Is the Narita Express First Class (Green Car) really worth it?

[@LisaMarli]

My niece was on the Narita Express leaving Japan in 2011 - you know where this is going - she was on the train when the Big Earthquake hit. Train stops, no power. They eventually got power, but the train couldn't move until they finished inspecting the track. They got some busses to take people to Narita, but she thought of the benches in Narita vs the seats on the train, and stayed with the train until it eventually got to the airport. They brought food and blankets for the people who stayed on the train and she slept well while waiting for things to settle out. Her phone was working so we did get a text that she was fine, the train was safe and she would get home eventually. Neither the tracks or the airport were damaged in any major way, so she made it home just fine after a delay.

[@christy76840]

Glad she was safe. That was a horrible tragedy that happened to Japan. She was one of many lucky ppl

[@juniperblueness]

Like I said in my first comment ever, I've been binge watching your videos. I adore them. I feel like I'm with you and it's a lovely quiet time. Glad to see you enjoying your curry even in a current video. I know it's a favorite of yours. :)

[@sinjinmonsoon9055]

I ❤ the whole video but the food is the best part. That curry looked brilliant. Japan is so beautiful. 😊

[@NoWay23548]

“I need something to drink” Corn soup. Wait, what?!

[@NotDocHandsome]

Thank you so much for the amazing content you make! 🙏 It always makes my day better, since your videos are always so calming and relaxing.

[@RetroYoungen]

How neat, I was on the economy Narita Express maybe a week after you were here. The economy experience is quite nice, quiet and relaxing enough we could get some rest before our flight across the Pacific. Much better than the regular train for sure.

[@feynthefallen]

And to answer your question from the title, I'd say not really. The seats are quite worn and damaged, and really not all that different from a standard seat. I'd pay the premium on school excursion day, but otherwise I'd go for standard.

[@RobotRogue]

Love your videos! Last thing I would want to eat before leaving Japan? カレーライス。

[@TobiasJärvinen]

Thank you for a new great video STJ! Your content makes my days in cold and dark Norway much brighter 😊.

[@MsSmartmonkeee]

We had Yakinuku the last time we were in Kyoto. Lovely video of your train experience

[@JusuchinPanjirinanu]

The last thing I ate before I left Japan was a tempura set in Haneda a few days ago on my flight to the Philippines. As I'm going through Haneda again for my trip back home, I may consider another meal set.

[@trevor8572]

Great work Solo san it was like watching a home movie as my family and I have travelled on the Nex many times. Not green class.. In Queensland the train from Airport to Gold Coast is about 90 min. No where on that train is somewhere to put luggage. No recliner seats. That's why we live the travelling to Japan. And you my friend show off your beautiful country well. Gidday from Down Under 🦘🦘🦘🦘🦘

[@ischmidt]

It's KZbin tradition that if the title of a video is a question, the answer is always "no". Glad to see you understood that, STJ! Curry would be the first thing I'd have upon arrival in Japan. And also the last thing. And in between.

[@bubbledoubletrouble]

See also Betteridge’s Law of Headlines

[@groermaik]

That chow looks SOOOOO nice!

[@ScatterplotSpots]

The last thing I ate when I visited Japan was an amazing curry in the lounge at Haneda airport. I remember it well. ❤

[@SoloTravelJapan]

JAL Original Beef Curry🤤

[@elliottswanson9307]

The last meal I'd want to have is a beer and a shot at joint called Moon Palace in Shibuya...

[@Steve-xf4uv]

The curry certainly looked mouth watering, I'm sure it was delicious and I will try it on my next visit to my daughter in Tokyo. BUT before I leave for Canada, I want Tokyo Banana !! My sweet tooth demands it. Very good video, I'll try the N'EX on my next visit. .

[@Sacto1654]

The Keisei _Skyliner_ is actually a very nice train but it does have one huge downside: you have to do a transfer either at Nippori or Keisei Ueno Station to get on a train to get to other parts of Tokyo. At least with _Narita Express_ , you go directly to the main Tokyo area stations, which is very convenient if your Tokyo hotel is near these stations.

