JR PASS EDIT: Apparently the main JR website now emails you the voucher while other websites send it physically (but still very quickly). I've done some research and it seems the customer service and such can be worse through the main one compared to affiliated ones, but I encourage you to research yourself to see what site is best for you! I haven't been able to use the non-regional one in years so apologies for the mistake. However, I do recommend click.jrpass.com/SH6k (affiliated) as it does have really good reviews, package deals, and quick turnaround times (just a few days). If you do need the pass VERY QUICKLY however buying through the main www.japanrailpass-reservation.net/ may be better. REGARDLESS of who you buy it through, YOU MUST REDEEM YOUR VOUCHER AFTER ARRIVING IN JAPAN. The physical voucher/email you receive is not a valid ticket for traveling on the trains, so please keep this in mind! 🍘 OMIAGE SNACK BOX 📦 travellike.co.jp/products/omiage-gift-box-3month?selling_plan=2954166511
Note that you can only purchase the JR Pass if you are arriving in Japan on a short-term Tourist Visa. If you have any other type of Visa (e.g.: for work), these passes are not available to you. You have to show the visa stamp in your passport when collecting the pass. Check what sort of visa you are getting before purchasing the pass.
Great video! I highly recommend learning how to use the bus if visiting Kyoto since the trains don't always go where you need them to and you may need to walk 30+ mins between destinations. You'll need exact change and it is usually one price regardless of how long you are on the bus. I would also recommend downloading or taking a picture of the train routes and downloading an offline Google map for the city you're visiting. This is in case you lose cell service and still need to plan a train ride. In terms of the suica card, we decided not to get it while in Japan for 5 weeks (Osaka, Kyoto, Japan). It seemed mainly for the convenience of not having to wait to buy a paper ticket each time. We were a little confused about the refund and buying the paper ticket was simple once you figure out the machines. If you plan to travel during rush hour a lot then it's worth it to avoid ticket lines, otherwise the paper ticket lines were not long. On the JR pass, it might be good to plan which trains you would actually take to see the sites you want to, while in each city. Sometimes you may only take a JR tain, sometimes you may only take Metro, and sometimes you may take both. That might help determine if the JR pass is right for you. We decided not to get one.
A lot of the buses in Kyoto also accept IC card so it makes it easier and you usually don't need to have the exact change! That's what I did when I visited last year and it was worlds easier than having to carry so much change to pay for them.
Good point about train routes, I got to Osaka expecting the public wifi to work well enough to be navigation. It wasn't. Fortunately I memorised the route to the hotel and arrived just fine.
I actually just came back from Osaka / Tokyo and I bought the 14 days JR pass. We did some calculations and planned day trips to Kobe and Kyoto from Osaka. While in the city we just spammed the JR lines for travelling to maximise the ticket. the Yamanote line in Tokyo brought us to many many places so it was worth it for us. Since we got the JR pass our ticket was like a card-sized piece of paper. It was a little stressful knowing that was my ticket for 2 weeks, so eventually i got a cardholder from the yen shop so that I would not drop it. we downloaded the app too, and it was really useful to filter trains e.g. according to JR lines so we travel where we are covered. I remember we once travelled to a more rural town and yes, the train was on a 3-4 hour interval and we spent some time chatting with the staff at the small train station because there was no other tourists LOL your video was really informative and accurate!
Do you feel you got your money worth? I am planning to do the same. From Haneda to Osaka Stay in Osaka and travel to Kyoto/Nara Then go from Osaka to Tokyo and go to different places like Puroland. I feel scared to be limited to the JR Lines. Did you feel limited?
@@juanmarti4671 I think perhaps you could mark out the attractions/places that you want to visit and check if JR line could bring you there. If JR can cover your itinerary within the city (e.g. when you are in Osaka, Kyoto) then you should get the JR pass. It is not worth it if you just buy it for the Shinkansen and not use it within the city as much. you would be better off buying Shinkansen + a local pass if that is the case. my husband & I like to explore on foot. In Osaka we were in between 2 JR stations, so daily we walk different routes to and fro these stations and take the opportunity to explore the city. It happens that JR also brings us to the day trips we want to make. within Tokyo, you definitely will use the JR line because Yamanote brings you to the hot spots like Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ikebukkuro, Shibuya, Ginza etc etc. So since it does not differ much in cost we just got the JR pass so that we do not have to buy the ticket each time we need to travel. the station gets quite crowded sometimes LOL. so for us it was worth it. Maybe you can consider getting JR pass for a shorter duration and pack all your travelling on JR lines within these days. instead of getting it for the entire trip, this could reduce cost. good luck for your planning (:
If visiting from Korea intending to “do” Kyoto and Tokyo, I would recommend flying into Osaka (Kansas Airport) and doing Kyoto/Osaka as one visit and flying separately to Tokyo at a different time. There are frequent flights to other Japanese regional Airports such as Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, etc. from the main Korean Airports in Seoul and Busan with budget carriers. There is so much to see in Kyoto and Tokyo that you don’t need an all-Japan Rail Pass for local travel. If you choose Osaka/Kyoto as a single destination, then the JR Kansas Area Pass would give you unlimited travel between Kansas Airport, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.
I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto... 😉 Your autocorrect substituted "Kansas" over "Kansai", but my like was given anyways because you're right - exploring the Kansai region is worth its own trip.
If you're flying in or out of Kansai Airport and staying in Osaka, I highly recommend the Nankai Rapi:t Express train. It's one of the most unique looking trains I've ever seen, it looks like a 1930s vision of the future. It only goes to Namba Station in the center of the city but there are good subway connections to other locations. However, if you're staying in Kyoto, you'll be better off with JR West's Haruka Express. The last time I went to Japan, I flew Peach Airlines from Busan to Kansai and was able to buy a discounted Rapi:t ticket while in the air.
Yesss to the countryside train tips! Where I live is so countryside there’s a single train that just goes back and forth all day and you have to give your change to the conductor. It’s awesome to experience especially because I always get a seat but it was definitely overwhelming at first when I didn’t know to grab the ticket at the train car entrance.
Planning over 10 day trip. Start in Tokyo then take bullet train to Osaka and from Osaka take da trips to Nara and Kyoto then back to Tokyo. You feel the JR pass is justified or something like smart ex where pre plan trip and reserve seated and discounted rate.
I was able to use the balance of my Hello Suica card at the duty free of Narita airport during my departure. So don’t worry about the balance, you are still able to use it at the last minute. I’m happy Allison’s video got a sponsor. 😊
Your videos are so helpful! I just found your channel and I’m surely going to be on a watching spree. I’m gonna be staying long term-ish in Japan soon. Would it be okay to ask for tips on which sim to gt for both data and calls/sms?
So helpful thank you! I usually skip sponsors/ads but this was so cute :) I just got back from Japan and Shibuya station was HECTIC, it is so huge and while it is easy to navigate once inside I found it overwhelming to exit. Buying local train tickets on the machine was easy, it's all in English, as is signage throughout. Buying NEX tickets to the airport was STRESSFUL. For anyone travelling from Shibuya to Narita on the NEX you can only buy tickets at the office OUTSIDE the station (not at the machines). We missed our train because of this confusion which was massively amplified by the volume of people (it was peak hour send help!) So yes I would recommend buying tickets early, avoid peak hour, otherwise riding the trains was fantastic! We also did the green car bullet train from Liyama to Shibuya and it was amazing!
Thank you so much! This was very helpful. Especially the tip that if you have a 2 week trip and are just doing Tokyo and Kyoto then you may not need the JR pass.
