This was posted 8 years 19 days ago, and might be an out-dated deal.

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20-30% off Shinkansen in Japan

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20-30% off Shinkansen in Japan
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Meliorist on 02/11/2016 - 22:58 jrtours.co.jp (5744 clicks)
Last edited 21/01/2017 - 23:09 by 1 other user

Will preface by saying this is not a sale and just a deal that is always being offered. In my experience a lot of people dont know about it, but it is really good especially if youre going to japan and want to explore.

Its a slightly slower bullet train but you save about 30-50AUD one way. If youre using the bullet train a lot it might be better to get one of Rail passes. But if say youre going to only Osaka and Tokyo on the trip, then itd be cheaper to get the Platt Kodama to and back, than a Rail pass.

So a summary of the deal is:
Cheaper bullet train tickets (but longer trip)
+ free drink
Can pay extra to get a green car seat (fancier, better seats)

Mainly posting this because summer is coming up and people are going to Japan. Trying to help out my fellow Ozbargainers. As such i wont be able to answer a lot of questions, but i can say i have used it and it is good. Drink can be redeemed at any store on the platform (incl beers).

Travel Asia Japan Osaka Tokyo

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closed Comments

  • Dadidalol on 02/11/2016 - 23:06
    +1

    Thanks OP. Will bookmark this page for later. Is it only valid until March 10th?

    • Meliorist on 02/11/2016 - 23:08

      Yep only offered until March 10th. Im 62% sure that this is available to only tourists and so mainly targets the summer holiday dates. The prices during the "busy period" 27th dec to 7th jan are slightly more expensive but still cheaper than if you were to buy them normally.

      • Dadidalol on 02/11/2016 - 23:41

        Ahhh okies. Too bad I've already booked airfares in April. Guess it'll be the JR pass for me. Thanks anyway!

  • shinichiduy on 02/11/2016 - 23:19
    +15

    Note that this pass only covers the slowest Shinkansen service on the Tokaido line. The trip from Tokyo to Osaka will take 2.5 hours on Nozomi (fastest service, not covered by JR Pass), 3 hours on Hikari (covered by JR Pass) and 4 hours on Kodama (slowest service, also covered by JR Pass, OP deal only covers this service).

    • Meliorist on 02/11/2016 - 23:22

      mm yea that is true, but there are quite a few stops between them including kyoto. Between Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto that makes up the bulk of tourist visits so now im 67% sure this is only for tourists.

      • shinichiduy on 02/11/2016 - 23:25
        +1

        correct me if I am wrong but this does not also cover hop on hop off so I am not sure if it suits tourists

  • pyro love bird on 02/11/2016 - 23:28

    I JUST bought my ticket yesterday

    • Meliorist on 03/11/2016 - 00:15
      +4

      Forgive my tardiness :'(

      • pyro love bird on 03/11/2016 - 00:28

        You are forgiven, I actually travel to Japan next week, and left things really late, as a natural ozbargainer, I didn't wanna pay full price for anything, oh well.

        I hope that others are able to benefit from your find though :) Thanks for sharing

    • Save Medicare on 03/11/2016 - 00:46
      +1

      same ):

    • Leuke on 03/11/2016 - 09:51
      +2

      Me too, but don't worry about it. Your JR pass will give you freedom to change your mind if you want, take a short day trip to somewhere if it's recommended, or hop off at stops along the way if desired. I got a 21 day pass, I love the idea of just knowing i can take another train ride at no extra cost, where normally I'd be calculating if it would be worth the money.

  • sblash on 02/11/2016 - 23:41
    +5

    Most of the time you might as well get a JR Pass

    • Meconium on 03/11/2016 - 02:24
      +1

      JR pass is soooooo great

    • incipient on 03/11/2016 - 11:06
      +1

      Actually I find this not always to be the case; I have never purchased a jr pass for example. A couple of my friends have purchased one and later realised it wasn't worth it.

      Depending (a lot) on the destinations if you catch 2 shinkansen in a week it'll potentially not be worth it. Catching 3 per week makes it more attractive, but damn that's a lot of train!

