Is The Japan Rail Pass Worth It?

Above, a shinkansen arrives at Atami Station. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

People planning a trip to Japan often wonder if they should get a Japan Rail Pass.

It depends if one is just going to hang out in Tokyo and, maybe, visit some close-by places such as Kamakura or Yokohama or go further to places as Hiroshima, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka or Sendai.

Three years ago, we traveled from Tokyo to Atami and, from there, to Kyoto and Osaka. I bought the seven-day Japan Rail Pass for the trip and saved money. We also used it for commuter trains to go back and forth between Kyoto and Osaka.

Above, a JR Yamanote Line train in Tokyo. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the Rail Pass was still valid after returning to Tokyo, we used it for some commutes within the city. It can be used for the JR Yamanote trains, for example.

Kyo Tours Japan has an article that explains how the Japan Rail Pass will save visitors money and won't.

They begin with:

Questions about the Japan Rail Pass come up all the time when communicating with guests during the planning phase of their Japan vacation. The Rail Pass is a fairly well publicized element of Japan travel, but it can be a bit daunting when trying to figure out travel plans and rail prices in Japan. 

So is the Rail Pass worth it? That depends on a number of factors: the route that you’ll be taking through the country, where you’ll be flying in and out of, and how long you’ll be here. However, it’s almost always a worthwhile investment. Here are some tips, info, and sample itineraries that lay out the exact nature of the savings that can be had if you opt for the Rail Pass.

To read more, go here.