How to Travel Japan by Train Without JR Pass, Best Alternatives 2024
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- Опубліковано 14 чер 2024
- You can travel Japan by train WITHOUT a JR Pass by purchasing single-journey Shinkansen bullet train tickets, opting for a regional JR Pass, or paying for local transportation with an IC card. You may even do all three! Now that the price of the Whole Japan Rail Pass has drastically increased, it's not likely to save you money. But there are plenty of alternatives in 2024. Here are the best ones!
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Buy Shinkansen bullet train tickets on Klook: geni.us/shinkansen
Smart EX: smart-ex.jp/en/index.php
JR Fare Calculator (to see whether the JR Pass is worth it): kenshoquest.com/recommends/jr...
Hokuriku Arch Pass: geni.us/hokurikuarchpass
More info: www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pas...
Tokyo Wide Pass: geni.us/tokyowidepass
More info: www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/pas...
Kansai Wide Area Pass: geni.us/kansaiwideareapass
More info: www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ti...
Sanyo-San’in Rail Pass: geni.us/sanyosaninpass
More info: www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ti...
Hokkaido Rail Pass: geni.us/hokkaidopass
More info (scroll down): www.jrhokkaido.co.jp/global/e...
Hakone Free Pass: geni.us/hakonefreepass
More info: www.odakyu.jp/english/passes/...
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JR East: www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/
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JR West: www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/
JR Shikoku: www.jr-shikoku.co.jp/global/en/
JR Kyushu: www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/
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🌺 ABOUT US
Aloha! We are a worldschooling family with three young kids. Our home base is the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii. We've been living a nomadic lifestyle for the past 15 years. We hope to inspire you to begin your own quest!
We appreciate the commissions we earn when you purchase through our affiliate links 💕Shinkansen tickets: geni.us/shinkansen
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you deserve all the likes - and i mean ALL THE LIKES - for this informative video!!! Our heads were spinning from all the useless-to-vague misinformation flooding social media surrounding rail travel around Japan.
Glad it helped!
So glad I found your channel! Such great information! Thank you!
Always amazing tips from the channel. Thank you very much
Thank you for your videos, they are always so clear!
Glad you think so!
Just recently discovered your channel. Love your well presented and useful advice on a myriad of topics. Would appreciate further info on the Tokyo Wide Pass. Keep up the great work😀
I absolutely love you guy's videos. Theyve helped me so much with the information ive been looking for. So blessed that i found this page. Thank you guys so much. Excited for the next video.
Thanks!
Thank you!! I’m going first 2 weeks of March and this helps a lot!!!
Thank you. You are always very informative and helpful in many ways regarding Japan travels.
Thanks for the kind words. 💕
Thanks for the info and I appreciate it!
Great vlog. We used the JR pass last year but now it is not worth the cost for us. We usually stay in a large city for 3-4 days and visit the surrounding area. JR pass only pays off if you take multiple long distance Shinkansen trips. The regional passes look like a great option.
Aloha kensho quest, I recently came back from a two week trip from Japan. I planned my trip around your videos. It was a great help. Can’t wait for my next trip.
Aloha and mahalo for letting us know you had a great trip!
TY so much. Your contents are so helpful very detailed.
You are so welcome!
What an awesome informative channel, planing our first Japan family holiday, so helpful thank you 🙏🏼
You’re welcome! Glad to have helped.
Great video! simple to understand, much better than staring at websites comparing and reading changes made 1 by 1.
Glad it was helpful!
Thankyou both for your detailed information , well done ! first timers to Japan in early October .
Have a wonderful time in Japan!
That's Awesome! Cheers for more incredible and lovely globetrotting adventures!
Cheers!
Thank you very much for the video! Really feeling illuminated hahah, had a alot of questions regarding regional JR passes, especially Hokuriku. Thanks!
You’re welcome! Here’s our video about the Hokuriku Arch Pass:
ua-cam.com/video/Z_BlVF-h_xk/v-deo.htmlsi=8baqzedsDNJ9tPsw
I have watched a lot of your videos and have got a digital SUICA card, UBIGI SIM card, apps you recommended, Japanese Translation, bought the Shinkansen tickets via Klooks and the JR websites, bought some merino wear. I am flying in a weeks time. The past 1 week has been intense with lots of planning and reading. Now I am ready! I am grateful to both of you for providing so much clear, simple yet detailed information on travelling to Japan. Purely important information that we need. Thank you very much. 🌻😊
Thank you so much for supporting our channel! Have a wonderful time in Japan!
I really appreciate your great channel. Very useful information and up to date which has been of great benefit in my planning to travel in Japan in April 2024.
Great to hear! Thank you.
This is such an amazing video. It's informative, concise, and easy to follow. Thank you so much!
You’re welcome! Will you visit Japan soon?
@@KenshoQuest I plan to visit this July. I am educating myself about the transportation options and was so glad to have stumbled upon your video!