[@luke211286]

I took the Skyliner about half a year back going to Narita Station, and to be honest, I was slightly disappointed with the seats. The old generation trains were way better and luxurious. But it was only about 40 minutes and it's also cheaper, so I guess one gets what he pays for. The accessibility you mentioned is another issue. Changing at Ueno Station via JR line isn't that easy as well because you have to transfer to a separate building which would be a hassle for those with mobility problems. So at most cases, yeah, just take the Narita Express. Or, if your airline flight times align with your preferences, just use Haneda Airport as point of entry

[@AnaSolVa]

Curry is pretty high up my list of food I want to eat before leaving Japan. Basically, for the Green seat you are paying for a nicer seat material, more leg space, a footrest, and dealing with less people while getting off 😅

[@naenae3461]

I really want an unforgettable bowl of udon in Japan. 🍜 The care and time that is put into homemade noodles and the soup stock is incredible 🇯🇵

[@paulinelau7809]

Thanks

[@SoloTravelJapan]

Thanks for the super!

[@2006Whippet]

I took the N'EX standard car on my trip and found it perfectly comfortable, and I'm 6'5 (195.5 cm).

[@catherine59226]

Yay! A new video! ❤️👍🏻

[@sunny_girlfriend]

I tried curry rice for the first time this weekend because I always see it in your videos and it was really good!

[@LovetoMissLisa]

I've never had curry, but I believe watching your great video's has made me want nothing but curry😁😋. If I ever get to Japan...I'm not leaving. Then I'll get to eat everything!😉😀☝👏

[@RosieMe5]

If you live near an HMart or other Asian grocery store you can get S&B curry which is Japanese style. It's very easy to make :) Sometimes you can find it at other stores too

[@LovetoMissLisa]

@@RosieMe5 Thank you for the info 🙏 🙂

[@rezaalan3991]

Great trip. To be honest I want Katsu Curry, but I'm aware about Pork product, because I can't eat it. To be fair, Green Class just winning by seat width and more legroom, but other than that no difference with Standard seat.

[@marianenetten3067]

I answered curry before you did. Every time you show it in the videos it looks really good.

[@zivennesheim5183]

I took the N'EX Green Car heading to Narita to fly home. While it was a little more expensive, it was worth it since it was so quiet compared to the ordinary car, which during that time was filled with a lot of people. Also got lucky to have the whole car to myself.

[@saskiyoshiaki]

日本人には快速｢エアポート成田｣がございますので、特急料金が必要な成田エクスプレスに比べても普通車は乗車券のみで利用できるので、成田空港からの海外旅行にも京成線と共に重宝されると思います。

[@zivennesheim5183]

@@saskiyoshiaki Thank you for the information! I think I will use this route when I travel to Japan again next year.

[@jennieambrose]

My last meal in Japan was a Hokkaido cheese plate and fries from a place in Haneda terminal 3. My actual dream meal is anything from Katsutoku Toyohira in Sapporo. ❤

[@4origamist]

Flying out of Japan, I'd love to eat something with eel. The unadon at a small place in Ueno just captivated me.

[@NANICU]

Always Ichiran ramen for my last meal before leaving Japan 🤤. Back to Tokyo next week and I'm already drooling. CoCo Curry is also a must😅!

[@taniasalu2405]

Last thing my daughter and I ate? We spent almost all the money left on our Pasmo cards at 7-11 Kinshicho, buying Hi-chews, Calbee chips, strange drinks, Melty kiss... everything! And gorged on it on the flight home.

[@jimwolford7294]

I was riding the Narita Express and noticed some passengers that were speaking Australian-English. One of the passengers had been in Japan for a while and went to the airport to pick up his friend. I think it was in the Green car and there was the trolley service with an attendant selling snack. "Hey, you wanna a beer?" said the first man in a booming voice. They both had a beer, while the first man explained how easy it is to get a beer in Japan.

[@raidensnake9471016]

Japanese love their beer 😅

[@petershillito]

I don't think I have ever seen the point in the Green Car on most services. It's a lot of expense for not much extra. If you got some food and drink like on Gran Class, maybe it would be worth it.

[@judgedee7956]

I agree, for my wife & I (both in our 70's) Green Car is worth it on the Harukah when returning from Kyoto to Kansai Airport. The standard cars fill up quickly in our experience & we've seen passengers standing all the way to the airport on multiple occasions. Also, on one occasion in standard class, I had to stand from the airport to Tennoji on the last service for the night

[@countD8852]

Before I left Japan, I ate a few things at Haneda: Onigiri Konga, Yoshinoya, Mos Burger, Tully's...but the last thing I specifically got because I knew I would miss it once I was gone was some curry-pan from 7-11. It sounds like a lot, but I was at Haneda for a while on my last day in Japan and I got there really early so everything I ate was spread out fairly well. I really hope I can get back there sooner rather than later, I miss it.

