The trusty Japan Rail Pass will see its price nearly double come October. Read more at straitstimes.com.
The passes, which are sold by official JR retailers and authorised foreign travel agencies, can be purchased and used only by short-term tourists to Japan. Japanese citizens who do not reside in the country are also allowed to use them.
Despite the JR Pass still being a valuable and convenient option even after the price hike, there are other options that continue to be viable alternatives for budget-conscious travellers.The price hikes announced in April by the JR Group covered the nationwide rail passes, with increases for its regional passes announced in July.
The transport authority also added that pass holders will receive certain perks, such as discounts at selected stores. Contrary to its description, there is no age limit for those who purchase or use the 12,050 yen ticket. It is available to foreign tourists as well as Japanese and foreign residents of Japan.
For a solo traveller based near Tokyo station, day trips across five days to Nikko, Mito, Yokohama/Kamakura and Odawara stations, as well as a trip back to Narita Airport, would normally cost about 16,000 yen - which is 3,950 yen more than a Seishun 18 Kippu ticket. Dates of travel can be chosen within two months of purchase, and do not have to be on consecutive days.
Willer’s bus network is centred on Japan’s two primary urban areas, Tokyo and Osaka/Kyoto, and connects with secondary cities across the country. This means that those based around the primary areas will be able to shuttle back and forth, but will not be able to travel between secondary cities directly.The first, a Monday To Thursday Pass, offers options of a three-day pass for 10,200 yen, five-day pass for 12,800 yen and seven-day pass for 15,300 yen.
The actual blackout dates for 2024 have yet to be listed on the Willer Express website. Those who wish to purchase the pass near these periods should check for updates on its website before purchasing.The pass can be used for up to one overnight and two daytime bus rides a day on buses operated by Willer Express, but does not cover the same route in the same direction twice on the same day – for example, two rides from Osaka to Hiroshima.