What are some alternatives to the Japan Rail Pass? - 5 other options for traveling around Japan
Shinjuku Station, Tokyo
@Pixabay/ StockSnap
The National Japan Rail Pass is a staple of transportation for visitors to Japan, but it may not always be the best option for everyone! Take a look at some benefits of the Japan Rail Pass, but also some alternatives that are worth checking out!
Planning a trip to Japan? Chances are you’ve heard of the Japan Rail Pass (often shortened to JR Pass), a special travel pass issued by Japan Railways that allows for access to a vast majority of their transportation facilities across the country all for one price.
The large-encompassing nature of the pass makes it a great option for many tourists, making it easy to go to many different parts of Japan with great flexibility, convenience, and affordability with the right itinerary! The pass is available for intervals of 7 days, 14 days, and 21 days and includes access to the Shinkansen bullet train (with an extra charge for the express Nozomi Shinkansen train), many express trains, JR local lines, many buses in major cities, and even a few ferries in some parts of the country!
When it comes to sheer scale and ease of use, the National Japan Rail Pass is difficult to beat, but that being said, there are some circumstances in which travelers may benefit from different travel products when in Japan, some similar to the Japan Rail Pass, and others that take advantage of further transportation options!
The voucher for the Japan Rail Pass
Consider the following when deciding what to get when visiting Japan:
- The National Japan Rail Pass is the most versatile and convenient option that is great for travelers with itineraries that cover much of the country.
- Regional passes are great for travelers with smaller-scale itineraries.
- Individual tickets are best for travelers who have only one or two major train rides in their itinerary.
- Flight passes are ideal for travelers who are going to destinations that are far from each other and/or only accessible via flying.
- Highway bus passes are worth looking into for travelers who prioritize budgeting, are willing to travel with extended commute times, and are okay with less comfortable seating.
- Car rentals are ideal for travelers willing to drive to their destinations or have nature-centric itineraries.
Take a look at alternatives to the JR Pass to see what may be best for you for your next trip out to Japan!
Japan Rail Pass alternatives worth looking into
Train Tickets
For visitors with a short or focused itinerary, purchasing individual train tickets rather than the National Japan Rail Pass may be a better option. Single tickets can be cheaper if you are traveling primarily locally or only one or two significant train journeys, but the JR Pass is most economical for people who are taking several long-distance Shinkansen bullet train rides.
Furthermore, you can select the fastest bullet trains, the Nozomi and Mizuho Shinkansen, which are not included in the base price of the JR Pass (but can be boarded with a supplementary charge), if you purchase individual tickets. Additionally, you avoid the upfront cost of the pass, which enables you to more effectively plan your budget according to your actual travel requirements. Individual tickets give those who prefer the flexibility to choose the most practical and economical mode of transportation without being restricted to JR's network.
For many travelers to Japan, an itinerary consisting of just time in Tokyo and then Kyoto and/or Osaka is common. In this case, it may be best just to get tickets that fit with these travel plans rather than investing in a pass.
Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo Station to Shin-Osaka Station
@Wikimedia
Regional Rail Passes
Depending on your travel itinerary, a regional Japan Rail Pass may be a better option than the National Japan Rail Pass. Because regional passes, like the JR West All Area Pass or the Osaka-Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass, are more affordably priced and customized for a single region, they are the best option for tourists who want to concentrate on that area rather than visit the entire nation.
They frequently offer special advantages that the national pass would not, like unrestricted travel on local and fast trains as well as several non-JR modes of transportation. Regional passes are also less expensive than national passes and offer a greater variety of usage periods, making them a viable option for those who want to see a specific area of Japan. A regional pass can offer great savings and the ease of unlimited train travel if your plan is focused on a more confined location.
For those who have fairly wide-ranging travel plans but wouldn’t fully benefit from the National Japan Rail Pass, some great regional passes to look into include the following:
The Sanyo Shinkansen going from Hiroshima to Yamaguchi
@pixabay
- JR West All Area Pass- This pass goes all the way from Hokuriku in central Japan, goes through the entirety of the Kansai area, down to Hiroshima and its surrounding area, and then allows access all the way to Fukuoka in Kyushu.
- Sanyo Sanin Pass- This pass is similar to the JR West All Area Pass but also grants access to Takamatsu in Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku as well as coastal locations of the Setouchi Inland Sea.
- Osaka-Tokyo Hokuriku Arch Pass- This pass goes from Tokyo, the capital, to Hokuriku on the Japan Sea Coast and then can take you to and allow travel throughout the Kansai Region.
