Traveling in Japan can be quite expensive but if you know the perks of having a tourist visa, then it can save you from incurring excessive expenses.
If you are going to Japan and staying for more than 3 days and/or with various destinations. The JR Pass is a very important pass that one must afford when traveling in Japan.
The JR Pass is very useful, affordable and accessible to almost all destinations in the JR system. In Hiroshima, the JR pass can also be used in the hop-on hop-off tour bus. Bus travel is not included.
There are several passes ranging from 7 days, 14 days and a lot more.
I bought the JR pass here in Japan for 33,000 yen and you can also buy it online. They have the green card holder and the ordinary card holder. I was given the ordinary pass since I am a tourist.
Let me give me you an example. Buying the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Osaka is 8,000 yen. In just 3 days, I boarded the Shinkansen in 5 trips already. Aside from that, I have unlimited access to ALL JR trains whether local or subway. You can even have your seats reserved in the Shinkansen.
There are three kinds of the Shinkansen rides - the Nozomi (red, the fastest!), Kodama (black) and the Hikari (blue)
The yellow or Nozomi is off-limits to Ordinary card holder. The Nozomi has more schedules and fewer stops.
There are 2 kinds of Shinkansen cars - the 16 cars and 8 cars. Be sure what you are boarding.
Before having a JR pass, I boarded the Nozomi for 8,500 yen and it was really faster!
You can even use your JR pass from Hiroshima to Sapporo!
HOWEVER, the JR Pass is not available for the Nozomi and there are times you have to use the non-reserved section (usually cars 1-3).
There is another option in case you do not want to buy the JR pass and will be staying only in one destination. They have the Sanyo, San'in, Hokuriku and Kansai Pass.
For example in Osaka, they have the Kansai area pass (1-day 2,300 yen; 2-day 4,500 yen, 3-day 5,500 4-day 6,500) for Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji and Shiga. And it is also a lot cheaper.
Better ask the train station once you are in Japan and ask how you can get the the various train passes!
For more information about the JR pass, please visit their website and learn the conditions of use and eligibility requirements.
Why ride the Shinkansen?
1. It is the fastest and more economical than a plane ride!
2. It saves you time.
3. It gives you your deserved comfort in traveling.
4. It values your travel.
5. It gives you pride.
Why buy the JR Pass?
1. It saves your well-earned money.
2. It gives you access to so many travel opportunities.
3. It gives you access to local tours
4. No need to bring cash.
5. Riding the Shinkansen!
But the JR Pass is still the number one!
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