Yea! You probably won’t need the two week pass but the one week is worth it for this case ☺️ Always worth calculating in advance instead of throwing a hundred dollars away like I see many people do accidentally 😭
Thank a lots, that's very handy! I'm travelling to Japan in April with my husband and 9 year old. I've done some calculations and I don't think getting JR pass is needed for us. I plan to buy all Shinkansen tickets I need in one go after arrival. We only need them one way between Osaka-Nagoya-Odawara-Tokyo. Anyway, thank you! Your video made some things clearer!
Thanks for the tips! I'll be back in Japan this fall and am going to venture to Osaka/Kyoto for some of it so I'll be sure to refer back to this later on!
Thank you Allison, this is super useful! I'm a little nervous about figuring out how to get the Shinkansen from Tokyo up to Tohoku after being jetlagged. Also, it would be interesting if maybe at some point you'd consider doing a video of things you should do when you first arrive in Tokyo, at least from your point of view :)
Hey there! My hubby and I are also heading up to Tohoku from Tokyo in late April. Would be great to hear your experience and how you navigated Tokyo Station please 😊
I’ve bought several boxes from kokoro packages. They are not just snacks but also food ingredients and small packaged foods. All shelf stable of course. They have a new theme every month. Different areas can be featured or different seasonal ingredients (like yuzu). They also have a la carte ordering of single items for some items. I LOVE it! I would say check it out.
Every question about Japanese mass transport I research creates two new questions without answering the first one. Everyone talks about how great the Japanese mass transport system is but I am so frustrated trying to prepare for my trip. Do I want to take Nozomi train to and from Tokyo and Osaka or the JR line? Do I need the 14 day JR pass for my 11 days with boots on the ground or can I get by with the 7 day pass? Should I supplement the 7 day JR pass with a cash Tokyo Metro pass or a Suica card for the six days we spend in Tokyo? Should I pay a premium to buy it in advance so I can reserve a seat ahead of time or buy at the airport? How much time do I need to give myself between when I land and when I board the train to Osaka? Can't just show up, I need a reservation for my luggage.
This is really great advice. I am doing the exact situation you mentioned at the end of March - one week in Tokyo and like a week in Kyoto. I was blindly going to buy the two week JR pass until I used the Navitime app and added up the costs. Hoping 1 week plus a Suica card takes care of me. Super helpful vid!
Don't forget that the JR Pass is valid for the NE'X train to/from Narita. A round trip to Tokyo combined with a round trip to Kyoto is cheaper with the JR Pass. It is also valid for all JR lines like the Yamanote line as well as the Yurikamome monorail and JR ferry to Miyajima and local JR buses. I would NOT recommend getting a SUICA/PASMO prepaid card as foreign tourists ALWAYS lose money with them, even with the deposit-less cards, which are non-refundable. If you do buy a Suica, they charge you 500 yen and you must deposit at least 1000 yen to a maximum of 20,000 yen. If you don't have a JR Pass, a round trip fare to Kyoto is more than 20,000 yen so you can't use your Suica to pay for it. They tell you that your 500 yen deposit is 'fully' refundable, but it is not. They charge 40% to refund, but even though it was separate from your travel amount, they will deduct the refund charge from the travel portion before giving your 500 yen back. These cards were initially created for Japanese nationals until these companies started losing money. So they started marketing them to foreign tourists. These cards are good for Japanese nationals and foreigners who live in Japan, or have a working holiday Visa and must commute. They are NOT good for ordinary tourists as you must constantly check the balance and know how much to deduct from a trip. If you don't, you could get stuck inside a station having to figure out how to reload. Have been to Japan more than 20 times. Most of these videos recommend Suica/Pasmo cards because the posters likely get a kickback for promoting them.
OMG OMG i just noticed you have 30k subs now!! I subbed to you when you had just under 4k and it´s so cool to see how much your channel has grown!! CONGRATS!
Went to Japan last month. Bought the Green JR Pass for two weeks, stayed 11 days. I would have had to buy another ticket to get from or to the airport if I didn't have extra days. With the green JR pass your oversize luggage has garenteed storage space, you don't need to be sure you get a designated seat. My understanding is there are almost always seats available, perk! So for the $346 vs $470, luggage piece of mind, having the ability to ride every day if I wanted and not having to buy a separate ticket, about $36 basic seat, for one of the airport transfers the $124 for two weeks was well worth it. You are spending quite a bit to be in Japan after all. Also, the woman only cars men did not pay attention to at all.
Green pass definitely sounds nice but since I haven’t used it I can’t comment on it 😭 Definitely agree though that if you aren’t on a limited budget it’s something nice to splurge for especially with the new luggage rules!
Thank you for such a great video!! I'm going to Japan for the 1st time this May :) How far in advance do we have the book the JR train seats? Could you do it the night before or a few days before especially if we want those luggage seats TIA x
At first I wasn't going to watch this video because I've ridden the trains a lot, but I didn't know about the new luggage requirement. I normally travel with one FAIRLY LARGE bag, and now I'm going to measure it. Thank you!!
Hi Allison, Love your video’s - very practical and handy info! We are traveling to Japan in april so happy with these video’s. We were just wondering with these max dimensions (reserved seat necessary between 160-250 cm), do they apply to large backpacks as well? Our backpacks are 130 cm( 25x36x76) without luggage ofcourse so probably will be around 150. But I also saw a picture on a station online with max dimensions for width, depth and length? What is your take on this? Reserve and don’t take any chances or double check because backpacks can fluctuate - and suitcases don’t? Thanks for the help 😊
The rule applies to any type of baggage, if it is over 160x250cm you will need to reserve a special seat for the oversized baggage. If any of your baggage does not measure past these dimensions then it’s fine. If it does then you will need to reserve a special seat designated for oversized baggage at no extra cost. If you have oversized baggage but don’t reserve the special seat then you will incur a small fine. Also, this oversized baggage rule does not automatically apply to all trains. So you should check first if the train line you plan to take has this rule or not.
Fantastic info Allison as I am looking forward to visiting Japan in the near future. I am not sure if I want a tour or just plan a visit myself so am thinking but it's very exciting. I love your videos as you are so enthusiastic and passionate about Japan. Keep up the brilliant work.
My fiancee and I got tickets on the Nazomi but that was because the JR pass was too long a time for us and we wouldn't get our money's worth, that and the Nazomi is faster. We are going to Osaka for 2 nights to go to USJ one day and explore Osaka the next day and a half before heading back to Tokyo.
Thank you so much for all this great information about trains in Japan. I need some guidance if you have time. I am visiting Tokyo with my daughter December 19-28th (I watched your video on when NOT to come TG and we are not there during the NEW YEAR) we are going to Hakone and maybe IZU to see the capybaras at their zoo, then we are going to Kyoto, and lastly return to Tokyo. Help!!! What should I get for our 12 days there for all our traveling??? Suica, or JR Pass? Any info you can give us would be grateful!!
This was a good vid!! Definitely had a lot of good info for us newbies haha. I'm sure it gets a bit better once you get it down but oof, lots to remember xD Hope all is well!!
Awesome video! Thank you Allison! My first world problem right now is deciding which IC card to get, because that baby is coming home as a souvenir with me. I read that for the normal version they last around 10 years, so definitely worth keeping if you plan on returning to the country (which for an otaku like me is a no-brainer xD). Still deciding of getting the JR pass will be worth it for me, since I will use a shinkansen about 2 times, but for everything else I'll mostly stick to the cities I'll be touring, but I'll use a JR fare calculator when all the places are mapped to make a final decision. Cheers!
Thank you for this information. My family is visiting Tokyo and Kyoto in July, as a side trip from Korea. This is very helpful. I'm absolutely terrified about making a mistake on the train, but you have given me more confidence. Could you do a video about storing luggage at the airport to avoid bringing the bulk of it with us?❤️
See reply under “Comments” above. If you are flying relatively locally from Korea, there are so many other opportunities available by flying into regional airports and getting regional JR Passes.