      • jaybo on 03/11/2016 - 13:14

        we did tokyo > nagano > osaka > kyoto > osaka > hiroshima > osaka > tokyo in 2 weeks… was definitely worth it :D

        but yes - all depends on distances.
        if you're only hanging around tokyo, just get a pasmo card (or similar) and be done with it :)

        • incipient on 03/11/2016 - 13:59

          Well considering osaka-Kyoto is a 40minute $10 local train, and a 2 week pass is $600, the numbers would come out quite close potentially. Throw in a $50 spring Japan flight hiroshima-Tokyo and you could easily come out ahead without the pass.

        • jaybo on 03/11/2016 - 14:45

          @incipient:
          tokyo > nagano > osaka then back to tokyo was almost enough to justify it alone

          i looked up the individual prices for the legs of the trip we needed to do and it was well in favor of the rail pass (we actually got 2-week green passes)

          the rail pass gave us a bit of flexibility too, we actually jumped off halfway to hiroshima and explored okayama before getting back on, that'd normally burn the ticket you just bought but with a rail pass it wasn't an issue.

          totally need to do your homework before blindly buying a JR pass though, if you're only doing 1 or 2 shinkansen trips (ie tokyo > osaka & back) then more than likely going to be better off just paying for individual tickets.

      • sblash on 03/11/2016 - 14:13
        +1

        Yeah, that's why I said most. As you said, you need to do a bit more than just Tokyo to Osaka and back, but most people do.

        Also something often overlooked is that the JR Pass works on the NEX.

  • CantStopTheDiddly on 02/11/2016 - 23:49
    +3

    The price of the train tickets is often more than purchasing a flight in many circumstances. I bought a return flight from Tokyo to Osaka today for $140 AUD, but from my understanding, this train ticket would be $260 AUD. I'm not saying it would be so all the time, but it is a very viable option to fly.

    • khepri on 02/11/2016 - 23:52
      +4

      Flying is a valid option if you are already going to be at the airport, but if you're going city to city the time and money it takes to get out to Narita or Kix can more than offset the extra expense.

      • CantStopTheDiddly on 03/11/2016 - 00:00

        I personally chose to travel to the airport rather than going by train. I didn't know about this kind of price, but even given this rate, if I am understanding it correctly, I've got $120 extra to travel to the airports and I'm not taking baggage.

        It would take about the same time, though an extra hour or two is not a big problem, and there are cheap options to go from Narita to Tokyo for 1000 yen.

        I won't disagree that trains can offer greater comfort and less stress as an option. Plus if you want to visit some areas along the line it would be great.

        • Obake on 03/11/2016 - 08:34
          +2

          When we went to Kyushu we took a plane from Narita. Same when we went to Hokkaido. We've always stayed at a hotel close to the airport with free shuttle bus (Hotel Nikko Narita). That way there's less hassle and money spent getting to/from airport. Great thing with jetstar domestic is they fly out of Narita which is the international airport. Other airlines do too.

          For a trip like Osaka from Tokyo I would take a train, it's more convenient and takes less overall time. Airports are usually so far away from the centre of town (except Fukuoka, it's so close!) while train stations are usually dead centre of town.

          Taking a plane you have to wait in so many queues (checkin, security, gates, baggage, etc) and have to be at the airport a few hours before the flight. On the train you pretty much arrive a few minutes before and hop on the train. There's also more to do/see/buy at a train station when you're waiting. Airports are pretty dead, especially the domestic section.

      • ozlab on 03/11/2016 - 09:59

        You might want to fly from Haneda airport much closer to city. Narita is not a good option

        • whats up skip on 03/11/2016 - 11:28

          Most of the discount services only operate out of Narita such as Jetstar.

    • kazispeed on 03/11/2016 - 00:06

      Which airline did you book for $140 and from which airport in Tokyo?

      • CantStopTheDiddly on 03/11/2016 - 00:09
        +1

        Flying with Jetstar in November to Osaka for three days. I decided not to book luggage and just leave it in a locker somewhere in Tokyo.

