Why you should invest in a JR Pass when travelling to Japan

There’s never a boring moment when you are in Japan no matter what your age or interests. The Land of the Rising Sun has a deep and rich history with a plethora of ancient buildings that have been preserved over the years, making it an attractive destination for history buffs. Its capital Tokyo is very much the quintessential city, filled with towering skyscrapers, bright lights and the latest cutting-edge technology, but head out and you’ll find scenic landscapes with flowers of every colour, not to mention delicious food from gyoza to sushi.

Thanks to the country’s extensive rail network, traveling from one end of Japan to the other on its four major islands – Honshu, Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku – is not a difficult task – 70 per cent of the country’s network is owned by Japan Railways (JR). Traveling time is also significantly faster with the help of the shinkansen, high-speed bullet trains, which travel at speeds up to 320 kilometres per hour. From Tokyo to Osaka, the 500 kilometre journey can be completed in just two hours and 30 minutes via the shinkansen.

Using a JR Pass: What to know before you go

Buying individual train tickets can be an expensive affair if you are traversing the country. Thankfully, Japan has made it cheaper for travellers to the country by offering a JR Pass. As most visitors tend to visit more than one prefecture within Japan, this is a perfect solution that is both cheap and efficient.

One very important thing to note: You have to buy a JR Pass before you reach Japan (it isn’t available for purchase within the country). The pass allows you to take an unlimited number of rides on the JR network for either 7, 14 or 21 days on either the green class or normal class, depending on the type of pass you buy. The pass also allows you to reserve a seat ahead of time.

When you reach Japan, look for the JR Pass designated points scattered throughout the country and redeem your pass before you begin your journey.

Journey through Japan: A travel itinerary

Fly into Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport in the Hokkaido prefecture where you are able to explore the best of Japan’s natural scenery – rolling hills of colourful flowers during summer and a white powder blanket covering everything in sight during winter. Using the shinkansen that opened this year in March, you can head to the east Japan region to take in the countryside of Japan where traditional matsuris (festivals) are held throughout the year, frequently involving elaborately decorated floats and rituals that are centuries old.

Travel downwards to Tokyo, where you can experience the atmosphere at the world’s busiest crossing in Shibuya or see anime characters come to life through cosplayers at Harajuku. From the present day capital, head to the ancient capital of Kyoto and walk through the traditional Shinto shrines and magnificent temples. If you are lucky enough, you may even spot geisha headed for their evening appointments in Gion.

Gourmands should make sure to stop in Osaka, also known as Japan’s kitchen. Here you can eat everything from street food to traditional Japanese dishes. For your last stop, head to Kyushu where you can hike next to majestic volcanoes and afterwards feast on the fresh seafood the region is known for.

Regional exploration: Pick the right rail pass

Though passing through most of the hot spots in Japan, the above itinerary is barely skimming the surface of the rich depth of the country’s 47 prefectures. To take a closer look at the various regions and easily travel from city to city, you can purchase region specific rail passes: Hokkaido Rail Pass, JR East Pass, JR Tokyo Wide Pass, JR East-South Hokkaido Rail Pass and Hokuriku Arch Pass, for any train within the region; and the Alpine-Takayama-Matsumoto Area Tourist Pass, Takayama- Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass, Ise-Kumano Area Tourist Pass, JR-West Rail Pass, All Shikoku Rail Pass and JR-Kyushu Rail Pass let you take regular-class trains in the region. Check out the official website for details and prices.

Train travel within Japan is delightful, not just because of the fast speed with which you can move about the country, but for the scenic nature of the journey. And, if you work up an appetite, try the ebiken bentos (Japanese style boxed meals with rice, vegetable and meat/fish) sold at each station. Given how much a single shinkansen can cost, more than half the price of a seven-day JR Pass, you can definitely get your money’s worth when you invest in this essential Japan travel companion.

Main Image: istockphoto/101cats