure in Tokyo (use JR Pass to do your rail trips)
Day 6: Leave to Sumatakyo Onsen area: Highlight is Oigawa SL and Aputo Line
Day 7: Ride on Tenryu Hamanako Line and spend some time at Tenryu Futamata Station where there are railway museum and tumplate
Day 8: Travel to Nagoya: Nagoya Linear Museum and Guideway Bus
Day 9: Travel to Kyoto via Ise: Ise Jingu Shrine and Iga Railway Ninja Train
Day 10: Ride on Torocco Train in Saga Arashiyama, and Randen Line
Day 11: Travel to Takamatsu: Highlight: Umekoji Railway Museum, Seto Ohashi Line
Day 12: Travel back to Takamatsu by riding sleeper train Sunrise Seto
Day 13: Arrive at Tokyo. Rest of the day free at leisure
Day 14: Travel to Airport by Skyliner Train

Extension plan for people who want to stay longer

Day 14: Spend the day riding Choshi Dentetsu Line and visit the soy sauce museum
Day 15: Visit Matsumoto via Yudanaka and ride on Nagano Dentetsu Train. See the famous snow monkeys
Day 16: Travel to Toyama by Alpen Route
Day 17: Travel to Uozu: Ride on Kurobe Kyokoku Line, sightseeing at Keyakidaira
Day 18: Travel to Nikko via Niigata: Nikko sightseeing
Day 19: Ride on Tobu Line to Asakusa Tokyo. Free at leisure after lunch.
Day 20: Travel to Airport by Skyliner Train

The days I've highlighted in red are things I've already done or done part of so I'd be going off on my own most of the time to see new things but it sounds like a good introduction to Japanese railways.

[mich1409]

As I don't know much about the names of the various lines and such, I haven't much of a clue, but it sure does sound like you'll be seeing a lot of Japan and Japanese trains :)


Something I would personally add considering Kyoto is 1 of the destinations, is a trip to Gion. This could be done in the evening, maybe visit a traditional tea house, or perhaps see some performance if there happens to be one at the time. Of course, this could be done without planning ahead, but it would be nice to at least be able to discuss it with all people on the trip, and see if it's possible to get something going.

Also, the free day in Tokyo, could be nice to have the option of people to sign up for a visit to the Ghibli Museum. Unfortunately this isn't a place you can visit on a whim, as it's almost always sold out. Especially foreigners tend to have to make ticket reservations several months in advance. Doing this as a group would be a lot easier, and I'm fairly certain quite a few people would love to see it. (This could be as easy as asking people if they're interested in seeing the Ghibli museum when they sign up for the trip, and if enough people are interested, tickets could be bought for the whole group.)

Obviously, the cost of the Gion and Ghibli visits would fall outside the base cost, as it's optional :)

Thank you Martijn Meerts san,

This is a great idea. I think there will be few people that would like to stay on in Japan to do their own thing in Japan and this is certainly something that we can help you with. Ghibli Museums are quite restrictive as you mentioned so we can pre-book them for you also, that can also be done on the free day during the tour if the museum is open on that date.

Thanks again!

[mich1409]

Hokkaido Trip Days in between reserved for area railfanning

Tokyo-Aizuwakamatsu (3:00)
13 nights Aizuwakamatsu
Narita → Tokyo Station (via N'ex)
Tokyo Station → Koriyama (via Tōhoku Shinkansen: Yamabiko service)
Koriyama → Aizuwakamatsu  (via Ban'etsu West Line)

Aizuwakamatsu - Sendai via Koriyama (2:00)
Rail Connection
Aizuwakamatsu → Koriyama (via Ban'etsu West Line)
Koriyama →  Sendai (via Yamabiko Service)

Sendai - Hachinohe (2:00)
2 night Hachinohe
Sendai → Hachinohe (via Tōhoku Shinkansen: Hayate service)

Hachinohe - Hokodate (3:00)
2 nights Hokodate
Hachinohe → Hokodate (via Super Hakuchō)