Thank you so much for your videos. We are heading home from Tokyo now. You helped us a lot. It was a great trip!
Thanks for letting us know! Glad to hear that you enjoyed Japan!
This was super helpful, thank goodness for you both! I feel like you've held my hand since I started my Japan-booking journey a few short months ago...LOL Big mahalo guys, keep up the great work!
Aloha, So glad it was helpful!
Very good information!!
Superb video. Very informative. Thank you so much for sharing such vital information. We are planning the trip in Nov '24.
We wish to cover main places from Hokkaido (north) to Nagasaki (south) . Will try to fit the trip in 12/13 days.
Please make a video on cheaper accommodation/ hotels or any other options.
Thankyou soo much i was almost going to buy the jr pass but i just want trains from nrita to tokyo and Tokyo to kyoto to osaka the arch pass saves me money in a lot of different ways thanks again
Thanks guys
You're welcome!
Thanks so much!
0:27 Great information. Thanks for sharing!
THANK YOU!!!
You're welcome!
Thanks
This was awesome
niceee video
thanks!
Thanks!
Thank you!
I made 3 Bullet Train Trips, green car reserved seat: Tokyo to Hiroshima, Hiroshima to Kyoto and Osaka to Tokyo and came in well under the pass threshold.
you used JR pass?
@@LOVEJESUS-mc3nk no I didn't need to buy one I only made 3 trips
“To buy or not to buy?” the JR Pass is now the #1 question for everyone traveler.
This is a great question that does need some clarity. We will try to help with this in an up coming video :)
The answer is never fix, tailor it to your trip.. for me 7 days trip to tokyo-fuji-osaka-nara-kyoto, all transport cost around ~23000 yen, with JR pass 50000yen and you still need to pay for transport that not cover in JR.. key point is do your research before going.. calculate total cost of your transport and decide which one is better.. nowadays you can get rough estimation of train/bus/taxi fare from google maps/ navitime apps.. you can benefit from JR pass if you travel far distance using shinkansen, back and forth.. for me 7days trip, JR is not worth it anymore..
so dont buy??
@@LOVEJESUS-mc3nk Since my wife and I are going to Hokkaido and then down to Kochi and Beppu Onsen via Kanazawa on a 20-day trip, the 14-day full JR pass is still worth it. If you are just doing the "golden route" (which we always avoid) then don't buy the 7day or 14-day pass. Hope this helps.
wow they really make it a whole other chore to plan all the individual trips. That adds a lot of stress if you don't have your trip details planned down to the day. Might as well get the JR
Really practical information as always. Thanks so much!
The non-JR passes are intriguing and no channel has mentioned it (as far as I’m aware) in my feed.
Question: is the Tokyo wide pass the one where you get off/on at Otsuki station? Or is that if you took the Japan wide JRP?
It’s the Whole Japan Rail Pass that ends at Otsuki Station, since that’s as far as the JR line goes. The Tokyo Wide Pass goes all the way to Kawaguchiko Station, as it includes the Fujikyu Railway. 🌸 Heidi
thank you for the great video! will you guys be covering the new takayama-hokuriku pass as well? since many nature places you showed in this video can be reached with this pass!
You’re welcome! Thanks for the suggestion!
Thank you! Another very handy pass is JR Kansai- Hiroshima are pass for 17000 which also covers Hiroshima, Kyoto and Osaka
Thanks for sharing!
Terima kasih banyak informasi nya sangat membantu, ini informasi yg saya cari terutama untuk saya yg berencana untuk mengunjungi Tokyo, five Fuji lake, enoshima dan kamakura musim dingin nanti, dan subtitle nya sangat membantu
Once again, thank you very much for the very useful and instructional videos. I am spending 28 days in Japan , tokyo, takayama, kanasawa, hiroshima, kytoto, suszuka area (F1) and back to tokyo. Still figuring out if it is worth it (JR Pass) adn where else to go..
Thank you sooo much for this video! 🫶
My wife and I were just in Japan for 2O full days. Of those 20, we had a 14-day pass that we used to go to Sapporo, Shiobara, Beppu, and Kurobe. Sapporo > Beppu one way alone would’ve cost $230USD.
Sounds like an awesome trip and a perfect example of when the JR Pass is still financially worth it. Thanks for sharing :)
Very informative thanks! Any guide/suggestions on what is beta to see and do in kansai and Tokyo? It's overwhelming 😁 Thanks!
Hi, so glad it is helpful! As for what is better to see and do that depends on your interests. But in general if you want to see ancient Japan with temples and traditional culture then go to Kansai area, especially Kyoto. But Osaka will have modern Japan so this is always a good choice. If you want to see hi-tech Japan then Tokyo is an amazing and gigantic place where you can spend many months and still not see it all.
You guys are the best helping us save and enjoy. Thank you.
Is there a pass that includes ferry rides to Busan?