        • kazispeed on 03/11/2016 - 00:50

          Thank you for your advice. I managed to book 2 tickets from Tokyo to Osaka for 21780 yen. Taking the train would have cost me 28900 yen

    • ryu on 03/11/2016 - 00:12
      +1

      I believe they have a policy specifically for foreigners, which is any flights between any two airports within Japan cost a bit over JPY10,000 excluding public holidays as long as you book three days ahead. So traveling by train, without rail pass, is only advantageous for short distance like Tokyo to Osaka or closer.

      • incipient on 03/11/2016 - 11:10

        That's an ANA special. Generally where available peach/vanilla/do will be cheaper.

  • altomic on 02/11/2016 - 23:50
    +2

    if say your'e going to only Osaka and Tokyo on the trip

    get a bus from $40 one way

    • azz on 03/11/2016 - 00:01
      +8

      A true ozbargainer would take the night bus to save on a night's accommodation!

      • altomic on 03/11/2016 - 00:06

        damn straight. I did it 12 years ago. Tokyo to Osaka. then caught a slow boat to China.

      • qwertyaz on 03/11/2016 - 00:16

        That's exactly what I am going to do, bought my flights with the previous jetstar sales

      • prkr on 03/11/2016 - 04:31

        Absolutely! Paid something like $30 for Zurich to Amsterdam on a bus. 18 hours but I saved a few hundred on accommodation + airfare or train.

  • theoracle30 on 03/11/2016 - 00:04

    Can you purchase this at Osaka for travel to Tokyo? I can't seem to find a sales office there.

    • Meliorist on 03/11/2016 - 00:14
      +1

      ¯\ _ (ツ)_/¯

    • Meliorist on 03/11/2016 - 00:15
      +1

      emailing them might give you an answer, i assume you should be able to buy it from any of their branches. But thats only speculation

    • samd on 03/11/2016 - 10:16

      It seems that JR Tokai Tours does have an office at Shin-Osaka (http://www.jrtours.co.jp/shop/shinosaka/ Japanese page only). It also has quite a few offices in Kyoto and around Nagoya and Shizuoka, but looking at their website, there's no guarantee that staff at these offices will speak English.
      Just remember you have to book these tickets no later than the day before your departure.

    • whats up skip on 03/11/2016 - 11:29
      -1

      No. You must purchase this before you travel.

  • Zaenille on 03/11/2016 - 00:25
    +2

    Here's a JR Pass calculator to see if it's worth it to get a JR pass based on your itinerary. It's pretty easy to use. Compare that with this deal :)

    http://www.aoimirai.net/en/japan/jrpass_calculator.html

  • Save Medicare on 03/11/2016 - 00:47

    ai ya we only bought jr pass 2 nights ago

  • Tazerrr on 03/11/2016 - 06:52
    +1

    Probably already mentioned but having travelled to Japan several times, the JR pass is the best and most economical way to see Japan if visiting several cities which you may well do since their major cities (and some minor ones) are truly great. It covers Jr subways as well (eg in tokyo) and the Jr ferry to Miyajima (where you can see the torii). A long shinkansen return trip (eg osaka to tokyo and back) will already make the jr pass worth its price.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2016 - 07:10
    +1

    do you guys think it's worth getting the jr pass if we're only planning to travel from tokyo->kyoto->osaka one way and then flying back? thanks!

    • mskeggs on 03/11/2016 - 07:23
      +1

      Probably not. You can easily check the numbers.
      With that itinerary I would be inclined to get a bus or other cheap option to Kyoto, then the Shinkansen to Osaka so you can have the experience of the train (which is outstanding, but not cheap). Note that depending on when you are travelling, you don't need to buy a reserved seat (which costs extra but is included in the JR pass), if you can take the risk that you might have to stand for the journey.
      We just returned from Tokyo-Kyoto-Tokyo and the JR pass was a little cheaper than the single tickets. It isn't that useful for getting around Tokyo, as the JR company only owns a few city lines. Better to just get a Pasmo/Suica smartcard and choose the most direct route unless the specific trip can be done on JR only.

    • carwashhair on 03/11/2016 - 07:29
      +1

      Depends how much the flight (+ transport to airport) costs. If a rail pass costs less than a return train ticket, then your flight has to cost (I'd estimate) about half a one way shinkansen ticket for it to be viable.

