Has Anyone Bought JR Passes from Klook While in Japan

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Klook Travel

• 

  xcez on 11/08/2024 - 23:43

  +1

  Didn't see the QR code option before, but when I bought last year the 14-day, they mailed the physical JR Rail pass, so purchasing while in Japan wasn't feasible, I'm interested to see others experiences if this can now be circumvent.

  • 

    Russ on 11/08/2024 - 23:45

    The QR code option isn't available for all the JR passes. It is available for the passes I want, hence my question.

    • 

      redfox1200 on 12/08/2024 - 07:41

      +1

      just buy it the day you want it

      • 

        Russ on 12/08/2024 - 09:27

        From the OP

        Or does Klook geo-block those webpages, so they can't be accessed from inside Japan?

        Possibly I have been confused by old web pages on many sites, which say JR passes are more expensive when purchased inside Japan.

        • 

          redfox1200 on 12/08/2024 - 09:39

          @Russ: Just use a VPN and connect back to australia if you need

          • 

            Russ on 12/08/2024 - 09:45

            @redfox1200: I've never used a VPN before, is it difficult to set up? And is there a fee?

• 

  pgsheng on 12/08/2024 - 00:29

  +3

  Pretty sure these JR pass (QR code) has to be exchanged in designated stations where the stuff need to verify passport with tourist visa sticker on them then to issue actual pass. At least that’s how our Hoikkaido pass was issued (purchased on Klook).

  • 

    Shadowsfury on 12/08/2024 - 07:19

    My understanding too - when I was there earlier this year I only used regional passes and yes still needed to exchange it at the JR office where I needed to show my passport.

  • 

    Russ on 12/08/2024 - 09:18

    Yes, you do need to exchange the QR code for a pass. The email you receive, which contains the QR code, is called an "E-exchange Order". And yes, you do need a "smart" (microchipped) passport for every pass you receive.

    where the stuff need to verify passport with tourist visa sticker

    No, interacting with JR staff is now optional, as there's now an automated option for exchanging. Also this makes it unclear if the sticker is still required:

    Present your E-exchange Order and passport to exchange for the physical pass at any green ticket machines available in airports or main train stations

    That quote is from Klook, and it's a little bit misleading. Not all stations and all airports have those machines, only designated locations (fewer than have JR exchange offices), and from what I have read elsewhere, you can't pick up passes issued by JR West in locations that JR West passes don't travel to. So for example, can't exchange for JR West passes in Tokyo airports nor Tokyo stations. Also, I've only checked out what to do for West JR passes, I don't know if exchange orders with Central JR or East JR can be exchanged at a machine.

    Here's the link to JR West's instructions for using the green ticket machine to exchange, and there's a link to exchange locations, but the link doesn't say if there is a compatible green machine in those locations:
    https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/howto/guide/emco/

• 

  Russ on 19/11/2024 - 23:20

  +1

  In answer to my own question, yes you can buy JR passes from Klook while in Japan, provided they are the type of pass that has email delivery.

  I'm just back from three weeks' holiday in Japan. I didn't want to buy the passes before I went, in case the holiday had to be cancelled for whatever reason - bad weather, typhoons closing airports, volcanic ash closing airports, or some other natural disaster. Indeed, one of the rail trips I did (the Kurobe Gorge scenic railway) is currently only running for half it's length, because an earthquake earlier this year caused a landslide that damaged a bridge.

  While I was in Japan, I ordered these JR passes (and other passes) from Klook the day before I needed them, received the 2D barcode within an hour by email, and used the barcode the following day to get the physical pass:

  • 72-hour Tokyo Subway Pass (not JR, not valid on JR lines), ordered twice
  • JR Hokuriku Area Pass (not the Hokuriku ARCH Pass, considerably cheaper), ordered twice
  • JR Kansai Mini Pass, ordered once.

  There were also other tickets that I bought, not through Klook, as Klook either didn't offer them, or the Klook options were way more expensive. One example is the Japan Alpine Route, starting at Toyama end, ending at Ogizawa, and then taking bus-railmotor-railmotor-Shinkansen to get back to Toyama. All up, it cost around 25,000 JPY per person (about 250 AUD at time of writing).

  I recommend all the passes listed above, not only for the money saving over Suica card and individual tickets, but for the freedom to just stroll up to the station and catch the next train, without having to queue for tickets, or worry about the cost of lots of trips. You can do things like "we're staying in Shin-Takaoka, but like to catch the Shinkansen to Kanazawa for dinner each night". And because you've got a pass, it costs no extra to have dinner in the next town over. Which was nice, because there weren't many restaurant options near where I was staying, next to Shin-Takaoka station. Good hotel, but not great food options nearby.

• 

  Pungentia on 08/12/2024 - 18:20

  +1

  I have bought lots of stuff from Klook (for travel in Japan) over the last few years - 10 plus purchases including JR passes.
  If you are booking trains through Klook and there is any chance you might want to cancel your train booking I would now recommend against buying through Klook.

  I have previously booked passes and had no issues, but this year booked point-to-point JR tickets for the (omg tickets sell out quickly) New Year period and thought I would book via Klook as maybe the booking process would be automated (turns out, it's not).

  Klook didn't make the point-to-point bookings as soon as tickets were released (not an issue most of the time, but at peak times, not great - these tickets sell out) so I requested cancellation and booked directly, which was actually cheaper (as didn't have a Klook booking fee).

  Anyhow, they ignored the cancellation on two of the three bookings and issued the tickets, later in the day.. and then wanted to hit me up for additional cancellation fees because they had issued the tickets (as they ignored the cancellation).

  After about 1 hour of back and forth with an online rep, best they can do is charge the cancellation fee (as they have no record of the cancellation for 2 out of 3 cancellations I did at the same time) but give me some Klook credits.. Sigh..

  In short - recommend the JR passes, assuming you have done your homework as to savings, not sure I would recommend Klook again - I'm definitely feeling salty!

  • 

    Russ on 14/12/2024 - 22:45

    any chance you might want to cancel your train booking I would now recommend against buying through Klook

    True. I had a Japan holiday booked when COVID-19 arrived, and had to cancel multiple full-Japan JR passes. I was salty that Klook wanted a 10% fee for any variations or cancellations. Fortunately for me, I had booked using a 10%-off deal listed here on OzBargain, which neatly counteracted their 10% cancellation fee. I did lose a little because I had to send the exchange orders back to Japan by tracked delivery, which cost about $30 from memory.

    But had I bought the passes directly from JR, I later found out that JR have the same 10% cancellation fee, Klook were just passing on the JR fee.

    So I totally agree with you, for tickets that aren't going to sell out. Buy them the day before you need them. But one more recommendation - make sure you have multiple backup payment methods! I had internet banking become unavailable while on my holiday as I couldn't receive 2FA SMS messages, but that's another story.