Hokodate - Sapporo (4:00)
3 nights Sapporo
Hokodate → Sapporo (via Super Hokuto)

Sapporo - Tokyo (9:00)
1 night Tokyo
Sapporo → Hokodate (via Super Hokuto)
Hokodate → Hachinohe (via Super Hakuchō)
Hachinohe → Tokyo Station (via Tōhoku Shinkansen: Hayate Service)
Tokyo Station → Narita (via N'ex)


Total days of JR Railpass: 12

Aizu-Korriyama Schedule: http://www.aizu.com/train/index-e.html

Thanks Morail Cat san,

I did think about Hokkaido, but it didn't seem that popular in this thread, so I actually took it out of the itinerary!
Though, as I've said to Martijn Meerts san, there will be people doing their own thing after the tour so this would probably be something that people can do after the tour. From what I can see in the itinerary I can certainly assist you with the rail pass and the accommodation so no worries there.

Thanks again, will let you guys know once I work out the pricing structure.

[mich1409]

Day 1: Arrive at Tokyo: Coach to Hotel
Day 2: Visit Chiba and experience track cycle on Izumi Rail Line
Day 3: Private use of Arakawa Tram Line, then after lunch, visit the Omiya Railway Museum and visit rail yard which is next to the museum
Day 4: Visit Usuitoge Railway Theme Park
Day 5: Whole day free at leisure in Tokyo (use JR Pass to do your rail trips)
Day 6: Leave to Sumatakyo Onsen area: Highlight is Oigawa SL and Aputo Line
Day 7: Ride on Tenryu Hamanako Line and spend some time at Tenryu Futamata Station where there are railway museum and tumplate
Day 8: Travel to Nagoya: Nagoya Linear Museum and Guideway Bus
Day 9: Travel to Kyoto via Ise: Ise Jingu Shrine and Iga Railway Ninja Train
Day 10: Ride on Torocco Train in Saga Arashiyama, and Randen Line
Day 11: Travel to Takamatsu: Highlight: Umekoji Railway Museum, Seto Ohashi Line
Day 12: Travel back to Takamatsu by riding sleeper train Sunrise Seto
Day 13: Arrive at Tokyo. Rest of the day free at leisure
Day 14: Travel to Airport by Skyliner Train

Extension plan for people who want to stay longer

Day 14: Spend the day riding Choshi Dentetsu Line and visit the soy sauce museum
Day 15: Visit Matsumoto via Yudanaka and ride on Nagano Dentetsu Train. See the famous snow monkeys
Day 16: Travel to Toyama by Alpen Route
Day 17: Travel to Uozu: Ride on Kurobe Kyokoku Line, sightseeing at Keyakidaira
Day 18: Travel to Nikko via Niigata: Nikko sightseeing
Day 19: Ride on Tobu Line to Asakusa Tokyo. Free at leisure after lunch.
Day 20: Travel to Airport by Skyliner Train

The days I've highlighted in red are things I've already done or done part of so I'd be going off on my own most of the time to see new things but it sounds like a good introduction to Japanese railways.

westfalen san, thank you!

Wow, you are certainly experienced there! Absolutely, if you or people like yourself have already experienced certain things and would like to do your own thing, discounts should apply. The main point of this tour is for rail enthusiasts to get together and enjoy Japanese railways on their own or with the group whatever is the preference.

Thanks again!

[westfalen]

westfalen san, thank you!

Wow, you are certainly experienced there! Absolutely, if you or people like yourself have already experienced certain things and would like to do your own thing, discounts should apply. The main point of this tour is for rail enthusiasts to get together and enjoy Japanese railways on their own or with the group whatever is the preference.

Thanks again!

That would be the appealing thing about this type of trip, the camaraderie of like minded people. Many of the places I have been would be worth a return visit especially since it's been a few years since I done some of them, I certainly wouldn't expect a discount for things I've already seen.

[mich1409]

Thank you Westfalen san!