[@krissp8712]

Currypan for the win!

[@elliottswanson9307]

I've noticed quite a few of Solo Travels vids have very uncongested trains. This is great, because Japan has prioritized quality mass transit, as opposed to the dirty, bloated and entitled US public transit systems that only prioritize freight. Also, re reclining seats, in the US some morbidly obese person would be likely to recline fully and f-bomb any suggested requests towards politeness. (US train travelers need to separate from the pig people and get a roomette.)

[@marsha6549]

Chicken Katsu is similar to Texas's Chicken Fried Chicken. We use a thicker batter, though. Your coffee and cupcake dessert: we call it a cake roll, not cupcake. Our cupcakes are baked in round muffin pans, mini, regular or large sizes, with frosting on top of them.

[@toni-kaku]

The curry looked really nice. Just like the plastic ones in the window

[@CptShelby]

Last dinner is always Sushi in this exceptional bar in Narita. I prefer to sleep the last night in Narita and take the local train to the airport. If the flight is not in the morning I will eat something at the airport, but I have not found something great there yet in the waiting area.

[@charlottesenior]

this was really good very relaxing and I so need to try a curry

[@jeremy1350]

こんにちわハク！ 先日、モントリオールのイートン センター モールに行ったとき、地下鉄とライトレールのインターチェンジの接続点近くの廊下に「日本のおもちゃ」の自動販売機がたくさん設置されているのを見て、あなたのことを思い出しました。

[@daanski82]

"What is the last thing you want to eat before you leave Japan" because my bananna Republic The Netherlands has a huge offer on sushi, i would say Okonomiyaki or Tomkatsu❤❤❤ thinks for the great journey's

[@scottgordon1781]

Very cool trip , where are all the other passengers ?

[@samsanimationcorner3820]

You read my mind with the curry comment. Lol. Although I've never been to Japan. Would love to visit. However, I've learned to make it at home.

[@alexstrolls801]

Before leaving japan I ate ramen, maybe next time it will be curry😉The minute you said eww to the stain on the seat, I knew you wouldn't give a five star experience😂

[@DJAtomic5]

The last thing I ate before I left Japan was Okonomiyaki in Haneda airport

[@TheLaughingPanda]

The last thing I had was udon. I love udon.

[@ladrenadavis4358]

Great job 🎉

[@Hakazu]

I used the Next both times when I was in Japan, kind of expensive but well worth it.

[@t4N9410oR]

4:05 It's always a great day when you've posted a new video :) As for Green Cars being "worth it", for mobility impaird people, the Green Car is our only option, since Japan has no disability anti-discrimination regulations to require that _ALL_ carriages on new constructed trains, are disabled accessible. On the existing rolling stock, the only carriages made with entry doorways wide enough to be disabled accessible, are Green Cars. Not regular carriages on suburban trains or express ones like the N'EX, or the regular carriages or even the Gran Class ones on the Shinkansens. Nope, for mobility impaired, the strictly limited number of spaces on Green Class carriages is all there is for us.

[@tmntleo]

Yikes, remind me not to go to Japan in the near future.

[@t4N9410oR]

@@tmntleo I look at things from a disabled user's perspective, because I always have to figure out how I'd get my 82cm wide rollator walker into or out of places, and on or off public transport, when I'm thinking about where I'd like to travel, if I could win the lottery. Being on the pension, with how bad inflation is here in Australia, no way to save money for travel, so winning the lottery is the only chance to afford to travel. While there's nothing like the current model Shinkansen here, and it's odds on there never will be, for suburban train travel here in my state, ALL carriages on all suburban trains here are disabled accessible. That's the standard I'm comparing Japanese trains to. That high degree of accessability will be great in 2032 when Brisbane hosts the Olympics and Paralympics.

[@tmntleo]

@@t4N9410oR I am disabled and in the UK and one of the things I don't have issues with is the public transport funnily enough. I vary between a walking stick, rolling walker and wheelchair depending on the day and I've never had issues with buses or trains. I am always looking at stuff through a disabled lens as well, but I didn't know how bad it was in Japan until I started watching channels like this and all I see are stairs, thin isles etc.

