Moving to Japan: Getting to Matsuyama

Tyler, I am glad that your dream is coming true, although I have to be pragmatic and honest to say that things are not always what they seem -- at least not until you've fully had time to appreciate them. I know you'll have some disappointments but you'll also have some amazing experiences too.
I hope we'll be able to meet up some day while you are living in Japan. I'll be away from Tokyo from July 31 - Aug 26 and then I'll come back to Tokyo for a 5 days before heading off again Aug 30-Sept 9. But if your flight allows you to stop in Tokyo the last week of August, it would be great to see you, show you something of Tokyo, and put you on the train/flight to Matsuyama.
I really don't know much about Ehime Prefecture or the island of Shikoku where it is located. A friend of mine, Paul, lives and works in Kochi -- not too far from Matsuyama, so I'll ask him about what details he can supply. In the meantime, I'll tell you what I know and what advice I have.

First of all, are you sure that Ehime University is not going to be at all helpful or even forthcoming with any logistical and also financial assistance for the transportation arrangements -- either the transpacific flights (probably not) or at least the domestic connections? You could / should at least ask. While their buying your CA-NRT ticket would probably not be included, I don't know why you can't ask them -- innocently about airfare reservations or train tickets from Tokyo International Airport (Narita, Chiba) NRT to Matsuyama or from KIX (Osaka Intl Airport) to the university. Perhaps they will be reimburse you later but I would imagine that a university that recruits new faculty from abroad has dealt with such requests before. While you may have been reluctant to appear to be pushy before, it wouldn't hurt to at least make an inquiry.

That being said (or already either worked out or refused), I'll give you some options.

I think it would be good to figure in your travel planning - if you'll have time, money and the adventure spirit to get out around much in Japan (or even elsewhere in Asia) before, during and after your semester of work/teaching at Ehime Univ. For example, if you are hoping to see Tokyo (including Kamakura, Nikko, and other places here in central east Honshu,or plan to visit Kyoto, Nara, Osaka (not too far from Matsuyama) or even points further south (Hiroshima, Kyushu (including Nagasaki, etc) then you might plan accordingly since it may be both cheaper and more convenient to make travel arrangements before you get here. I cannot speak for certainly about Matsuyama but if it is anything like a lot of non-metro areas I know - there are not a whole lot of people who speak English all that well - in the service industry. It's is NOT a huge problem but it does take time to get things done when people can't understand you easily (or at all) or you cannot make yourself understood well enough to get things done without a lot of assistance and depending on other English speaking Japanese (or others) to help out.

If you planning to stay for a year or two and also plan to return to the US or another place during first 6 months in Japan, I recommend getting a round trip ticket from the US to NRT and back. US carriers are generally quite a bit cheaper -- especially at peak travel times when the travel originates in the US. Tickets purchased inside Japan will likely suffer from the typical cost-raising tactics - such as doubling fares for departing for anywhere (domestic or abroad) during peak holiday periods and also actually charging people with foreign passports more for the same class seats -- There was a recent disclosure by one of the largest travel agencies catering to foreign residents that they had to 'cover' losses if the person did not use the remaining portion of a discounted airfare ticket by deciding not to return to Japan.

You could also look into your original US-Japan ticket that would go on to another Asia destination - such a Korea, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, etc. If you already know your holiday schedule (Xmas-NewYear's) then you may want to travel in Japan -- or you may even want to get away from Japan for a change -- at least that's a typical pattern for those of us who reside here permanently).
Therefore, you might consider buying a ticket that continues on to another Asian country or continues on to a different destination in Japan. Thus you might be able travel during your next long holidays for not much more than a few dollars more (to buy a ticket later just to return to the States or to go to another country could be quite expensive in peak seasons (Xmas/New Years have some of the highest airfares, followed by Golden Week (April 29-May 5 - just before and after included), and summer peak travel season (July 25-Aug 20). Of course, if you have the time and money, you could also visit another country before your arrival in Japan and when coming back to Tokyo (NRT) or Osaka (KIX) on your way home - travelling to Korea, China or Thailand, etc.

