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Which set of JP pass rail tickets should I buy?

WONG Liu Shueng
WONG Liu Shueng
over 10 years ago
11 responses

Here is my itinerary so far.....
Arrive Tokyo, Narita airport.
Travel out to accommodation - Asakusa -4 days- Subway travel
Travel to Nagano - 3 days
Travel to Osaka - 5 days - subway travel
Travel to Takamatsu - 2 days
Travel to Naoshima - 3 days
By ferry, bus and train and ferry (I think) to Hiroshima - 1 day

Then I wish to do some long train travel South, up the west coast. I have yet to determine what to stop of and see so suggestions are welcome. Then I eventually wish to go to Hokkaido, and stay in that area for a week.
Then comes the return trip by rail, taking in Hoshi Onsen Chojukan for 4 days.
This travel is to be between 21st October to 18th November and so it seems that least three long stops would be a good plan, where I explore the local area.

Coming South, I would like to travel along the East coast if possible.
I need to be in Kyoto for 2 weeks although this could be extended to be longer, starting around 19th October and Tokyo for the last 4 days before I fly back to New Zealand on 6th November.

Its a long relaxed slow holiday. Any suggestions, welcome.
Also, which JP passes will be the best. I am assuming that I can buy multiple 7 day passes if that is the best plan. After 7 days and a break, start another one to continue the journey. Is this correct?

I must say, Japan sounds so amazingly organised and so helpful!

My thanks for this service.
Wong Liu Shueng

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi there!

It's really great that you can take your time to make such a nice and relaxed journey. It is something I would wish to do at some point make my way up from somewhere around Matsue all the way up to Aomori on the west coast of Japan. Step one is to find out where to buy a Japan rail pass. Step two, you can use our interactive map for planning your train route, some stops you should consider include, Matsue, Kinosaki Onsen, Kanazawa, Wakura Onsen and Akita.

Going to the best JR Pass usage, you can buy multiple passes, gives that you use them within 90 days after purchase. So you could go for a couple of 7 day JR Passes if you wish, alternatively you could look into buying a 21 day JR Pass (57,700 yen) as this is about the same price as 2x7 day JR Pass (56,600 yen). It would probably better to buy a 21 day JR Pass, unless you plan to take a break from traveling somewhere longer than a week. Also a personal tip, if you do head up north to Tohoku and Hokkaido, consider a 7 day Green Pass, Green Class trains are just amazing in northern Japan, you get some much extra space and coffee and other complimentary drinks are served during the ride.

I hope this helps planning!

Let me know if I can help with anything else,
Daniel

WONG Liu Shueng
WONG Liu Shueng
11 posts
over 10 years ago

Daniel San,
Thank you so much for being so helpful. I am buying a 21 day pass and have a flexible timetable, so will do a lot of travel in the middle of my 2 month stay in Japan. I am so looking forward too it, and this service has been wonderful especially for someone like me who has not travelled in your country.

Now i am packing to leave, so will say thank you and hoe that one day you might come to New Zealand. Not as organised, but very beautiful, especially if you love walking along wonderful tracks, up mountains, and down dales.

My sincere thanks for your service,
Liu Shueng :-)

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Liu Shueng!

Thank you for your feedback!

I hope you will have an amazing journey in Japan!
-Daniel

WONG Liu Shueng
WONG Liu Shueng
11 posts
over 10 years ago

Oh Daniel San,
I ahve just sent this email away and decided I should send it to you.

Hello JR Rail,
I have paid for a 21 day pass, but never realised that you will be sending the pass to me in New Zealand. My mistake was that I thought I would go to a JR Pass place in Tokyo when I get to Japan, and from there you would issue me the pass.
Now I see that I am wrong, and I am very very sorry.

If I do not get my pass before I leave NZ, is there any way you can process me without the ticket you are sending me. It will arrive here when I have left New Zealand.
Help.
Oh I feel so foolish,
Can you help me?

Wong Liu Shueng
Tracking number 796561971123
Order number 263299

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Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Wong Liu Shueng,

When are you departing for Japan?
Shipping to New Sealand takes 3 working days, I see that your JR Pass is already in transit which means that there's a very good change that you will receive it on Friday - Saturday and other wise the next day that mail is delivered. Would this be too late?

As your pass is already in-transit, it would not be possible to re-direct the dispatch to Japan or somewhere else. I think the best option would be to have someone forward it to you in Japan if you leave before the pass arrives.

Let me know if the above does not work out and we will see how else we can assist you!
-Daniel

WONG Liu Shueng
WONG Liu Shueng
11 posts
over 10 years ago

Daniel San,
Yes I will have left NZ. I will leave instructions for it to follow me to Japan. the problem is getting an address for the delivery.
Can it be sent to your office?
Liu Shueng

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Liu Shueng,

Our sales office is located in London, UK, so that would not be a great help.

I have forwarded this problem to out sales team to see what we can do for you!

In the meantime, feel free to contact us directly at [email protected] as we will be better to assist you in a more personal manner.

WONG Liu Shueng
WONG Liu Shueng
11 posts
over 10 years ago

Oh thank you.
I leave tomorrow Friday NZ time, but I am contactable through email.
The new address I will arrange for the package to follow me.
Given that all of this will take several days, perhaps the best place it needs to meet me is in Osaka.
My intention is to use it after my 5 days in Osaka.
Is that helpful?

This has stopped my panic, well sort of....... :-)
Liu Shueng

avatar
Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Hi Liu Shueng,

I hope you were able to relax a little.

5 days in Osaka is ample time to get your pass send there, so I think that would work out for sure.

In the meantime let me know if I can assist with anything else :)
-Daniel

WONG Liu Shueng
WONG Liu Shueng
11 posts
over 10 years ago

Daniel San,
Yes i have organised someone to send it onto me in Osaka and made the address out so all she has to do is to stick it onto the package and send.
My sincere thanks for your help and support.
How about visiting NZ?
Liu Shueng :-)

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Daniel-san
18835 posts
over 10 years ago
Expert

Liu Shueng!

Glad to hear you were able to get the package forwarded.

As for visiting NZ, I have a trip planned to Australia next year and from there it's only a small hop to NZ and I certainly wish to see the country of Lord of the Rings and ride a sheep!

WONG Liu Shueng
WONG Liu Shueng
11 posts
over 10 years ago

Daniel San,
If you are coming to New Zealand you are likely to either arrive or leave from Auckland. if this happens, do contact me on [email protected] Hobbitton is a trip I have not done, but not too far from Auckland. The Lord of the Ring sites in the South Island are breathtaking. NZ is beautiful. Could not organise a ride on a sheep, but could offer a NZ roast lamb meal.
You would be welcome.
Keep in touch
Liu Shueng


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