I got the figures now.

Day 1: Arrive at Tokyo: Coach to Hotel
Day 2: Visit Chiba and experience track cycle on Izumi Rail Line
Day 3: Private use of Arakawa Tram Line, then after lunch, visit the Omiya Railway Museum and visit rail yard which is next to the museum
Day 4: Visit Usuitoge Railway Theme Park
Day 5: Whole day free at leisure in Tokyo (use JR Pass to do your rail trips)
Day 6: Leave to Sumatakyo Onsen area: Highlight is Oigawa SL and Aputo Line
Day 7: Ride on Tenryu Hamanako Line and spend some time at Tenryu Futamata Station where there are railway museum and tumplate
Day 8: Travel to Nagoya: Nagoya Linear Museum and Guideway Bus
Day 9: Travel to Kyoto via Ise: Ise Jingu Shrine and Iga Railway Ninja Train
Day 10: Ride on Torocco Train in Saga Arashiyama, and Randen Line
Day 11: Travel to Takamatsu: Highlight: Umekoji Railway Museum, Seto Ohashi Line
Day 12: Travel back to Takamatsu by riding sleeper train Sunrise Seto
Day 13: Arrive at Tokyo. Rest of the day free at leisure
Day 14: Travel to Airport by Skyliner Train

Land only price will be: AU$5,585 per person twin share
($6,252 if you are single traveller)

Extension plan for people who want to stay longer

Day 14: Spend the day riding Choshi Dentetsu Line and visit the soy sauce museum
Day 15: Visit Matsumoto via Yudanaka and ride on Nagano Dentetsu Train. See the famous snow monkeys
Day 16: Travel to Toyama by Alpen Route
Day 17: Travel to Uozu: Ride on Kurobe Kyokoku Line, sightseeing at Keyakidaira
Day 18: Travel to Nikko via Niigata: Nikko sightseeing
Day 19: Ride on Tobu Line to Asakusa Tokyo. Free at leisure after lunch.
Day 20: Travel to Airport by Skyliner Train

Extension Plan:
AU$2,500 per person twin share
($2,983 if you are single traveller)

Solo travellers who want to share with somebody else on the tour can do that provided there are people who also want to share.

If you need to check the rate in your currency, you can use this site:  http://www.xe.com/ucc/

In terms of the price point, this would probably be the final price but would love your thoughts on it.

I will also be offering 10% discount for people on this forum.

[westfalen]

It's hard to compare prices between tours because of different content and other factors, this years Trainaway Tours trip (which as we speak should be enroute from Tokyo to Toyama) was AU$6,490 for 23 days including return airfare via Jetstar from the Gold Coast, but your pricing sounds reasonable depending on what is included, eg;meals, entry into attractions, quality of hotels, green car or standard pass? Trainaway and others I've traveled with offer twinshare as the standard fare with a single room supplement for those who desire it, usually out of two dozen or so there are only two or three who opt for single rooms.

Have you decided on dates yet?

[Shashinka]

Thanks Morail Cat san,

I did think about Hokkaido, but it didn't seem that popular in this thread, so I actually took it out of the itinerary!
Though, as I've said to Martijn Meerts san, there will be people doing their own thing after the tour so this would probably be something that people can do after the tour. From what I can see in the itinerary I can certainly assist you with the rail pass and the accommodation so no worries there.

Thanks again, will let you guys know once I work out the pricing structure.

See for me, planning the trip is half the fun if not often times more. And for most trips I can do most all of the planing and reservations myself. However with this trip, because of the locations being where they are, none of my travel booking sites will let me make reservations at places like Aizu or Hachinohe. The only trip I ever needed an agent for was when I had to use JALPak now part of JTB, for my hotel reservations at Miyazaki which I could not find a hotel at Logistically, this would be the hardest trip I ever planned for because of this. The Hokkaido trip to date has been the most complicated trip I have ever written an itinerary for because it is restricted by the use of a 14 day JR Pass.