We are going next month to Fukuoka - is Aomori area included in the regional pass too ?
Thank you guys!
Last year you guys helped me and my family to enjoy the Sanrio Shinkansen ride as I followed your instructions. Thanks a lot of that!
Hi. We don't know of a pass that includes ferry rides to Busan. There also isn't a regional pass that includes both Fukuoka ( in southern Japan ) and Aomori ( at the northern tip of Honshu Island ). Those are both covered by the Whole Japan Rail Pass. 🌸 Heidi
Thanks! I was looking at the pass and at individual ticket prices and thinking..why bother!
I'm thinking of a Japan vacation in 2026. I'm sure things will change a bit by then; maybe an IC option for Android phones? Thank you so much for your extremely clear and helpful videos. I grew up in California and have lived in Hawaii now for 22 years so...trains? The options in Japan are spectacular!
We’re California transplants who lived in Hawaii! Train transportation in Japan is amazing! I’ve ridden Amtrak trains in California, but it isn’t something I’d necessarily recommend. I’m happy to ride Japan trains every day. 🌸 Heidi
Thank you for the useful info. I'm interested in the Hokuriku Arch Pass. I can begin my train journey in Osaka, correct?
Yes, you can start from Osaka. Here’s our Guide to the Hokuriku Arch Pass:
ua-cam.com/video/Z_BlVF-h_xk/v-deo.htmlsi=H7rD2xYFmUQbIlJK
Great video, I really enjoy the way you both present in an easy to understand way. Could I ask a question?
For someone arriving in Osaka, visiting Hiroshima, Wakayama, Nara (days 1-7) Kyoto (days 7-11), Kanazawa, Takayama (days 11-14) and then Tokyo (4days) over 20 days, what would you recommend
Hi, so glad to know the video is easy to understand. For your trip you might consider the kansai Hiroshima pass then once you head north to Kanazawa use the hokuriku arch pass to Tokyo and continue using it in Tokyo. For the remaining times you can use an ICOCA card which you can get on arrival in Osaka.
my plan for my trip is using combination of Narita Express and tokyo wide pass.
i might not get the Tokyo wide pass, instead opting for tokyo 1 day passes for each day. (considerably way cheaper, 15,000yen vs 4,800yen for 3 days)
my itinerary is
day 1 Narita to Ofuna using the N'Ex, then using suica card from Ofuna to Gotemba.
day 2 climbing mt fuji
day 3 coming back down from fuji and head to kanagawa, using suica card.
day 4-6, using tokyo pass to visit various places around tokyo and yokohama (might need a 1 day Yokohama-Minatomirai pass)
day 7, using suica card to Odaiba during the day, evening i'll use the N'Ex return leg to reach a hotel right next Narita airport.
day 8 is a super early flight out of narita
i was leaning towards getting the Jr East pass and visiting Niigata for 1 day
but i didnt want to repeat my 2019 trip of train rides for half the day.
this time i'm taking it slowly.
Thanks for sharing. I’m sure others will find this useful!
I was in Japan on a two-week trip this past December.
We visited 6 different cities and used public transportation the entire time.
The JR pass was invaluable.
Thanks for sharing!
What do you suggest?
I am flying to Osaka. I will stay 2 weeks and. I planned to give a visit to 6 districts except Shikoku
@@mazinalansari88 If you're only staying in Osaka, then I would just look at a regular city pass.
Great informative video - Thank you very much. We will be dropping off an organized tour in Kyoto and will be continuing on our own to Osaka, spending 3 days with one dedicated to doing a day trip to Himeji. From Osaka, we will go to Hiroshima, spending 2 days, with one dedicated to the Miyajima. Would it be worth buying the Sanyo San's Area pass to cover all the transportation? Appreciate your input. Thanks again
HI, yes the Sanyo San'in Area Pass will cover your route. However, it might be a bit overkill since you won't be going to Fukuoka. Instead, you might be interested in the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. You can also use it to visit Himeji if it works with your travel dates. (aff link) geni.us/kansaihiroshimapass
Thank you for all the support. We love your channel!
But may i ask, what is the better or/ best option for transpo to do, card wise,
Will be staying in tokyo dec20-26, osaka dec26-30, tokyo30-jan3
I'd opt for a SUICA card. It should work fine in Osaka as well.
Thanks for this wonderful video! Can we use the Kansai Wide Pass using Haruka Express from Kansai airport going to Kyoto?
Hi, yes, you can use the Haruka Express from Kansai airport to Kyoto with the Kansai Wide Area Pass
Sounds great! Thank you and more power to you guys!!! @@KenshoQuest
Hi! Is there any chance you guys do a video on the new Tokyo Toyosu Manyo Club?
Thanks for the idea! We don't currently have a video planned on that topic.
This is a very comprehensive summary. Thank you for sharing. I was wondering, a family, do we share one IC card, or each member need to have their own? Are the apps available for android?
