Going Japan, Looking Advice Where The Best Website to Buy JR Pass Green

Anth0ny on 30/07/2023 - 21:58

Hi Everyone, I am going to Tokyo, Japan next Feb 2024 for 2 weeks.
I am planning to go to Osaka, Aomori, and then Niseko and Hokkaido.
Does anyone know where is the best website to buy JR Pass Green?
Thank you for the recommendation.
Also if anyone has any recommendation for places/food to try in these places, please let me know.

Travel Asia Japan

Comments

  • sumyungguy on 30/07/2023 - 22:10

    You do know you'll be paying the new price?
    https://www.jrailpass.com/blog/japan-rail-pass-prices-increa…

    • Anth0ny on 30/07/2023 - 22:22

      i know….so sad.

  • Kramo on 30/07/2023 - 22:56
    +2

    Pretty much your choices are 3rd party (e.g. Klook) or the official Japan Railpass site

    Benefits of 3rd party:

    • About 10% cheaper, plus other discounts may happen time to time
    • Can pre-book by 3 months and activate when you arrive in Japan

    Benefits of official site:

    • You can use the voucher to pre-book reserved seats up to 30 days in advance, online.

    Up to you what's better.

    • samyall on 31/07/2023 - 08:21

      I can vouch for Klook - very smooth process for our JR Pass.

      • OrangeBJ on 11/09/2023 - 14:10

        how long did it take to get deliveried to you? which city.

        • samyall on 11/09/2023 - 18:25
          +1

          Sydney and it took or two or three days? Can't remember the exact timeline.

  • CyberMurning on 30/07/2023 - 23:31

    Years ago i bought from japan travel agency in sydney

    • spal on 31/07/2023 - 04:50

      I did the same. The tickets were express posted and arrived in a day (it was pre-Covid so it was possible).

  • MisplacedGaijin on 31/07/2023 - 07:24
    +1

    You'll find JR prices are fairly well the same … there's no predictable price cycle so it'll come down to convenience.
    As long as they're an accredited agent you'll have no problems - YMMV but I use Sachi Tours near Town Hall in Sydney
    (order first thing in the morning, and it's ready for pick up at lunchtime or I can get it posted) …

  • payless69 on 31/07/2023 - 09:10

    J has zero tolerance on rail fares. Back in 07 every Shinkansen ride meant 5, yes five checks!
    If you can walk in with your passport it is the safest option.
    Enjoy them bento boxes and new fancy trains.

  • tooblue on 31/07/2023 - 10:49

    I bought from https://www.traveljapan.com.au/rail-pass. Very quick delivery although one $7 delivery fee for the order.

  • dtc on 31/07/2023 - 11:14

    The prices are pretty much set by JR, so the only savings you will get are through supplier 'sales' (eg klook at times) or exchange rate variations when one supplier adjusts for FX at a different time. All of the accredited agents are fine/safe; there arent any that are better than another.

    The pre booking online (if you buy through the official website) can be quite useful because it means no lining up at the ticketing agency (or machines); cutting down visits to the train station. Not such a big issue if you book your departure on arrival or are happy to book just before hopping on the train (usually not much of an issue but depends on when and where you are travelling). However if you want flexibility / ability to book ahead without needing to visit the station, then it can be worthwhile. Green cars need reservations and can be booked out at times if you wait until the last minute, although for most lines there is another train within the hour or so.

    I'm assuming OP knows that green car is nice but totally not a 'need'. Its not like economy vs business on a plane. Yes you get a bigger seat and a bit more space and a hot towel etc, but honestly the standard cars are completely fine and very comfortable.

    Also if you are going Osaka to Hokkaido, you are probably much better off flying. Fly Osaka to Aomori or to Sapporo. It will be much faster and actually will be quite a bit cheaper.

  • endlesstrail on 31/07/2023 - 17:04

    If I'm not wrong, the JR passes for regional Japan are not affected by the price rise of the country wide JR pass, so you may be saving a bunch if you only get a pass (eg JR East Pass from Tokyo to Aomori) and then just purchase the one-off tickets from Osaka to Tokyo. There's also the Hokkaido regional pass you can consider. I don't know if they'll be cheaper than getting the country wide JR pass for 2 weeks. You'll need to use one of those web calculators to see which option is cheaper.

    I was in Japan in April and used only the JR West pass to travel around Kansai / Hiroshima area had no issues. I booked it direct from JR West and was able to reserve tickets online and just needed to go to the machines to get the tickets printed out. Very convenient.

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