Do NOT buy a JR Pass when visiting Japan
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 มิ.ย. 2024
- If you're thinking about visiting Japan, chances are you're planning to buy a JR Pass. If budget is not your number one concern, I do not recommend a pass. In this video, I'll give you a few reasons why. I hope you find it helpful!
If budget is a concern, I highly recommend you explore videos by @KenshoQuest. They have many excellent videos about maximizing the JR Pass so you can enjoy the full value.
Correction: A viewer rightly pointed out that there are cars on every Shinkansen that do not require a reservation. I completely forgot to mention that because I don’t ride them. Why? Because you may not get a seat-something I’m not willing to risk. But the viewer is right that those can be used with the JR Pass without having to make a reservation. However, I do believe you’ll still have to get a ticket IN PERSON at a JR counter or at a ticket kiosk. You can do this online if you don’t have a JR Pass-another argument for not getting one, IMO.
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I'm glad I stumbled upon your video. I completely get what you're driving at. I was sort of on the fence re getting a regional JR Pass. This video helped me make up my mind not to buy JR Pass. Thank you!
Thank you for the valuable information!🌹
We didn’t experience any of these issues or concerns with the Jr Pass. It was very easy to reserve seats for 9 people. And like someone else said, you don’t have to make a reservation to ride. There are certain cars that care for unreserved. JR Rail pass is amazing! Very efficient and effective. But hey to each its own.. All of my trains were quiet and not packed with tourists. I think she is just nit picking every little thing. Smh…
Hi! Nice to see you again! Stay well ❤
You too!
All excellent points which echo my (admittedly less complex) experience years ago. Thank you for speaking slowly and clearly, but I had to watch on 1.5x playback speed.
English is not my first language although I've been recently living in Australia and flying to Japan in May, so I loved your pace and clear way of putting things... It's so nice the differences ... Love it! 😊
Thank you for this information.
I’m planning a trip to Japan next year and I’m willing to spend a bit more to reduce travel stress.
I’m glad you found it helpful!
You can buy and reserve your seats online now with the JR pass for up to 30 days before the date you want to go, then claim the tickets in any reserved seat ticket machine. I've traveled to Japan multiple times with the JR pass before the price hike and still chose to get the JR pass for my upcoming trip despite the price hike because of convenience, not to mention the ability to just hop on to a train and get a non-reserved seat for day trips--believe me, it's a game changer, especially when things happen and you don't get to your reserved train on time. I do think with the price hike lots of people need to rethink getting the JR pass--before, it saved me around $500 per person, but now we're probably just breaking even with a few additional trips that weren't part of the initial plan. I would still recommend it for those who like taking day trips via the shinkansen though!
Thanks. If you could share an official website where you can book those tickets using the JR pass, I’d be happy to put a correction in the description. You’re not the first person to say this but I couldn’t find anything and no one else has responded with an official website.
You can do so at the same official JR website where you reserved your JR pass.
@@arare5678 if you will share a direct link to exactly where you do this, I'd be happy to add it to the description.
Thanks a lot, Manya. With the price hike for JR Pass, I'm considering not to buy JR Pass at all. Having visited Japan several times, I do agree that the Nozomi experience is amazing, and reserved seats are really something to look forward to due to the quiet ambience. These days, I also send my big luggage from one place to the next one with courier, hence I just travel with my cabin-sized luggage. It helps a lot, because I don't have to worry about where to put my big luggage. Thanks again!
Glad it was helpful! I'll admit I was pretty surprised at the difference in quality of experience between traveling with the JR pass and without. That's what motivated me to make the video. I get it for a budget traveller but I don't think it makes sense for everyone else.
The el😅😮s😅😂😂it😊😂wq 🎉 iwo
I think this depends on the route you are going. We went from Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka & Nara back to Kyoto and then back to Tokyo then Mt Fuji back to Tokyo again within 7 days. We are able to used it not only for Shinkansen but also for JR trains & buses around those cities mentioned. Although we sometimes purchased surcharge for lines not covered by JR pass inly once going to Mt Fuji. We computed the difference of buying a JR pass and total transpo expenses without JR Pass, and on that route I’ve mentioned JR pass is still cheaper. Also you forgot to mention that there are several JR offices for example in Narita or Tokyo station. Just research other vlog for location of JR offices with less people most of the time.
