What I Learnt Today

Neurosurgeon Charlie Teo gave the 2012 Australia Day address.

He called for tolerance, asked us to be less angry over unimportant things, and to foster innovation.

“My view of an Aussie was someone who was hard working, unaffected, genuine, affable, relaxed, egalitarian, irreverent and charitable. I still believe most Aussies share these appealing qualities, although I am saddened by the increasing incidents of rage in our society. Once there was only road rage but now it seems to have spread into the workplace, the malls and even the last bastion of the laid-back, free spirited Aussie, the surf! I don’t wish to trivialise the adversities of everyday life, but when a mother has just lost her son to brain cancer, or a husband his wife, or a daughter her father, and I see this 7 days a week, 365 days of the year, it makes the driver who overtakes on the left or the surfer who cuts in on your wave, seem so inconsequential. I am sure, if you are one of those angry people, if you could spend a day in my shoes, you would rapidly attain a more realistic perspective that the most important determinant of happiness is our health and the health of our loved ones.”

“Australia is a great country. Generations of Aussies have given us the foundations onto which we may construct an even greater nation – one that is culturally and socially sensitive; acknowledges a responsibility to our own people as well as neighbours who are less fortunate; and identifies, nurtures and rewards innovation. I would like to see this Australia Day as a turning point. I want my fellow Australians to think of the lives that have been sacrificed for what we take for granted. I want everyone who finds themselves angry and intolerant to think first about the misfortunes of those who are less fortunate, such as those with cancer. I want anyone who has come from another country to embrace the Australian way of life. I want all Australians to see how immigrants have contributed to our nation and to appreciate that a prosperous country has a responsibility to share our resources. Finally, I want to thank Australians for giving me professional and personal fulfilment, for believing in me when some of my colleagues didn’t, and for seeing a Chinaman as an Aussie, not as a foreigner.”

His full speech is transcribed here.

http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/australia-day-2012-address-full-speech-20120123…

Everything else you need to know about Australia Day is at WILT last year

http://whatilearnttoday.com.au/happy-australia-day

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Transfers from Narita to Tokyo

Narita airport is 90km from downtown Tokyo.

The JR  Express train connects the two – stopping in Tokyo at Tokyo Central, Shibuya and Shinjku.

(JR – Japan Railways)

Whereas you can often save money by ask purchasing unreserved seats when traveling by train in Japan, all seats on the Narita express are reserveds seats.

Tickets are ¥3108 – about $39 – children half price.

At the airport (Terminal Two), turn right when leaving customs to walk to the JR station.

You can use the automatic ticket machines, but if paying by credit card our experience was that it is better to pay in the JR ticket office.

The trip takes about 90 minutes.

On the return trip, it is worth noting that Qantas and Jetstar leave from Terminal 2 – the 2nd last stop.

Trains depart about every 30 minutes in each direction, leaving Shinjuku at 10 past and 20 to the hour.

Train Travel in Tokyo.

Tokyo has an excellent metro system, and maps are available in most stations.

To complicate things – some routes are serviced by JR trains, some by the Toei subway system, and others by the Tokyo Metro system. You need a different ticket depending in which you are traveling. Generally, you can get by just using the Metro, which makes buying tickets less complicated.

This Subway Map shows all the metro lines and the JR lines. 

To use the ticket vending machine for the Metro, look up  your destination on the large map of the network above the machines on the wall. It will tell you the ticket price needed to go to your destination. If your journey requires a transfer from one line to another, the one ticket will suffice for each leg (it will be returned to you each turnstile until you reach your destination, where it will be retained).

On the machines, 

1) Press the button ‘English’

2) Press the button ‘Ticket’

3) Prsss the appropriate amount of yen for your destination.

4) Use the pictorial buttons on the left to select the combination of adult/child tickets you need

5) Insert the total amount required. You can enter a ¥1000 or ¥5000 note, but it is a good chance to get rid of some of the shrapnel you collect.

At each destination there are fare adjustment machines. You can Insert your ticket to find out if you have underpaid for the trip.

If you are unsure of the correct fare, when buying your ticket you can always just buy the cheapest possible ticket, and top it up if necessary at the fare adjustment machine when you get to your final stop..

Although its more fun to play with the map. you can cheat by using the online fare and route checker available here.

If you have a number of trips planned, you can buy a one day pass for unlimited Metro rides for ¥710 from the machines, or ¥1000 if you want to include the Toei lines.

A one day pass for Metro, Toei and JR costs ¥1580, also available from the machines or from the JR ticket office.

This video is for US servicemen – How to Buy a Ticket.

 

The Shinkasen

Japan is famously well serviced by a high speed rail network – The Shinkasen.

You need two tickets when travelling on a Shinkasen – one normal ticket and then a supllementary ticket for the express service. You can choose reserved or unreserved seats – reserved cost an extra ¥500 or so – about $6. We found it best to purchase tickets from the office rather than the machines.

The Tokyo-Nagarno service runs about hourly and costs ¥7460 (about $93) for unreserved seats, half for children. 

The Tokyo-Kyoto route has even faster Nozomi trains which costs ¥13520. ‘Normal’ shinkasen also service this route (¥13020)

You can check the fares for other routes here.

Bento Boxes

It is ‘compulsory’ when travelling on Shinkasen trains to purchase a Bento Box from the platform to eat while travelling.

JR Rail Pass

If you are travelling frequently, a JR pass may be worthwhile. It never worked out for us.

A 7 day pass cost ¥28300 ($353). It entitles free travel on all JR rail trains, including reserved seats on Shinkasen, except Nozomi Shinaksen.

 

 

 

 

 

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Alex took this photo on the Tokyo metro.

You wouldn’t want this dude’s Nodogoshi to be any more elaborated.

Biiru kudasai.

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WILT has spent the last couple of weeks on sabbatical in Japan.

There are many circumstances when you need cash in Japan, especially outside Tokyo. Most places do not use Eftpos, and many do not take credit cards. This is surprising in such a technological country, and it is doubly surprising tha getting cash while in Japan can be surprisingly hard.

Before you go, the Australian Post Office tends to have the best rates for ¥.  You need to give them a few days notice.

When using our credit card in Japan, most cards seem to have a 3% surcharge plus $8 or so fee when you use them.

Let your credit card company know the dates you will be away before you go, and it is best to have a PIN number for your card, as some places expect a PIN rather than signing.

Many ATMs do not accept International Cards. Some will accept Credit Cards for cash advance, but not debit cards. It can be a bit hit and miss. The Cirrus and Maestro logos on the machine make it more likely they will work, but are still not a guarantee.

The ATM in the arrivals hall at Narita (to the R of the customs exit) accepts international cards and is a good first call.

Sometimes you can have luck with ATMs in a Seven11 store. Post offices will often have an international ATM. Citibank machines tend to work well, as do other international banks. 

Citibank Office near East Exit Shinjuku Station.

It is daunting at first entering the lage amount of zeros when withdrawing money from an ATM.

As a rule of thumb, it can help to remember that a Yen is about a cent.

• A 100 Yen coin is about a dollar (in fact, 80c)
• A 1000 Yen note is about $10 (in fact, $8)
• A 10000 Yen note is about $100 (in fact, $80)

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