    • Cyphar on 03/11/2016 - 08:18
      +2

      Not at all. A rail pass is not ideal in this case.

      • nightfever on 03/11/2016 - 10:04

        Agreed, you're probably best off to buy a one way JR Shinkansen ticket from Tokyo to Osaka, which will be around $190 aud taking the fastest, the most frequent train - Nozomi.

        Or book a one way flight from Tokyo to Osaka via one of the airlines, e.g. ANA has some sorta book in advance promo, you can fly one way Tokyo to Osaka for $100 aud (I did a random date search, 14/03/17 depart at 6:10am Haneda) if that's too early, around 2pm will cost you about $120 AUD.

        I would personally book Shinkansen though, it's less hassle and probably work out similar time as flying.

        Osaka to Kyoto travel is cheap, just pay local train fare.

        • Cyphar on 03/11/2016 - 14:32

          Or book a one way flight from Tokyo to Osaka via one of the airlines, e.g. ANA has some sorta book in advance promo, you can fly one way Tokyo to Osaka for $100 aud (I did a random date search, 14/03/17 depart at 6:10am Haneda) if that's too early, around 2pm will cost you about $120 AUD.

          Not even that. Jetstar & Peach have constant flights for around $60 - $70.

        • nightfever on 03/11/2016 - 14:46

          @Cyphar: Hahaha, cheers. I was just doing random search as an example. :)

  • Cyphar on 03/11/2016 - 08:21
    +1

    If you're going to use the Kodama shinkansen to travel between Tokyo & Osaka, you may as well fly instead. It'll take the same amount of travel time, and cost half the price.

  • Hengis on 03/11/2016 - 08:42

    How do you actually buy the ticket?
    do you have to visit the sales office when you get to Japan? or can you email them to purchase?

  • kickmiass on 03/11/2016 - 08:46
    -2

    Honestly, The JR Pass is not worth it.. unless you plan on changing cities every 2-3 days..

    Remember it was really cheap from Kyoto to Osaka. I was told it is common to just go to kyoto from Osaka for a day trip. I did a few day trips to Kyoto from Osaka
    The real expensive trips are like.. the big cities and long trips.

    Just use the calculator people.. It saved me a whole lot of money on travel and working out whether the pass is worth it

    • nightfever on 03/11/2016 - 09:49
      +1

      Disagree!! JR pass is worthy IF you are travelling LONG distance, e.g. Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Hiroshima, etc.

      Not sure why anyone would actually buy a JR pass to travel from Kyoto to Osaka… you're best off to buy Kansai Thru pass or Kansai area pass, or even just pay the actual fare…

      • kickmiass on 03/11/2016 - 10:01
        +1

        I did mention if you change cities every 2-3 days..
        I did the long calcs. it isn't worthwhile unless you change to big cities very often.
        Also crap if you don't want to use the other private lines which can be alot more convenient..
        Or faster train services

        1 week is 330
        2 weeks is 550-800
        3 weeks is like 700-1000

        If you do your calcs
        Tokyo to Osaka is already 180 dollars..
        Osaka to Hiroshima is another 130..

        Unless you use it again for another big city or go back to tokyo within 1 week.. it isn't worthwhile

        I don't know about you guys but i would much rather stay more than 3 days in one city.. there is alot to see.

        Buying a JR pass limits to you using only the JR services and the slower bullet train

        If you don't buy one, you can use any private train station, faster bullet train and within no train constraint.

        That is alot of time saved.. Example is the Tsujiki markets. the private train is outside the market. the JR one you have to walk 10-15 minutes.
        For the same ticket price.

        In the long long run.. you might save 20-30 bucks from not using private trains etc.. but think of the amount of time you save taking private trains. Maybe a few hours here and there.. And even if you are on a budget and you have all the time in the world..

        • bloomer on 03/11/2016 - 10:11

          Both of you have valid points. The value of the JR Pass depends very very much on what you're doing and where. Not every city is big enough/interesting enough to be a long-stay place, but some of those cities can be great as a base for daytrips, which might then make the pass worth it nonetheless.