As I mentioned several times, my advice has nothing to do with budget. But I’m glad it worked for you.
May I know which calculator you used? I'm planning a trip to Tokyo - Osaka - Kobe - Nara - Kyoto - Tokyo and it came up to around 39000 yen, with 31000 being covered by the JR pass according to the japanguide calculator. It seems quite a bit short of the 50000 yen that the JR pass costs. It is my first time planning a trip to japan so maybe I am missing something here. Thank you!
I hope the commenter will respond to you. I've never used a calculator since I live here and I'm not eligible for the JR Pass. But I do know that the price of the pass has recently gone up substantially and is no longer worth it financially for most people. And as I advocate in this video, I think there are more than considerations to consider than price. Have a wonderful trip!
Hello, excellent video, I'm going to Japan in April, is it worth buying the jrpass or buying a separate ticket for each route? I will stay 18 days (4-osaka, 4-kyoto and finally 10-tokyo) with the unlimited jrpass, can I go normally or will I still need to pay extra to get to Osaka? But my biggest initial question is whether it's worth getting the jrpass to go from Haneda to Shin Osaka, could you help me please? thanks (I'm using the translator, sorry)
Hi there. My advice is to find a JR Pass calculator online and plug in your trips. I can’t define for you whether or not it’s worth it….only you can make that decision for yourself. As I explain in my video, I’m not a budget traveler so that doesn’t factor into my decision.
You DO NOT NEED reservations to ride the Shinkansen. Cars 1-3 or sometimes 1-5 are for riders without ticket reservations. I just spent a month in Japan with a 2 week JR Pass and was able to travel freely for those two weeks without making a single reservation. Always had a set for me and my partner too.
Yes but as you said, you risk not having a seat. That’s ok for some but not for many.
@@ShorrThingSure. Fair point. But incredibly disingenuous to not even mention this in your video.
Luis, fair. But honestly, I didn’t even think about it because it’s not part of how I travel here. When I have a chance, I’ll add a note to the description.
And I’ll add that it still requires you to get a ticket in person which you do not have to do if you don’t have a JR Pass (I can book a non-reserved seat online). So my argument still stands, IMO. But I did put a correction in the description. Thanks for the feedback!
@@ShorrThingThanks for the video.
I'm thinking of buying separate tickets. Tokyo - Takayama ( maybe ) - Kyoto - Osaka - Hiroshima. The separate tickets are quite expensive. You mentioned the Nozomi train. But where can I buy those tickets? Can't seem to find much information about it online. Best regards from the Netherlands
Arigato. Traveling to Tokyo for my first time only for 7 days and have decided to use the Pasmo card since we are staying pretty much around Tokyo. Buying Shinkansen for either Yokohama or Kamakura only for the experience. Your thoughts?
Seems smart to me. Yokohama is not that far from Tokyo so you might be able to just take local trains. I’m not familiar with Kamkura.
Pro Tip: exit at Kita Kamakura station and walk down to kamakura station for your return back to Tokyo. The walk is amazing.
hi, I was wondering if you advice me. I want to travel to Japan for 2 weeks August 2024 with my family. I want to stay in Tokyo first for 3 days and then go to Mount fuji to climb (how much is the hut and how to book it) and go to the lakes for 4 days (two days hike and two days sightseeing) Then travel to kyoto/osaka for 5 days. Then return back to tokyo for a day before flying out. Would you advice me to buy 14 day JR card or pay individual? also where would be the best places to stay?
Hi there. I'm going to advise you to do your own research...there is tons of information out there and I can't advise you on where to stay or how much mountain huts cost. I do know there is a Shinkansen calculator on the JR Pass website so you should be able to calculate whether it is worth it for you to purchase the pass.