Each person needs to have their own IC card to use it for transportation. The digital IC cards are only available on Android phones that were purchased in Japan. We talked more about IC cards in our Tips for First Time Visitors video:
ua-cam.com/video/JSrqzF0tSls/v-deo.htmlsi=ftOOQ_qVBJDT_BgW
Hi Guys. Managed to sneak in on last cheaper JR Pass trip in Oct 23. Loved Japan so much, I'm going back this year. Was wondering about the other regional passes you've mentioned. Do you need to go through the manned checkpoints for these too? and get the stamp, the same way we did for the JR Pass?
Yes, you will need a temporary visitor stamp in your passport for many JR regional passes. There are some passes that are also available for Japanese to use, so those don’t need it.
I’m really bummed that JR raised the price of JR Rail Pass. I used to use 7 day pass to travel Hakata-Osaka-Tokyo (Nagoya or Kyoto too sometimes) and I’m not sure what’s the most economical and convenient way to do that😖 Especially with small children…they’re turning 7 and 5 this year. Any recommendations?
Great video. One question though, if you buy tickets from Klook/Smart EX, are the tickets just on the phone and you can tap and go? or do you have to go to a kiosk and print out a ticket?
You still need to go to a ticketing machine to print the tickets. Here’s our video on how to purchase and redeem Shinkansen tickets from Klook:
ua-cam.com/video/zwMKE3pmBP4/v-deo.htmlsi=ILZhRIC-nz6XtIRT
If you purchase from Smart EX it is possible to load the Shinkansen ticket onto an IC card and tap that at the ticket gate. That’s a bit more complicated than just printing the ticket at a machine.
After listening to this video, I have cancelled my trip to japan and have developed love for my Australia 😊
Hi guys!
Thank you for your video as I’m trying to do some research for my Japan trip later this year as far as train pass options go.
Can I ask what you would recommend for a 18 day trip (7 in Tokyo, 4 in Kyoto and 7 in Osaka), with travel being confined to within those cities whilst there?
Hi, with your itinerary you may not need a pass at all. Since you will be confined to those 3 major cities then purchasing individual shinkansen bullet train tickets will be the most economical way. Unless you travel a lot between cities you will not need any type of pass. For all travel within the cities purchase an IC card upon arrival. Either an ICOCA, SUICA or PASMO will work well in all three places.
I hope this helps!
That is very very helpful - thank you so much!!!
Thank you this was helpful. For travelers from India we don’t have Apple Pay option so even though we have an iPhone we cannot get the online version of suica card.
We've heard this from a few people now. Sorry about this. At least you still can get a physical welcome suica or Pasmo passport at the airport.
I’m in Japan currently I ended up buying a JR west Hiroshima pass which ended up being much cheaper
Thanks for sharing!
Would love to know about travelling options in the northeast Sendai, Morioka- Aomori bullet train or other train line options
Hi, we just finished a trip through the Northeast Tohoku region and used the shinkansen bullet train through all three of those areas. There are also plenty of buses and local trains available. You might be interested in this video where we discuss a regional pass for the area: ua-cam.com/video/L6XSbdRsfN8/v-deo.html
Thank you for the update! Does the Hokuriku Arch Pass work in conjunction with the Kansi Wide Area Pass or is there considerable overlap?
Hi, there is a lot of overlap. The main areas in the Kansai Wide Area Pass that is not include in the Hokuriku Arch Pass is Okayama, Himeji and Wakayama. It will really depend on how much time and places you plan to visit in the area to make the Kansai Wide Area Pass worth it.
@@KenshoQuest Thank you so much! If we just want to explore Osaka, Kyoto, and do a day trip to Nara, do we even need the Kansai Pass?
@@sleepkeeper42069 For those you don’t need the Kansai Wide Area Pass or the Kansai Area Pass. You could just use an IC card for Kyoto, Osaka, Nara. If you want to take a bullet train between Kyoto and Osaka you could buy an individual ticket.
@@KenshoQuestThank you!!! So many choices, it's hard to decide when none of them are wrong, just more cost than necessary. You guys are the best!!
Love love your video, I subscribed right away . We going to stay in Tokyo for 3 night ( we plan one day trip to Mt Fuji) then go to Osaka for 2 night then Kyoto 3 nights , come back to Tokyo for next day flight out . What do you think the best pass should we get ? We are traveling for first time ( 2 adult and 2 kids )
Thank you so much in advance 😊
Hi, thanks for the compliment! For your itinerary you may not need a pass at all.
If you will be visiting many places around the Osaka Kyoto area then the Kansai wide pass will serve you well. Otherwise, you may get by just fine using an IC card which you can get upon arrival in Tokyo. From Tokyo to Osaka and back, just purchase individual Shinkansen tickets.
