If you are planning a trip to JapanYou have to know that once there, the train will be your best means of transport. It is one of the most comfortable ways to go from one place to another. So, if we have already chosen the transport, now we have to get the Japan Rail Pass.
It is a ticket with which you can travel through the entire extensive railway network that you have in Japan. Of course, there are also some exceptions that should be known. Find out everything you need to know about him Japan Rail Pass and discover this simple way of being able to travel without major incidents.
What is the Japan Rail Pass?
As we have already mentioned, the so-called Japan Rail Pass is a ticket that gives you access to Japan's rail network. We can also define it as a kind of pass. With it, we will access the vast majority of the trains that are managed by the companies of the group called JR.
What trains do I have access to?
As we have mentioned, you can have access with the Japan Rail Pass to the vast majority of trains, especially to those that fall within the JR (Japan Railway) group. Less on some of the so-called high-speed trains. You will be able to access the Shinkansen, except the Nozomi and Mizuho.
Still, one of the great advantages is that you can access the Tokyo Yamanote Line. A line that will leave you in all the key points of this city. There are also local JR bus lines available, as well as the JR Miyajima ferry. You can also go on the Narita Express that will tour the airport area and places in Tokyo.
Where can I buy the Japan Rail Pass?
One of the key questions is to know how to buy this type of ticket. It is very important to know that it is always better to buy it before arrival in Japan. Why? Well, because the price will be a little lower than if you buy it in Japan. On the other hand, once there, it only exists in some very specific stations. So it is always better not to risk it.
Buying it online is your best option. The website will send you a kind of voucher that you will have to redeem when you arrive in Japan. It is best to make the purchase about three months before your trip. Once there, you will have to go to a JR office that you will see both at airports and train stations. It will be here where the coupon will be exchanged and you have to say on what date you will use it.
Japan Rail Pass types and prices
You have passes of 7 days, as well as 14 and 21. In each of them you can choose if you want the green pass that will be first class or the tourist or second class. It must be said that as the trains are more than great, economy class is always convenient. You will save a little and you will go in comfort. The 7-day tourist pass costs around 218 euros.
The one of 14 days, also in tourist, 348 euros and finally, if you choose the 21 days then you will have to pay 445 euros. Children up to 11 years old will pay half. Perhaps if we travel in high season or holidays, then it is convenient to pay a little more and choose to make a reservation in our place. If, on the other hand, you go first class or the so-called Pass Green, then the prices vary a bit. The 7-day has a price of 291 euros. While the 14 days, 472 euros. Finally, if your stay is going to be 21 euros, you will have to pay 615 euros.
Who will get a Japan Rail Pass?
In this case it must be said that the Japan Rail Pass is intended for foreign travelers. But yes, for tourist purposes and that they are a short period of time in Japan. In this way, it is available to any type of foreign traveler as a temporary visitor. Although this type of ticket was not intended for people of Japanese nationality, this year this has changed slightly. It seems that if they meet a series of somewhat stringent requirements, they will also be able to benefit from it.
Can I reserve a seat?
Most express trains have seats that can be reserved. However, there are none on local trains. To make a seat reservation, it is always more expensive, unless you have a Japan Rail Pass. In this way, it will be totally free. It is not mandatory to reserve a seat, although if you are going to do a long journey it is more advisable. In the same stations, you have offices where you can make reservations, since this service is not available online.
Is it worth buying the Japan Rail Pass?
This ticket is worth it if we are going to discover different places. That is, if you are only going to visit Tokyo or the Mount Fuji Region as well as somewhere else, it may not be worth it anymore. More than anything because they are specific places that you can pay for single tickets. The Japan Rail Pass is to move, to be able to see visit very varied places and keep in mind that every day you will change your destination. If you plan to enjoy Kyoto, as well as Tokyo, Kobe or Hiroshima among others, then yes it will compensate you. You are going to save a lot of money with the Japan Rail Pass.
If you were already clear about your destination, now you have a new incentive to get to know it better. Undoubtedly, Japan is one of the areas with a lot of charm, with unique corners and of course, with great memories that are worth enjoying. So, what better way to do it than by investing in a ticket that allows us to access all of this.