We can reserve Shinkansen seat online and collect the paper tickets at machines and JR ticket office
With the JR Pass?
@@ShorrThing Yes
@bettyshee4801 I’d be more than happy to put a correction in the video description if you can give me an official link that says this. Thanks!
@@ShorrThing Sorry for late response, I am now traveling in Japan with my daughter, for me an advanced seat reservation is very important to make sure that my child sit with me
Yo reserve your seats WITH your JR pass. You first reserve your JR pass then click on reserve seats with this pass. When you reach Japan, collect your JR pass and reserved seat tickets at the same time. Super convenient.
I am making 3 bullet train trips in between Tokyo to Hiroshima, Hiroshima to Kyoto/Nara and Osaka back to Tokyo and those first class reserved tickets were less than the cost of a pass
which bullet train did you book for those 1 way trips? i have a trip in a few weeks and now im skeptical about buying a pass, i guess 1 way tickets are cheaper?
I always travel on Nozomi trains, which are not part of the JR Pass, unless you pay for an upgraded pass.
@@ShorrThing gotcha! Thanks for the reply, looking more into it now that I watched your video. :) can I buy those tickets online before I arrive in Japan?
@TerminalEleven you absolutely can if you can link a credit card with these Smart EX app. But I’ll be honest, the Nozomi runs so often that I usually just buy my tickets at the station. If you’re not visiting during cherry blossom or golden week, there’s really no reason to book ahead.
smart-ex.jp/top.php
@@TerminalEleven I used Klook
I am visiting japan in april...during peak sakura season....will i be able to ride shinkansen without reservation? Or trains would be so crowded i better make a reservation?
I'm afraid I don't know the answer with any certainty because I haven't lived here long enough to have experienced cherry blossom time. I will say that my guess is that most Japanese don't travel by Shinkansen to see cherry blossoms since they bloom all over the country. Means it's easy enough to see them in your town. I wouldn't think it would be an issue but again, I'm not an expert on cherry blossom season. Have a wonderful trip!
@@ShorrThing thank you ❤️
Would you recommend the regional JR passes as opposed to a full one?
I don’t know enough about them to comment but I know a lot of people say they’re good!
Hi, I don’t understand whats the difference between jr pass green car and faster train green car? where can I find more info?
This site looks like it has good information: www.jrpass.com/green-pass. But as I mention in my video, the green cars on the slower trains are not as good as the regular green cars. So if you’re not a budget traveler and you care about those kind of things, bear that in mind.
I always buy the JR pass when I plan on traveling. We usually go to Yokohama Station, where the lines are short or nonexistent. I’m sorry you had a horrible experience but that was not our case. We take the Hikari to Kobe in the green class and it was quiet and comfortable. Same on the Sanyo, Sakura and Hokuriku. Since the prices have gone up, I calculated how much it would cost for individual tickets compared to the pass. IThe 11:26 pass still came out cheaper than individual tickets. I also usually book hotels that are close to the station. Too bad they got rid of the cart. We usually bought ice cream on board. I don’t need the Japanese experience since I grew up in Japan. I am Japanese American and yes, I can speak Japanese. My husband, who is Chinese American prefers to go to Japan. I went to China once and I never want to go back.
I will say I’m a budget traveler. However, I plan to be in Tokyo for 10 days and don’t really plan going to another city since I heard there are many things to do especially for the first time in Japan, so do I need a JR pass? Does the JR pass include all their trains ? What about if I need to get around within Tokyo? If I decide to go to Yokohama for a day, I should just buy a round trip for that day only right? Thx in advance
Definitely not. The JR pass only makes sense if you are taking lots of Shinkansen trains. For local, you need to buy an IC card. That will work on all trains in Tokyo.
@@ShorrThing thank you. I will buy an IC card for a day trip to Yokohama since I heard it’s like a 40 minute ride.
@inquisitvem6723 If you will only be taking the train once, you can just buy a ticket. But I assume you’ll be taking the train to visit various sites around Tokyo and not just Yokohama?