Thank you for your prompt respond, we were looking for airbnb at area shinjuku, but after looking at your airbnb vs hotel video , I changed my mind , I might just find hotel instead , do you have any advise what area we should look that not over crowded but still nice and easy to access everywhere with family to stay ? Thank you
I think the only time I would not buy the JR PASS is if the alternative is not complicated
Thanks you guys for making such informative videos! We plan to take train to Kyoto after landing in Tokyo in early July. Do you think we can just go to the train station without reserve tickets? We are not sure if the flight will be delayed or how long to setup everything at the airport? I see the train to Kyoto is pretty frequent. Thanks a lot 🙏
Hi, since you are not traveling during a busy holiday season AND as long as you are not traveling late at night ( after 10pm ) you should be able to purchase tickets on the spot and get on a shinkansen train to Kyoto, as you already mentioned they are quite frequent! You can purchase your ticket at the airport from the JR ticketing office or their reserved ticketing machines.
@@KenshoQuest Thanks a lot! I feel much relieved 😀
Hi Kensho, I may travel to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, which card can use for all of three cities? Thanks.
PASMO, SUICA, or ICOCA would all work.
I have a questrion: with the Hokuriku Arch Pass, can we travel in the city of Tokyo illimited? (yamanote line, shinjukiku, shibuya ?...)
Hi. Is your question whether the Hokuriku Arch Pass allows unlimited rides in Tokyo? Yes, you can use it unlimited times on the specific lines in Tokyo that are covered by the pass. Please see the map on this website (scroll down to Service Zones): www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/hokuriku-arch-pass/
Hello Guys, you are both so nice to share your Japanese experiences with us, thank you.
My friend and I both older than 70yrs old and I need your opinion and your help. We are planning to visit Japan from 04/03/24 though the 25 . We are 🎉planing to visit Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Gizan, Takayama , would you recommend to get buy the JR pass green ?
You might just break even if you buy the tickets individually. But a 14-day pass gives you so flexibility and many more options. Also, Takayama is out of the way unless you’re heading toward Kyoto or returning from Kyoto on your way back to Tokyo via Nagano. (We always do a loop and never back track.)
Hi, for your itinerary we agree with @nateshf9303 as the flexibility and convenience of the whole JR Pass cannot be beat. However, do note that if you purchase the green pass, while it is more comfortable it is reserved only. This means you will need to reserve your seat each time you want to ride the shinkansen bullet trains. However, if you do miss your reservation you can hop onto a non-reserved ordinary car. Just try to cancel your reservation if you are going to miss it. Your itinerary sounds amazing! Have a great trip!
@@KenshoQuest We bought our JR passes via the official JR website for our recent trip. While it was great to be able to make advanced seat reservations almost any time of the day, it was such a pain to cancel once the tickets were "Issued" or printed out.
I hear Klook upcharges and that it's better to buy train tickets and shinkansen tickets at the train station
Hi, you are correct. It's about 10% surcharge. this is why they offer some coupons to help sweeten the deal. they change, so you can see them during the checkout process to see if it is worth it for you. the main reason to buy from Klook is the convenience. they also have a coupon right now: SAVE $10, limited time only code: SKS100FF
Thank you so much for your informative video. We will be travelling to Tokyo to Hiroshima, Horishima to Osaka (stay for 7 nights to explore the surrounding area including kyoto ), and then Osaka to Tokyo, what would be the best pass to buy for this itinerary? We have excluded the JR pass given its price. Thank you!
Hi, you might consider purchasing individual shinkansen tickets from Tokyo to Hiroshima, then use the Kansai Hiroshima area pass, though only 5 days so get an IC card as well to help with local transportation in the Osaka/Kyoto area. Then return from Osaka to Tokyo via purchasing another single ticket on the Tokaido shinkansen.
Thanks for the helpful video, me and my partner are planning to spend 10 days total (4 Tokyo - 1 Kyoto- 3 Osaka with a day trip to Hiroshima, then back to Tokyo). Just pricing things on Kloop and it would appear to be a similar cost to the JR pass. Any suggestions or tips for us? Thanks!
Hi, because you are adding in Hiroshima the JR Pass does become an attractive option. We personally would opt for the whole JR Pass because of the convenience of being able to hop on and off any included shinkansen train. This is huge when you decide to change plans or for spontaneity. Purchasing individual tickets does not allow this flexibility.
@@KenshoQuest awesome. Thanks so much!
I'm going to be exploring Tokyo with the family in a few weeks. Not sure if we should do individual tickets, IC card or try get a pass. Any suggestions?
Hi, if you are only visiting Tokyo then you do not need any pass. We recommend IC card since it is much easier and faster to use vs. purchasing individual tickets for each journey. You can purchase Welcome SUICA or Pasmo Passport upon arrival at the airport in Tokyo.
This will be our first trip to Japan and we were wondering if you might suggest an amount to put on our Icoca card? We will be using public transport exclusively for about 6 days. Thanks in advance for your help!