[@lzh4950]

I heard that in Japan, a wheelchair-bound passenger was even called 'self-centred' by netizens & told to take a taxi instead when she asked for more level boarding platforms

[@t4N9410oR]

@@lzh4950 Carriage door level platforms help, but they are not the be all solve. There's always the gap between the carriage door, and the platform, so a ramp is always needed.

[@ZestyTime233]

I haven't been to Japan yet, so i can't say what my last meal would be before leaving, but,,,, i've always wanted to try unadon ☺️✨ It look super delicious, glaze make my mouth water every time i see it ww

[@Max_Thi]

Ryoko kippu o nedan ga takai, kimi dake shimashita, sugi video ni kao o to hanashi ga chotto misete dekimasen ka. :)

[@ghostbride8718]

I feel like the last thing I would like to try before leaving Japan.. Is either tonkatsu or curry. I feel like i would try ramen at another point during the travel~

[@mikulda2]

Wifi was working? I took the Narita express, connected to on-board wifi, then i had to fill my e-mail to get the confirmation mail. I opened my mailbox, clicked on the link and got a 404 error. I was actually impressed that IT problems are the same worldwide. 🙂

[@areareare9953]

404 - it's like digital Esperanto for "nope".

[@a350xwb]

The seats look similar to our ITX-Saemaeul.

[@mak155]

Please come to Kuala Lumpur and try the KLIA Express

[@mariadolorescarpena2674]

Please allow the option of subtitles in other languages. thank you

[@SirRawThunderMan]

I've only just returned from Japan. What I wanted for my last meal there was either Yakitori or donburi, followed by one last Coolish. Unfortunately, I made some mistakes (don't do all your souvenir hunting on the last day, it eats all your time) and didn't have the time to stop for food before the flight. And then the Lawsons/Family Mart at Haneda only had cups of ice for iced lattes in their freezer. I'll be back though. And no Coolish will be safe.

[@debbiecurtis4021]

I've used this train in 2019. I've been to Narita 3 times. In 2019 I was very disappointed with food services and duty free in the airport. I love Kansai International Airport the best.

[@andyinsdca]

Curry! There's a place in Tokyo Station that does a great curry, I always ate there on the way home (back to the USA). It was one of those restaurants that you buy a ticket and then give the ticket to a server.

[@paulus12345]

The last thing I would want to eat before leaving Japan is something I haven't eaten before!

[@ExpressPassExplore]

Curry is the first and last thing John has to eat. Coco is favourite then GoGo. We are back in Tokyo in January and want to try a more local curry shop. Can you recommend anything in particular? Also love your content. Hopefully we will return end of next year also and try the ferry to Hokkaido. Keep up the good work Solo 🤗

[@krissp8712]

Happy birthday last month! Always a treat to see more new Australian creators in Japan!

[@ExpressPassExplore]

@@krissp8712 thank you!! Japan is our absolute favourite destination 🤗🩷 Can’t wait to film new content again in January.

[@FourDollaRacing]

The first thing I want to eat in Japan is tonkatsu or a katsu sando.... or, both!

[@haneulseung1978]

The last thing I'd wanna eat before I leave Japan is Tsukemen or some Udon during winter.

[@renerivera9715]

Beautiful ❤

[@mariojsworld]

Great train ride.

[@TyronHamamoto]

My traditional pre departure meal is always sushi. While its possible to get good sushi where i live it doesnt quite hit the level of quality for price you get in Japan even at the airport.

[@feynthefallen]

Great. Now I've got to make chicken katsu with curry. And I'm hungry. And on a diet. Well, I'll do it for everybody when my niece and nephew next come for a visit. The kitchen doesn't get any messier wether I make one or twenty.

[@sineadsmyth846]

It’s so silly for every seat to be booked when the train is empty. In Ireland we would just move seat without asking when there is clearly so much space.

[@netrhyda8761]

Haha fun fun fun! At least you had curry!!!

[@munbok]

I agree that the Standard seats are good enough. I would not pay more for a Green Car when I am in Japan. The standard seats are very comfortable.

[@sdetent5787]

🍛 curry. Your videos can make any day great!

