Hello all!
Well it has been a while since the last travel blog post and
since I am knee deep in planning for the upcoming Japan/Guam travel trip-
thought I would provide some updates.
I have been researching the Japan Rail (or JR) pass and
wanted to share my findings. The JR is a rail pass that can be used on most of
the regional Japan trains, even the bullet trains (note-not the city subway
systems). It is a cost saving overall pass that has some restrictions you have
to meet in order to purchase/use it.
Some of the restrictions include
You have to
not be a Japanese resident
You must be
a foreign traveler visiting on a travel visa (not work related)
The cost of course varies based on the length of the pass,
adult or child, etc. Basically if you are traveling one way from Tokyo to Kyoto
then you won’t save any money because the pass is more expensive than a one -way
ticket. However, if you are doing a round trip Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo (or any other
city) then the pass pretty much pays for itself. Add in the train to/from the
airport and Tokyo proper and you are saving money. Not to mention that you
simply don’t have to buy separate tickets every time you travel. And if you decide
to change your itinerary and want to take a random trip to another city during
your stay you don’t have to worry about buying a ticket at the station.
Note that there is a time limit for the pass. You can buy a
7 day, 14 day or 21 day pass and they are priced accordingly. Last update on
the 7 day pass price is Green car (which is like business class) is 38,880 YEN
and Ordinary (coach class) is 29,110 YEN (adult prices). My handy conversion iPhone app says 38,880 is
about $365.73 USD and 29,110 is $274.39 USD.
I’m ordinary, BTW. (note shameless Apple plug).
The process:
1.
You contact an agent (or certain Japanese
airlines if your air tickets are booked with them) to purchase a voucher BEFORE
you get to Japan. This is important
2.
They confirm that you meet the necessary
eligibility requirements and issue you the pass.
a.
I contacted an agency listed on the website and
they are based in NYC but have offices all over the country (one in Boston).
i. You
can only order the voucher 3 months prior to your usage/activation of the pass
ii. They
can ship it to you if you live far from one of their offices (FedEx charge of
$12USD).
3.
When you get to Japan you need to take the
voucher to the JR pass desk. There are apparently ones in every major train
station and at the airports –once you pass through customs and passport
control.
4.
When you activate the pass at the JR pass desk,
you need to tell them what day you want it activated on
a.
For example, I am traveling to Tokyo spending
the night at an airport hotel and flying to Guam the next day. I will return to
Japan on 11-25 and will use my pass then. Since I will be buying a 7 -day pass
I will ask them to activate it for 11-25. See? Easy Peasy!
5.
Once the pass is activated I am told that if you
know the train you will be traveling on, you can then reserve your seat. Not
all trains have seat reservations-so that would be the point to ask the JR Pass
desk representative to confirm. I know that the bullet train from Tokyo to
Kyoto takes about 3 hours or so and I sure want to have a reserved seat (I do
so love my window seats!).
6.
One other thing. There are several “bullet “trains
in Japan. The JR pass is NOT valid for the fastest of the bullet trains (the NOZOMI
and MIZUHO trains). My understanding is that these trains just make fewer stops
and the other bullet trains are just as fast and IMO worth the price savings to
add on 15 minutes or so of your time. Your mileage may vary.
Now for the Hamilton reference!
I called the agency to confirm most of this information and
asked about the shipping charge instead of going to Boston to pick up the
ticket. It is $12 and for me, it would cost that much to take a train/T to the
location, find time to get off work for the only day I am in the city (Tuesday)
and lug around my work laptop and crap while doing so. Just mail the bad boy. I
did however, tell the agent that if he could somehow get me Hamilton tickets I
would manage to pick up the JR pass in person in NYC. We both got a good laugh
over that because everyone knows that it is probably easier to fly to the moon
and open a Starbucks than to get Hamilton tickets. (note shameless Hamilton plug).
So there you have it! All about how to buy and use the JR
pass in Japan. Inquiring minds want to know!!!!!