          The utility of having a pass that permits great flexibility is a stress-saver for many tourists even though I'm sure some tourists won't be getting the value they think. But yes, depending very strongly on where you are, there are sometimes faster or better options in terms of trains or passes.

        • nightfever on 03/11/2016 - 10:34

          It all depending on how you planned your travel. I still disagree how anyone would say JR pass is not worth it. It would only be unworthy, if you don't know how to use it efficiently.

          I still don't get why would you use JR pass to travel from Kyoto to Osaka. It just doesn't make sense.

          JR pass only needs to be activated on the day you are ready to commence your long travel, meaning, if you land in Tokyo, you could stay there for a week if you want, then use the JR pass on the day when you are ready to do your long distance travel, whether it's down to Kumamoto, up to Hokkaido, to Kyoto, to Hiroshima, etc. The possibility is endless. (Obviously, if you are planning to use the pass on Shinkansen for more than twice, then you will get your money back most likely).

          I don't think it's fair for you to dismiss a great pass like that. JR pass is great when it comes to SHINKANSEN (which is a long distance travel speed train), if someone is using the JR Pass to travel on the normal JR train and paying extra on top of local private subway/metros, it would be plan waste of money, potentially time. Because that is not what the pass is designed to be used.

          Within Tokyo you can buy day pass (again depending on how often you travel around in the city), Toei cost you 700 yen per day per adult with unlimited travel, metro is 600 yen per day per adult with unlimited travel, you could even get a Toei + Metro combo as well. Same thing goes other cities.

          Like I said - It all depending on your itinerary. No one should use the JR pass for short distance slow train travel as a primary purpose.

        • kickmiass on 03/11/2016 - 12:27

          @nightfever:

          I keep mentioning..

          It ONLY works if you plan to use the bullet train at least 2 TIMES a week for long distances..
          If you don't, you don't get your moneys worth because it ends up costing more than separate tickets.

          Even if you use it 2 times for that week, you have to weigh out whether it is still worth it, Hence using the Trip Calculator.

          i didn't say it was useless..

        • nightfever on 03/11/2016 - 12:39

          @kickmiass:

          Honestly, The JR Pass is not worth it.. unless you plan on changing cities every 2-3 days..

          Just going to leave that here.

        • kickmiass on 03/11/2016 - 12:47

          @nightfever:

          It says.. "unless you change cities every 2-3 days…"

          7 days in a week meaning you can only possible get 2-3 trips in a week =_=

  • groook on 03/11/2016 - 08:56

    Not sure if this is the right thread to ask but where's the cheapest place to buy the JR pass?

    • kazispeed on 03/11/2016 - 09:37

      Buy it online before you go to Japan

      http://www.sachitours.com.au/Japan_Rail_Pass.html

      • groook on 03/11/2016 - 09:58

        Thanks, been looking and it's a bit cheaper here https://www.japan-rail-pass.com/jr-pass

        • bloomer on 03/11/2016 - 10:06

          Not usually… did you take into account any card surcharges and delivery fees across the two vendors?

        • groook on 03/11/2016 - 10:26

          @bloomer: As far as I can tell no card surcharges and free fedex shipping included

        • bloomer on 03/11/2016 - 15:56

          @groook: Odd… maybe Sachi is slower in updating their prices based on Forex fluctuations. Sachi has been the cheapest everytime I've checked in the last year, delivered.

        • ozlab on 07/11/2016 - 21:27

          @bloomer: Vendor can charge price up and down and that's the reason we need ozbargain to inform everyone :)

    • kickmiass on 03/11/2016 - 12:53
      +1

      You can buy it online or actually go in person to an agency which is alot quicker.
      Be sure to change you money in Australia.. The AUD isn't worth much there. I lost at least 10% exchanging in Japan =*(
      Had to card everything whenever i could because it ended up cheaper

      • groook on 03/11/2016 - 14:11

        I was planning on using my Citibank Plus account, no fees for international Transactions or ATM's. Should go on the current VISA rate i'm guessing? Looks like it's currently 77.69Y per AUD

        • kickmiass on 03/11/2016 - 14:26

          Actually yeah, Citi bank or 28 degrees or any other card with no fees etc.. was the best that people told me.