PS- this is monorail cat. I change icons every 30 days. Last time it was easier to change screen names than icons.

[westfalen]

I booked into the Toyoko Inn across the street from Miyazaki station for my trip in November using their website.

[keitaro]

lol i don't book hotels except the first night. so easy to find accomodation in jpn.

makes your schedule flexible.

looks like a good trip

[westfalen]

If it's a holiday or there's something on in town you could still have problems.

[keitaro]

True.

Not saying anything wrong with planning just making humour at how i roll. 

I'll never forget my nagoya stay haha some how managed to arrive at 9pm at night and some random old japanese lady was like come stay at my Ryokan.

But she was limited to 15 words approx in english and kept talking in japanese and i'm sitting there grinning and nodding my head hahaha.

Then there was the time i was hitching car rides in some remote location i had no idea where i was. Near takamatsu. Very kind lady.

[mich1409]

It's hard to compare prices between tours because of different content and other factors, this years Trainaway Tours trip (which as we speak should be enroute from Tokyo to Toyama) was AU$6,490 for 23 days including return airfare via Jetstar from the Gold Coast, but your pricing sounds reasonable depending on what is included, eg;meals, entry into attractions, quality of hotels, green car or standard pass? Trainaway and others I've traveled with offer twinshare as the standard fare with a single room supplement for those who desire it, usually out of two dozen or so there are only two or three who opt for single rooms.

Have you decided on dates yet?

Sorry, this tour took a long time to plan.
The date is now fixed for 13 May 12. Info is up on the website: http://www.experiencejapan.com.au/japan-rail-enthusiasts-tour-14-days
You'll notice that the pricing is higher than what I've mentioned earlier. I'm doing a deal with another travel wholesaler that can also sell it on my behalf so I had to bring up the price.
However, the pricing will stay as it was for JNS members exclusively for if you are interested let me know through this forum or by emailing from the website (make sure you put your username here so I can identify you)

Quality of accommodation is quite good, especially in Tokyo, where all rooms are renovated and has a view of the Shinagawa Station railway

There's also a farewell dinner at a train themed bistro, so that's going to be fun as well.

If we can gather 20 people on day 4, instead of going to Shonan, we'll be doing the Poppoya experience.

I'm also looking into see if my tour operators can get me a copy of Daiya for May 2012 so tour participants can receive that upon arrival in Tokyo.
The question I have is would you want to carry around a copy of Daiya or would you prefer to leave it at home? (i.e. would you pay postage to get it sent to your country prior to departure?)

Would love your thoughts.

[mich1409]

Thanks Morail Cat san,

I did think about Hokkaido, but it didn't seem that popular in this thread, so I actually took it out of the itinerary!
Though, as I've said to Martijn Meerts san, there will be people doing their own thing after the tour so this would probably be something that people can do after the tour. From what I can see in the itinerary I can certainly assist you with the rail pass and the accommodation so no worries there.

Thanks again, will let you guys know once I work out the pricing structure.

See for me, planning the trip is half the fun if not often times more. And for most trips I can do most all of the planing and reservations myself. However with this trip, because of the locations being where they are, none of my travel booking sites will let me make reservations at places like Aizu or Hachinohe. The only trip I ever needed an agent for was when I had to use JALPak now part of JTB, for my hotel reservations at Miyazaki which I could not find a hotel at Logistically, this would be the hardest trip I ever planned for because of this. The Hokkaido trip to date has been the most complicated trip I have ever written an itinerary for because it is restricted by the use of a 14 day JR Pass.

PS- this is monorail cat. I change icons every 30 days. Last time it was easier to change screen names than icons.

Good to know, thanks Shashinka-san, (so used to calling you Monorail Cat -san though)

I guess the point of difference with this trip is 1., as mentioned previously, gives the rail enthusiasts from all walks of life to travel together 2. there are activities that you can only do as a group and I tried to add them in as well.

Having said that, totally understand the fun behind planning your own trip, thats why I work in travel as well.