not everything can last forever 🥲🥲 let me know what you think about these changes and if you have any advice for fellow travelers in the comments!!

The calculator on the JR site allows you to plan out each trip/stop in your itinerary. The site also allows you to calculate the fares of each leg and they take a lot to add up to the 70k/110k/140k marks Allison mentions in the video. I have been planning a trip this year and the JR pass price marks are much better to simply pay per fare. It is unfortunate that the pass is so expensive now but as mentioned in the video, see if it is the answer for you, don't just buy it.

Based on the web forums, they had interviewed a rail conductor in the JR Hokkaido region and he said they primarily raised the prices because of the overcrowding of the Tokkaido shinkansen line. Many tourists arriving into Japan typically only travel the Golden Route (Tokyo > Kyoto/Nara/Osaka > Tokyo). They don't travel anywhere else. Because of this, the Hikari and the Kodoma lines on the Tokkaido line are often overcrowded and many Japanese passengers were heavily complaining. These folks pay full priced fares especially all of the business folks traveling on that line. However, jacking up the JR Pass 70% fold is A LOT. What they could have possibly done was to reasonably raise the rates of the pass (maybe 30-35%) and then limit the times on when you can travel on the Tokkaido line during heavy congestion(say block travel between first train and say 1-2pm, and the block it again from 6pm to 9pm or of that sort). What JR also could have done was to sell the JR Pass at a lower cost (still raise the prices resonably) WITHOUT allowing travel on the Tokkaido line period. Trust me, there are no crowding issues on the Joetsu, Tohoku, Yamagata, Hokuriku, and Akita lines. JR has mentioned the increase of price of 70% is also a test to see if demand wanes. If it does, they mentioned they can still adjust the prices to try to hit a sweet spot. If is does not, don't be surprised if they raise the prices even higher.

Really good information.thank you for sharing 🥰👍

Helpful vlog especially with our upcoming Japan trip! Thank you. 😊

Arrigato Gozaimasu Allison!! Special thanks for the JR rail pass updates!! Your content is very beneficial for our family Japan trip upcoming November 2024!!

Super useful! Thank you Allison :) I really enjoy all your content.

Thanks for the update!

Thank you for always making update videos! A lot of my friends ask me about Japan travel as I've gone a couple of times so I've just been linking these changes videos as all my knowledge was JR train pass based RIP ! Cheers!

i just want tot say thanks for all the videos, me and my mom are planning a trip to japan and they're very helpful! :)

you rock Allison! thanks for giving us info and options in post covid JR

This was very informative. Thank you!

This was the most EXTREMELY INFORMATIVE KZfaq video on one subject I have seen & heard. I absolutely love it !!! Thank you for no Baloney Sasuage. Lot's of edit stops and starts but done well...completely understandable. Just can't say enough. Current info for 2024 even better...WOW Blown away...it will take me awhile to land from this overwhelming delight. Seriously!

This is extremely informative and also humorous. Thank you very much!

Thank you for this video!

Very helpful vid. Thanks for explaining

Thanks for the information 🤔

Wow! A lot of great information. A bit confusing for sure 🧐 but definitely need to know for tourists 👏

I had no idea how complicated trains are in Japan. This is eye opening, thank you for being so informative!

Very useful exactly what I needed rn ❤

tks, that is very informative!!!

Thank you for the update!! What day trips would you recommend from Tokyo? ☺️

I wish they hadnt raised the price so much. Next time I will buy a normal return ticket when I go to Kyoto from Tokyo. I was in Japan in November last year and we luckily found out about the new prices just a week before they changed them, so we managed to get our JR passes at the old price. Love your videos 🙂

Hello, Thank you, Allison😀: thanks to you and your videos I purchased the JR Pass in August and used it in November ( of 2023 ).

Ótimo vídeo. obrigado pelas dicas.

Alison, I missed your videos! Also, my cousin and her mom are visiting in March (never once visited, don't speak japanese) and asked me for some advice, and can I just say, I love how you did the adding up with difference in regular tickets vs JR pass's new price. That's exactly what I did. They were like why do you have so much advice? Cause you're asking me damnit. People should *REALLY* watch these vlogs, even if you think you know everything, there's always some new stuff!

Good vid, ty.

Thank you so much for this video! You saved me some precious Yen. I agree that the price update was necessary, but did it have to happen when I'm planning to go? 😅

Great info. I hope to visit Kumamoto & Yamaguchi someday.

