The JR Pass is a foreigner’s best friend for traveling across the country. Here are 5 reasons you should get one for your next trip to Japan!
1. A stress-free journey!
The smile on mum’s face says it all! As a foreigner visiting Japan for the first time, nothing is more stressful than train stations. Announcements are mostly in Japanese and figuring out which ticket to buy on the machines can be a nightmare.
With the JR Pass, you can board any train on the JR Line for free! Given the fact that the JR Line covers just about every part of Japan, there’s nowhere you can’t go with the JR Pass. Simply flash your Rail Pass to the train officers near the gates and they’ll let you in without question!
2. Better travel prospects
Another awesome benefit of the JR Pass is the wider prospects you have in travel options. Whether you want to travel from Osaka to Kyoto, Kyoto to Tokyo, or even Tokyo to Nagano, you can do so at little to no cost! The best way to make the most of your JR Pass is to utilize the shinkansen bullet train and frequently travel far and wide.
3. Save money!
Everyone wants to spend less and save more, and the JR Pass makes it possible! On average, users of the JR Pass save at least 5000 JPY and even up to tens of thousands of yen that they would otherwise spend on public transport. This is the equivalent of 50 USD to a couple of hundred dollars worth of savings!
Of course, the amount you save depends on the frequency and distance of your travels. If you do take on the JR Pass, I highly suggest incorporating shinkansen bullet train rides in your itinerary, as their flat price can be quite expensive. There are also plenty of buses and ferries that can be boarded using the JR Pass.
4. Save time!
Enjoy a nice snack while awaiting your train instead of scrambling for a train ticket! While other tourists frantically operated the ticket machines before their train arrived, I was enjoying some delicious pocky on the platform.
Not only do you save time at train stations with the JR Pass, but you also save travel time! This is because you have the option of taking high-speed bullet trains to many destinations across Japan. The shinkansen is a super fast train that can turn an entire day of traveling into a couple of hours!
5. Enjoy the bullet train experience
Above all, the JR Pass gives you free access to one of the most unique transport experiences you’ll ever have! Comfortable seats, onboard snack carts, and amazing views from the window are all part of the experience!
The smoothness of the ride is like an airplane flight without turbulence. You also get the legroom and seat comfort equivalent to a business class flight. To top it off, you get access to nice clean bathrooms for a pleasant ride, no matter how long your trip is!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!