train ticket prices

[chonnyfonny696924]

Hi
I'm having trouble with train tickets. I haven't purchased any but I'm planning to travel to a few places during my 2 weeks in japan next week.
Places will be Tokyo, kyoto yokohama and osaka.
I like to know if theres a special pass where I can buy without breaking the bank.
thanks
Ernesto or call me ernie

[mmmason8967]

Hi Ernie

The best-known rail pass is the one for tourists from JR. The details are at http://www.japanrailpass.net/eng/en001.html.

It's not exactly cheap, but it works out cheaper than buying a number of separate rail tickets. It's valid on some buses too, but I don't know anything about bus services in Japan so I've no idea whether or not that's a useful feature.

マイケル

[chonnyfonny696924]

I had a look at these passes and it seems like shinkansen is not valid for these.

[mmmason8967]

I had a look at these passes and it seems like shinkansen is not valid for these.

I think the JR pass is valid for shinkansen with certain exceptions. Specificaly you can't use it on Nozomi or Mizuho catagory trains, but you can use it on other categories. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are on the same shinkansen line (Tokaido), which has Hikari and Kodama category trains in addition to the Nozomi catagory that you can't use the pass on.

This page about shinkansen might be helpful: http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2018.html.

マイケル

[chonnyfonny696924]

Oh sweet. As long as I can use it ill be happy. I'm still looking for accomodation in tokyo though. one thats cheap and 24/7 reception. i arrive in tokyo saturday night at 9... worried most hotels will be shut by then on saturday

[natsukoy9313]

Hi everyone!!
Like マイケルsan suggested, the best is to use Japan Rail Pass. This is the rail pass available ONLY for foreign tourists.
You can take ANY JR local trains, busses, rapid/express trains and shinkansens. The only shinkansen you cannot take is Nozomi, the fastest one.
If you're planning to travel across Japan or at least both Tokyo area and Osaka area, it's definitely very cheap.
Hope you can get it before coming to Japan
Take advantage of this great deal!!

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[chonnyfonny696924]

ok
Thats kool but Cause my travel date is this saturday. I'm afraid i wont get the ticket on time because it takes a couple of days to get it to me. I leave for japan on saturday so Looks like my travelling may have to be limited to about 2 or 3 cities ..
damnit
But I believe theres still hope. I could ask If i can get them to email me the voucher instead of recieving it in the mail.
thanks
ernesto

[natsukoy9313]

ernest-san,
You might be already in Japan by now and hope you actually found the solution!
If not, night coaches will also helo you travelling big cities with lower fare!! Hope this message will reach you on time!

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com

[chonnyfonny696924]

Actually. I ended up getting a Japan rail pass. Soooo good.
I can take almost any JR train around japan... including shinkansen.
shinkansen i swear was going at about 200km an hour but didnt feel like that then i looked outside.

[natsukoy9313]

ernest-san,
Great!! So you could travel Japan a lot with great discount? Brilliant
Hope you enjoyed a lot (especially shinkansen)!

Natsuko(奈津子),
Team JapanesePod101.com