Hi. You don’t need to put the whole amount on your IC card at once. It’s easy to recharge when needed. I like to start with 4,000 to 6,000 Yen. I don’t like to put too much, in case the card gets lost. 🌸 Heidi
Thank you for this video! Q.: Have you had experience with the TOHOKU pass? I want to go to Aomori and Akita to hike World Heritage site Shirakami Sanchi.
Hi, we have not used that pass but will used a similar pass called the Hokkaido South East Pass next month. It will go through a similiar area including access tot he Shirakami Sanchi you mentioned. What specific questions do you have? I assume you will be going in the summer since you probably wont' be able to do any trekking in the region during the winter...
@@KenshoQuest yes, travelling there in late spring. Looked into it more and i might still have to rent a car some of the trip.
Hi! So much Information, thank you!
What would you use for following itinerary (21 days):
Tokyo
Osaka Kyoto Nara Kobe (maybe we‘ll stay only in kyoto and do day trips)
Fuji
Hiroshima
One way flight but only once would be fine too
I‘m just dont know which regional jr passes I could combine
Hi since you are traveling for 21 days your itinerary my not require any pass unless you will be in an area for between 5-7 days where the transportation will cover. The one that might work for you is the Kansai Hiroshima pass which is valid for 5 days and covers a lot of transport in the Kyoto/Osaka to Kobe, Nara area as well as to Hiroshima. If you will be in Kansai area for more days the you might combine with the Kansai ARea pass.
@@KenshoQuest thank you very much!
Thanks for an informative video. We’re planning a trip to Japan this month. It will be Osaka to Tokyo. And kansai areas near Osaka.
Can Icoca card use in both Osaka and Tokyo? Can we use Icoca to take Shinkansen from
Osaka to Tokyo or we have to buy another one?
Hi, Yes, the ICOCA works well in Tokyo, Hiroshima and as far north as Sapporo. You cannot use the ICOCA to directly ride a shinkansen. And it is not recommended to use the ICOCA to purchase shinkansen tickets as it is a complicated process that may require you to purchase more than one ticket and it may or may not work.
do you have a guide from fujiyoshida, or mount fuji station to Kyoto, google suggest going back to tokyo and then take transport to kyoto, is there a better way?
Hi, we also recommend going back to Tokyo if you are going to take the Tokaido Shinkansen. We have a video with more explanation here: ua-cam.com/video/4828J9OtNiY/v-deo.html
If I want to go see Mt. Fuji on a day trip from tokyo, whre do you recommend, or is it better to book a day trip tour from tokyo? Thanks!!!
Here’s our video on how to get to Mt Fuji: ua-cam.com/video/4828J9OtNiY/v-deo.htmlsi=xLcvl5vcusaMvn7D You can view the mountain from the Kawaguchiko 5 lakes area. We will make more videos on this when we visit in the spring.
My 7days trip tokyo-fuji-osaka-nara-kyoto, transportation cost ~23000yen (including shinkansen/bus/taxi/trains).. JR pass is 50000yen, double the cost plus with JR pass i still need to pay for taxi/bus/train that not covered by JR.. so yeah for me its not worth the money anymore.. the important thing is do your research, calculate your estimated cost and compare, hope this clear up for those who still confuse whether to buy JR pass or not..
Thanks for sharing!
😳 that's crazy.. would you mind sharing your itinerary for that 7day?
@@miduk8154 sure, how can i share it? Through your email?
Hey would you mind sharing your itinary
Hello! Great information, but still have questions. What would you recommend for this itinerary: Fly in: Tokyo (Mt. Fuji-day trip) 7 days, Kyoto 3 days, Osaka (1 day trip to Kurashiki, Hemeji Castle) 3 days, Hiroshima 1 day, Fly out: Osaka. Thanks for any suggestions.
Hi. I would recommend using an IC card to pay for transportation within Tokyo. We have a separate video on how to get to Mt Fuji: ua-cam.com/video/4828J9OtNiY/v-deo.html Then you can use a single-journey Shinkansen train ticket to get from Tokyo to Kyoto. Here's our video on how to buy one: ua-cam.com/video/zwMKE3pmBP4/v-deo.html Then you may be interested in the Sanyo-San'in area pass for 7 days that you are in the Kansai and Hiroshima area. Here's our affiliate link for that regional pass: geni.us/sanyosaninpass 🌸 Heidi
@@KenshoQuest Thanks for the information.
Thankyou for the video! If you're travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto, then on to Osaka after 4 days, is it best to buy two single journey Shinkansen tickets?
Yes, if you want to take Shinkansen trains for both stretches.
Many Thanks!!
You do NOT have to take the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Osaka.
Hello. Thank you for this video. Do you know if it's still possible to buy the Icoca card ? I know we can't buy the suika anymore...
