Kansai Japan

Japan Rail Pass

Posted on 21. May, 2009 by J.

The Japan Rail system is a conglomeration of six independent railways overseen by the Japan Railways Group. Millions of Japanese commuters and tourists use Japan Rail Passes each year to span the 12,400 miles between Hokkaido and Kyushu. The Japan Railways Group is largely responsible for dictating the Japan Rail Pass, the ticketing system used to regulate rail usage on this line. International tourists and Japanese nationals should understand the process of getting a Japan Rail Pass before trying to board a train.

The Japan Rail Pass is available to three distinct classes of riders including Japanese residents, Japanese nationals, and temporary visitors. Residents of Tokyo, Osaka, and other urban centers can purchase their Japan Rail Passes easily by heading to their local train stops. The Japan Rail Pass is available to returning Japanese nationals who are married to citizens of other countries and live overseas, as long as they can demonstrate Japanese heritage.

The temporary visitor distinction among Japan Rail Pass users is more nuanced than the other two classes. Non-Japanese tourists and visitors need to have their passport approved with temporary visitor stamps once they arrive at airports and train stations. Once the passport is approved for temporary visitor status, people interested in commuting can get plain or green Japan Rail Passes for 7, 14, or 21 day intervals. The user of the pass can get unlimited travel during the periods that the pass covers. The temporary visitor distinction is used by Japanese Rail authorities to track system usage as well as keep an eye on foreign travelers within Japan.

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The Japan Rail Pass is available for children and adults interested in riding coach and first-class or green cars. The Japan Railways Group offers ordinary passes to adults for 28,000 yen for seven days and 57,700 yen for 21 days. The green Japan Rail Pass is available between 37,000 yen for seven days and 79,000 yen for 21 days. Commuters can acquire ordinary and green Japan Rail Passes for seven, 14, and 21-day intervals with unlimited travel during these periods.

Travelers with Japan Rail Passes can access a majority of bullet and express trains run by Japan Railways Group. The lone exception to Japan Rail Pass accessibility is the NOZOMI trains that run on the Sanyo Shinkansen and Tokaido lines which are operated by a separate authority. The Japan Rail Pass allows commuters to board the Hikari, Kodama, and rapid trains on lines like Nagano, Yamagata, and Akita. Since Japan Railways Group runs hundreds of trains each day, the Japan Rail Pass is a bargain for frequent train users.

Japan Rail Pass holders are not limited to bullet and express trains after completing their purchases. The Japan Railways Group runs eight bus lines throughout Japan that are accessible with a Japan Rail Pass including the JR Bus Kanto, JR Shikoku Bus, and the West Japan JR Bus. The Japan Rail Pass is also valid for the Japan Railways-run Miyajima Ferry that carries passengers from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima. Long-range commuters investing in Japan Rail Passes can piece together their daily trips among bullet trains, buses, and ferries without worrying about daily fares.

If living in Japan, the easiest way to purchase a Japan Rail Pass is to acquire an official pass at authorized dealers within Japan, however, for those individuals that are seeking a temporary visitor’s pass, it will be necessary for you to purchase a voucher while you are outside of the country. It is imperative that you purchase your pass before your arrival otherwise you will not be able to get one when you have already entered the country. Residents can acquire Japan Rail Passes at Japan Railways Group counters and machines within the country’s bus and train stations. The Japan Rail Pass is getting easier to acquire as stand-alone dispensers become more sophisticated.

Vacationers and business travelers planning trips to Japan can also acquire Japan Rail Pass vouchers outside Japan. These vouchers can be turned in to a Japan Railways Group counter for an equivalent seven, 14, or 21-day Japan Rail Pass. The Japan Railways Group maintains offices in New York City and Paris, along with authorized brokers in major cities worldwide to facilitate Japan Rail Pass purchases. The Japan Rail Pass voucher has a three-month expiration date from purchase, forcing travelers to buy their vouchers close to departure dates to get the best value for their money. Voucher holders must pass the same passport standards to reach temporary visitor and Japanese national status as travelers with Japan Rail Passes.

The Japan Railways Group maintains a fairly strict refund policy when it comes to Japan Rail Passes. The Japan Rail Pass cannot be turned into counters and machines for refunds after the first conductor’s stamp is applied. Japan Rail Pass holders can get a full refund minus a handling fee if they return their passes before the first stamp is applied. Foreign travelers can get refunds on their Japan Rail Pass vouchers within one year of purchase in case travel plans fall apart. The Japan Railways Group applies handling and processing fees to every refund, which requires some conversion in the minds of travelers trying to get their money back in home currencies.

Japan Rail Pass holders should prepare themselves for the quick action at their departure and arrival stations. At every station, one will find turnstiles which are incapable of reading the rail pass so visitors must move through the counter entrance/exit to have their rail pass examined by staff that are at the location to ensure that all Japan Rail Passes are valid and current. Regional and long-distance trains feature conductors who will check Japan Rail Passes once passengers are seated. These conductors can be relied upon to answer questions about upcoming stops, sleeper car accommodations, and other basic information about the Japan Rail system. Japan train stations also ask passengers to show their Japan Rail Passes after exiting to keep train stops free from non-ticketed visitors.

The vast network of Japan Rail lines from Kyushu to Hokkaido requires a great deal of planning by travelers. International visitors and tourists with Japan Rail Passes should traverse heavily-traveled urban areas like Tokyo with an eye toward daily traffic patterns. The crush of humanity on Japan Rail trains in the early morning and late afternoon can restrict space for baggage and large groups who have not planned properly. Japan Rail Passes should be used mid-morning, mid-afternoon, and late night when possible to ease space restrictions.

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My Favorite Japan Vloggers On YouTube

Posted on 29. Jan, 2009 by J.

Tokyocooney – Comedian/writer based in Tokyo. Has been doing Tokyo vlogs for several years now.

BusanKevin – Got the name while staying in Busan, Korea, but now lives in Kobe.

marlowgum – Relatively new vlogger, but one of the better video producers. Based in Nagoya I think.

myargonauts – Based in southern Japan, not exactly sure, but mostly provides information about the JETT program. I have no interest in the JETT program, but its interesting to hear about things related Japan. Very informational vlog, plus Sumo updates!

TkyoSam – Warning, if bad language offends you, skip it, but that doesn’t bother me. Sam provides his own take on things happening with him in the J-land.

KansaiPJ – Lives in Kansai, not sure where. Always providing information about the happenings in his life and Kansai region.

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