As well as the national JR passes, there are regional JR passes that are often very good value if you are visiting a particular area. This itinerary using the JR West Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass is great for visitors arriving at Kansai airport who want to see something beyond Kyoto and Osaka. Continue reading “JR Pass trip idea no 5 – from Kyoto to Hiroshima”
Cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka are large and tourist sights are spread across them, not concentrated in one area. You’ll need some form of transport to get around and in most cases this will be public transport. Taxis are useful for shorter distances but the cost adds up if they are used frequently or for longer distances. A rental car isn’t a practical option in the city due to limited parking and busy traffic. Continue reading “Cards and passes for public transport”
One piece of advice often given to the first-time visitor to Japan is “You must get a JR Pass”. This is simply not true – it all depends on where you are going. If this advice is given to you without the person asking about your intended itinerary, then treat their advice with a grain of salt. A JR Pass is a significant cost, and it can be either a great money saver or a huge waste of money. Continue reading “Travelling in Japan without a JR Pass”