Hi, you can buy both right now :). I asked at Haneda airport a couple of days ago and they had both Welcome SUICA and PASMO Passport for sale at either vending machines and offices. If you want the regular SUICA they are currently available at major stations such as Tokyo. If you are flying into into Kansai then the ICOCA is also available.
@@KenshoQuestThank you so much for your answer. I'm sorry, english is not my first language, i want to be sure I understood correcty, can I use the ICOCA card even on non JR-lines ?
@@paulinecisar5661 yes, on most trains for any company. Only in remote areas you might be required to use regular paper tickets. We have ICOCA cards and use them everywhere :)
Hey guys, can you please make a video about Kansai-Hiroshima?
Hi, we will add it to our list, thanks!
Tokyo to Mount Fuji Kawaguchiko station, do I need to reserve the train tickets online before go to the train station? Or I can just buy the tickets from the train station? Where is the train station? Thanks.
If you would like to ride the Fuji Excursion Limited Express Train from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Kawaguchiko, we recommend purchasing your tickets ahead of time. Here’s our video on how to get to Mt. Fuji: ua-cam.com/video/4828J9OtNiY/v-deo.htmlsi=VOvjDmZBkReQDBdw
Hi and thank you for your amazingly clear and concise treasure trove of videos! I am trying to go from Tokyo to Takayama on a reserved car with my husband and wanted to book online. A) is this possible to do without a JR pass and B) is there a way to select our reserved seats together? If not, does the online system automatically give you seats together or do you have to be at the front of the reserved car line to ensure you get two reserved seats together? I was playing with the JR west website and after selecting 2 people it automatically choose two window seats (which clearly aren’t next to each other)??
Hi, so glad you found our videos helpful. To answer your question we need to know where exactly is your destination in Takayama? Regardless, you certainly do not need the JR Pass and yes, you can reserve seats together. I recommend trying again on the JR West website, if you still have issues try using a different web browser. If this still doesn't work then you can use the JR East website for the first portion of your trip.
There is no shinkansen bullet train that will take you from Tokyo to Takayama. You can take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Toyama. From Toyama you will need to switch to an express train such as the Hida Limited Express to Takayama area. Both of these trains can be booked on JR west but only the shinkansen portion can be booked on JR East.
All reserved car seats are reserved and you do not have to be at the front of the line since each seat is assigned.
JR west reservation: e5489.jr-odekake.net/e5489/ibpc/CBTopMenuPC?LANG=en
JR East reservation: www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index
@@KenshoQuest ok. Thank you so much. So when booking two seats at the same time, they will automatically book our seats next to each other? Also, sorry, I forgot that Takayama is a large region…we’ll be going to the town of Takayama…the one that has the Hida no Sato open air village and is close to Shirakawa. Again, thank you both so much for your videos. They are the best!
Thanks for the information. We will be doing a couple of stages of our journey on limited express trains and will not be buying the JR Pass or regional passes. Do you have a recommendation for a website or app where you can buy limited express tickets and reserve specific seats?
Hi, it depends on where you will be traveling but in general you can purchase the limited express train tickets directly from the JR company website such as JR East:
www.eki-net.com/en/jreast-train-reservation/Top/Index
During the checkout process you can reserve seats.
Or you can purchase many from Klook, while you can reserve, you can't choose your seats. But they do try to put your seats together. If you don't like your seats you can change them once you pick them up (affiliate) : geni.us/shinkansen
Hello,I have plan to go to Japan for 2 week this coming July
My plan is visit in Tokyo,Osaka ,Kyoto,Kobe,hokone(mt Fuji)
Stay in Tokyo,Osaka and mt Fuji
How to get around the city and also from city to city
Thank you
@@puppygaminggurl2983 We recommend getting an IC card for transportation within a city. You can buy single-journey Shinkansen tickets to get from one city to the next, such as Tokyo to Osaka. Here's how: ua-cam.com/video/GD0Tp7zGSeo/v-deo.html And for visiting Hakone we recommend the Hakone Free Pass. Here's our video explaining that: ua-cam.com/video/XpuGU_2zNuQ/v-deo.html
Hi, Great Information. I heard that it is possible to buy a ground fare ticket for let’s Osaka to Tokyo which is valid for some days. This ticket should be cheaper than Osaka - Nagoya and Nagoya - Tokyo. So it should be possible to stay a day or so in Nagoya. The Shinkansen surcharge has to be bought additionally. Do you know anything about that option?
Hi, there are some companies selling bundles but I believe these are all third parties - not from JR. I am not familiar with the one you mention here and doubtful that you will find a round trip that will be much cheaper than JR as they very strict about pricing. Sorry, we don't know more about this.
@@KenshoQuest it is possible to save some bugs, if you buy the base fare and the supplemental fare for the bullet trains separately. It is explained in this video: ua-cam.com/video/8F8xfCistkg/v-deo.html
Hello great video tt. How about rent a car for a family of 4? Its worth it?
