Exploring Japan WITHOUT a JR Pass: 6 Alternative Travel Options:
Everyone’s heard of the JR Pass, but did you know prices are set to increase dramatically? In this video, we explore 6 alternative ways you can explore Japan WITHOUT a JR PASS! đ
While JR Pass prices soar, regional rail passes can still provide great value, especially if you’re sticking to a specific area. Regional passes are exclusive to international tourists and, despite price increases, remain budget-friendly compared to the Nationwide JR Pass.
If you’re an adventurous traveler, consider the Seishun 18 Kippu ticket, offering unlimited travel on local and rapid JR Group trains. It’s a cost-effective option for those exploring Japan’s lesser-known cities, and you can even share the ticket with friends.
Flying domestically can be a faster and cheaper option, especially with budget airlines like Peach and Jetstar Japan. Don’t miss the JAL Japan Explorer Pass for affordable flights to over 30 cities.
Local city passes, like Tokyo’s 24-hour Metro Pass, are perfect for intensive urban exploring. However, be aware that some cities are phasing out passes due to overtourism.
Highway buses from companies like Willer Express offer an affordable and comfortable way to explore Japan’s less-traveled destinations. You can even save on accommodation with overnight buses.
For the adventurous, renting a car can be ideal, especially in rural areas. Remember, you’ll need a Japanese driver’s license or an International Driving Permit.
In Japan, travel options are diverse, and there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Mix and match to create your perfect Japan trip. Stay connected with pocket Wi-Fi or an e-sim for stress-free navigation.
Use my Sakura affiliate link to get your travel data/e-sim and support the channel. Thanks for watching, stay positive, and safe travels! đžđŸđ
http://www.ninjasaru.com
Join this channel to get access to perks:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0i5f25sQBpEWYQC1Y1tthQ/join
#japantravel #japan #jrpass
12 Comments
You look so grumpy on the picture đ
Grumpy Ninja
Hi Nathan!!
Am I late?
Regional passes were always my choice for extended stays! Might use domestic flights mixed with train for my next trip as we will be covering a larger area in a shorter time frame. Another good video with lots of helpful information â„ïž
Excellent đ video there are so many ways to travel ! I look forward to using some of these methods đ”
Good info, I didn't know there were bus passes. The sleeper bus and train between Tokyo and Osaka look interesting too, but the Sunrise Seto train looks difficult to book if I don't have a JR Pass.
I didn't think you looked grumpy! I was waiting to see if something would slide off the shelf though…
A joy to watch!
I have heard that you can buy used Seishun tickets at places around Tokyo (you can't find them here) with some days left on them but not the full 5 days, super cheap. Since you can use that ticket for non-consecutive days, it's possible.
Not sure you know this, but there are some new local regional passes. These are usually by prefecture (example, Iwate Holiday Pass), or regional (Hoku Rikku Pass). These passes are about $25 USD, and if I'm going to Morioka, it saves me money. They are available all year, but only on Saturdays and holidays, but at certain times they are available any day of the week. They offer one day of unlimited local trains within the region. Iwate is huge, so it really is a good deal of you are staying in one area and want to go someplace far away. 'Holiday Pass'. Year round, and you can get them on any Saturday. Available to anyone, including residents.
Passes available to tourists are way better… I think even as a tourist, this one could save you money though (and the price is NOT going up) if you, I dunno, check out Yamagata or Hoku Rikku areas.
Great Video as always. On our last trip, we rented with Nippon, my buddy's company had an account with them. It was rather curious, they said they don't rent (hire) to gaijin. We were in Yakushima, Tokyo and Morioka, they all seemed to state this… weird?
I strongly DO NOT recommend using the Youth 18 ticket for only short trips to Yokohama and Kamakura.
The Youthful 18 ticket is 12000 yen for 5 days, thatâs 2400 yen for one day.
A one way ticket from Shibuya Station Yokohama Station is „305 and „502 to Minato Mirai station on the Tokyu-Toyoko Line and from Shinagawa Station (to Sakuragicho station) the cost is „406 yen on the Tokkaido Line and Keihin-Tohoku Line. This makes it about a 1000 yen round trip cost at the most, that means youâll be losing way more money. A one day pass would probably be cheaper for a trip to Yokohama.
Same for Kamakura, A one way trip from Kamakura on the JR Yokosuka or JR Tokaido Lines in only „736, or „1472 round trip. Still cheaper than „2400/day.
The Youthful 18 ticket is best used for those who have no problem taking 3 to 8 hour train rides outside the major cities as those rides can easily hit „7000 depending on distance.
I have been hoping that you would do a video on some of the other train, air and bus options. There are also some ferry options that can be combine with bus and rail via some passes. Since I haven't gone into in depth planning as of yet, I really only know they exist. The JR pass was my go to in the past, maybe not in the future. I've been looking at buses and the network is much more extensive than I previously realized. However, multiple buses on routes is not true of the whole country, so coordination and preplanning will be needed to make it all work.
Basically, using multiple travel methods is going to be the way of the future for Japan travel. So, it well be even more important to access to up to date on line info, and Ninja Monkey's Sakura Mobile options will no longer be a nice to have, but a mandatory must have for Japan travel.