Flying to Japan This Year? Japan Rail Pass Is Having a Fare Hike by October
Adjust your travel budget accordingly.
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(SPOT.ph) Have you booked a flight to Japan for Q4 of 2023—perhaps for the country's Halloween festivities and the warm colors of autumn? Maybe you even booked a trip to Japan for next year, during the cherry blossom season.
As early as now, you are likely saving up funds for the trip, which, of course, should include how much money to allocate for transportation to get around from city to city. Just so you know, by October 2023, the Japan Rail Pass will increase its train fare prices. So, do adjust your transportation allowance accordingly.
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These are the new Japan Rail Pass prices starting October 2023:
The Japan Rail Pass (also called JR Pass) is a special ticket distributed by the Japan Railways Group for tourists who want to explore Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto using the train. JR Pass also includes the Shinkansen Lines (a.k.a. the bullet trains) that are used for long-distance travel within the country, e.g. Tokyo to Osaka and vice-versa.
This is how much Japan Rail Pass fares cost after the price increase by October 2023:
- Regular Seven-day Pass:
- Current price: 29,650 yen or roughly P12,349
- New price: 50,000 yen or roughly P20,843
- Regular 14-day Pass:
- Current price: 47, 250 yen or roughly P19,696
- New price: 80,000 yen or roughly P33,348
- Regular 21-day Pass:
- Current price: 60,450 yen or roughly P25,199
- New price: 100,000 yen or roughly P41,686
- Green Seven-day Pass:
- Current price: 39,600 or roughly P16,507
- New price: 70,000 yen or roughly P29,180
- Green 14-day Pass:
- Current price: 64,120 yen or roughly P26,729
- New price: 111,000 yen or roughly P46,271
- Green 21-day Pass:
- Current price: 83,390 yen or roughly P34,762
- New price: 140,000 yen or roughly P58,360
*The numbers from Yen to Peso are based on the April 27, 2023 currency conversion rates (1 yen = P0.42). The amount in Peso will likely change by October 2023.
The "Green" passes are for those who want to experience first-class traveling by train, hence the more expensive prices. The benefits of Japan Rail Pass' Green passes are comfortable and spacious seating, complimentary oshibori or a hot/cold towel, and free refreshing drinks and magazines.
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Should you buy a Japan Rail Pass for your trip to Japan?
The Japan Rail Pass is quite expensive at its current price points, and it will be more expensive starting in October 2023. You could justify the price increase with certain changes mentioned in the press release of Japan Rail Group, which says there will be discounts at certain tourist attractions (more than what's currently offered), and that JR Pass holders can ride the Nozomo service—which have uber fast bullet trains between Tokyo and Osaka and between Osaka and Hakata—and the Muzuho service that operates both the Sanyō Shinkansen and the Kyūshū Shinkansen.
The JR Pass is ideal for those traveling from one prefecture to another for more than seven days, for those who will be using the train as their main mode of transportation, and for those with more budget. These can be bought in advance via Klook, so there's no need to stress over buying once you land in Japan.
Tip for a more budget-friendly trip: If you're mainly staying in Osaka or Namba, you can buy the ICOCA IC Card instead as it's only P458; while those exploring Tokyo can buy the Suica IC Card for P999.
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Links are updated regularly and as much as possible but note that products can run out of stock, discounts can expire and listed prices can change without prior notice.