Russia

Russia is one of the places you may end up having a long lay-over on a flight to Europe.
This can help you make the most of those lost hours.

Visas:

A visa is needed. The good news is for stays of less than 72 hours, you don't have to deal with the hassle of registering it. However, Russia is VERY strict on visa issues. Make sure that you check and double check to make sure that your papers are in order before you step out of the airport.

Getting there:

Singapore Airlines - http://www.singaporeair.com - via Singapore
Aeroflot (Russian national airline) - http://www.aeroflot.aero/eng/
JAL - http://www.jal.co.jp/en/

Places to go:

Moscow

Sheremetovo 2 airport is not that far outside the city (to the north), although depending on traffic (which gets worse every year) it can take from 30 minutes to a couple of hours to get into town. There isn't a train connection, but there are taxis (use common sense here!!!) and buses.

Like any big city, Moscow is reasonably safe if you pay attention to what's going on around you and don't act obnoxiously like a tourist. Things are changing in Moscow every year as it looks more and more like any big Western city but the basics are still the same.
The historic downtown is pretty compact and has a million things to see and do. The subway is very easy to navigate and you can get just about anywhere. Head into the centre, everything is merely minutes apart.

to see
The Kremlin - Look at it from outside or go inside too. Government buildings as well as numerous historic cathedrals. Also, the "biggest bell never rung" and the "biggest cannon never fired" are inside.
Red Square - bordered by historic buildings on all sides. Famous St. Basil's Cathedral at one end - go inside. St. Basil's is actually 7 small chapels - each tower is the roof to one. Fascinating narrow winding stone stairs between them.
GUM - Russia's 1st Shopping Mall. Stands for State Universal Shop. Full of designer stores now, but if you're not into shopping, check out the historic architecture and central fountain from Czarist times.
Aleksandrovsky Sad - Gardens running alongside the Kremlin. Also includes the tomb to the unknown soldier with its eternal flame.
Manezhskaya Square - Close to Red Square. A marble & gold shopping mall with lots of fountains, statues, impressive staircases, etc. It starts at ground level and goes DOWN. While excavating for it, they found some remains from ancient Moscow. Thus, alongside is a small Archaeology Museum.
Moscow River - opposite end of Red Square from Manezhskaya Sq. Great scenery. Walk along to the reconstructed Church of Our Saviour - gigantic white marble/golden-domed cathedral with fascinating history. Built to commemorate Moscow's defeat of Napolean in 1812. Torn down by the Soviets after coming to power in order to build somewhere to house their new government, but the engineers couldn't get a building to stand on the swampy river bank. In the mid-90's the cathedral was rebuilt as accurately as possible, using historic records and photos. The Red October chocolate factory is just across the river - when the breeze is right, it smells REALLY good here! (Red October is one of the 2 main brands of Russian chocolate - you are highly recommend to try it)
Old Arbat Not far from the centre, a pedestrian shopping street. Connects with the New Arbat, also a shopping street, but full and busy with traffic.
Novodevichy Cemetary - Also a convent. Wander through the cemetary and see the graves/monuments of many famous Russians & Soviets - artists, musicians, politicians, etc.
Sparrow Hills/Moscow State University - Sparrow Hills are the highest point in Moscow, so you can see out over the city. MSU is one of Stalin's so-called "birthday cake buildings" - an interesting view of Soviet Architecture up close. South end of the city.
Gorky Park - famous park, nice for walking through, various rides, etc. In the winter you can rent skates and go skating on the pond; sometimes there are snow & ice sculptures there, too. Get the subway ring line to Park Gorkogo.
Museums - Tretyakovsky Gallery. A bit out of the centre - 2-3 minute walk from Tretyakovskaya subway station. Houses Russian artwork from ancient icons up to the modern day.
Pushkin Museum. Mainly classical (Greek & Roman) art. Many of the items are replicas (they're labeled as such). Also a bit out of the centre.

Travel/Trans-Siberian Railway:

The best up-to-date information on rail travel in general, with special mention of the Trans-Siberian, is Seat61 -http://www.seat61.com.
http://www.seat61.com/Trans-Siberian.htm
http://www.seat61.com/SilkRoute.htm
It has maps, approx. prices, how to book, everything. Even includes details on the two main passenger boat links between Japan and the Asian continent - Kobe/Osaka to Shanghai, and the west coast of Japan to Vladivostock.

Top tips:

• The Russian consulate in Beijing will issue a tourist visa only to Chinese citizens and people with Chinese resident cards. However, they reportedly will issue a 10-day transit visa to anyone, so it depends on how long you plan on taking to get across Russia. Also, these are fairly recent changes and apparently the Russian Embassy in China webpage doesn't reflect this changed information. Maybe best to play it safe and get your visa before you leave Japan. (Though reportedly this is difficult too!)

websites

http://members.aol.com/imershein/Page2.html - info on Russia, getting a visa, Russian consulates around the world (including Japan) etc.
http://www.monkeyshrine.com/ - to book tickets and tours
http://www.visatorussia.com/ - info about getting your Russian visa and many services including getting you an invitation letter.
http://www.expresstorussia.com/russian_train_tickets.html - info on taking trains within Russia

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