To answer the question: “Do I need a JR Pass for my trip to Japan?” I’m going to show you what a JR Pass is. I’m going to go over when it makes sense to have one and when it doesn’t make sense to have one. What an ICOCA card is and why that might be all you need. And I’m going to show you how to get each of these. By the end of this article, you’re going to know which is the best fit for your itinerary.
What is a JR Pass?
It’s a pass that allows you to ride all the JR trains across Japan. You can get a seven-day pass that starts at ¥50,000, a 14-day pass starting at ¥80,000, or a 21-day pass starting at ¥100,000. You can also choose to upgrade that to Green Class if you want to go in first class cars.
A JR Pass will take you on all the JR trains and the Shinkansen, but not the Nozomi or the Mizuho, which are the fastest ones.
When to Use a JR Pass
Having a JR Pass makes sense if you’re going to be taking a lot of long train rides. Maybe you take the Shinkansen to Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, all these other places, Fukuoka and places like that. Then it makes sense to have a JR Pass.
However, it doesn’t make much sense if all you’re going to be doing is taking the train from Tokyo down to Osaka or Kyoto, and then you’re going to be taking a lot of local trains. First of all, it’s only used on the JR trains, so you’d be using it to come down on the Shinkansen and you might use it to go on some local JR trains.
However, a lot of the other train lines are not JR and it’s not going to work on those. In that case, it does not make sense to have a JR Pass.
When to Use an IC Card
The IC card used to board trains in the Kansai area is called the ICOCA card. With an ICOCA card, you can ride all the local trains. That’s the Keihan, Kintetsu, Hankyu, Hankai, Nankai, and the Metro. Also, you can use it on buses. You can even use it in vending machines.
The Verdict
JR Pass. Good if you’re going to be taking those long distance train trips and going to a lot of places in the country.
ICOCA. Much better if you’re going to be just using a lot of local trains, other train line companies, private train companies, subways, and such.
Think of the JR Pass like a Disney Pass and your ICOCA like a debit card.
How to Get a JR Pass
You go to JRPass.com. Then you select either a 7-day, 14-day, or 21-day pass. You order your voucher online. They’re going to send your voucher.
When you come to Japan, you go to the JR Pass exchange office. You’re going to need your voucher and your passport. Then, you’re going to get your pass and then you can ride all the JR trains.
How to Get an IC Card
You can get an ICOCA card from an IC card machine in a train station. Most train stations have them and you can easily buy an ICOCA card.
On the vending machine, you can push a button to switch it to English. Then, push the button to purchase an ICOCA card. Feed in ¥2,000 and you’re going to get your card. There’s a ¥500 yen deposit, which you can get back when you return your card.
Anytime you need more funds on your ICOCA card, you can charge your card with more money at any train or subway station.
How to Use the ICOCA Card
Riding trains with your ICOCA card is really easy. As you’re entering through the gates, you just touch it to go in. When you get off the train, you touch it at the gates to go out. It’s as simple as that.
ICOCA Cards Included in Tour Packages
If you’re coming with me on a walking and public transportation, countryside, or hiking tour, you’re going to have your own ICOCA card pre-loaded and ready to go (part of your all-inclusive tour).
Questions?
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