Japan Know How archive
Travel to Japan
Japan’s national rail pass can lose money even on a Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima trip. Compare the current prices, coverage, and break-even math for Kansai, JR East, and Hokkaido before buying.
Travel to Japan
Six JR companies, private lines on top, and a fare made of two separate charges. How tickets are priced, when a seat must be reserved, and what a week costs.
Your Name in Japanese
Flights, rail pass exchange and hotel reservations are all checked against the passport. Which mismatches get fixed at the counter and which cost money.
Travel to Japan
Tokyo to Kyoto to Hiroshima and back comes to about 44,760 yen against a 50,000 yen pass. The classic route does not break even, and from 1 October the pass costs more.