Watching this after your JRPass update video. 4:34 Does the height of the bag include the wheels and protruding handles? Or is it just the main body of the bag?
Thank you very much for your Sharing. I wonder if I purchased ticket with a local limited express train, and if I miss the train, can I take another train with the ticket.
Great video with lots of info. Is Passmo the same as Suika? Also could you create a video on rates in general, i.e., adult, kids, etc. I read that non elementary school 6yr old is considered a child, but how are we supposed to prove it? Do you also have an info video on how to get sim card for tourist, recommendation, etc.? Thank you again and you got a new subscriber.
They’re basically the same thing just different companies, but most people in Tokyo use Suica! They will just believe your child is a child mostly, but you should be carrying a passport for them (and everyone) at all times anyways if you did need to prove it 👍
Hello!! My friends and I are planning a 2 week trip to Japan later this year and your videos have been so incredibly insightful thus far. You mentioned that the 2 week JR pass isn’t worth it if spending like the first week only in Tokyo- in our case, we are starting in Tokyo for a few days, then traveling to Osaka/Kyoto for close to a week, up to Kanazawa for a couple days and then back to Tokyo for 2-3 days where we will be flying back out from. At that point should we invest in a 2 week JR pass plus a suica card??
@Tay E.N.: I recommend to NOT buy a Suica card. You won't need it, and you will always lose money with one. The JR Pass is good for the NE'X to/from Narita as well as the Yurikamome monorail and Yamanote line. You can get to pretty much all the major sites via these two lines. If you do need the Metro subway lines, then buy a paper ticket. It's cheaper than a Suica card. A round trip to/from Narita plus a round trip to Kyoto together costs more than a cash fare, and more than 20,000 yen which is the maximum amount you can put on a card. Therefore you won't be able to pay for that with a card. Also, cards are not accepted everywhere, so if you still want one, better learn how to say "Can I pay with Suica here?" in Japanese. And, then risk having an insufficient balance, in which case you need to pay with cash anyway. I have been to Japan more than 20 times.
Disagree with the commentator below. You don't lose money unless you 500 yen deposit for the card is losing money... If you don't plan to visit Japan again then get a one time IC card for tourists like the Welcome Suica. IC Cards like the Suica card are helpful when you are just using local trains and subways that are not covered by JR pass. You don't want to waste timing buying a paper ticket and figuring all that stuff with calculations like transferring to different lines every time... You can use the IC Card at the convenience store and vending machines. Many recommend using JR Pass and Suica card together.
You can store luggage for up to 7 days at the airport. At train stations it’s usually 3 days and then they will empty out the lockers and you will need to pick up your luggage at the counter. Instead of storing your luggage if you need to for longer than 3 days and the airport is not convenient, you can also use a luggage transport service called the Takkyubin which picks up and delivers your luggage to your next destination.
Thank you very much for this video! I was afraid of buying the JR Pass from a fake website and being scammed so having your link made things a lot easier :)
Probably two-three days before if you want to be sure your group can sit together to be safe! During busy times like New Years I’d say at least a week in advance though 😆
Allison, another great video. Will be visiting Japan in April 2023. I have read comments about people buying JR passes thru the website and the customer service is terrible and often people don't get their vouchers in time for travel and in the process tried to get refunds. They were either ignored or have a difficult time trying to contact the center. Is there any merit to these comments I read ?
Which website? If they’re waiting for vouchers by mail than they must’ve purchased it from a third party seller. If they bought it from the official JR pass website which is Japan Rail Pass Net then they would’ve received their reservations by email instead and therefore would not need to wait for it to be sent by mail. Basically, you pay for the JR pass directly if you purchase from the official website. From comments that I’ve seen about using the official website, I do know that their customer service was very prompt (within a day) when responding to emails and I’ve seen a few other people mention that canceling their JR pass and getting a refund was easy.
🍘 OMIAGE SNACK BOX 📦 travellike.co.jp/products/omiage-gift-box-3month?selling_plan=2954166511 I really like this box’s more cultural approach to snacks! It really is like real food people give and receive as omiage “souvenirs” so I think it’s a lot more authentic than many others out there 😊 Give it a try if you’re interested!!
Thank you for the comprehensive and helpful video! I was wondering one thing about the JR pass - can we pick up with our exchange order on one day but activate the pass on a future day? We're arriving in Tokyo but won't be using shinkansens for a week.
Yes! All the numbers are marked on the ground in front of where each car will pull up! For some routes it’s not a big deal if you mess it up because you can walk through the cars but others (going north) are two connected bullet trains so you could end up stuck in the wrong train 😆😆 But as long as you give yourself ten minutes on the platform you should be fine!
Thank you so much for the tips! My first days in Japan were the most difficult, but I am slowly learning how the routes and timings. Also, since I was heavily relying on my phone for navigating, my phone battery was dying pretty quickly, i did bring a powerbank which was a huge life saver I was expecting there to be an abundance of charging areas at train stations, but I could not find many charging areas anywhere,, do you have any tips on where to find these Allison? Thank you
That was really helpful! But I have a question- How does it work if have luggage on a train that is not a bullet train? Is it allowed? do you need to reserve seats like on the bullet train?
Thank you for your video. Pretty spot on. I live in Iwate, and I've experienced most of the local things you've mentioned, and I've been to Tokyo a few times now so likewise. Yokohama area was way more crowded than Tokyo proper. I've never been west of Tokyo personally, because it's pretty expensive to go that direction to any destination I'd want to go to (I want to visit Nagoya someday). It'd be cheaper to fly. Do you have any experience with domestic air travel? I can get to Hanamaki or Sendai airport fairly easily.
Thanks Allison for the video. Since there are multiple JR companies operating the rails, then I will need to know what areas I will travel to to get the right JR pass, or do I just get any JR pass and I can use it with any JR lines? Thanks in advance.
If I plan to take day trips to Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara- (and back to Tokyo) should I get a regional pass or just buy individual tickets? If I don’t need a regional pass, how do I go about reserving a seat? Is that done in advance like online or when I get there?
If you’re also going to Kyoto from Tokyo then the normal JR Pass is probably best! Otherwise there is a regional pass for Kansai but it depends on your itinerary ☺️
Hi! It’s me again 😂 A friend highly recommended me get the JR pass (and pocket wifi at same time) I’m Only staying for 5 days and planing to be around Tokyo not travel to other cities. What card should I use? Let’s see I want to go from Shinjuku to Tama… or Shibuya…😅 help a sister !
Thanks for the new info. I normally don't start a google map direction as the GPS may go haywire. I prefer to just look at it like a paper map with directions only. (Don't start!)
Thank you for this very helpful video! Great info for our trip to Japan this year. If we get a JR Blue Pass, can we still reserve seats? Had the impression that reserving seats was only for those with the Green Pass.
Thank you so much for this video. I was just talking to my niece about this and she was unsure. She’s military living there so unfortunately she cannot get the jr pass.
Hi Allison, thank you for your videos. I would like to ask something about shinkansen and JR Pass. After you make your reservation in the machines you receive a shinkansen ticket BUT when you have to enter in the ticket gate ¿what ticket do you have to put on the gate: JR Pass OR the shinkansen ticket OR both of them? I'm a little confused with this. Thanks in advance.
Strange I cannot find my comment anymore..🤔 Summarizing my question: since the "fastest" Shinkansen (Nozomi and Mizuho) are not included, but most local buses and some important "metro" lines (such as the Yamanote Line in Tokyo) isn't the JR Pass "ironically" almost more useful if one plans to stay some days in biggest cities and move a lot, rather than if one has only to do a couple of trips in Shinkansen? Also general question: Do You know how many days/months in advance one needs to book for hotels in spring (no "golden week" or particular events) or autumn? Many thanks in advance for any useful information You could provide!!