Using the JR at present, it’s been great, the price did go up a lot end of last year, but for this trip, two weeks it’s been worth it as we traveled all over, the little local trips that are not included have been very cheap

This video was so thorough, thank you! JR Pass has always confused me

Thank you

We have opted to do both individual tickets and flights when we come over in June for 3 weeks from Australia. It didn't work out for us to use JR pass anymore. Going all over Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya, Kanazawa, and Koya-san. Flights were super cheap but factor in the cost of the train from and to the airport.

I am SO glad you posted this. Everyone was raving about the JR pass - "you can't go wrong they said". Yet I crunched the numbers for each trip, short and long and found no way to make the JR pass pay off. The only pass that works is two five day regional JR West passes. Other than that, it will be individual tickets. Much appreciated!

I just got mine and it’s really only worth it if you are taking a lot of Shinkansen in a short amount of time. If you are mostly staying local to Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka probably not.

Thanks for sharing this info! I m planning a trip in nov and was thinking of making this Tokyo to Kyoto route, now knowing this, not going to happen any more😢

JR pass was a godsend for us when we visited in 2016. The staff were super helpful and really nice. This reminds me of stuff that happens in the UK, especially where I live. The bus pass for a small town would increase every April, now since COVID its been February and April!

It was sometime after Japan opened the country back open for regular movement again. I remember reading that "they" were feeling overwhelmed with the influx of people. The price hikes for the JR was to discourage the massive wave of people exploring the villages that couldn't support that many tourist.

Here's a tip, if you send you luggage with Yamato for example from Tokyo to Nagano, you can even send it let's say 4 days before you leave Tokyo, offcourse you'll need to have to separate the needed amount of clothes for the remaining days in a separate backpack, but either way you'll travel with the essential. Once you arrive at Nagano, your luggage will be waiting for you in your hotel room like it happen with me when I did this.

I'm leaving Japan after being there for a month and it is truly a super affordable vacation. Food is more than half off than the US and hotels are affordable too

Nice summary. One thing I would add is that there are only one or two Hikari trains per hour between Tokyo and western Japan whereas Nozomi trains run several times an hour. Back when the JR Pass started, Nozomi trains were the exception rather than the rule. Domestic flights can be booked using miles from United (ANA) or American (JAL). It may only cost 7500 miles one-way. It has become almost impossible to use miles to book flights between the U.S. and Japan at reasonable rates.

thanks Allison! Very helpful. I am now looking at purchasing tickets for my family and our trip to Japan. Do you have any suggestions for doing this in advance and being able to select seats? I seem to make progress on certain sites but then I cant get to the next city. For instance we are looking at Tokyo - Nagano - Kanazowa - Kyoto - Tokyo actually, i just found Klook. Is that what you would suggest?

Went to Japan in November (bought the pass before the price increase) and we definitely managed to use it beyond it's value because we went to Hokkaido and Hiroshima. Booking seats on the bullet train in advance as a life and time saver!! You can do it at kiosks in most major train stations, and they have it in multiple languages so we just chose it in English and was good to go. The catch is you can only make seat reservations a few days in advance. If you need to make a seat reservation change, that's when you need to go see a ticket agent. Overall though, my partner and I don't think the JR passes are worth it anymore.We would most likely be getting regional passes moving forward

I was lucky enough to get a green JR pass last spring (2023). Even then, I think I remember hearing that a price hike was coming. It sucks, but your explanation made it make sense...can't believe I was taking advantage of 1980's travel prices! Next time I go, I plan on getting a regional pass. I want to see more of the Tohoku region, and Hokkaido.

Ahhh so many details! Taking like 13 teenagers from Aichi to Gifu in June... Sounds like we're reserving seats.

Great info update. I appreciate you taking time to get the word out. Side note: Your complexion looks really good with the green jewel tone shirt.

That sweater 👏 JR colours

Thank you, Allison. This is so informative. How about trains going to Hokkaido? How much would that be from Tokyo?

Hi Allison! Thank you for your video as I’m trying to do some research for my Japan trip later this year as far as train pass options go. Can I ask what you would recommend for a 18 day trip (7 in Tokyo, 4 in Kyoto and 7 in Osaka), with travel being confined to within those cities whilst there?

Thanks Alison I needed this as I'm travelling in May. Any tips if I'm travelling from Tokyo to Nagoya. Return. I also got to use the pass in September before price went up.

The last time I went to Japan was in 2019 and I did buy the 7 day JR Pass. At the time it paid for itself with a round trip from Tokyo to Osaka and a day trip from Osaka to Hiroshima but at the current price I would not be able to justify it. Besides I’m a slower traveler and prefer to spend more time in a place and letting my whims set where I want to spend more time. When I go back in May I’ll do point to point travel

Well done Allison, Your maps very informative'. I was last there just before the price adjustment. My big trip was Tokyo to Kagoshima, Hired a car to drive to the James Bond monument at Bonotsucho Akime. Next one will be to Nagasaki.