- JR East Pass (Tohoku Area)- This pass can take travelers from Tokyo and the surrounding area to parts of the Japanese Alps region and then through the entirety of the Tohoku Region that is between central Japan and the most northern island of Hokkaido.
- Hakone Free Pass- While this pass isn’t as wide-spanning as other passes, it grants access from Shinjuku to Hakone and then allows for easy traversing around the Hakone area. Many purchase a Hakone Free Pass as complementary to the Japan Rail Pass.
Check out these great travel options for your next trip to Japan!
Flight Passes
For long-distance travelers, a flight pass in Japan can be a good alternative for the National Japan Rail Pass. For international travelers, domestic flight passes, such as those provided by ANA and JAL, provide significantly reduced costs, frequently making them more affordable and quicker than riding the Shinkansen bullet train on routes like Tokyo to Sapporo or Osaka to Okinawa.
Flights can drastically reduce travel time, enabling you to see more places more quickly than with the JR Pass, which necessitates hours of travel for cross-country journeys. The JAL Explorer Pass in particular is a popular choice that allows for discounts for a number of routes within Japan. Budget airlines like Peach and Jetstar provide even more affordable options, and Japan's airports are well-connected to city cores via reasonably priced public transportation
A flight pass can offer more flexibility and cost savings than using trains alone if your schedule covers distant locations like Hokkaido, Kyushu, or Okinawa.
However, with these flight passes come the typical pitfalls with air travel. Between needing to book seats, commute to airports, and check in, go through security, and then wait for disembarkation, the benefits of rail travel do make themselves more apparent. But there are places in Japan that are most conveniently accessed via flight, so it will all depend on your itinerary! For example, perhaps when traveling between Tokyo and Kyoto or Tokyo and Osaka, it may be more efficient and even quicker to just travel via Shinkansen bullet train.
JAL Flight
@Wikimedia
Highway Bus Passes
In Japan, a highway bus pass can be a more affordable option than the National Japan Rail Pass, particularly for tourists who prioritize cost-savings over speed. For a fraction of the cost of the JR Pass, bus passes, such as the Japan Bus Pass from Willer Express, provide unlimited travel on regional and long-distance routes.
Highway buses run nightly routes, helping passengers to save money on lodging when traveling long distances, even though Shinkansen rides are far faster. Additionally, buses provide a more flexible and comprehensive transit network by reaching locations that are difficult for trains to reach, such as rural areas and smaller towns. A highway bus pass can offer great value and drastically cut transportation costs if you're not in a rush and prefer to see Japan at a slower, idyllic pace.
A few things to consider with highway bus travel, however, are comfort, convenience, and practicality. Highway buses don’t have as many departures and have less comfortable seating contained within a smaller vehicle compared to a train. Additionally, bathroom access may not be as ideal compared to other means of transportation. For those who may require more space and accommodation, highway bus travel may not be the best option.
Nishinihon Highway Bus
@Wikimedia
Car Rentals
For tourists visiting rural regions, picturesque roads, or far-flung locations with little train connectivity, renting a car in Japan can be a fantastic substitute for the National Japan Rail Pass. A rental car provides flexibility and freedom, enabling you to see hidden jewels like the mountains of Shikoku, the coastal roads of Kyushu, or the farmland of Hokkaido without being constrained by train timetables, even though the JR Pass is practical for city-to-city travel.
It's also perfect for group travel because it can be less expensive than numerous rail passes if the rental and fuel expenses are split. Furthermore, driving in Japan allows you to take in unique road trips at your own speed, such as the Tottori Sand Dunes, Fuji Five Lakes, or the coastal highways of Okinawa.
Of course, with car rentals, there are a few things to consider, including personal fatigue when driving and understanding traffic laws in a foreign country. Also, car rental services will often have a designated area where their vehicles can be taken. But of course, there are scenarios where driving a car is by far the best option, particularly for those who will be taking camping equipment into rural, difficult-to-access locations.
The license translation will allow you to drive on Japanese roads, to discover new horizons!
©flowertiare / 123RF
Book a tour and have your travel needs organized!
IC cards, Shinkansen bullet train tickets, and even regional and JR passes are included in our self-guided, small group, and tailor-made tours, depending on the itinerary. If you're looking for a great way to visit the country with the guidance and assistance of experienced Japanese tour guides, our tours are a great option!
Click here to find out more about our tours.