Generally traveling within Tokyo is pretty cheap, but it really depends on your itinerary! Even if you move around to say four places in a day you’d probably only be spending around 1000-1500 yen so the price of the JR pass is really too much (unless you’re doing daytrips out if Tokyo a lot)! I’d really just try to get a rough plan even if it isn’t final to compare the prices and decide what’s best for you! (also, the yamanote is JR, sorry it’s confusing, but a trip on it costs less than 200 yen usually so it’s pretty cheap!) If you mean cherry blossom season, I’d do it as soon as possible! Really 3-4 months in advance. Outside of cherry blossom season, 2 months is probably fine 👍
@@AllisoninTokyo Many thanks, I think I have a clearer picture now, your advices are really precious! Just one thing: for a longer trip (around one month) should I really need to book in advance EVERY hotel in EVERY stop I am planning to do or am I allowed to have a certain freedom between the various stages od the voyage? (example: I am planning to "scout" around the Sagami Bay, Odawara and so on and I cannot exactly foresee the exact stops). Again: very nice channel and thanks so MUCH!!!👍👍👍
Thank you so much for this video. I really wanted to figure out if to buy a JR pass or not. But only going from Osaka to Tokio in like three weeks. Any website or train line you would recommend? Please if you can do a video on what to do when arriving in Japan first time or great Sakura spotting places. Thank you so much
You should not get a JR pass for just a one way trip from Osaka to Tokyo, it would be over $100 usd more expensive to do that than just buying a regular Shinkansen ticket. The Shinkansen train line you can take for this trip is the Tokaido Shinkansen. There are 3 types of trains on this line: Nozomi (fastest), Hikari and Kodama (slowest). Since you’ll be in Japan in 3 weeks, you will probably see cherry blossoms in full bloom first in Tokyo since it will be too early in Osaka. In Tokyo, go to Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, Meguro River, Ueno Park, Sumida, for some prime Sakura viewing places.
@@EjamRahim No, you won’t need the JR pass. You can just buy regular Shinkansen tickets for Tokyo-Kyoto and Osaka-Tokyo. And Kyoto -Osaka is very close so you can just buy the Special Rapid Service Train ticket which is just 560 yen. You will be saving more money this way than buying a JR pass.
I'm travelling in a couple of weeks. I would like to know from people who already went to Japan if as a foreign is difficult to combine trains which depart at similar time. For example, one night I arrive at the station at 21:03 and have to leave the train and catch another one at 21:06 so no time for any doubt or mistake as that train is the last one. Is it easy to go through scenarios like the mentioned above? Are the signs clear enough?
You really want to depart one train and catch another within 3 minutes? There’s really no absolute way to predict if you can make it because there are so many factors to consider. You would have to think about how crowded the trains are/ how long it will take you to get off the first train, then rush to find the platform of your next train which could be near or far depending on the train, then find the right train car and then board. Most of the time just walking from one platform to another will take at least 5 minutes, sometimes longer if the next platform is farther away. Also, if you have luggage with you, that will slow you down even more. Not to mention the actual station you would be at to attempt this, if you’re trying to do this at the super busy and massive stations such as Tokyo or Shinjuku then it would be extremely difficult. The signs are pretty clear but if it’s your first time there then it can still be really easy to get lost especially at the bigger stations like the ones mentioned above. It is just simply not a good idea to do it this way, especially if it is for the last train.
Thanks for the info! One question, if I’m traveling with 4 family members does each member need their own suica card or can one be purchased and passed around.
JR PASS EDIT: Apparently the main JR website now emails you the voucher while other websites send it physically (but still very quickly). I've done some research and it seems the customer service and such can be worse through the main one compared to affiliated ones, but I encourage you to research yourself to see what site is best for you! I haven't been able to use the non-regional one in years so apologies for the mistake. However, I do recommend click.jrpass.com/SH6k (affiliated) as it does have really good reviews, package deals, and quick turnaround times (just a few days). If you do need the pass VERY QUICKLY however buying through the main www.japanrailpass-reservation.net/ may be better. REGARDLESS of who you buy it through, YOU MUST REDEEM YOUR VOUCHER AFTER ARRIVING IN JAPAN. The physical voucher/email you receive is not a valid ticket for traveling on the trains, so please keep this in mind!
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★＜Japanese Train＞
〇Bullet Train
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〇JR Nanatsuboshi
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◯JR Shikishima
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◯JR Saphir
・ruclips.net/video/RYE546iWHUc/видео.html
〇Nankai Railway Rapito
・ruclips.net/video/yeYU2O0yshQ/видео.html
〇Nankai Railway Rapito STAR WARS ver.
・ruclips.net/video/SPZUtLVXPco/видео.html
〇Enoshima Railway
・ruclips.net/video/D779mZDdhuA/видео.html
〇Japanese SL
・ruclips.net/video/F66by42Ud7k/видео.html
〇Ooigawa Railway
・ruclips.net/video/Ic9DcMGvpIY/видео.html
・ruclips.net/video/Mm1OL2PZjt0/видео.html
◯Aoniyoshi
・ruclips.net/video/56ZMrw2-DOc/видео.html&feature=shares
〇Hankyu Railway
・ruclips.net/video/mp8jyErkZsY/видео.html
〇Sagano Railway Trolley train
・ruclips.net/video/8BeaQ2gLEMo/видео.html
○Shounan Monorail
・ruclips.net/video/ZGLrP5eawdY/видео.html
・ruclips.net/video/CwEcp6CIFCQ/видео.html
○Chiba Urban Monorail
・ruclips.net/video/eN3oPGK1-HQ/видео.html
◯Japanese Ship
・ruclips.net/video/ArkHiCUuz78/видео.html
◯Haneda Airport
・ruclips.net/video/TjFDo9G5T-U/видео.html
・ruclips.net/video/9OMQXqFttEw/видео.html
・ruclips.net/video/pDAGqyPXbyA/видео.html
・ruclips.net/video/0Rqlcw3QBm/видео.html
・ruclips.net/video/ovPpZUUFjaA/видео.html
・ruclips.net/video/Qq973HQ1Syc/видео.html
◯Narita Airport
・ruclips.net/video/TyfbVhyQ4s8/видео.html
This came at a perfect time because I was just accepted to study abroad in Japan this summer!! So excited to travel and learn and experience so much
ME TOO!!! omg i just came to the comments to say the same! what city is your study abroad program in?
@@BorksAreBorks wow that's amazing! mine is taking place is Osaka and includes a trip to Kyoto! I hope you have tons of fun!
@@marisarae2350 you too!
Note that you can only purchase the JR Pass if you are arriving in Japan on a short-term Tourist Visa. If you have any other type of Visa (e.g.: for work), these passes are not available to you. You have to show the visa stamp in your passport when collecting the pass. Check what sort of visa you are getting before purchasing the pass.
Congrats to both of you! Have fun there in Japan!
It’s embarrassing how exited I got when I saw this in my sub box. I’ve been looking for a good in depth video on Japanese trains for a while now😭
🥹
Same… so thankful for this
Great video!
I highly recommend learning how to use the bus if visiting Kyoto since the trains don't always go where you need them to and you may need to walk 30+ mins between destinations. You'll need exact change and it is usually one price regardless of how long you are on the bus.
I would also recommend downloading or taking a picture of the train routes and downloading an offline Google map for the city you're visiting. This is in case you lose cell service and still need to plan a train ride.