Luckly I was able to use the JR Pass when I went early last year. For my next time, I’ll probably look into the regional ones, if they don’t get a price hike, like the JR Pass.

Thanks for making this video. We are planning to come from SFO via red-eye flight to Hanedo airport and then take the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka station. Should I be worried about getting delayed when arriving in Tokyo station on reserved seats?

Thanks for your video and information! We're going to visit Japan at the end of may and stay for two weeks at Tokyo. So visiting Studio Ghibli Park at Nagakute would cost already around 100€ one way, I guess. So for two person it would be already 400€ for traveling, making the JR pass more appealing since its just 200€ more and we could visit kyoto, osaka or the universal studio park aswell. What are your thoughts? thanks for your help!

I'm currently researching going to Kyushu for Cherry Blossom season, and I looked at trains, buses and planes. It turns out the domestic planes were the best option for me after quite a bit of study. I'm currently looking at the JR Kyushu regional pass versus buses to get around the island. You're right about the need to preplan the itinerary making this less of a holiday, and more stressful. Sounds like focusing on one region per trip will be better for travelers moving forward... Your video was the best on the subject of the JR Pass yet, so I do appreciate your explanation! ❤

Thanks! Are the regional JR passes interesting if I want to stay at least 2 nights ( or even more) at one destination?

Thank you very much for the information. We intend to visit Japan in November for about 2 weeks and do the "regular" trip that you mentioned - Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka with an emphasis on fall colors - Japanese maple comes to mind. Would you recommend the JR pass in this case? We don't intend to changes cities every day, and hoping to do no more than 3 hotels locations.

Overnight buses from Kansai, Hiroshima and Okayama area usually arrive between 6 and 8am, from Sendai and NAgoya 5-7am. If there is a delay,it's usually within 30minutes. I've used them regularly! Greetings from Tokyo, living here since 2014

Thank you for your video. Do you know anything about luggage limits for the busses? I'm going to be transferring to a different region soon, so I have to basically fit everything I want to keep into the two suitcases I arrived with. They are airplane-friendly size.

I've used Shinkansen paper ticket non reserved many times with my large fabric suitcase just having it right in front of my seat with my knees right up against it. In the past with the JR pass I always used non reserved seating. My fabric suitcase was too big for the overhead shelving. All my 5 Japan trips were in winter within December to February.

I lived in Japan from 1999 to 2002. I am now, many years later, planning to return with kids. I was really (REALLY!) hoping to get this JR Pass. I could not get it when I was living there and I had to spend way more to travel around with friends. And now, just as I'm planning to return, the prices go up. Way up! Ugh. But I get it. You explained the history and all the alternatives very well.

Ohhh 😢 That’s sad news. Had 3 fantastic days getting around on the JR pass back in 2021. Riding the bullet trains without thinking about my wallet was such a treat.

Shes correct. I just came back from Japan and I am glad I didnt buy the JR Pass. I did, Tokyo, Osaka, Nara and Kyoto and only spent like 25000 YEN.

Thanks for making this video; if I hadn’t seen it I would have probably purchased the JR pass. Is there any kind of app that calculates train prices for routes?

The JR Green Pass is good stuff for cheap. The last week on a 3-week pass is basically the cost of 1 regular fare round trip anywhere and you can go the whole week in first class. Also, for those with a small budget, the Hokuriku Arch pass will get you to Kanazawa or Nagano on your way to Kyoto or Osaka (which you indirectly mentioned).

Hey! So I'm new to your channel and just wanna start by saying I love your videos! But I have a question, if you haven't already, could you make a video on how to become an English teacher for Japan? I currently live in arkansas in the US and am gonna be going to live in japan but I wanna become an English teacher over there just not sure on the progress 😢😅

I recently came back from 1 week in Japan and bought the JR Green pass. And maximized it the most we can. The itinerary was packed but we like riding the shinkansen. Narita NEX express to Tokyo to Hachinohe to Sapporo to Yamagata to Mishima to Kyoto to Tokyo to Niigata back to Tokyo then to Narita NEX. Tiring but awesome plus you could different scenery and types of shinkansens throughout the 1 week. Plus the Green JR car are marvellous

I used a JR East-South Hokkaido pass last year to go from Tokyo to Sapporo with few stops on the way and it was cheaper than "the" JR pass even before the price hikes. Would recommend. Except for the last bit from Hakodate to Sapporo. That bit wasn't so nice. Stacking the tickets on the ticket gates was also a bit confusing. Flying back to Tokyo was a 5/5 experience.

thank you for the travel tips i will stand with jr pass 21 days even it is expensive i will go to kyushu in the futur kansai and kanto for a month it is worrth !shinkansen sukidesu

I was in Japan for two weeks this past December. We visited 6 different cities and used public transportation the entire time. Our JR passes were absolutely worth it.

