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> The Japan Rail Pass, while not having any functional use, did make things cheaper Just a quick comment for anyone planning to come to Japan. If you are goin

> The Japan Rail Pass, while not having any functional use, did make things cheaper Just a quick comment for anyone planning to come to Japan. If you are going to stay in Tokyo, then the Japan Rail Pass is probably not worth it (it only gives you a free pass on JR rail). But if you are going anywhere else, you absolutely should get this. Especially on the Shinkansen, you get free reserved seat tickets. Also, the system is set up for this. You go into line to get your tickets and you will magically find that the person who is dealing with you can speak English (because they can see your pass when you are in line and insert an English speaking person discretely into the correct cubicle). Also, if you ever get into trouble, waving the JR rail pass is like a get out of jail free card. They bend over backwards for pass holders. If you get on the wrong train, they'll just change the tickets. If you miss the last Shinkansen, they will discretely push you onto a full reservation only express train. Finally, if you want to go anywhere of any distance, the cost reduction will definitely by huge. Trains (especially the Shinkansen) in Japan are expensive. Just going out to Osaka from Tokyo and back will basically pay for a 1 week pass. If you want to go out west or up north then you'll be saving upwards of $1K. I live in Japan, but about 5 years ago I went to the UK for a couple of years. I needed to go back to Canada for my visa and ended up bouncing around between Canada and Japan, leaving me as a tourist in Japan for 1 month. I absolutely could not believe how great the JR Rail pass was. I went all the way up to Sapporo, which is probably the last time I will ever be able to afford something like that.

CaptainZapp 8y ago
Absolutely that! Another example: Travelling from Tokyo to Sapporo return (the part from Hakodate to Sapporo is not covered by Shinkansen, but should be from 2030, but I digress) is more expensive than a three week train pass. If you're not strapped for cash get a pass for the green car (first class). The price difference is minimal (ca. 60K Yen vs. 80K Yen for three weeks) and it makes travelling even more amazing. I'd say my savings where > 2K $ last time in Japan with the rail pass.
- mikekchar 8y ago
  I didn't even know there was a green car pass. That's insane! Even if you are travelling in Obon or Golden Week that will absolutely guarantee that you can travel anywhere you want to go whenever you want. I've only travelled in green car once. I'm a bit of a train nerd, but I'm also cheap so I'm always jealous! Some day I will absolutely travel on the Nozomi Shinkansen, no matter what it costs :-)
  - CaptainZapp 8y ago
    "Even if you are travelling in Obon or Golden Week that will absolutely guarantee that you can travel anywhere you want to go whenever you want." On the Sunday at the end of golden week all Shinkansen from Hokkaido to Tokyo, with the exception of the first two trains, were completely sold out. That was two weeks in advance. So being forced to take an early train I had to spend a night in Hokadate, which was actually quite nice in its own right. And on JR pass level I think the price difference between normal and green class is so low that it's definitly worth it. In Switzerland first class is second class + 100 - 150%. But generally it's true that a green car pass will get you a reservation even when all else is sold out. "Some day I will absolutely travel on the Nozomi Shinkansen, no matter what it costs :-)" Actually the cost is the same like for all other Shinkansens :-) The only thing is you can't use them with the rail pass. That said my maximum wait for an eligable train upon spontaneously deciding I need a train ride was 30 minutes. But is was usually more in the 10 minute range. Oh, and in order to totally shame some high level JR bureaucrat I have photographic evidence about not one, but two Shinkansens with a delay of 5 minutes. Seppuku is probably the only option here. :-)
    - mikekchar 8y ago
      Ha ha! Unfortunately the Nozomi doesn't stop in Shizuoka, so there is a minimum fee for me to ride it :-) I actually thought it was more expensive, so I'm happy to hear it isn't. And, yeah, this year has been hopeless for the Shinkansen record. I'll be interested to see how they report it...

CaptainZapp 8y ago

Absolutely that! Another example: Travelling from Tokyo to Sapporo return (the part from Hakodate to Sapporo is not covered by Shinkansen, but should be from 2030, but I digress) is more expensive than a three week train pass. If you're not strapped for cash get a pass for the green car (first class). The price difference is minimal (ca. 60K Yen vs. 80K Yen for three weeks) and it makes travelling even more amazing. I'd say my savings where > 2K $ last time in Japan with the rail pass.

mikekchar 8y ago
I didn't even know there was a green car pass. That's insane! Even if you are travelling in Obon or Golden Week that will absolutely guarantee that you can travel anywhere you want to go whenever you want. I've only travelled in green car once. I'm a bit of a train nerd, but I'm also cheap so I'm always jealous! Some day I will absolutely travel on the Nozomi Shinkansen, no matter what it costs :-)
- CaptainZapp 8y ago
  "Even if you are travelling in Obon or Golden Week that will absolutely guarantee that you can travel anywhere you want to go whenever you want." On the Sunday at the end of golden week all Shinkansen from Hokkaido to Tokyo, with the exception of the first two trains, were completely sold out. That was two weeks in advance. So being forced to take an early train I had to spend a night in Hokadate, which was actually quite nice in its own right. And on JR pass level I think the price difference between normal and green class is so low that it's definitly worth it. In Switzerland first class is second class + 100 - 150%. But generally it's true that a green car pass will get you a reservation even when all else is sold out. "Some day I will absolutely travel on the Nozomi Shinkansen, no matter what it costs :-)" Actually the cost is the same like for all other Shinkansens :-) The only thing is you can't use them with the rail pass. That said my maximum wait for an eligable train upon spontaneously deciding I need a train ride was 30 minutes. But is was usually more in the 10 minute range. Oh, and in order to totally shame some high level JR bureaucrat I have photographic evidence about not one, but two Shinkansens with a delay of 5 minutes. Seppuku is probably the only option here. :-)
  - mikekchar 8y ago
    Ha ha! Unfortunately the Nozomi doesn't stop in Shizuoka, so there is a minimum fee for me to ride it :-) I actually thought it was more expensive, so I'm happy to hear it isn't. And, yeah, this year has been hopeless for the Shinkansen record. I'll be interested to see how they report it...