In terms of the suica card, we decided not to get it while in Japan for 5 weeks (Osaka, Kyoto, Japan). It seemed mainly for the convenience of not having to wait to buy a paper ticket each time. We were a little confused about the refund and buying the paper ticket was simple once you figure out the machines. If you plan to travel during rush hour a lot then it's worth it to avoid ticket lines, otherwise the paper ticket lines were not long.
On the JR pass, it might be good to plan which trains you would actually take to see the sites you want to, while in each city. Sometimes you may only take a JR tain, sometimes you may only take Metro, and sometimes you may take both. That might help determine if the JR pass is right for you. We decided not to get one.
A lot of the buses in Kyoto also accept IC card so it makes it easier and you usually don't need to have the exact change! That's what I did when I visited last year and it was worlds easier than having to carry so much change to pay for them.
Good point about train routes, I got to Osaka expecting the public wifi to work well enough to be navigation. It wasn't. Fortunately I memorised the route to the hotel and arrived just fine.
@@Briannal884 That's a really good point and something I'd consider for next time I go.
I actually just came back from Osaka / Tokyo and I bought the 14 days JR pass. We did some calculations and planned day trips to Kobe and Kyoto from Osaka. While in the city we just spammed the JR lines for travelling to maximise the ticket. the Yamanote line in Tokyo brought us to many many places so it was worth it for us.
Since we got the JR pass our ticket was like a card-sized piece of paper.
It was a little stressful knowing that was my ticket for 2 weeks, so eventually i got a cardholder from the yen shop so that I would not drop it. we downloaded the app too, and it was really useful to filter trains e.g. according to JR lines so we travel where we are covered.
I remember we once travelled to a more rural town and yes, the train was on a 3-4 hour interval and we spent some time chatting with the staff at the small train station because there was no other tourists LOL
your video was really informative and accurate!
Do you feel you got your money worth?
I am planning to do the same.
From Haneda to Osaka
Stay in Osaka and travel to Kyoto/Nara
Then go from Osaka to Tokyo and go to different places like Puroland.
I feel scared to be limited to the JR Lines. Did you feel limited?
@@juanmarti4671 I think perhaps you could mark out the attractions/places that you want to visit and check if JR line could bring you there. If JR can cover your itinerary within the city (e.g. when you are in Osaka, Kyoto) then you should get the JR pass. It is not worth it if you just buy it for the Shinkansen and not use it within the city as much. you would be better off buying Shinkansen + a local pass if that is the case.
my husband & I like to explore on foot. In Osaka we were in between 2 JR stations, so daily we walk different routes to and fro these stations and take the opportunity to explore the city. It happens that JR also brings us to the day trips we want to make.
within Tokyo, you definitely will use the JR line because Yamanote brings you to the hot spots like Shinjuku, Harajuku, Ikebukkuro, Shibuya, Ginza etc etc.
So since it does not differ much in cost we just got the JR pass so that we do not have to buy the ticket each time we need to travel. the station gets quite crowded sometimes LOL. so for us it was worth it.
Maybe you can consider getting JR pass for a shorter duration and pack all your travelling on JR lines within these days. instead of getting it for the entire trip, this could reduce cost. good luck for your planning (:
This was a great video, well thought out and very helpful for first time travellers to Japan. It is much appreciated.
If visiting from Korea intending to “do” Kyoto and Tokyo, I would recommend flying into Osaka (Kansas Airport) and doing Kyoto/Osaka as one visit and flying separately to Tokyo at a different time. There are frequent flights to other Japanese regional Airports such as Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, etc. from the main Korean Airports in Seoul and Busan with budget carriers. There is so much to see in Kyoto and Tokyo that you don’t need an all-Japan Rail Pass for local travel. If you choose Osaka/Kyoto as a single destination, then the JR Kansas Area Pass would give you unlimited travel between Kansas Airport, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.
I don't think we're in Kansas anymore, Toto... 😉
Your autocorrect substituted "Kansas" over "Kansai", but my like was given anyways because you're right - exploring the Kansai region is worth its own trip.
Thanks for this information, I’m planning on visiting Osaka so this is very helpful!
If you're flying in or out of Kansai Airport and staying in Osaka, I highly recommend the Nankai Rapi:t Express train. It's one of the most unique looking trains I've ever seen, it looks like a 1930s vision of the future. It only goes to Namba Station in the center of the city but there are good subway connections to other locations. However, if you're staying in Kyoto, you'll be better off with JR West's Haruka Express. The last time I went to Japan, I flew Peach Airlines from Busan to Kansai and was able to buy a discounted Rapi:t ticket while in the air.
Yesss to the countryside train tips! Where I live is so countryside there’s a single train that just goes back and forth all day and you have to give your change to the conductor. It’s awesome to experience especially because I always get a seat but it was definitely overwhelming at first when I didn’t know to grab the ticket at the train car entrance.
Planning over 10 day trip. Start in Tokyo then take bullet train to Osaka and from Osaka take da trips to Nara and Kyoto then back to Tokyo. You feel the JR pass is justified or something like smart ex where pre plan trip and reserve seated and discounted rate.
I was able to use the balance of my Hello Suica card at the duty free of Narita airport during my departure. So don’t worry about the balance, you are still able to use it at the last minute.
I’m happy Allison’s video got a sponsor. 😊
Lovely video. Thanks for sharing 👍 🥰
Great updates on how things go! Thanks Allison! Digital Suica didn’t exist the last time we went but I’m excited to use it in April on our trip!
Your videos are so helpful! I just found your channel and I’m surely going to be on a watching spree. I’m gonna be staying long term-ish in Japan soon. Would it be okay to ask for tips on which sim to gt for both data and calls/sms?
Thanks Allison. I was hoping you would make a video about this. I’m planning on a trip to Japan in the near future.
So helpful thank you! I usually skip sponsors/ads but this was so cute :) I just got back from Japan and Shibuya station was HECTIC, it is so huge and while it is easy to navigate once inside I found it overwhelming to exit. Buying local train tickets on the machine was easy, it's all in English, as is signage throughout. Buying NEX tickets to the airport was STRESSFUL. For anyone travelling from Shibuya to Narita on the NEX you can only buy tickets at the office OUTSIDE the station (not at the machines). We missed our train because of this confusion which was massively amplified by the volume of people (it was peak hour send help!) So yes I would recommend buying tickets early, avoid peak hour, otherwise riding the trains was fantastic! We also did the green car bullet train from Liyama to Shibuya and it was amazing!
Thank you so much! This was very helpful. Especially the tip that if you have a 2 week trip and are just doing Tokyo and Kyoto then you may not need the JR pass.
Yea! You probably won’t need the two week pass but the one week is worth it for this case ☺️ Always worth calculating in advance instead of throwing a hundred dollars away like I see many people do accidentally 😭
Thank a lots, that's very handy! I'm travelling to Japan in April with my husband and 9 year old. I've done some calculations and I don't think getting JR pass is needed for us. I plan to buy all Shinkansen tickets I need in one go after arrival. We only need them one way between Osaka-Nagoya-Odawara-Tokyo. Anyway, thank you! Your video made some things clearer!
Yeah sounds like normal tickets are better!! And yess I always try to buy the tickets in advance, definitely a good call 👍
Your videos are so helpful! Going to Japan in May.
Thanks for the tips! I'll be back in Japan this fall and am going to venture to Osaka/Kyoto for some of it so I'll be sure to refer back to this later on!
wow! I was just about to suggest such video. did not relived you had already made a video on it. I was just browsing your videos when i notice this.
Thanks for the travel tips!
I like how logical and clear. Very articulate!!!
Love your videos, Allison!! So helpful for planning trips and just learning about the country. 😆
This is great because I’m in Japan for the first time now and leaving Tokyo tomorrow!
thanks for this! I’m planning my trip this summer and the trains are the thing I feel the most overwhelmed by! really appreciate the breakdown here
Even though I have never ridden trains in Japan before, every passenger are quiet when riding, letting them to relax in a good manner.
