I'm Going To Japan

Did I just experience something naughty... or was that just my imagination?

Anime Dad wrote:

Ok..... what about the stole thing that goes with the kimono? :naughty:

i think that was rabbit. :hehe:

this is long overdue in a city with a complex, sophisticated transpartation system like Tokyo:

--------------------------------------------------------

Pasmo:

On March 18 will be introduced a new IC card for paying public transportation fares. The name is Pasmo (from the existing "Passnet" plus a mix of the words "motto" (more) and "mo" (also)), but more than the card itself this is about the network of lines it can be used on.

While the existing Suica worked only for JR trains and buses (and a select few others), Pasmo will let you touch-and-go on most of the other train, subway and bus lines in and around Tokyo: Tokyo Metro, Toei, Tōkyū, Keiō, Odakyū, Tōbu, Seibu, Keisei, Yurikamome, you name it (some minor or non-central lines are scheduled for later).

Now, most of the Pasmo advertising links the service to its card with the cute logo, but really the service is all linked with Suica, so that Suica cards can be used on the Pasmo network and the other way around. It's even not allowed to have both a Suica and a Pasmo, I think probably because of the trouble that would arise from people placing two IC cards near the sensor at the same time.

The best new feature concerns the commuter pass. It's only very clear on the Japanese Wikipedia entry, but while the cards only allow holding one commuter pass, you can make it link through both networks! Until now I had to carry my Suica for JR, and two more magnetic commuter passes for other lines (yes, my workplace is a bit far away), but in March I should be able to put all three in my Suica card!
Pretty much the only usage difference between Suica and Pasmo cards is that you can't get a Pasmo-network-only commuter pass on a Suica card, or vice-versa.

Can't wait for Pasmo!

Tu_triky wrote:this is long overdue in a city with a complex, sophisticated transpartation system like Tokyo:

--------------------------------------------------------

Pasmo:

On March 18 will be introduced a new IC card for paying public transportation fares. The name is Pasmo (from the existing "Passnet" plus a mix of the words "motto" (more) and "mo" (also)), but more than the card itself this is about the network of lines it can be used on.

While the existing Suica worked only for JR trains and buses (and a select few others), Pasmo will let you touch-and-go on most of the other train, subway and bus lines in and around Tokyo: Tokyo Metro, Toei, Tōkyū, Keiō, Odakyū, Tōbu, Seibu, Keisei, Yurikamome, you name it (some minor or non-central lines are scheduled for later).

Now, most of the Pasmo advertising links the service to its card with the cute logo, but really the service is all linked with Suica, so that Suica cards can be used on the Pasmo network and the other way around. It's even not allowed to have both a Suica and a Pasmo, I think probably because of the trouble that would arise from people placing two IC cards near the sensor at the same time.

The best new feature concerns the commuter pass. It's only very clear on the Japanese Wikipedia entry, but while the cards only allow holding one commuter pass, you can make it link through both networks! Until now I had to carry my Suica for JR, and two more magnetic commuter passes for other lines (yes, my workplace is a bit far away), but in March I should be able to put all three in my Suica card!
Pretty much the only usage difference between Suica and Pasmo cards is that you can't get a Pasmo-network-only commuter pass on a Suica card, or vice-versa.

Can't wait for Pasmo!

sounds similar to the oyster card for the london underground. i was pleasantly surprised to find the trains were on time when i went to london recently. :shocked:

kenjilina wrote:

sounds similar to the oyster card for the london underground. i was pleasantly surprised to find the trains were on time when i went to london recently. :shocked:

does it smell like oyster sauce? the card? :P

Tu_triky wrote:

does it smell like oyster sauce? the card? :P

no but the trains do!
just joking. the trains and stations were very clean. i was impressed.

kenjilina wrote:

no but the trains do!
just joking. the trains and stations were very clean. i was impressed.

yeah i've been to merry ole london twice...the underground is very clean....almost as clean as tokyo's.

Tu_triky wrote:

yeah i've been to merry ole london twice...the underground is very clean....almost as clean as tokyo's.

Italy also had really clean trains, I noticed... I wonder if that's the same all around Europe?

Wynter wrote:

Italy also had really clean trains, I noticed... I wonder if that's the same all around Europe?

I never took the train in Italy but I did the subway in Milan...it was clean but the coverage of their subways, at least in Rome, sucks nuts compared to other European capitals.

Tu_triky wrote:

I never took the train in Italy but I did the subway in Milan...it was clean but the coverage of their subways, at least in Rome, sucks nuts compared to other European capitals.

I've never taken a train or subway... or even a bus... anywhere else but Italy so I have nothing to compare it to... :ashamed:

Edit: I stand corrected. I took the subway here once into Toronto to vist the ROM. I went with my cousin who knew about the workings of this sorta transportation.

Wynter wrote:

I've never taken a train or subway... or even a bus... anywhere else but Italy so I have nothing to compare it to... :ashamed:

Edit: I stand corrected. I took the subway here once into Toronto to vist the ROM. I went with my cousin who knew about the workings of this sorta transportation.

i've been on the tram in prague. it was pure luck i think that we got to where we wanted to go. we had no idea what to do!

kenjilina wrote:

i've been on the tram in prague. it was pure luck i think that we got to where we wanted to go. we had no idea what to do!

But don't you just LOVE that?! It's such an adventure. My sis is afraid of transportation in Japan cause she's never been on a bus or train as well. I told her it's really rare to get completely lost tho cause everything is always posted someplace...

Wynter wrote:

But don't you just LOVE that?! It's such an adventure. My sis is afraid of transportation in Japan cause she's never been on a bus or train as well. I told her it's really rare to get completely lost tho cause everything is always posted someplace...

i agree although if you are on your own it can be a little intimidating. transport in japan is quite easy once you get the hang of it.

kenjilina wrote:

i agree although if you are on your own it can be a little intimidating. transport in japan is quite easy once you get the hang of it.

Uh huh... :shocked:

[image]

But yea, I suppose if you know where you're going, it shouldn't be too complicated.

Wynter wrote:

Uh huh... :shocked:

[image]

But yea, I suppose if you know where you're going, it shouldn't be too complicated.

my dad who lives in osaka has got the underground down to a fine art. he knows which door of which carriage to stand by that will stop by the nearest flight of steps that he needs at a particular station! :bow:

kenjilina wrote:

my dad who lives in osaka has got the underground down to a fine art. he knows which door of which carriage to stand by that will stop by the nearest flight of steps that he needs at a particular station! :bow:

Sugoi...! That's practically a superpower. :applaud:

Looks scary.....

Anime Dad wrote:Looks scary.....

what? the subway system?

:hehe:

Chikatetsu wa kowai desu.

Anime Dad wrote:Chikatetsu wa kowai desu.

nah it's fun and convenient! it takes a few trips to get the hang of it but, at least in tokyo, the signs are numerous and well placed with english and japanese text on all.

the subways are clean and their on time track record is quite exceptional.

in any event unless you have money to burn you'll force yourself to learn quickly because taxi cabs are extraordinarily expensive. a short taxi ride can coast you 30 to 40 dollars US....easily.