@@ShorrThing correct. Btw, can I buy a SUICA card with a credit card? I see videos of people putting cash into the machine to get a new SUICA card. Also once I get off the plane, I’m hoping there are plenty ATMs there to get cash though I know the fees at airport will be crazy, but it is what it is.
@inquisitvem6723 I don’t live in Tokyo so I am not familiar with purchasing Suica cards. Each prefecture has their own IC card. Sorry!
I beg to differ.
I was in Japan last month with a G-adventures tour group and we used public transportation the entire two weeks we were there.
We visited 6 different cities and the JR pass was worth it's weight in gold.
I am definitely not knocking public transportation. I live here without a car and use it every day. I’m glad you found the JR Pass worth it but it was not for me.
For reason #1, those long lines, what is the alternative? Even if I want to buy a Nozomi pass, don't I still need to stand in line? I'm also confused because when I look at the Hinkari time table, I see those routes offer the same non-stop type service as the Nozomi line...it's just not as frequent, so I do not understand reason #2. Did you take the Hinkari line when you had your experience with connections?
You do not have to stand in line to buy individual tickets for any of the lines. You can buy them through the JR app. It’s just the JR Pass that forces you to book in person.
I believe you can travel nonstop from Tokyo to Osaka on Hikari but we were going to Hiroshima and had to change trains in Osaka.
Thanks Manya , really helpful and i will not buy JR Pass because in Kyoto Osaka , we can buy 2 day tickets Kansai or JR Kansai Wide area,it is still cheaper than buy JR Pass for 7 days
I’m glad you found it helpful!
Hi! Thanks for the info. What happen if im stating in Ossaka and i need to go to hiroshima and tokyo? What pass can I use?
It’s all the same Shinkansen line.
@@ShorrThing I mean which card?only JR ?
@fernandolucena5563 You need a ticket (or the JR pass) to ride the Shinkansen.
@fernandolucena5563 you need a ticket or the JR pass to ride the Shinkansen. They are separate from the IC cards you use to ride local trains.
Do you recommend bus? And is not bus cheaper?
Hi there. As I mention in the video, I’m not a budget traveler so what is cheaper isn’t that important to me. As for buses, they certainly work but they are much, much slower than the trains. I avoid them except when they are the only option.
I was wondering why you didn’t suggest smart ex to buy the tickets
It is my understanding that you cannot use the Smart-Ex app with the JR Pass. If I’m mistaken, please send an official website that explains this and I’d be happy to issue a correction in the description. Thanks!
I am sorry I didn’t mean to suggest jr pass with smart ex I meant to suggest that you could buy tickets in advance to leaving to Japan to avoid waiting in line to buy tickets as an alternative to getting jr pass ( supporting your position but also offering smart ex too) Really good video!
@mims2582 Oh I see! Honestly, I didn’t think to mention it. But it’s a good idea!
I am in Tokyo now Yes it is my misstated to buy JR pass return I lose 20% also I need to return the unused exchange order by tracked delivery the fee is cost me too if I see your TH-cam I will not lose my money and also it not convenient at all you need to transfer even I bought a green card it not worked and first class convenience like the way you thought not recommend for to buy a green card you can buy a single ticket at the station ( from Tokyo to Osaka first class 1 way only $20000 JPY ) it will cost you less where ever you want to go( JR pass they charge me $476 USD / 7 days pass ) only pick you at your nearby station location and on the way back they drop you off the same station, even I am asking on the way back I asked for drop me off at Haneda airport they said I need transfer by my own OMG even you have your Green card ( do not listen to some people recommend to buy JRPass on TH-cam)
🍁 🇨🇦
Hello, so I think im gonna do the Nozomi green bullet train for all the cities i visit. Not doing the JR pass.
Do you recommend for them to be bought online or is it better to buy at the station kiosk the day of the trip?
I never book ahead because then I have to take that exact train and lose all flexibility. The exception being if you’re in Japan during a holiday. You’ll definitely want to book ahead in that case.
I'll be in Japan for a month for my first time and think I'll be flying to a region and then getting a regional pass
Have you made sure those are even worth it? I use my IC card all over the country for trains and don’t need regional passes.