I choose my flights/airlines based on earning airline mileage - not totally on pricing or favorite destinations - although Star Alliance carriers have some of the most competitive fares - you'll probably find a slightly cheaper one on American, Northwest or Korean Airlines. It's not worth losing the mileage for me -but you may not be so invested the mileage rat-race.
Since we first met sitting togehter on a United flight, you may also be collecting United Miles (Star Alliance) so I recommend doing so unless that does not matter to you. There are multiple Star Alliance carrier that fly into (and beyond) Narita from the US: United, US Airways, Singapore, Thai, ANA, etc.

While it won't hurt to get a quote from a travel agent, nowadays, the airlines themselves generally offer the cheapest fares for their own flights. Be sure to get a ticket that could account for such problems as date/flight changes or even refunds/cancellations (although the latter are less likely to be necessary and tend to raise the price). Look at tickets on Orbitz, Yahoo Travel and directly at each airline.

You have two choice of airports (actually 3): NRT (Tokyo), KIX (Kansai Intl near Osaka) and Nagoya (has a few intl carriers - closer to Matsuyama than Tokyo but only by an hour or so).

ADDED: [Kobe, Okayama or Hiroshima may actually be physically closer to Matsuyama, but I'm not sure of train/bus or domestic flight connections.]

I am hoping you'll be able to stop by Tokyo - while I am actually here, but they may or may not work out so I've tried to describe a NRT-Matsuyama itinerary, as well as one that has you flying directly to Kansai Intl Airport (KIX) instead.

Once you decide on an arrival airport (based also on whether you have time to sightsee in Tokyo or Osaka (Kyoto-Nara) before you go to Matsuyama, you will then need to take a plane or train to Matsuyama (there are actually several routes including a ferry from either Kobe or Hiroshima - although mixing up trains, bus, ferries and taxi upon your arrival may be a bit overwhelming.

There may also be boats or ferries from the Osaka area (KIX) since Matsuyama is located on the northwestern shore of Shikoku Island (facing the Inland Sea - Seto-nai-kai). Inf act, there is a ferry to Awaji Island (from KIX ) to see High Speed Ferry (on the left hand menu on the KIX site:
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/english/index.htm

From KIX, there is a high speed ferry (48 min) to Sumoto, from there you have to catch a train or bus across Awaji Island (Awajima) to Shikuko (Island) and transverse it to reach Matsuyama.

http://www.atc.ne.jp/pearlline/dia.htm

Evidently, there is also a ferry from Hiroshima to the harbor just 20 minutes outside of Matsuyama is another possible way to arrrive at the city. It seems there is also a ferry from Kobe to Matsuyama. Again, this info is only in Japanese but, as best as I can tell, there is a 3-hour trip passenger ferry available several times a day. So if you wanted to first visit Hiroshima (site of the first atomic bomb attack in 1945 (Peace Memorial Park) then you might consider going to Hiroshima. There are bullet trains from both Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto/Kobe.

http://www.yajyu.com/kankou/koutuu2.htm


If you are definitely NOT going to stop over in Tokyo to visit us, then your most direct route is to fly to KIX and then take a bus ( express) or a train from a major station not far from KIX.
There is express bus service from Kyoto Station or JR Osaka Station (and or OCAT2 = I think this is Osaka City Air Terminal (so this might be the best connection from KIX ). The timetable is only in Japanese but I included it here just in case (and for me to locate later if you ask).

Express Bus from Kyoto-Osaka area station to Matsuyama:
http://www.kakuyasubus.jp/kansai_shikoku/matsuyama_express/index.html

There are overnight express busses from Tokyo to Matsuyama too, but unless you stay over in Tokyo for a day or two after arrival, you'd probably not want to take such a bus and arrive completely exhausted. You'll arrive one day later and typically in the mid to late afternoon of the next day after you leave the US. So you'll need to account for your tiredness and the amount luggage you have.
By the way, you can have luggage forwarded to your domestica destination when you arrive at either NRT or KIX. It is fairly inexpensive - just $12 or $15 per bag and they will deliver it the next day or later (typically you can choose the day and approx delivery time). Since you might be coming with a year's supply of stuff - You won't need most it unless you have some very specific fashion or dietary needs but it could save you time and energy NOT to have to drag several heavy suitcases across the country if you are stopping over along the way. I frequently use these services - -they are several competing companies that are lined up as you exit customs / immigration after you have collected your suitcases in the airport arrival terminal.
Of course, be sure to find out your complete address or that of a person who can receive your luggage including a phone number (contact). Have them also write out for you in Japanese so that you can show it to various people/transportation staff, etc as you make your way to Matsuama and your new accommodations.