          If you do a bit of snooping you probably can get a better cash rate but. Rather not exchange too much incase have to exchange back.

          I learnt the lesson the hard way.. lost like 600 dollars in just exchanging … So upset when i realised i would of lost less by withdrawing with my debit card.. but i was already 75% into my trip =(

          IN Japan is there is ATM's everywhere.

  • sonicentropy on 03/11/2016 - 11:55
    +1

    Going in April 2017 for a week - 2 days in tokyo 2 days in Kyoto and 2 days in Osaka then back to tokyo
    I did the math for us and even with the sale once you add the NEX transfers from the airport & running around on the JR Yamanote Line we are still better off with the 7 day pass. Now just have to organise tickets for Giants game. I though the Passes were $330 Max.

    Edit: Apparently I can save some $$ by getting a Hokuriku Arch Pass (7 day) 25000Y vs 30000Y) catch is its the log way round to osaka/Kyoto more info here http://hokuriku-arch-pass.com/en/

  • zpohc on 03/11/2016 - 13:06

    Thanks OP - travelling to Japan in a few weeks so this is real handy!

    Didn't get the JR pass because we're not there for long and the only long distance ride we'll be taking is Tokyo to Osaka.

    Just want to confirm, we can't pre-purchase these right? They're only available for purchase over there?

    • Meliorist on 03/11/2016 - 15:33
      +1

      yep you have to go to the actual office in Japan to buy it, but all the staff speak english. Or at least the branches in Tokyo and Osaka i went to all spoke English

      • zpohc on 03/11/2016 - 16:12

        Thank you!

  • INFIDEL on 03/11/2016 - 13:31
    +5

    I've travelled in Japan many times, for 4-10 weeks each holiday🎏

    Only bought JR Pass once - never again as I like to take my time & enjoy my travel, rather than rush & worry about the expensive pass I bought. (Everyone's different.)

    Transport over distance in Japan is expensive. But first time travellers eagerly want to see it all - so grab a JR Pass to see many cities.

    The other option is to see a region, which I do. Transport around a region is relatively cheap. (I even hitchhike in remote & rural areas. It's often easier than consulting timetables & has lead to great adventures.) Basing yourself in a major city & setting out on day or multi-day excursions has its advantages.

    Flights to Japan & within Japan on special are cheaper now than any time I've travelled. So returning to Australia & back to another region later is fairly economical.

    My last holiday was a month late March (for cherry blossom season)-April this year & cost $239 return (out of Cairns), basing myself in a cheap business hotel in Osaka for the month (mainly for long term Foreigners working in Japan) cost 33000¥ ($13/n) - no real link available. Quick trains to Kyoto, Nara, etc are cheap.

    Japan's rail system is owned by private companies. My favourite Kansai & surrounding region train pass is the 5000¥ 5day Kintetsu Pass Plus with included bus travel in Nara & Mie Prefectures.
    At just over $12/d its one of Japan's cheapest travel deals!!
    Or the cheaper 3600¥ 5day Kintetsu Pass. (Either 200 cheaper if bought before departure)

    5 consecutive days (Osaka - Kyoto - Nara with included bus travel - Ise with included bus travel - Iga, the home of the Ninja - Nagoya). Includes some reserved seating on great Limited Express trains for longer distances. Inclusions less with cheaper Pass (like no bus travel).

    Wonderful sights on either pass like serene Ise-Jingu (Emperor's Shrine in forest dating back around 1600 years, but strangely rebuilt every 20 years since!) and Yoshino mountain (Nara Prefecture) where Sakura (cherry blossom) flower up the mountain & ancient ascetic practices are performed by monks - leading off to 1000 year old UNESCO listed mountain paths through amazing forests. Remote Iga is known for training Ninja in the past. And the coastline south of Ise (Mie Prefecture) is stunning - bus around area is included in Pass Plus.

  • louuisc on 08/11/2016 - 13:58

    Is it the same thing as Japan rail pass?

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