Thank you Allison, this is super useful! I'm a little nervous about figuring out how to get the Shinkansen from Tokyo up to Tohoku after being jetlagged. Also, it would be interesting if maybe at some point you'd consider doing a video of things you should do when you first arrive in Tokyo, at least from your point of view :)
Hey there! My hubby and I are also heading up to Tohoku from Tokyo in late April. Would be great to hear your experience and how you navigated Tokyo Station please 😊
Thank you for this video, I'm traveling to japan in 3 days.
I’ve bought several boxes from kokoro packages. They are not just snacks but also food ingredients and small packaged foods. All shelf stable of course. They have a new theme every month. Different areas can be featured or different seasonal ingredients (like yuzu). They also have a la carte ordering of single items for some items. I LOVE it! I would say check it out.
Every question about Japanese mass transport I research creates two new questions without answering the first one. Everyone talks about how great the Japanese mass transport system is but I am so frustrated trying to prepare for my trip. Do I want to take Nozomi train to and from Tokyo and Osaka or the JR line? Do I need the 14 day JR pass for my 11 days with boots on the ground or can I get by with the 7 day pass? Should I supplement the 7 day JR pass with a cash Tokyo Metro pass or a Suica card for the six days we spend in Tokyo? Should I pay a premium to buy it in advance so I can reserve a seat ahead of time or buy at the airport? How much time do I need to give myself between when I land and when I board the train to Osaka? Can't just show up, I need a reservation for my luggage.
Thank you for all the info. Very useful, don't fancy travelling during rush hours!!
It’s truly horrible lol 😂
This is really great advice. I am doing the exact situation you mentioned at the end of March - one week in Tokyo and like a week in Kyoto. I was blindly going to buy the two week JR pass until I used the Navitime app and added up the costs. Hoping 1 week plus a Suica card takes care of me. Super helpful vid!
Don't forget that the JR Pass is valid for the NE'X train to/from Narita. A round trip to Tokyo combined with a round trip to Kyoto is cheaper with the JR Pass. It is also valid for all JR lines like the Yamanote line as well as the Yurikamome monorail and JR ferry to Miyajima and local JR buses.
I would NOT recommend getting a SUICA/PASMO prepaid card as foreign tourists ALWAYS lose money with them, even with the deposit-less cards, which are non-refundable.
If you do buy a Suica, they charge you 500 yen and you must deposit at least 1000 yen to a maximum of 20,000 yen. If you don't have a JR Pass, a round trip fare to Kyoto is more than 20,000 yen so you can't use your Suica to pay for it.
They tell you that your 500 yen deposit is 'fully' refundable, but it is not.
They charge 40% to refund, but even though it was separate from your travel amount, they will deduct the refund charge from the travel portion before giving your 500 yen back.
These cards were initially created for Japanese nationals until these companies started losing money. So they started marketing them to foreign tourists. These cards are good for Japanese nationals and foreigners who live in Japan, or have a working holiday Visa and must commute.
They are NOT good for ordinary tourists as you must constantly check the balance and know how much to deduct from a trip. If you don't, you could get stuck inside a station having to figure out how to reload.
Have been to Japan more than 20 times.
Most of these videos recommend Suica/Pasmo cards because the posters likely get a kickback for promoting them.
Thank you for the useful video
Great information. Thanks, Allison!❤
OMG OMG i just noticed you have 30k subs now!! I subbed to you when you had just under 4k and it´s so cool to see how much your channel has grown!! CONGRATS!
🥹🥹 thank youuu 🥰
Thanks for another great video about Japan.
☺️☺️🇯🇵
Thanks so much! Best to the point most informative Japan Train video I’ve seen today! ❤
You can also reload your Suica or Pasmo cards at convenient stores.
😮thank you! I was so sold on thinking I would need the JR rail pass but the way you explained it has me realizing I probably don’t need it lol
Went to Japan last month. Bought the Green JR Pass for two weeks, stayed 11 days. I would have had to buy another ticket to get from or to the airport if I didn't have extra days. With the green JR pass your oversize luggage has garenteed storage space, you don't need to be sure you get a designated seat. My understanding is there are almost always seats available, perk! So for the $346 vs $470, luggage piece of mind, having the ability to ride every day if I wanted and not having to buy a separate ticket, about $36 basic seat, for one of the airport transfers the $124 for two weeks was well worth it. You are spending quite a bit to be in Japan after all. Also, the woman only cars men did not pay attention to at all.
Green pass definitely sounds nice but since I haven’t used it I can’t comment on it 😭 Definitely agree though that if you aren’t on a limited budget it’s something nice to splurge for especially with the new luggage rules!
This is awesome!! Thank you so much, so helpful. ❤🇯🇵
Thank you for such a great video!! I'm going to Japan for the 1st time this May :)
How far in advance do we have the book the JR train seats? Could you do it the night before or a few days before especially if we want those luggage seats
TIA x
Can you use a pasmo card you bought in tokyo in osaka/kobe as well? :)
At first I wasn't going to watch this video because I've ridden the trains a lot, but I didn't know about the new luggage requirement. I normally travel with one FAIRLY LARGE bag, and now I'm going to measure it. Thank you!!
Yes definitely check! Since they changed it during the border closure most people don’t know about it 😭
Hi Allison,
Love your video’s - very practical and handy info! We are traveling to Japan in april so happy with these video’s.
We were just wondering with these max dimensions (reserved seat necessary between 160-250 cm), do they apply to large backpacks as well?
Our backpacks are 130 cm( 25x36x76) without luggage ofcourse so probably will be around 150. But I also saw a picture on a station online with max dimensions for width, depth and length?
What is your take on this? Reserve and don’t take any chances or double check because backpacks can fluctuate - and suitcases don’t?
Thanks for the help 😊
The rule applies to any type of baggage, if it is over 160x250cm you will need to reserve a special seat for the oversized baggage. If any of your baggage does not measure past these dimensions then it’s fine. If it does then you will need to reserve a special seat designated for oversized baggage at no extra cost. If you have oversized baggage but don’t reserve the special seat then you will incur a small fine. Also, this oversized baggage rule does not automatically apply to all trains. So you should check first if the train line you plan to take has this rule or not.
@@hsin531 thank you! Can we check the app to see to which lines it applies?
Thanks for the tips. They’ll come in very handy.
Fantastic info Allison as I am looking forward to visiting Japan in the near future. I am not sure if I want a tour or just plan a visit myself so am thinking but it's very exciting. I love your videos as you are so enthusiastic and passionate about Japan. Keep up the brilliant work.
So I wing it my trip to japan, I need to the the pass especially when I leave tomorrow (Saturday) to Osaka
You cannot use JR PASS to Nozomi and Mizuho services on the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen lines.
This is so informational..thank you..I hope one day in the future my dream will come true and I will visit Japan
The omiage snack box reminds me of the Sakuraco snack box
The sweets box was adorable. ❤❤❤❤
I have questions about phone service. Could you do a video or do you have a video that addresses this?
Thanks, Allison, for the lovely video! So many great tips.
🥰
My fiancee and I got tickets on the Nazomi but that was because the JR pass was too long a time for us and we wouldn't get our money's worth, that and the Nazomi is faster. We are going to Osaka for 2 nights to go to USJ one day and explore Osaka the next day and a half before heading back to Tokyo.
Thank you so much for all this great information about trains in Japan. I need some guidance if you have time.
I am visiting Tokyo with my daughter December 19-28th (I watched your video on when NOT to come TG and we are not there during the NEW YEAR) we are going to Hakone and maybe IZU to see the capybaras at their zoo, then we are going to Kyoto, and lastly return to Tokyo. Help!!! What should I get for our 12 days there for all our traveling??? Suica, or JR Pass? Any info you can give us would be grateful!!
