Japan Rail Pass

"Preparing itinerary for Japan is the LONGEST time I’ve ever taken in my life! Almost 3 weeks and still, 90% complete!”

What a statement from hubby, when he forced me to get involve in preparing the details. (Well, I jumped in when it was 60% ready.) While he’s cracking his head for the route, hotel, and transportation, my job is to comment/feedback and compile all the shits. No, a-ah, it wasn’t easy ok…I have to adjust the column, the margin, the font, the map size, OK, FINE, call me indexer or administrator or whatever you want, but I do play part in producing the masterpiece (A Tour Cookbook @ Buku Hikmat).

*Cough* Let’s change topic.

What is Japan Rail Pass?

Obviously, it’s…….a…….rail…..pass! Pfft! A ticket for you to ride trains from end to end a.k.a, “THE” key to convenient sightseeing in Japan.

Who is eligible for this pass?

Me, hubby, you, your family, your neighbor, your Malaysian friends, your African friends, as long as he/she is a foreign tourist who visits Japan, under the status of “TEMPORARY VISITOR”. Japanese? CANNOT! *Read my lips* CANNNNNOOOOT!

Why bother buying this pass?

It is INCREDIBLY economical way to travel throughout Japan VIA rail, with TERMS AND CONDITIONS apply. It covers every corner of the four major islands, so, for those who wish to touch-and-go, GO FOR IT! (I know, train supposed to be the cheapest transportation in other countries, but speaking of Shinkansen, it isn’t cheap.)

What option do you have?

There are two types of Japan Rail Pass, Green or Ordinary. A.k.a, the rich or the poor. Both available in 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day. The longer duration you choose, the more tears coming out from your eyes. Green means superior class (told you it's for the richer, confirm got seat oneeeeee) while ordinary means ordinary la, no reserved seating (but can try, I'll confirm it later ya?)

Type:	Green		Ordinary
Duration	Adult	Child	Adult	Child
7-day	37,800 YEN	18,900 YEN	28,300 YEN	14,150 YEN
14-day	61,200 YEN	30,600 YEN	45,100 YEN	22,550 YEN
21-day	79,600 YEN	39,800 YEN	57,700YEN	28,850 YEN

How to obtain this pass?

China, Mexico, New Zealand, pick a country, as long as it is OUTSIDE Japan. For Malaysian, there are two ways of buying this pass, either from JTB or certified agents like Wendy Tours and J-Horizons. Visiting Matta Fair would be another option but it’s all depends on the currency exchange. The price is fixed, JPY28,300. It’s the matter of how low you can convert it into Malaysian Ringgit. For a cheapskate like me, calling the authorized sales office EVERYDAY, comparing the prices with Matta Fair, and waiting Ringgit became stronger, is soooooo worth it! Wendy Tour offered the lowest, which equivalent to RM1,035, thrashing JTB with RM1,075 and J-Horizon with RM1,160.

What do you need and get before the pass turns into a ticket?

Let’s take Wendy Tour as a sample. Go to their office, bring your passport and show them the moneyyyyy. An “exchange order” will be issued by a very helpful-but-limited English-speaking Japanese, alongwith one Japan Rail Pass pamphlet! F**king piece of pamphlet after you paid one thousand Ringgit??? (And I thought USS A4 printout was the most expensive paper that I ever had.) But don’t be too excited to get it one year before your travel date ya, for it is valid within THREE MONTHS of your purchase date.

*MALAYSIA WENDY TOUR SDN. BHD. 
Suite 1306-B, 13th Floor Central Plaza,

34 Jln Sultan Ismail 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 

TEL 03-21454518 FAX 03-21454517     

How to turn it into a ticket?

Daijoubu…I’ll confirm it once I do this in Japan, neh? Yatta! *Doing peace sign* For now, let’s stick to the common info. You have to present this so-called “exchange order” WITH your passport, to any reservation office, Midori-no-madoguchi (pic below) in Japan. This office can be found at any major stations, such as Tokyo Station, Shibuya Station, Kyoto Station, depending on your location.

When the travel date starts?

Try your best to speak with the Japanese at the reservation office on when you want it to be activated. You can also reserve a seat, but I am yet to check whether it is free or chargeable. *Doing peace sign* If you are traveling in 7 days, you can start using it immediately. If you are traveling in 9 days, prepare to rip off your pocket for the balance of 2 days. Regardless it is 2 days earlier, or 2 days later, the pass starts CONSECUTIVELY. So please plan your itinerary VERY well.

What type of train can you enjoy?

ANY train with JR logo, including few limited express, express, rapid and local trains, with some EXCEPTIONS. But NEVER EVER, EVER, try your luck to ride the fastest bullet trains called “Nozomi” and “Mizuho”, coz they aren’t covered in the Shinkansen lines. Cannnnnnnn…you can tryyyyyyy…but pay la. Even the seat in local train you have to pay, you think they will give you easy-easy take bullet train mehhhh? Not to worry, the duration isn’t much different…30-45 minutes jer.

And I SWEAR, I’m going to use this pass to the max! Gile ko! Kalau tak naik turun, naik turun lebih 30 kali, memang aku marah. Hahaha!

NOTE : FOR MORE INFO, PLEASE VISIT JAPAN RAIL PASS AND JAPAN E-GUIDE.