*Useful Links*
・Learn more about the Japan Rail Pass : https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2361.html
・Japan Rail Pass Calculator Tool: https://www.japan-guide.com/railpass/
・Regional Rail Passes: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html
・Highway Buses: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2366.html
・Japan Bus Pass: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2369.html
・Domestic Flights: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2365.html
With the Japan Rail Pass’ drastic price increase in 2023, many travellers will look for alternatives during their trip to Japan. In this video we are going to take a lot at some of the best alternatives to the Japan Rail Pass.
*Chapters*
00:00 Introduction
01:46 Japan Rail Pass
02:37 Regular Train Tickets
03:44 Domestic Flights
04:34 Highway Buses
05:24 Saving Money On Train Tickets
08:57 Outro
*Video Credits*
Videographer: Charles Sabas
Producer: Stefan Schauwecker
For more information about Japan:
https://www.japan-guide.com/
Any questions regarding your future trip to Japan? Feel free to ask a question in our question forum:
https://www.japan-guide.com/forum/quedisplay.html
24 Comments
How about supplements ticket? How does it work?
With the opening of the new Brazil/Japan agreement, why not make a presentation in Portuguese or at least with subtitles in Portuguese?
JR Pass was such a treat when I visited Japan in 2008.
I had the 21 Day pass and used it every day!
7 Days in Tokyo for regional ans Subway train´s.
For the transit from Tokyo to Kyoto and in and around Kyoto of curse.
Transit from Kyoto to Fukuoka and oll over the area there.
For example I went to see Beppu and mount Aso from Fukuoka.
I also went to Kagoshima and its surroundings.
From there I went to Osaka for my Flight back home.
It was such a great time.
Sadly that kind of trip would be much more expensive now and I struggle to see equally cheap alternatives.
Combining multiple Regional passes will easily be as, if not more, expansive.
What do you mean by paying supplement with limited express train when you want to do stop over in kyoto riding from Tokyo to Hiroshima?
Ok that part of the base fare from 0524 onwards really needs more clarification etc. It is definitely confusing.
It probably needs more examples to clarify how the savings would apply. E.g let's take a journey from tokyo to Hiroshima with a stop at himeji. If one were to take shinkansen on both legs, how can one make it cheaper? Do you mean one should buy for tokyo to Hiroshima base fare and buy two extra limited ticket to cover shinkansen vs tokyo to himeji and himeji to hiroshima? Is that what you mean?
If yes, we may also need videos of how to do this via ticket machines. Most tourist i suspect do not know how to buy these base fare and additional ticket for shinkansen or limited express.
You forgot to mention the Hokuriku Arch Pass. We are going to purchase this one because still worth it without lots of travelling and no rise in price 😊
Very informative and clear.
Plan your trip around the passes. Which is to say choose your regional pass and then plan your trip within its restrictions.
Having used a combination of all these travel methods over the years, it just takes a bit of planning. I always use a basic spreadsheet to calculate my fares to decide on the best option and mode of transport. Can also mean modifying your plans to take advantage of available discounts. Also consider taking a slower train which can save a fair bit of money for a relatively small time difference in some cases. When planning, Google Maps is pretty well refined in Japan now and probably the easiest option since Hyperdia went downhill. Jorudan is also worth a look, but limited without using the paid version. On a positive note, people might also consider visiting alternative destinations outside the typical Golden Route to battle costs.
that’s ok i think i’ll just walk
70%…just why 😢
Great content. A shame that the increase in price almost made the pass unviable.
The route passing any given station twice is a bit tricky. Could you please explain in detail with real examples?
The price is insane now but the alternatives can be complicated
Great info. Thanks!
I have no interest in this video whatsoever
Both JAL / ANA offer flight passes exclusive to foreign visitors. They are much cheaper than Shinkansen if travelling long distances within Japan. For example, HND to ITM is only 7700 yen for JAL, and HND to FUK is only 11000 yen.
Got my pass right before increase, but good to start thinking of alternatives for next time!
Thank you, this was so helpful
Is Sam Evans back?😀
Когда у вас будут интересные видео? Были же? 5 месяцев без интересного контента!
Not even the increase in JR pass rates can deter me from going back to Japan! Those regional passes are definitely an option to consider when moving around within a certain prefecture.
there should have been mentioned JR passes do not cover all travel unlimited within the stipulated period as there are exceptions with non jr privately owned lines and of course the nozomi shinkansen
I have booked my 5th trip to Japan using the JR paid a few days before the price increase. I think from the next trip on, we will start focusing in specific areas of Japan, using only regional passes. They increased of price, but not mentally like the standard JR.