hellyer 216 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 This coming season (Jan/Feb) we have decided to travel to and from Narita to the skijo and between skijo's on a Saturday so as to avoid the Saturday crowds on the hill. We have always traveled midweek before. Will I find the trains more or less crowded on the weekend? Link to post Share on other sites
joshnii 2 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 I would say generall very much so yes. But, which trains specifically? Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 NEX to Tokyo and ASAMA to Nagano Link to post Share on other sites
Slippery Jim 65 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 NEx probably about the same, maybe a bit more crowded if coming into Tokyo on sunday p.m. Asama? I'd definitely get reserved seats if sat/sun a.m., or coming back to Tokyo sunday p.m. Link to post Share on other sites
ippy 66 Posted August 25, 2012 Share Posted August 25, 2012 morning shinks on weekends to both nagano and niigata in winter are pure cluster****s. Id say the niigata one is a darn sight worse though youll be glad to know. The nagano one seems to chill out as you start hitting ueda. Actually it might be karuizawa it starts getting a bit easier if i remember right. Still, by the sounds of it, youre planning on riding up after the mad morning rush, so honestly you should be alright. Probably get reserved seats though unless you really enjoy standing in narrow corridors with forty other people Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 Early on a Saturday on the Joetsu can be pretty awful. I've been on it at other times when it has been almost empty and then when it has been crowded and difficult to get a seat. Difficult to read. Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 Joetsu Shinkansen is pretty wild on weekends. I would definitely reserver if you use that. Where you skiing next season, snowjunky? Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted August 27, 2012 Author Share Posted August 27, 2012 Madarao Kogen and Shiga Kogen so will avoid the Joetsu I have a choice of ASAMA to Nagano - one departing Tokyo at 10.24a.m. with only 2 stops (Ueno & karuizawa and the other departing 10.44 with 7 stops. I presume the express will be less crowded? Link to post Share on other sites
onsen tamago 0 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 I presume the express will be less crowded? I would naturally presume that it would be more crowded..... Link to post Share on other sites
muikabochi 208 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 You like your Madarao and Shiga Kogen hey? Maybe come over and meet up when you are there.... Blue skies dependent of course Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted August 27, 2012 Author Share Posted August 27, 2012 Would be great to catch up Muika - my dates are on the -'who where, what' thread Link to post Share on other sites
Sciclone 2 Posted August 27, 2012 Share Posted August 27, 2012 I find the Sunday morning shinks fairly decent. Just rock up, buy your ticket and hop on.. Mind you we do leave at around 8.30 or 9.20, so it means by the time you get to Nagano and catch a bus to the mountains, that you'll be looking at 12.30 before you are strapping on. Not such a problem if you are staying for the week... We'll be catching a Friday morning Asama up this time, but still hope to be on the resort by 1pm. Link to post Share on other sites
scouser 4 Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Sunday is better than Saturday for fairly obvious reasons. And later in the morning better as well. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 3, 2012 Share Posted September 3, 2012 I've never seen any big crowds on the Joetsu shink at weekends....that said I always ride the early morning one. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I've never seen any big crowds on the Joetsu shink at weekends....that said I always ride the early morning one. EVERY time I have taken an early morning Saturday shink, it has been packed out to the rafters. Link to post Share on other sites
hellyer 216 Posted September 10, 2012 Author Share Posted September 10, 2012 Thanks for the feedback folks - I think we will have a leisurly breakfast in Tokyo and take the Shink mid morning. The bus from Nagano to Madarao doesn't leave for Madarao until 2 pm anyway and connecting from Narita through to Nagano to hook up with the only other bus at 10 am is not doable unfortunately. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 10, 2012 Share Posted September 10, 2012 I've never seen any big crowds on the Joetsu shink at weekends....that said I always ride the early morning one. EVERY time I have taken an early morning Saturday shink, it has been packed out to the rafters. I must just be lucky then. I've never failed to get a seat on the early shink, our party is always able to sit together. Link to post Share on other sites
RobBright 35 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 Do you reserve them or just jump on in the free seating area? Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 11, 2012 Share Posted September 11, 2012 I've done both......usually reserve but sometimes We haven't been able to get the deal seats on the train I want so we've bought the reserve tics for the later train and took the early one anyway, using the free seats Link to post Share on other sites
igloo 3 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 The one time I went was really busy, standing only. About 8am it was. Link to post Share on other sites
Tubby Beaver 209 Posted September 13, 2012 Share Posted September 13, 2012 I'm always on the trains just after 6am Link to post Share on other sites
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