This was a good vid!! Definitely had a lot of good info for us newbies haha. I'm sure it gets a bit better once you get it down but oof, lots to remember xD
Hope all is well!!
Awesome video! Thank you Allison!
My first world problem right now is deciding which IC card to get, because that baby is coming home as a souvenir with me. I read that for the normal version they last around 10 years, so definitely worth keeping if you plan on returning to the country (which for an otaku like me is a no-brainer xD). Still deciding of getting the JR pass will be worth it for me, since I will use a shinkansen about 2 times, but for everything else I'll mostly stick to the cities I'll be touring, but I'll use a JR fare calculator when all the places are mapped to make a final decision.
Cheers!
Thank you for this. I'm studying in Japan starting in March!
Thank you for this information. My family is visiting Tokyo and Kyoto in July, as a side trip from Korea. This is very helpful. I'm absolutely terrified about making a mistake on the train, but you have given me more confidence. Could you do a video about storing luggage at the airport to avoid bringing the bulk of it with us?❤️
See reply under “Comments” above. If you are flying relatively locally from Korea, there are so many other opportunities available by flying into regional airports and getting regional JR Passes.
Watching this after your JRPass update video. 4:34 Does the height of the bag include the wheels and protruding handles? Or is it just the main body of the bag?
Thank you very much for your Sharing. I wonder if I purchased ticket with a local limited express train, and if I miss the train, can I take another train with the ticket.
if you order through JR official, dont they send an email and you can use that conformation number without the voucher?
Great information! Thank you very much for sharing!
Great video with lots of info. Is Passmo the same as Suika? Also could you create a video on rates in general, i.e., adult, kids, etc. I read that non elementary school 6yr old is considered a child, but how are we supposed to prove it? Do you also have an info video on how to get sim card for tourist, recommendation, etc.? Thank you again and you got a new subscriber.
They’re basically the same thing just different companies, but most people in Tokyo use Suica! They will just believe your child is a child mostly, but you should be carrying a passport for them (and everyone) at all times anyways if you did need to prove it 👍
For the rules about luggages on shinkansen, it's not for all lines! Mostly for west shinkansen, not east shinkansen
I had the Jr Pass when i visited in January 😊
How expensive is to travel far distances on JR line if you're a resident?
Greetings from korea 🇰🇷 💕
Hello!!
My friends and I are planning a 2 week trip to Japan later this year and your videos have been so incredibly insightful thus far. You mentioned that the 2 week JR pass isn’t worth it if spending like the first week only in Tokyo- in our case, we are starting in Tokyo for a few days, then traveling to Osaka/Kyoto for close to a week, up to Kanazawa for a couple days and then back to Tokyo for 2-3 days where we will be flying back out from. At that point should we invest in a 2 week JR pass plus a suica card??
@Tay E.N.: I recommend to NOT buy a Suica card. You won't need it, and you will always lose money with one.
The JR Pass is good for the NE'X to/from Narita as well as the Yurikamome monorail and Yamanote line. You can get to pretty much all the major sites via these two lines. If you do need the Metro subway lines, then buy a paper ticket. It's cheaper than a Suica card.
A round trip to/from Narita plus a round trip to Kyoto together costs more than a cash fare, and more than 20,000 yen which is the maximum amount you can put on a card. Therefore you won't be able to pay for that with a card. Also, cards are not accepted everywhere, so if you still want one, better learn how to say "Can I pay with Suica here?" in Japanese. And, then risk having an insufficient balance, in which case you need to pay with cash anyway.
I have been to Japan more than 20 times.
@@myself1525 Thanks so much!! My friends and I really appreciate the insight!
Disagree with the commentator below. You don't lose money unless you 500 yen deposit for the card is losing money... If you don't plan to visit Japan again then get a one time IC card for tourists like the Welcome Suica. IC Cards like the Suica card are helpful when you are just using local trains and subways that are not covered by JR pass. You don't want to waste timing buying a paper ticket and figuring all that stuff with calculations like transferring to different lines every time... You can use the IC Card at the convenience store and vending machines. Many recommend using JR Pass and Suica card together.
@@ris6300 Interesting, we will definitely look more into the different options now that we know for sure how long we’ll be in each city. Thank you!
Does Apple Wallet Suica able to topup? i heard that Visa/mastercard from outside of Japan not able to use to charging the Suica in iPhone
Hi Allison!
Thanks for all the info!
Do you happen to know of places to store your luggage in tokyo for more than 3 days?
You can store luggage for up to 7 days at the airport. At train stations it’s usually 3 days and then they will empty out the lockers and you will need to pick up your luggage at the counter. Instead of storing your luggage if you need to for longer than 3 days and the airport is not convenient, you can also use a luggage transport service called the Takkyubin which picks up and delivers your luggage to your next destination.
Woohoo! Great tips - thank you! We are going to Japan in October 2023 for our honeymoon, so this is very useful! 💗✨
Thanks and congratulations! 🎈
Thank you very much for this video! I was afraid of buying the JR Pass from a fake website and being scammed so having your link made things a lot easier :)
How far in advance should you book your seat on the bullet train? Thank you for your videos, super helpful!
Probably two-three days before if you want to be sure your group can sit together to be safe! During busy times like New Years I’d say at least a week in advance though 😆
@@AllisoninTokyo Sounds good, thank you!
your vids are so cool
Allison, another great video. Will be visiting Japan in April 2023. I have read comments about people buying JR passes thru the website and the customer service is terrible and often people don't get their vouchers in time for travel and in the process tried to get refunds. They were either ignored or have a difficult time trying to contact the center. Is there any merit to these comments I read ?
Which website? If they’re waiting for vouchers by mail than they must’ve purchased it from a third party seller. If they bought it from the official JR pass website which is Japan Rail Pass Net then they would’ve received their reservations by email instead and therefore would not need to wait for it to be sent by mail. Basically, you pay for the JR pass directly if you purchase from the official website. From comments that I’ve seen about using the official website, I do know that their customer service was very prompt (within a day) when responding to emails and I’ve seen a few other people mention that canceling their JR pass and getting a refund was easy.
Thank you. This clarifies my confusion.
🍘 OMIAGE SNACK BOX 📦
travellike.co.jp/products/omiage-gift-box-3month?selling_plan=2954166511
I really like this box’s more cultural approach to snacks! It really is like real food people give and receive as omiage “souvenirs” so I think it’s a lot more authentic than many others out there 😊 Give it a try if you’re interested!!
Thank you for the comprehensive and helpful video! I was wondering one thing about the JR pass - can we pick up with our exchange order on one day but activate the pass on a future day? We're arriving in Tokyo but won't be using shinkansens for a week.
Yes!! I always get it in advance. It will have a starting date printed on the card you tell them when you buy it :)
To clarify, I can download the suica app before I get to Japan and never have to buy a physical card? Is there a suica english version?
Is it easy to find the specific car/Shinkansen you need to board? My biggest fear is getting on the wrong one since they come so often.
Yes! All the numbers are marked on the ground in front of where each car will pull up! For some routes it’s not a big deal if you mess it up because you can walk through the cars but others (going north) are two connected bullet trains so you could end up stuck in the wrong train 😆😆 But as long as you give yourself ten minutes on the platform you should be fine!
@@AllisoninTokyo awesome thanks so much your videos have been super helpful!
Thank youuuu!!!
I just looked up the duo a app which you can have on your iPhone… but it is not in English!
Thank you so much for the tips! My first days in Japan were the most difficult, but I am slowly learning how the routes and timings.