Domestic airline are mainly just two: ANA (All Nippon Airways) and JAL (Japan Airlines) both of which have both domestic and international routes and they both have affiliated regional carriers but I think you'd best try them first, if you'd prefer to fly.

There are a few separate discount air carriers, but so few in fact, that they only really serve top tourist destinations (Okinawa, Hokkaido) and not Ehime Prefecture. I have to tell you that probably most people who fly in to go to Ehime are probably going to prefer to use KIX (Osaka International Airport) -- I have not used it myself but there are flights -- although less often and few airlines to serve it - -than Tokyo's Narita (NRT) aiport. NRT is about 60 km from downtown Tokyo so it take time and some cash (or credit card) to get from the airport to Tokyo, but the same is pretty much true for KIX too.

NRT (Tokyo Intl Airport)
http://www.narita-airport.jp/en/index.html
KIX (Osaka Intl Airprot)
http://www.kansai-airport.or.jp/english/index.htm

There is a domestic-flight-only airport in Tokyo called Haneda (a 20 min. monorail ride to central Tokyo or by airport express bus from Narita to Haneda)


You can find ANA ANA (Domestic) - see their Intl tab too .
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/index.html
I prefer ANA -- only because it is a Star Alliance member.

JAL (also has an English site)

I just checked ANA for Aug 26 (for example) from NRT to Matsuyama there were not flight. But there were several flights from Haneda to Matsuyama - it appears that the cheaper airfares are not much more than the bullet train (Shinkansen -express, high speed reserved seat trains) IF you buy enough in advance.

Japan National Tourist Organization
http://www.seejapan.co.uk/index.html
Specific info on transport
http://www.seejapan.co.uk/ftransport.html

Trains from AirportsTokyo Intl Airport (NRT)Narita Airport Express (NEX)

Kansai International Airport (Osaka) KIX http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/kix/index.html

The country's national network of trains a complex conglomerationof both semi-govt and private train lines but JR is the oldest and formerly THE Japan national rail service (before its being semi-privatized:

So Japan is divided into East (and North) Tokyo and northJR EAST:
http://www.jreast.co.jp/e/
and JR WEST: Osaka area and south are known as West Japan:
http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/global.html
World Eki-Net which is mentioned on the JNTO pages no longer accepts reservations so you would need to use the JR East or JR West sites to pre-book.
http://www.world.eki-net.com

Hope this gets you started. I'll let you know what esle I find out from my friend Paul, who lives on Shikoku.

David


----- Original Message -----

Date: Thu, 6 Jul 2006 19:17:29 -0700

From: Tyler To: David Subject: japan update
David,
My year in Japan is approaching fast, and I am excited to be thrust into a new culture. As I mentioned before I will be teaching at Ehime University in Matsuyama City. I will be leaving the states at the end of August.
I was planning on flying into Narita and probably catching a flight toMatsuyama. I don't know much about the train system or ferries down south. Any advice on travel/either of the flights? Any opinions on best/cheapestfares both international or domestic? I only know what I've found onlineand don't know anyone else who travels there frequently.
On another note I just spent 2 weeks in Hawaii with my girlfriend as a kindof post-graduation relaxation. And I finally made it to the Big Island fora few days. I was blown away. The variety of landscapes and mini-climateswas astounding. And Volcanoes National Park was like nothing I'd seenbefore. We saw a lot of the island, and I really enjoyed Waimea. It's soverdant and much cooler. I can see why you are there so much.
I hope all is well. And I really want to thank you for all of your help. Ican't believe that the idea of living in Japan I spoke to you about 2 yearsago on a plane is actually happening.
Best,
Tyler