If you decide to arrive via Tokyo you will land at Narita Airport. This airport is located approximately 70 kilometers (44 miles) to the northeast in the neighbouring prefecture called Chiba. First you need to get to Tokyo. Don't even think about taking a taxi. There is an airport bus - but its progress will depend on the traffic. The best way to go is by train from the airport's train station.
The Skyliner (Narita Express) will take you from Narita to Tokyo station in around 60 minutes for 1,660 yen. There is an express train every 30 minutes. Tokyo station is a major station on the Yamanote Line - the large loop line that Tokyo commuters use to get around the JR system. If the reason you decided to enter via Tokyo was to see friends etc then this is where you change to the JR lines. If you are continuing to Yamasa then change to a Shinkansen (bullet train) on the Shinkansen Tokaido line bound for Nagoya station. You will notice from this point onwards that there will be very few signs in English and very few English speakers. If you can't speak Japanese make sure you buy a phrase book and dictionary BEFORE you head for Japan. If you are booking a seat remember that if you sit on the right hand side of the train you might see Mt. Fuji if the weather is clear. On the left side of the train you will be close to the ocean as the Shinkansen tracks follow the coast very closely in some sections.
You need to specify how you want to get there because there are two methods and the prices differ accordingly:
1. The fast way: There are 4 or 5 Hikari Express trains leaving Tokyo each hour so you will never need to wait long. A Hikari reaches Nagoya in 1 hour 55 minutes (the Hikari doesn't stop between Yokohama and Nagoya). The ticket to Nagoya will cost 10,580 yen (Normal JR fare + Shinkansen extra), you will then need to board a Limited Express for Okazaki (28 minutes/600 yen). If you call us from Nagoya then we will be waiting for you at JR Okazaki station when you arrive.
2. The slower cheaper way: When you think about it, a speed of 200 km/hr isn't really slow, though all things are relative. Take a Kodama (all stops) Shinkansen from Tokyo to the city of Toyohashi. This takes 1 hours and 54 minutes. There are 2 Kodama trains each hour. The Shinkansen fare will cost 8,700 yen (Normal JR fare + Shinkansen extra), you will then need to board a Limited Express for Okazaki (20 minutes/570 yen).
3. VERY SLOW but even cheaper ways: From Tokyo station it is possible to take a highway bus bound for Nagoya, or ride the local trains south, changing at Atsumi. Using the local trains will take around 6 hours (the bus is about the same), and costs 5,460 yen. The train is more convenient, as you arrive at JR Okazaki station. The bus stop is a fair distance from Yamasa at the highway interchange, and the taxi fare will range from 1500 yen to 2500 yen depending on the time of day. Due to the time involved, do not use either of these options unless you clear customs/immigration at Narita airport BEFORE 11:30am. Otherwise you will arrive in Okazaki at night and the hotel bill will be larger than any savings made with the train fare.
If you decide to arrive via Osaka then you will land at Kansai International Airport. This airport is located on a man-made island in Osaka Bay. This new airport has excellent transport connections. The best way to go is by train from the airport's train station.
There are two methods.
1. Via Kyoto: The Haruka (Kansai Airport Express) will take you from the airport to Kyoto in 75 minutes for 3,490 yen. There is an express train every 30 minutes. From Kyoto board a Shinkansen for Nagoya. You can take either the Hikari express or the Kodama as they are the same price - 4,930 yen. The Kodama takes 56 minutes, the Hikari 42 minutes. At Nagoya change for a Limited Express to Okazaki on the Tokaido Line. It will take 28 minutes to reach Okazaki and cost 600 yen. If you call us from Nagoya we can then meet you at the station.
2. Via Osaka: Take the train from the airport to JR Osaka station. This takes 52 minutes and will cost 1,160 yen. At JR Osaka you need to change trains to the JR Tokaido Line and go to Shin Osaka Station. This takes 5 minutes and costs 160 yen. From Shin Osaka you can take a Hikari (60 minutes) or Kodama (73 minutes) Shinkansen train to Nagoya which will cost 5,670 yen. From Nagoya you will join the Tokaido Line again and take a Limited Express for Okazaki (28 minutes/600 yen). If you call us from Nagoya we can then meet you at the station.
In both cases you will notice that there will be very few signs in English and very few English speakers. If you can't speak Japanese make sure you buy a phrase book and dictionary BEFORE you head for Japan.