@@ShorrThing I calculated my route for Tokyo-Nagano-Kanazawa-Osaka and it's 25,050 individual and the Hokuriko Pass is 24,500.
So I guess not that much savings
@gumerzambrano yeah, that’s less than $4 USD. But if it makes you feel better to have the pass, do it. But it doesn’t seem necessary to have.
I will be doing a loop to the north of Tokyo - Tokyo, Sendai, Aomori, Tokyo - and the Tohoku pass is good value for that. Regional passes may be better than the all Japan pass
Neaygoja to herroschima
I have brought JR pass many times no more now crazy price hope people dont get fooled by thinking need this .
Agreed. It's especially not worth it now with the price hikes.
I'm pretty sure that local pass are the better option. I don't understand why people don't talk more about these one , especialy the 18 Kippu.
Some pass let you travel really far, like the JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass let you go from kyoto/osaka as far as nagasaki. In this exemple you can travel around nearly half of japan for 7 days for 26 000 Y when the JR pass for 7 days cost you 50 000 Y. So it's obvious that the JR pass cost too much and it would be stupid to use it if you know that.
And i didn't even talk about the fact that you have more option with these local pass. Like imagine you want to see Amanohashidate, for the famous view (It is said that it's one of the 3 most beautiful view of japan). It's in Kyoto prefecture so it should be easy to go with you JR pass right? Nope you can't do that, the train that go there is from another company.
But, if you have instead a local pass like the JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass i talk earlier, you can do it! Even the fastest shinkansen aren't allowed by JR pass but by the local pass!
Really local pass are for me the way to go. If you plan accordingly, you can save a lot of money, and having more option to travel.
The only downside of it, like the video say, is that you will have one cardboard ticket for each pass. And if you lost it, it's game over.
PS: i know the video is about people who aren't concern by the budget, but i'm just informing another option that is worth knowing in my humble opinion : )
I think you make a valid point. However, IME most tourists don’t visit the off the beaten path places and instead stick to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto. And all in 7-14 days. So time is of the essence. Local trains are great but not time efficient. Thanks for your comment!
@@ShorrThing I agree that most people only go to the so called golden route (Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka). To be honest my first trip, last year in march, was on this golden route (i only add one night in Miyajima, a famous island near Hiroshima). But i choose that mostly because i didn't know enough about other path.
Like you can buy the hokuriku arch pass who cost 24.500 ¥ and have a duration of 7 days (half a the price of the JR pass ) and Travel from Tokyo to Osaka/Kyoto. You will no take the fastest route (but still use shinkansen) and will pass by the Kanazawa area. So it's a great way to spend Time into a less populated area who also have plenty to offert and doesn't take that much longer, especialy if you spend one day along the way.
You Can still travel to Kobe and Nara with the pass so you will not pay extra (i bet that most people visit at least one of the two cities )
Anyways you also have right, if money is not the problem, you can travel without pass, i completely agree. I just wanted to say that another path was possible : )
@Eldiran1 I agree with you! I wish more people visited the lesser known cities. Truth be told, those three have been my least favorite since I moved here.
@@ShorrThing I'm more of a Kansai person than a Kanto one. Tokyo was really too big for me. Even with that, i expect that i will like the smallest cities more.
I will see in the begining of next month anyways, because i'm returning to Japan and will definitivly see more of the countryside ^^
(like for exemple i'm planning to do the kumano kodo trail by foot or nagasaki for the famous lantern festival)
The Japanese Rail System ( JR ) is so retard as compared to travelling in China by rail and much more convenient, seamless, faster and wider network.
One can almost travel up to Tibet without any hassle.
Been to Japan and Korea recently and the Korean Rail System is better than in Japan.
Most JR people in the ticket offices do NOT speak English. This woman is out of her mind!
Am I the woman “out of her mind”? I live here and every single JR employee I have worked with has spoken enough English to assist me.
I have just has five weeks in Japan, and never had any problems being understood in the JR stations