A GUIDE TO SMOOTH & BUDGET-FRIENDLY TRANSPORT IN 🇯🇵

Regardless of your itinerary, getting a JR Pass in advance will save you money on your #japan trip. It doesn’t have to be the one I got, so hear me out 🫠

if you’re travelling to and within different cities, there are many different rail passes to choose from (here’s a guide) depending on your itinerary. I got the 6 Day JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass for $268, which included all JR buses and trains (including express and bullet trains) within the Tokyo and Hokkaido region.

If you’re only planning to stay within Tokyo, get a 3 Day JR Tokyo Wide Pass for $101 which include travel from the airport, and a Suica card for the rest of your trip. To put the price into context, an Uber from the airport to Shinjuku is already about $200. Cabs (and transport in general) are notoriously expensive in Japan — you will be getting your money’s worth from whatever JR Pass you choose.

VERDICT: JR Passes are definitely worth it, but this particular one is only worth it if you want to travel via bullet train (my brother did). Otherwise, one-way domestic flights go at around $70 a pop and are more convenient imo. The JR Tokyo Wide Pass + booking a domestic flight would add up to about $180. After factoring in day to day travel, it would amount to around the same cost.

Here are other tips for a smoother trip:

✨ I haven’t heard anyone say this but the trains are heated during winter and it is quite warm, so please be prepared to take off your outerwear.

✨ Get a Suica pass if you have to take other lines. It can be used on any line and you can get it from the vending machines in all stations. Take some time before your trip to figure out if you need this!

✨ You MUST book your bullet train tickets in advance or you might end up on a standing carriage with no seats. There is no extra cost, and you can do this online.

✨ Pack light (max 1 small carry on luggage + a smaller bag) if you’re travelling to another city. Not all trains and train stations are luggage-friendly and there is always a time crunch because the trains are very efficient. Save yourself the stress and look into luggage forwarding services if you can’t travel light like me.

#WorthIt #Lemon8SG #japan #japanrailpass #lemon8travel #tokyo #travelguide #lemon8singapore #Lemon8Lifestyle