Flying made my travel so much better. I flew from Fukuoka to Hokkaido (New Chitose Airport) for 55 dollars and then from Hokkaido to Aomori Airport for only 30 dollars. The first trip would have been like 16 hours by train and the second one around 6 hours, it would have been covered under my JR pass, but the extra 85 dollars for both flights was extremely worth it.

I got the pass on my last two trips and zipped all over the country. With the new price hikes, it’s just not worth it to me personally. I learned on my previous trips that there are other train companies in different regions, and other transit options. It can be a lot of fun to focus your trip in just one region as well- there are so many overlooked destinations within each region that taking the time to slow down and explore can be a fantastic reward.

I really loved the convenience of the JR pass last year. Still deciding whether we will get it again this year with the price hike

Hi Allison, I used the JR Pass this summer and very much got my money’s worth. Loved it. Great deal for the confused tourist. If I went back now I would just buy one way passes the day of the trip. Just to keep things flexible. Thanks for your help, I used you to research my trip 🇯🇵 🇺🇸

this was helpful, but I thought I read somewhere that the JR pass would also cover more lines locally? I'm there for roughly 20 days and im going coast to coast basically and a friend had said the JR pass might be better since it'll cover some regular trains in the tokyo area.

I am a seasoned traveller. Been to Japan several times. With what they did to the JR Pass, you might as well just plan some cheap domestic flights. Yes not as pretty initially, but just walk and bike everywhere when you’re there, and explore. Or take the longer, cheaper, local trains that take longer. And you’re right, just pay the cheaper local price once you’re done with domestic plane or train, or once again take the cheaper non bullet train, and enjoy the longer ride and scenery.

For domestic flights within Japan, both JAL and ANA offers discounted fare exclusive to tourists (JAL Japan Explorer Pass / ANA Discover JAPAN Fare) and it's competitive to LCC but offers more comfort and flight options. Often times you can travel much cheaper than regular Shinkansen fare.

You are right in that JR Pass prices were low for many years due to Japanese government trying to encourage foreign tourists to visit the country; in a way, Japan was subsidizing their cost of travels. Yes, Japan should have gradually increased the JR Pass prices bit by bit, rather than by a big chunk in 2023. Still, train travel in Japan is for me the most enjoyable and convenient.

We used Smart EX on our trip last year before the JR Pass price change. If sticking to the usual "golden route" I would highly recommend it today post-pass changes. We took the Nozomi from Tokyo to Kyoto for about 14,000 yen each in Green Car... on our other major leg, Nagoya to Tokyo, I think we paid 9,200 yen each for Green Car in the all-stops Kodama. The catch is that you have to reserve it three days ahead of time, but it was very cost effective for us and a great way to move comfortably! I believe similar deals can be had for the Nozomi if you take ordinary seats too :)

I am planning trip to Tokyo next year, I was looking at the JR pass as I planned trip to Furukawa and also Mount Fuji. Guess it’s now cheaper to just buy individual journeys. The price increase is crazy😱

For highway bus, you would need to be heavy sleeper I tired one to sendai and the driver wouldn't stop talking for 1 hour after the boarding and it's a bit tight I would recommend 3 seat layout never ever go for more and opt for toilet or you will be miserable

Thanks! I knew the JRP price went up, but I didn't realize it is so pricy now, so it's useless besically

My 2nd trip to Japan in a couple of weeks - got a 7 day JR Pass despite the crazy hike as it just about works out better for me (Tokyo-Fukuoka return via Hiroshima but will use the ferry and random trips all over). Also, it's actually slightly cheaper to buy it abroad from resellers - the ¥50000 is discounted slightly I believe (I got mine from Klook). Also, I found it easy to get seat reservation tickets via the machines with a JR Pass (did this loads last year) no need to visit manned booths...the hike is annoying though as it was so much cheaper last year!

Hi Allison, thank you for this video. I will be arriving in Tokyo on 3/22 in the afternoon from California and leaving on 3/31. My plan is to go to Kyoto and Osaka using the bullet train. Without the JR Pass, can I buy the bullet train 🚄 tickets (is that also the regional train?) and still can hop on or hop off the train just in case I missed the one I booked originally? What would you recommend given the places I want to go to? Thank for any suggestions.