Also, since I was heavily relying on my phone for navigating, my phone battery was dying pretty quickly, i did bring a powerbank which was a huge life saver
I was expecting there to be an abundance of charging areas at train stations, but I could not find many charging areas anywhere,, do you have any tips on where to find these Allison? Thank you
That was really helpful! But I have a question- How does it work if have luggage on a train that is not a bullet train? Is it allowed? do you need to reserve seats like on the bullet train?
can you make reservation the day of, like last minute reservation? or do you have to reserve 24 hours early?
Thank you for your video. Pretty spot on. I live in Iwate, and I've experienced most of the local things you've mentioned, and I've been to Tokyo a few times now so likewise. Yokohama area was way more crowded than Tokyo proper. I've never been west of Tokyo personally, because it's pretty expensive to go that direction to any destination I'd want to go to (I want to visit Nagoya someday). It'd be cheaper to fly. Do you have any experience with domestic air travel? I can get to Hanamaki or Sendai airport fairly easily.
Can the Suica pass be used for the bullet trains?
Thanks Allison for the video. Since there are multiple JR companies operating the rails, then I will need to know what areas I will travel to to get the right JR pass, or do I just get any JR pass and I can use it with any JR lines? Thanks in advance.
If I plan to take day trips to Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara- (and back to Tokyo) should I get a regional pass or just buy individual tickets? If I don’t need a regional pass, how do I go about reserving a seat? Is that done in advance like online or when I get there?
If you’re also going to Kyoto from Tokyo then the normal JR Pass is probably best! Otherwise there is a regional pass for Kansai but it depends on your itinerary ☺️
Hi! It’s me again 😂 A friend highly recommended me get the JR pass (and pocket wifi at same time) I’m
Only staying for 5 days and planing to be around Tokyo not travel to other cities. What card should I use? Let’s see I want to go from Shinjuku to Tama… or Shibuya…😅 help a sister !
Will you let me know if I can take my electric mobility scooter on a JR train or bus? Which should I use when going from TokyoDisney Resort and Tokyo?
the Manaca card slander is REAL. Great video though! I'm hoping to come back to Japan sometime this year or in 2024.
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Thanks for the new info. I normally don't start a google map direction as the GPS may go haywire. I prefer to just look at it like a paper map with directions only. (Don't start!)
Omg I love Japanese transport! So clean, was always on time and such lovely staff. We had JR passes for our honeymoon, still have them ❤️
Thank you for this very helpful video! Great info for our trip to Japan this year. If we get a JR Blue Pass, can we still reserve seats? Had the impression that reserving seats was only for those with the Green Pass.
Yes!! Any form of the JR Pass can reserve seats for free 👍
Thank you so much for this video. I was just talking to my niece about this and she was unsure. She’s military living there so unfortunately she cannot get the jr pass.
I wish we could get it 😭 But we have a few regional passes we can use, I just used the JR East pass to go to Tohoku ☺️
Hi Allison, thank you for your videos.
I would like to ask something about shinkansen and JR Pass. After you make your reservation in the machines you receive a shinkansen ticket BUT when you have to enter in the ticket gate ¿what ticket do you have to put on the gate: JR Pass OR the shinkansen ticket OR both of them? I'm a little confused with this. Thanks in advance.
Great question!! Both of them at the same time (like stacked) ☺️
Strange I cannot find my comment anymore..🤔
Summarizing my question: since the "fastest" Shinkansen (Nozomi and Mizuho) are not included, but most local buses and some important "metro" lines (such as the Yamanote Line in Tokyo) isn't the JR Pass "ironically" almost more useful if one plans to stay some days in biggest cities and move a lot, rather than if one has only to do a couple of trips in Shinkansen?
Also general question: Do You know how many days/months in advance one needs to book for hotels in spring (no "golden week" or particular events) or autumn?
Many thanks in advance for any useful information You could provide!!
Generally traveling within Tokyo is pretty cheap, but it really depends on your itinerary! Even if you move around to say four places in a day you’d probably only be spending around 1000-1500 yen so the price of the JR pass is really too much (unless you’re doing daytrips out if Tokyo a lot)! I’d really just try to get a rough plan even if it isn’t final to compare the prices and decide what’s best for you! (also, the yamanote is JR, sorry it’s confusing, but a trip on it costs less than 200 yen usually so it’s pretty cheap!)
If you mean cherry blossom season, I’d do it as soon as possible! Really 3-4 months in advance. Outside of cherry blossom season, 2 months is probably fine 👍
@@AllisoninTokyo Many thanks, I think I have a clearer picture now, your advices are really precious! Just one thing: for a longer trip (around one month) should I really need to book in advance EVERY hotel in EVERY stop I am planning to do or am I allowed to have a certain freedom between the various stages od the voyage? (example: I am planning to "scout" around the Sagami Bay, Odawara and so on and I cannot exactly foresee the exact stops).
Again: very nice channel and thanks so MUCH!!!👍👍👍
Thank you so much for this video. I really wanted to figure out if to buy a JR pass or not. But only going from Osaka to Tokio in like three weeks. Any website or train line you would recommend? Please if you can do a video on what to do when arriving in Japan first time or great Sakura spotting places. Thank you so much
If you’re just going one-way from Tokyo to Osaka then the JR Pass definitely isn’t worth it and you should use the normal bullet train service :)
You should not get a JR pass for just a one way trip from Osaka to Tokyo, it would be over $100 usd more expensive to do that than just buying a regular Shinkansen ticket. The Shinkansen train line you can take for this trip is the Tokaido Shinkansen. There are 3 types of trains on this line: Nozomi (fastest), Hikari and Kodama (slowest). Since you’ll be in Japan in 3 weeks, you will probably see cherry blossoms in full bloom first in Tokyo since it will be too early in Osaka. In Tokyo, go to Shinjuku Gyoen, Chidorigafuchi, Meguro River, Ueno Park, Sumida, for some prime Sakura viewing places.
@@hsin531 thank you so much🤗🤗
@@hsin531 if i want to travel from tokyo - kyoto - osaka, then return osaka - tokyo.. should i get jr pass?
@@EjamRahim No, you won’t need the JR pass. You can just buy regular Shinkansen tickets for Tokyo-Kyoto and Osaka-Tokyo. And Kyoto -Osaka is very close so you can just buy the Special Rapid Service Train ticket which is just 560 yen. You will be saving more money this way than buying a JR pass.
I'm travelling in a couple of weeks. I would like to know from people who already went to Japan if as a foreign is difficult to combine trains which depart at similar time. For example, one night I arrive at the station at 21:03 and have to leave the train and catch another one at 21:06 so no time for any doubt or mistake as that train is the last one. Is it easy to go through scenarios like the mentioned above? Are the signs clear enough?
You really want to depart one train and catch another within 3 minutes? There’s really no absolute way to predict if you can make it because there are so many factors to consider. You would have to think about how crowded the trains are/ how long it will take you to get off the first train, then rush to find the platform of your next train which could be near or far depending on the train, then find the right train car and then board. Most of the time just walking from one platform to another will take at least 5 minutes, sometimes longer if the next platform is farther away. Also, if you have luggage with you, that will slow you down even more. Not to mention the actual station you would be at to attempt this, if you’re trying to do this at the super busy and massive stations such as Tokyo or Shinjuku then it would be extremely difficult. The signs are pretty clear but if it’s your first time there then it can still be really easy to get lost especially at the bigger stations like the ones mentioned above. It is just simply not a good idea to do it this way, especially if it is for the last train.
Can you reserve seats on the bullet train without having the JR pass?
Thanks for the info! One question, if I’m traveling with 4 family members does each member need their own suica card or can one be purchased and passed around.
Everyone needs their own, even kids! Of course you can hold onto it for them though if you want 😂