[@Jennifercgarcia]

Are there toilets in the regular or free car section? Thanks for the video

[@blktom]

Both cars had the markings on the back of the seats. A rare miss in Japanese engineering where the seats were to close.

[@bobmetcalfe9640]

The last thing I ate before I left Japan was a European/British roast meat with gravy - because I'd become nostalgic for home food after two weeks of Japanese food.😁

[@educanassa100]

Nice trip

[@ユーラ-w7z]

0:29 Green Car would be better described as Business Class rather than First Class, because there are even higher classes, such as Premium Green Car and Gran Class.

[@sebastianmineo1313]

Pork tonkatsu and a cup of miso is what I like to eat as a last meal in Japan. I'm not crazy about curry.

[@Silvrstarr]

The N'EX Ordinary seat is enough. It's spacious. I believe those that use the green cars are mainly those that already have the Green JR Pass. And if you already bought that pass, you won't want to go to the ordinary car.

[@charu11eric11]

座席のところ気になります。浮き上がってたの？　what was with the seat when you were pulling it up and down?

[@mobilespeed]

OMG, I'm also having a curry with rice & omelette as breakfast at La Toque on the day that I'm leaving Japan back to Malaysia. And yes, La Toque is halal certified.

[@road_so3138]

The last thing i want to eat before leaving japan is Beef Soba with Green Beans 🥰

[@Ultracity6060]

If I could only try one thing in Japan, I think it would either be chicken nanban or Yamagata style soba restaurant ramen.

[@saskiyoshiaki]

成田エクスプレスは2024年3月のダイヤ改正まで一部が八王子からも運行されていましたが、利用減少で成田空港～新宿まで短縮となり、青梅線からの利用も不便になったかと思います。

[@kevanhubbard9673]

Surely as it was a quiet trip you could have just sat anywhere anyhow and there was no point in asking the train guard to swap seats?

[@bubbledoubletrouble]

15:21 They spelled purchased incorrectly D:

[@MilwaukeeWoman]

I like カレー very much but I want lots of お好み焼き!I can get ingredients (Otafuku brand mix and sauce) imported from 日本, but I want to try it in 日本! I also want to get fresh corn mayo pan from a bakery. There is ONE bakery that makes it, but I have nothing to compare it to.

[@PWx4]

Is there significance on calling it the Green Car? Meaning is it energy efficient or "green?"

[@vivianmavros2963]

To answer your question Curry has to curry , another great video

[@christy76840]

It's the Curry fanatic!

[@johnp139]

How do you get these “discount fares”?

[@johnp139]

So the GREEN is STILL 2x2 seating?!?

[@johnp139]

There’s no one on the train, so why do they have assigned seats?

[@ricksipes2026]

Sorry, STJ, but my last meal would be ton katsu, altho' that chicken katsu curry looked awfully good. I would have had the dessert tho..

[@pyli535]

I ate sushi right after I got off the plane in my last trip to Tokyo. Maybe another sushi would close the trip perfectly.

[@marilynturcotte5304]

I think you would be correct in saying that the Ordinary Seat is a better deal, there is nothing special about the "Green Car." I have never been to Japan, for sure there may be curry on the menu.

[@ob1quixote]

I'm curious why the conductor made you move. Did someone else sit in 7A? As for is it worth it for the Green Car, I'd say if you're still sharing an arm rest, is it _really_ "first class?"

[@RosieMe5]

They asked to move because someone had spilled something on 7A. The seats are all reserved, so they had to make sure they weren't moving to a seat someone had bought

[@danopticon]

There’s a benefit to having conductors on trains. Owing to penny-pinching, in the USA very few trains have conductors now, so if there were a spilled drink on your reserved seat, you’d probably either have to live with wet pants, or else get into a fistfight with another passenger to change seats, or else just sit somewhere else on your own and then receive some weird bill in the mail when the facial recognition cameras detected you were in the wrong seat and the train company decided to penalize you to make a few extra dollars.

[@danopticon]

I would like to make love to Hello Kitty. Is this beautiful dream beyond reach?

[@areareare9953]

I've not understood the love of curry in my country, never mind others. 🍛 For me, it would probably be something that's just not offered here. I can get (overpriced) and reasonably fresh sushi here - but maybe something really different that I can't get here. Then I'd go home and try to make it myself.

[@elteescat]

CURRY! DEFINITELY! 🩷🩷