Just got off a Shinkansen yesterday, we had the people in front and behind (tourists) using “extended” area which allowed us to only fit one luggage above us.. we asked the staff (as it recommends) and he asked where we’re getting off (shin Yokohama) and he then guided me to leave it in the door / middle area at the left side door (as all stops bar ours was right hand door exit/entry it turned out).

So if you dont buy the JR pass or regional pass... do you recconnend using like a reloadabke card or just buying tickets that the station? Im still struggling to number crunch to swe if jr is even worth it (since im doing a few off shoots, and unsure how many legs are covered by jr) but well get there 🙃

So i have to pre reserve luggage space for the Narita express ti city when arriving in Tokyo?

Hi there, I have a question regarding the Yen. I know that the Yen is currently low right now, I'm just curious if the prices of goods and services increased in Japan?

Most of tourist buy JR Pass typically only travel between Tokyo>Kyoto/Osaka and this make tokaido-sanyo shinkansen overcrowed. Thats why Japan increase the price of JR pass and introduce Hokoriku Arch Pass. With less cost than JR pass (around US$250) tourist can still travel between Tokyo>Kyoto/Osaka. The disadvantage using this pass is it would take longer route and time to reach osaka than JR Pass. Hokuriku shinkansen from tokyo the train ends in tsuruga station and you have to change using rapid train to osaka The advantage is you can visit new cities between tokyo and kyoto/osaka like nagano, kanazawa, tsuruga, etc

@allisonintokyo can you tell me what is the best transportation we can use if we are coming from Fukuoka to Osaka? Our itinerary includes also Nagoya, Kanazawa, Yokohama and Tokyo. We'll be in Japan for 2 weeks and we are starting our journey from Fukuoka. I'd really appreciate it. Thank you.

I visited Japan pre Covid and remembered how “easy” it is with the pass. Just showed up at the station and go to the counter and choose the next Shinkansen train. How do I buy the single trip or return trip tickets that this video talk about? Do I have to pre book and stick to a schedule?

My first ever trip to Japan was back in Nov-2023. Thinking back, I was under pressure to plan out the itinerary on budget after the price increase of JR Pass was announced sometime mid-2023. 😂 I could still pre-purchase it at the pre-hike pricing before Oct-2023 and use it in Nov through Dec-2023. At the end of the day, I didn't get it because my detailed itinerary around Japan stretches out and it barely made sense to get JR Pass. My total cost traveling on JR rails throughout 17 days in and around Japan (round trip via Shinkansen between Tokyo & Osaka) came up to about slightly more than the pre-hike 7-day JR Pass. In hindsight, could have planned out better to only use Shinkansen once and pushing my travel cost further down. Post price hike, it made no sense at all to get it. 😅 Good tip about Highway/Express busses. They really are the way to go price wise and still very comfortable.

Even before 2020 it was worth getting the "X travel days in a Y day period" pass, use it for your long distance, and pay normally for local transit.

Really glad my friends and were able to take advantage of the old pricing before it went up. Bought the 21 day pass for roughly $432 USD while spending a total of 23 days in Japan. We started our trip in Tokyo for a few days before traveling out to Fukuoka and staying for around 4 days(stopped in Kobe and Osaka for 2 days whilst we were on the way there). On our return trip we hit up Hiroshima and Okayama for a day, detouring to Tottori for a day and half, Kyoto for 3 days, southern Wakayama for a day and half for the onsens, back to Tokyo for a few more days before ending the the remainder of the trip in Osaka. Unfortunately did not have time for Nagoya but I would say we more than got our money's worth riding the shinkansen + local JR trains.

went to japan for a month last year november. After doing tons of math to see if any of the pass's would save us any money, it became pretty clear that it was cheaper to just book our "big" trains months in advance and get the 30% discounts on the different train websites. We went Tokyo-->Kiso Valley-->Nara-->Yoshino-->Nachi-->Kyoto-->Tokyo. If we had done the pass's we would have overspent by a lot.

I am arriving in Tokyo in the second half of April but haven't decided where to stay or what to do. I kinda want to see everything, but I also want to enjoy everything. I want to go to Hiroshima and Nara for sure, plus some of the smaller village places for hiking. Will be in Japan for 14 days. Pass or no pass?

Can you recommend what app on phone we can use to reserve your seat for the JR pass? or can you only do it physically

Hi! you still have a Code for VPN? thanks

Seishun 18 pass is great if you love trains, and if you intend to go to smaller towns that aren’t served directly by shinkansen, such as Hagi or Tsuwano. You must be prepared for slow (but often scenic) train rides though, and have plenty of time to spare.