Hi, yes, renting a car can be a great option which will allow you to see many places that are hard to get to. However, the biggest issue that we have faced with renting a car is parking! Please take that into consideration as to where you are going and if parking is available at your accommodation as well as at attractions. Depending on your passport will determine the required documents.
Hi.. traveling to Japan in a week's time. I've bought the shinkansen tickets on klook -- tokyo-shinosaka, shinosaka-kyoto, kyoto-nagoya-takayama, and such.. Just wondering, is it possible to collect all the physical tickets at the TOKYO STATION itself or best to collect at the station prior to departure at each point? Just worried that some stations might not have the proper kiosk or machines to retrieve online booked tickets. Thanks! Appreciate your help~
Hi, it depends on how you purchased your tickets. For your route, If purchased directly from JR or even Klook then it shouldn't be a problem because the JR companies work together. But it is true that some of the smaller stations may not have the machines. Picking up together makes sense and will save you time.
alright.. noted and thanks for the tip@@KenshoQuest
I was considering getting a green car pass, but I can't decide if it makes sense. Some of our trips are lengthy. I wondered if the seats in the regular cars recline? The website mentions the reclining seats in the green cars, but doesn't advise on the regular cars. Also, is their a benefit to the green car during the month of April when there are more crowds? Thanks in advance!
Hi, the ordinary car seats do recline but not as much as the green car. The ordinary cars do have comfortable seats as well and plenty of leg room compared to an airplane. But the green car seats are wider and in a 2x2 coniguration vs 3x2 in ordinary. As far as benefit for travel during the month of April, it depends on where you are going. Are you traveling during golden week? Then yes, getting a reserved seat in green car might be easier than getting a reserved seat in ordinary class. Also, consider time of day. Any shinkansen bullet train can be busy during peak hours of the day, which are rush hours for business people.
Thanks very much for the information. I really enjoy your videos. They are full of helpful information. @@KenshoQuest
question if we are staying in Osakafor 4 days and decide to travel to Kyoto back and though which rail pass should we use?
You don't necessarily need a pass for that. You could use an IC card to pay for a slower local train. Or if you want the fastest option, you could buy bullet train tickets between Osaka and Kyoto and back. 🌸 Heidi
I'll be traveling from Akita to Kanazawa (Akita to
Omiya on the Akita Shinkansen &
then transferring to the Hokuriku
Shinkansen at Omiya station). I
bought the tickets from Klook
(JR East site rejected my
cards). I plan on picking up all my
Shinkansen tickets a day early. (I
believe I can pick them up at any
JR East station?)
My question is, once I get to
Omiya, when I transfer, do I exit
and re-enter with the 2nd ticket? (there was no option for me to buy this as a single trip)
Or can I just go down the stairs &
back up to the correct platform?
HI, yes you can pick up at any JR East station that has a ticketing office. Once you get to Omiya, yes, please exist and re-enter, they will be on different platforms. Because if you don't, when you try to exit the gate in Kanazawa you will be stopped since you never passed through the entry gate for the Hokuriku shinkansen. Also, just FYI, if you are planning to take the Kagayaki Shinkansen, it is reserved only. So please reserve ahead of time.
Great video, thanks a lot. I don't think going to Kyoto/Osaka from Tokyo using the Hokuriko is worth it with the time it takes. 2h30 to stop at Kanazawa + 2h30 to go to Osaka, so 5h traveling. Using the tokaido Shinkansen line is like 3h.
The Hokuriku Arch Pass is only worth it if you want to stop off and sightsee along the way. Not if you’re using it just to get from Tokyo to Kyoto/Osaka. We really enjoyed exploring the Hokuriku area and will probably use the arch pass again to stop at different places. 🌸 Heidi
Hi, what value for money would you advise for us to take with our itinerary hakone->hiroshima->miyajima->osaka.This is the leg of our trip that I don't understand what is the best way to go about. Appreciate the advice. Thanks.
HI, we don't quite understand your question. Do you mind rephrasing it?
@@KenshoQuest Hi, I was looking for recommendation for the most economical pass combinations for our our trip. We are landing in Tokyo and will head out to Hakone->Hiroshima->Miyajima->OsakaKyoto. We plan to get the Hakone Free Pass but is also considering taking the Kansai Hiroshima Area Pass. Is it more cost effective to do this or we just buy single tickets? Also, I do not understand if the trip from Hakone to Hiroshima will all be covered by the Kansai-Hiroshima pass? Or is there part of that stop that we have to buy single ticket? Thanks for your feedback.
Can you do a video on the Ferries in Japan (I'm taking a trip to Oshima)? There are a thousand vieos on the trains but almost zero about the ferries and the few that do none cover the booking process. Even for the most popular Asakusa to Odaiba, there is nothing about the booking.
Thanks for the suggestion! Searching online, I found this website: www.directferries.com/tokyo_takeshiba_izu_oshima_ferry.htm