Navigating international travel can be daunting, whether you’re a novice voyager or a seasoned globetrotter. Yet, Japan has always striven to simplify its internal transportation for everyone, resident or tourist. Their ingenious solution? The IC Card, designed to make traveling throughout the country as effortless as a gentle summer breeze.
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Trains & Transportation
This section of our blog is dedicated to the public transportation in Japan, available for free to all Japan Rail Pass holders.
If you want to learn more about how to locate and take your trains from Tokyo or Kyoto stations; how to arrive in central Tokyo from Narita Airport, by taking the Narita Express (N’EX); how to ride the JR buses in the major cities or take the Miyajima ferry from Hiroshima, this section is for you.
You will also enjoy a number of comprehensive routes on how to arrive from one city to another; where to look for accurate online timetables; where and how to transfer between stations and more.
Collecting Eki Stamps: A Fun Japanese Railway Quest
Imagine embarking on a journey across Japan with your Japan Rail Pass, not just to explore the diverse landscapes and rich culture, but to uncover a unique tradition: collecting eki train stamps.
This custom offers a special way to document your travels and engage with the Japanese railway system. Below, we delve into everything you need to know about this fun pastime.
Hello Kitty Shinkansen: The cutest bullet train
The Japan Railway West Co., better known as JR West, debuted a Hello Kitty bullet train service on its Sanyo Shinkansen line on June 2018. At the moment, like other special shinkansen trains before, it seems that this train will run for a limited time, for now it’s not known until when but, according to JR West, it will be announced 4-months a time.
This exciting train boasts Hello Kitty’s iconic red ribbon as the main theme, as a way to represent the strengthening of the ties between the Shinkansen services and the western part of the country. The best part? It’s included in your JR Pass!
Japan Rail Pass prices to increase in October: What we know so far
The Japan Rail Pass, a popular and cost-effective way for foreign tourists to explore Japan by train, is set to experience a significant price increase starting October 2023.
Below, we explain the reasons for why Japan Railways is increasing the price of the JR Pass. We also provide a comparison table of current and new prices, and offer tips on how to secure passes at the current price before October.
How to Explore Japan Effortlessly With Navitime
Everyone wants to get the most out of the Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) and make organizing a Japanese adventure a simple and stress-free experience. Thankfully, there is an app designed to be a Japan trip planner.
Japan Travel by NAVITIME — Japan’s leading travel app — provides valuable information and tools to help you navigate your way around the country.
Masks no longer required on JR trains from mid-March
It will soon be optional to wear a mask on public trains in Japan. The previous mandatory requirement to wear a mask on trains and indoors is set to be removed.
Instead, you will be able to judge for yourself when to put on a facemask for COVID-19.