Japan is one of the most developed countries with extensive railway networks throughout the country. While the bullet train Shinkansen and Japan Railway (JR) are about speed and efficiency, some of the local trains are interesting in a different way. In Kochi, the Tosa Kuroshio Tetsudo(Railway) Gomen-Nahari Line was characterized by 20 unique figures designed by Kochi-born artist Takashi Yanase, the creator of “Anpanman” Animate.
Taking Japan Railway(JR) is one of the most efficient and easy ways to travel around Japan. There are various passes covering different parts of Japan. JR passes are designed for overseas tourists to help them travel around easily. The cost of a long ride over 2 hours can be very high. 【Where to Buy】 Depending on where you live, you may purchase from travel agencies overseas or order online. The costs of buying in overseas are usually cheaper, say around ¥500 (HK$40). 【Cheaper to buy onboard】 It is a pleasant surprise to see a better deal on my flight to Shikoku! The 7-day All Shikoku Pass costs ¥12,000 for purchase overseas. In my last trip, the exchange rate was 0.075. So it would cost around HK$900. It was only HK$831 on board! 【Beware of the Redemption Procedure】 When you make a purchase onboard using a credit card, you get a flimsy receipt with the airline’s stamp on the back for redemption. I thought: really? I went to the JR ticketing office in Takamatsu then they said I must redeem at…
One of the best ways to explore the off-the-beaten paths in Japan is to just look beyond some of the most popular destinations. Using JR Tourist Passes is one of the most convenient and cost efficient way for independent travellers. Below is one of the most value-for-money area passes covering Takayama, the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Matsumoto, and all other cities along the route starting from Nagoya. It’s a 5-day tourist pass and for sure you can cover the following amazing places and more:
