What is the Japan Rail Pass
The Japan Rail Pass is a popular ticket that allows foreign visitors to travel on almost all trains operated by the Japan Railways (JR) Group throughout the country, but unfortunately a Japan Rail Pass price increase has been announced for October 2023. It has been a cost-effective way for tourists to explore Japan’s many attractions, from bustling cities to serene countryside, for decades. However, starting from October 2023, the Japan Rail Pass prices will increase almost doubling in some cases. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind this price increase and what it means for tourists planning to visit Japan in the future.
How it works
Firstly, it’s important to understand what the Japan Rail Pass is and how it works. The pass is available only to foreign visitors and comes in different durations: 7, 14, or 21 days. It allows unlimited travel on almost all JR trains, including the shinkansen (bullet train), limited express, express, and local trains. The pass also includes some JR buses and ferry services. The cost of the pass is determined by its duration and class (ordinary or green), and it must be purchased before arriving in Japan.
The Japan Rail Pass has been a popular choice for tourists visiting Japan for many years because it offers significant savings compared to buying individual train tickets.
For example, a one-way shinkansen trip from Tokyo to Osaka can cost around 14,000 yen (approximately $127) for an ordinary seat, while a 7-day Japan Rail Pass costs around 29,110 yen (approximately $263). If a tourist plans to take multiple shinkansen trips within that 7-day period, the Japan Rail Pass can be a much more cost-effective option.
Japan Rail Pass price increase starting October 2023
However, starting from October 2023, the Japan Rail Pass prices increase significantly. The exact prices have not been announced yet, but it is expected that the 7-day pass will increase from the current price of 29,110 yen to around 40,000 yen (approximately $363), while the 14-day pass will increase from 46,390 yen to around 64,000 yen (approximately $595). This is a significant price increase, almost doubling the current cost in some cases.
The reason for this price increase is due to the financial situation of the Japan Railways Group. The COVID-19 pandemic has severely impacted the tourism industry in Japan, and the Japan Railways Group has experienced a significant decrease in revenue.
The Japan Rail Pass has been a popular option for tourists visiting Japan, but with the decrease in tourism, the revenue generated from the pass has also decreased. In order to compensate for this loss of revenue, the Japan Railways Group has decided to increase the price of the pass.
What to do
So what does this mean for tourists planning to visit Japan in the future? If you are planning to visit Japan before October 2023, you can still purchase the Japan Rail Pass at the current price. However, if you are planning to visit Japan after October 2023, you will need to factor in the increased cost of the pass when planning your trip.
It may still be a cost-effective option, depending on your travel plans, but it’s important to do the math and compare the cost of the pass with the cost of buying individual train tickets.
Conclusions
In conclusion, the Japan Rail Pass has been a popular option for tourists visiting Japan for many years, but starting from October 2023, its price will significantly increase. This is due to the impact that COVID-19 had on the financial situation of the Japan Railways Group. Tourists planning to visit Japan after October 2023 should factor in the increased cost of the pass when planning their trip and compare it with the cost of buying individual train tickets. Despite the price increase, the Japan Rail Pass can still be a cost-effective option for those who plan to take multiple train trips during their stay in Japan.
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[…] of the pass and determine if it will save you money or not. Note that starting from October 2023, the price of the Japan Rail Pass will increase by almost double, so keep that in mind and check the new […]
[…] of the pass and determine if it will save you money or not. Note that starting from October 2023, the price of the Japan Rail Pass will increase by almost double, so keep that in mind and check the new […]
[…] Increase: While previously a good deal for long-distance travel, a significant price increase in October 2023 makes the pass more expensive than regular tickets or flights for many […]